Avastin & Abraxane - Anyone Else?

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   Hello Everyone!

Got my PET/CT back after 2 cycles (6 treatments total) of the A & A (and one Zometa)   While thankful and relieved that the bc mets haven't gone anywhere else, my onc described the scan as "basically stable with some slight progression".  Some mets were stable though.

I also have to consider that prior to this regiment, I had quite a bit of progression.   So, I'm looking at it like the A & A had to stop that - and that next time there will be shrinkage.

My onc and I were discussing options.   I suggested adding Gemzar to the mix - and he immediately liked that idea!   Yesterday, I had my first A, A & G.  I am so fatigued!   My head felt weird last night, but that's almost gone now.   I also noticed some whiteheads - obviously not disabling, but still ... (I've struggled skin problems almost all of my life).

Barb -
You had a lot of Taxol & Avastin.   While I never had Taxol, I've had Taxotere.   You're right, not having to have the steriod Dex, makes Abraxane a lot more attactive IMO.  More on the cold packs below.

Leo the Lion - 
So glad your brain mets were successfully treated!  Would Avastin be a later option once you're further out from the gamma knife - or does a history of brain mets prevent one from using Avastin?   I agree that "looking better makes you feel better" - the more positive version of "looking like crap makes you feel worse!"    

I'm a huge fan of the hypothermia products.   I went thru the trauma of hair loss during AC.   After a break for RFA of my liver mets (ended up being gone for 20 mos!), I had very short hair, and was more comfortable with that than wigs - and the thought of starting over bald was distressing.

While doing Taxotere & Carboplatin 8/06 - 11/06, I used the hypothermia cap, gloves and booties.   My hair continued to grow!  I never had neuropothy or nail-lifting (and while not everyone gets that, my mom got it during her bc fight).

Since starting A & A, I'm back using the products.  Avastin causes hair thinning, Abraxane causes hair loss and Gemzar causes hair thinning.   I have had some hair thinning, but my hair still looks normal!   On the day I got Avastin solo (my counts were off, so I didn't get the Abraxane) and Avastin doesn't require a pre-med, so I didn't put the cap on 15 min before treatment. The following 2 wks, I had an uncomfortable amount of hair on my comb.

The products aren't fun, but since they've worked for me so far, they're worth it!   You put the products on 15 min before treatment and keep them on during and 15 min afterwards.  The caps are good for 30 min, the gloves & booties 45 min.  I have 3 caps, 2 prs of the others.   The night before treatment, I take them out of the freezer (been in for almost a day) and put them in a wheeled cooler packed with 25 lbs of dry ice.   The dry ice has been broken into pcs 4-6 inches and wrapped in newspaper.    Gloves are a must.   You need someone to do the changes for you.  My DH has become a pro at it!

Unfortunately, the caps come in one size.   The woman in the photo on
their website must have a small head!   For me, the elastogel lining
of the caps doesn't quite reach all of my hair - the temple to ear area closest to the side of my face - and
that's where I have some hair thinning, but still, it's not bald.   I
consider that proof that the caps are working.  I just hope that adding
Gemzar to the mix won't change the effectiveness of the caps.

For a look at the products go Southwest Technology's website at www.elastogel.com/cancer_support.htm

If you have any questions, let me know.   Also, I'd call all the distributors, since I did that back in summer 2006 - and there was quite a variation on the cost.  Don't know if it's still this way, but there was no sales tax in KS where the products are made!

Best to all,

CalGal