01/26/10 - MRIs, Dr. Check-Up, Avastin 2.7

Posted 1/27. Laura and I spent most of the day a Moffitt yesterday, left the house at 9:45AM and got home around 9:15PM. Of course, that includes about 2 hours of commute time and a "lite" dinner that was around 45 minutes long. 11 1/2 - 2 - 3/4 = 8 3/4. Just 8 hours and 45 minutes at Moffitt... Not bad, considering the appointments I had.

The MRI below shows that my spinal tumor has grown since the last MRI (12/03/09). It had been slowly shrinking due to Avastin, but it appears Avastin may have "worn out its welcome." Seriously, it is likely (according to my doctors) that Avastin is less effective now because my tumor may have changed its biology (structure). Half-jokingly, the tumor must have a "brain" with enough intelligence to defeat Avastin.


MRI from 12/3/09 compared to MRI from 1/26/10, showing tumor growth
I also likely have a new tumor on my spine, as shown below. It is lower than my current one, which is also shown again for reference. Note, these are two MRI images, as one image does not capture both... Apparently, the new one "is just around the corner" from my existing one.


Existing tumor on left, potential new tumor on right
How to proceed. My doctors at Moffitt suggested radiation could be an option to destroy both tumors, but I will still need to take Avastin every two weeks. This morning, Laura made an appointment to see my Radiation Oncologist tomorrow at 3:30. We'll see what he suggests...

I received another dose of Avastin after my doctors went over my MRIs. It was again uneventful, and done so fast (I fell asleep) that we forgot to take a picture. So, we took one on the way out of the Infusion Center (that's the department that administers most of my chemo).


Me at Infusion Center waiting room, after receiving Avastin
A couple of things. First, apparently once somebody is "on" Avastin, they cannot stop taking it, for fear of a major outbreak (tumors everywhere). I did not know that prior to yesterday, and I don't like it! Second, although I did enjoy the time from October through now (almost 4 months), if I could go back, I would try to do more (not that I didn't do anything)... This comment is not meant to be interpreted negatively, but you never know what will happen next, and that applies to everyone... You should enjoy every day to its fullest!