Folfiri and avastin chemotherapy : Hi. My wife... - My Ovacome

My Ovacome

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Folfiri and avastin chemotherapy

Klorakas profile image
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Hi. My wife was diagnosed with cancer in her splenic flexure transverse colon February 2018. She was operated on but her cancer had spread to her stomach, small intestine and lymph nodes. She started on oxaliplatin which was administered over a period of 6 months. Oxaliplatin has left her with severe neuropathy resulting in the loss of mobility her hands and feet.

She had a scan 3 months after finishing chemo only to be told the cancer had returned in the same places as before. She was operated on again end of December that year but unfortunately, all the cancer could not be removed.

Beginning of March this year she went on another regime of chemotherapy, folfiri and avastin, 12 sessions over a 6 month period. She has a 3 hour period at the clinic IV through a portacath in her chest then she comes home with a pump and bottle which administers chemo for a period of 48 hours. She has had ten sessions so far but progressively she has lost her strength, very tired and finds it very difficult moving around, standing walking etc. Diarrhea has also been chronic which usually kicks in a week after her pump and bottle has been removed. She also suffers debilitating abdominal pain. My wife’s weight has dropped from 55 kilos to 49 kilos.

I would be interested to know if anybody else has experienced these side effects.

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Klorakas profile image
Klorakas
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Rachael47 profile image
Rachael47

huge sympathy for you and your wife. I think you might find more informed opinions on a site for cancers of the stomach. This site if for people experiencing ovarian cancer, which has different treatments. I hope you find useful advice.

Klorakas profile image
Klorakas in reply to Rachael47

Thank you for your advice.

AlaNtO profile image
AlaNtO in reply to Rachael47

The side effects of the various chemo drugs are the same irrespective of the type of cancer. Its how we react and combat these that is of interest. Avastin works differently to the taxols (Paclitaxel or Docetaxel) and is often used in treating BRC and OV cancers. One problem with it is that if you are not on NHS, have medical insurance or medical aid the cost is more than double that of the taxols.

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