Aa
More good news...
Just thought I'd let everyone know that my Avastin continues to be working and everything has shrunk again! We're now measuring in millimeteres instead of centimeteres, which I didn't think would ever happen! I met with the surgeon yesterday and she has decided to submit my case before the tumor board on Monday. She's not totally convinced that this is the right thing to do, but wants to see if they could at least go in and fix my ureter/kidney issues (which she now feels, is more of a post surgical complication from my surgery nearly 3 years ago!) Honestly, I'd be thrilled with that alone...my kidney and ureter are both backed up (again) and with my tumor being so small now, they have all realized that's not the reason for my kidney complications.
Anyways, thought I'd share some good news...I'd love to continue on this drug but they understood when I told them that, financially, it's not a realistic long term option for me. Hopefully the tumor board will agree that surgery is what will help me. I find out June 25th...
love Becky
p.s. for anyone else on Avastin, the doctor's told me that the number one complaint they have from patients is extreme fatigue - at least now I don't feel so lazy!
Anyways, thought I'd share some good news...I'd love to continue on this drug but they understood when I told them that, financially, it's not a realistic long term option for me. Hopefully the tumor board will agree that surgery is what will help me. I find out June 25th...
love Becky
p.s. for anyone else on Avastin, the doctor's told me that the number one complaint they have from patients is extreme fatigue - at least now I don't feel so lazy!
I'm so happy for you Becky - kick that cancer's @ss!!!!!! You are a strong, young, beautiful woman with a cute little boy to raise - I know you have that fight in you. With love - Deandra
I'm surprised your doctor hasn't been able to make a case for the coverage.
While it's not the same, before my mom came down with OVC she was battling Rhuemetoid Arthritis, none of the meds worked. Her RA specialist was able to get other meds paid for that did work, that were experimental, and/or were not generic. My mom was living in BC and was retired without any extended health, just BC Medical.
Perhaps it's different with cancer or perhaps your doctors has tried and wasn't successful.
Best wishes for a continued successful treatment and recovery.
While it's not the same, before my mom came down with OVC she was battling Rhuemetoid Arthritis, none of the meds worked. Her RA specialist was able to get other meds paid for that did work, that were experimental, and/or were not generic. My mom was living in BC and was retired without any extended health, just BC Medical.
Perhaps it's different with cancer or perhaps your doctors has tried and wasn't successful.
Best wishes for a continued successful treatment and recovery.
That's great news!!! I am however so angry, that these meds are so expensive.
I'll keep you in my thoughts!
I'll keep you in my thoughts!
I agree with Marty. If our little town of 6000 people here in NZ could raise $50,000 for on of our local lady's treatment, then I'm sure we could come up with an idea to raise $5000 for Becky's treatment.
I know I am far away, but I am willing to do whatever it takes to pitch in.
Peace...Kim
I know I am far away, but I am willing to do whatever it takes to pitch in.
Peace...Kim
so excited for you, with this good news I will tell Leslee about it, she is still waiting for the Mayo thing and then the transfer to Iowa University, maybe they will suggest it for her. There just has to be a way for you to continue this, Avastin will profit big time if this is approved for OVCA, I for one do not want you to stop these treatments, How about it gals , could we possibly raise the money here in the states for our Canadian cyster? 5 thousand is not that big of an amount , I think we could do it. Marty
That is fantastic news. Your treatment seems absolutely worthwhile, so I am sympathetic to your financial issues and the accompanying stress. I am hoping all works out well.
Dear Becky,
What wonderful news. I am so happy for you. It is so great to hear this amazing and good news.
I am praying for you to get the surgery to fix the kidney problems.
I did not realize how expensive the treatment was and I am flabbergasted!!
Can we not all write a letter and get a petition or something to the Government to fund this treatment?? It so absolutely crazy and it makes me so angry that the 'Powers that be' spend so much money on killing people instead of helping people live!!
Lets get proactive and send a World Wide Petition.
We are having the same argument in NZ about Herceptin. Women with Breast Cancer that is receptive to this drug are having to raise money to be treated.
Our community has gotten behind one of the women in town and raised enough money (having Golf charity days, running markets, raffles etc etc,) for her to have the treatment, and now she is doing really well. But we shouldn't have to do this.
I just watched on Television last night that the US was pledging 10.something BILLION dollars to the Afghan people. While I am not saying, that we shouldn't be supporting other countries or causes, I am saying that there is a GREAT need for that sort of money to be spent on stuff like...I don' know....AVASTIN!!
Just my two cents worth...
Peace...Kim
What wonderful news. I am so happy for you. It is so great to hear this amazing and good news.
I am praying for you to get the surgery to fix the kidney problems.
I did not realize how expensive the treatment was and I am flabbergasted!!
Can we not all write a letter and get a petition or something to the Government to fund this treatment?? It so absolutely crazy and it makes me so angry that the 'Powers that be' spend so much money on killing people instead of helping people live!!
Lets get proactive and send a World Wide Petition.
We are having the same argument in NZ about Herceptin. Women with Breast Cancer that is receptive to this drug are having to raise money to be treated.
Our community has gotten behind one of the women in town and raised enough money (having Golf charity days, running markets, raffles etc etc,) for her to have the treatment, and now she is doing really well. But we shouldn't have to do this.
I just watched on Television last night that the US was pledging 10.something BILLION dollars to the Afghan people. While I am not saying, that we shouldn't be supporting other countries or causes, I am saying that there is a GREAT need for that sort of money to be spent on stuff like...I don' know....AVASTIN!!
Just my two cents worth...
Peace...Kim
CONGRATS on the good news. I read where you have received some help from Genetech for your Avastin. Why not try contacting them again and explain how well it has helped you and that you could use some extra help financially to keep going on it. I am sure they want to get this drug approved for ovarian ASAP ... so this just may help their cause as well. It won't hurt to try and I wish you were able to continue.
Good luck, God Bless
Judy C
Good luck, God Bless
Judy C
I am so happy that this is working for you. If there was any way that I could do it, I would gladly share my avastin with you so that you coud continue recieving it. Please know that I am thinking about you and hoping something comes up that lets you continue with it.
Love Chris
Love Chris
Hi everyone...thanks for all your wonderful words of encouragement. After so many years of up's and downs and watching so many of my friends suffer with this, I almost feel guilty about posting positive news.
Avastin is not considered a covered drug except in 4 provinces - I know BC and Nova Scotia are two...I can't remember the other two. Even still, they are only approved for use in colorectal cancer, which, technically, is what it's been manufactured for. It is not indicated for use in ovarian cancer, which is why I have to pay for it. The drug company does cover some of it ($1300) but that still only reduces the cost to $5000 every three weeks. My private insurance won't cover it, again, because it's not indicated for ovarian cancer. I've been lucky to have my family and some friends pay for my treatments, but this can't go on like this. The guilt I feel for taking this money...well, unless you were in my shoes, you have no idea. It's stressful, to say the least. Then you have people like my step-father who hold it over my head and trust me - it's not worth the grief it's causing me. I've done well so far and I know, if need be, I can go back to it in the future. I'm really hoping surgery is what will help me, at least for a little while.
Sunes, I'm not really sure of the answer to your question. Maybe that would be a good one to post to Dr.Goodman? I don't think it affects your liver like that (leaving holes behind) but I could be wrong. I think the liver is one of those organs that can re-grow itself...
Anyways, thanks again everyone...I'll let you know what happens on the 25th!
love Becky
p.s. Happy Father's Day to all the special Dad's in your lives...my good friend called yesterday to tell me her Dad passed away after a lengthy battle with bladder cancer, so today is bittersweet for me as I'm sure it is for her too.
Avastin is not considered a covered drug except in 4 provinces - I know BC and Nova Scotia are two...I can't remember the other two. Even still, they are only approved for use in colorectal cancer, which, technically, is what it's been manufactured for. It is not indicated for use in ovarian cancer, which is why I have to pay for it. The drug company does cover some of it ($1300) but that still only reduces the cost to $5000 every three weeks. My private insurance won't cover it, again, because it's not indicated for ovarian cancer. I've been lucky to have my family and some friends pay for my treatments, but this can't go on like this. The guilt I feel for taking this money...well, unless you were in my shoes, you have no idea. It's stressful, to say the least. Then you have people like my step-father who hold it over my head and trust me - it's not worth the grief it's causing me. I've done well so far and I know, if need be, I can go back to it in the future. I'm really hoping surgery is what will help me, at least for a little while.
Sunes, I'm not really sure of the answer to your question. Maybe that would be a good one to post to Dr.Goodman? I don't think it affects your liver like that (leaving holes behind) but I could be wrong. I think the liver is one of those organs that can re-grow itself...
Anyways, thanks again everyone...I'll let you know what happens on the 25th!
love Becky
p.s. Happy Father's Day to all the special Dad's in your lives...my good friend called yesterday to tell me her Dad passed away after a lengthy battle with bladder cancer, so today is bittersweet for me as I'm sure it is for her too.
Becky,
I am glad that I read your post - it is wonderful news and makes the day that much brighter. I do hope you can do something financially so you can continue on with the Avastin. I think Jan had a great idea. I hope you try that!! I will pray that you will be approved for the surgery. Take care, Colleen
I am glad that I read your post - it is wonderful news and makes the day that much brighter. I do hope you can do something financially so you can continue on with the Avastin. I think Jan had a great idea. I hope you try that!! I will pray that you will be approved for the surgery. Take care, Colleen
Becky, I don't know how I missed this post, but that is very exciting news. Maybe you should contact the manufacturer of Avastin. They might help cover the cost and they may want to use your info as a case study to help prove it works for OvCa. The more cancers they can get it approved for the more of their product they will sell, so it would be in their best interest to look at your case. I am so thrilled that this surgery may take care of those other issues. You deserve some good news!!!! Congrats honey, and you will continue to be in my prayers.
Love ya
Jan
Love ya
Jan
In British Columbia, Canada, private Insurance will not insure you due to cancer dx. Period!!!. I can'teven get travel insurance to go to US for a visit.
Wanted to add that it's wonderful to hear such good news. I've never been real great at the metric system but I do know those centimeters look a whole lot bigger than the teeny weeny millimeters. Glad to hear you're in the millimeter zone now.
Great news Becky! Glad to hear it's working well for you! Hope the financial stuff works out. It would be nice for Avastin to be an approved drug for Ovca across all the provinces. Is there any province that fully covers Avastin for ovca? Avastin seems like such a promising drug for a few different cancers - sure wish the provinces would cover it!! Try writing your MLA or your provincal minister of health - maybe they can do something to help you out! Just a thought anyway.
Take care.
Debbie
Take care.
Debbie
Ok, it works. That is great! Now...what can you do so that you can get MORE? I realize the financial situation as you've explained to us in the past. Is there no way in Canada that you can qualify for some help of some kind to get this drug? I feel like if you were here in the US there would be SOME way to figure it out. Have you thought about letting someone up there organize a fundraiser for you? It's done all the time. And your needs are just as important as any fundraiser I've ever seen advertised for a sick patient.
Is private insurance allowed at all in Canada? There just MUST be a way.
Teresa
Is private insurance allowed at all in Canada? There just MUST be a way.
Teresa
Hi There.
I was a litle ignorant to the fact that some medications are helping with OV CA with dofferent people. Avastin was one of them where I read lots about but did not understand how it works.. But anyway. I would like to ask you a question if you don't mind.
If avastin works the way you described in other posts.What happens if a person has cysts like I do with cancer nodules inside and Avastin 'burns' cancer cells.Does that not going to leave holes in my cysts?
I don't seem to understand this fact.
You are very smart in this department and I am not really familiar with conventional stuff since I don't see my Oncologist often enough.. I am starting to read a lot about different meds for OvCa like Ovarex-even call to register for clinical trials but they don't want me because my cancer is rare and I live too far.
Can you tell me more about Avastin? and how this "burning" cells will affect your liver? in any way.
Hugs, Sunes.
I was a litle ignorant to the fact that some medications are helping with OV CA with dofferent people. Avastin was one of them where I read lots about but did not understand how it works.. But anyway. I would like to ask you a question if you don't mind.
If avastin works the way you described in other posts.What happens if a person has cysts like I do with cancer nodules inside and Avastin 'burns' cancer cells.Does that not going to leave holes in my cysts?
I don't seem to understand this fact.
You are very smart in this department and I am not really familiar with conventional stuff since I don't see my Oncologist often enough.. I am starting to read a lot about different meds for OvCa like Ovarex-even call to register for clinical trials but they don't want me because my cancer is rare and I live too far.
Can you tell me more about Avastin? and how this "burning" cells will affect your liver? in any way.
Hugs, Sunes.
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