Friends and Family,
Before chemo six weeks ago I had the usual blood and urine tests to make sure everything was good to go, but there was a snag. My kidneys started spilling protein. If they keep doing this it can cause kidney damage. I found out that this is common side effect of Avastin, and one of the reasons that people have to stop treatment. We postponed treatment for a week to give my kidneys more time to recover, and then re-tested. Everything fell into place, and I was able to have treatment.
However, this time around (four weeks later) the test results didn't go well. I had to skip the Avastin. This may or may not be the end of this treatment for me. We will re-test in four weeks and hope for the best. If I can't re-start Avastin, I will be on zero treatment until the cancer starts growing again.
The last time I wrote I was having a lot of difficulty breathing, and a CT scan had just ruled out cancer as the culprit. The doctor's theory was that the breathing problems were caused by the blood pressure medication. I stopped the medication, and within a day my breathing returned to normal. It was a great lesson in staying in the present. It's a lesson Genevieve and I are taking to heart right now.
Given how bad things looked before the last time I wrote, delaying or stopping Avastin seems doesn't seem quite as scary. Also, I keep reminding myself what the doctor told me months ago: At this point we don't know whether the Avastin is working at all, or whether the cancer has stopped growing regardless. Just because I stop Avastin doesn't mean the cancer is ready to start growing again.
I will continue to do everything that is within my control, and count on your prayers, positive energy and love to beat this thing.
Thank you for being there for me.
Love,
Dann
Before chemo six weeks ago I had the usual blood and urine tests to make sure everything was good to go, but there was a snag. My kidneys started spilling protein. If they keep doing this it can cause kidney damage. I found out that this is common side effect of Avastin, and one of the reasons that people have to stop treatment. We postponed treatment for a week to give my kidneys more time to recover, and then re-tested. Everything fell into place, and I was able to have treatment.
However, this time around (four weeks later) the test results didn't go well. I had to skip the Avastin. This may or may not be the end of this treatment for me. We will re-test in four weeks and hope for the best. If I can't re-start Avastin, I will be on zero treatment until the cancer starts growing again.
The last time I wrote I was having a lot of difficulty breathing, and a CT scan had just ruled out cancer as the culprit. The doctor's theory was that the breathing problems were caused by the blood pressure medication. I stopped the medication, and within a day my breathing returned to normal. It was a great lesson in staying in the present. It's a lesson Genevieve and I are taking to heart right now.
Given how bad things looked before the last time I wrote, delaying or stopping Avastin seems doesn't seem quite as scary. Also, I keep reminding myself what the doctor told me months ago: At this point we don't know whether the Avastin is working at all, or whether the cancer has stopped growing regardless. Just because I stop Avastin doesn't mean the cancer is ready to start growing again.
I will continue to do everything that is within my control, and count on your prayers, positive energy and love to beat this thing.
Thank you for being there for me.
Love,
Dann