1st Avastin treatment

*** I posted two times today so read the post below first.***

I'm actually sitting in the waiting room for my first treatment. It's sunny and I'm frustrated because I was just starting my garden when I had to go here. Now I've been waiting for 1/2 hour and then I'm expecting treatment to be over an hour. I'm feeling pretty frustrated right now

I'm listening to some of the patients talking about their cancer experience and it's pretty sad. One guy has had chemo for 13 years. I'm not sure what cancer he has, but it keeps coming back. He is having a really hard time talking and is speaking really slow. He explained that he has a really hard time stringing words together and could even explain where he lived. What kind of quality of life can you have if you cant communicate or think straight? This is just great example of why I'm not doing the traditional chemotherapy ever again...

...I just started the infusion and she answered a lot of questions I'm been thinking about for awhile. But first I must say that Swedish offers a much better lunch than SCCA! They have a veggie sandwich and healthy food such as fruit. Such a change from the crap I used to eat- cheesitz and Oreos. They actually recognize the importance of good nutrition when you are battling cancer.

I asked the nurse what side effects she encountered with patients on Avastin. She said a lot of patients are on Avastin and it's pretty well tolerated. Most commonly she sees a raise in blood pressure and fatigue. My blood pressure is 106/64 (normal is around 120/80), so I don't think I don't think that will be an issue. Hopefully now I won't feel like I'm about to faint all the time. Because the drug prevents blood vessels from forming, they check your platelet count before each infusion to check the body's ability to clot. Therefore, there is the potential for bleeding, and so some patients may have occasional blood noses. She said she has only had two patients have the most serious side effect-abdominal bleeding. These are two out of hundreds on Avastin, and I'm guessing that they weren't that healthy to begin with. I'm not worried about anything right now except the fatigue, although that has been much much better

I have to have the chemo every two weeks until infinity. Actually I have no idea when I have to stop because it is only maintenance therapy. I guess I'll just do it as long as I can tolerate it. The infusion is 90 min today, and then 60 min next time, and then 30 min every time after that. It seems quick- it's Friday though and I definitely need to reschedule my next one earlier in the week.

I also learned Dr. Rivkin is in his 70's and will probably never retire. Apparently, at the time I set up my first appointment he was trying to cut down his patient load- making it surprising that he took me on. I'm guessing it's because my cancer is a little rarer, but mostly I'm sure it's because of my age. He is almost enthusiastic about my case which is a really really good.

He doesn't do surgery- he refers his patients to one of the ovarian cancer surgery specialists. I didn't know there was a specialist for my cancer, but I love the idea. Hopefully this one won't take out any extra body parts.