Well, the results are in and we have a winner (so to speak). If you discount skin that is flaking and shedding like a snake, fingers, toes and heels that are splitting for no apparent reason and a lovely rash that comes and goes at will, then we can add in the test results that come with a mixed review, all of which leads to this crazy run-on sentence that seems to be going nowhere.
The answer for the skin is just to keep moisturizing, the rash, well that I just have to live with it.
The test results: the cardiac evaluation was great; my heart is strong and healthy. The CT scan showed that there has been no spread of the cancer, however, the tumors are enlarging, so there is progression of the cancer. The blood work results; my blood sugar is perfect so there is no apparent cause for the two low readings (below 70) unless they were a false reading. My CEA (cancer antigens) continues to rise, but slowly. Some people with cancer have a CEA in the hundreds, mine is still below 100. The rise is consistent with the progression, but not consistent for the disease.
Next course of treatment: Next week we will add in Avastin with the Erbitux and Camptosar. This lovely cocktail is given with 2 Tylenol, anti-nausea meds, benadryl and Atropine (for diarrhea). All of this, along with my regular meds, makes me almost a walking drugstore.
So, this is the end of the road (almost). The Avastin is the last treatment available to me, due to the previous problems with other drugs. There is the possibility of desensitizing me to the Oxaliplatin and trying the 5FU again (although more carefully monitored). It's all a crap shoot anyway.
So that is where things stand about now. I still feel great, still am able to do the things I want and still have energy (most days). I am not in any pain, am not nauseous or incapacipated in any way. So all of your prayers and well wishes are working - keep 'em coming folks!
If you are interested in reading about the Avastin you can go here: http://www.avastin.com/
Sherri
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