Making adjustments...or as they say, managing the side effects. That's what we're doing and two weeks ago another side effect was identified and that is protein in Ed's urine. (Wow...who ever thought I'd be posting on a blog about urine....crazy, but I am!) Last week Dr. Bower had Ed do a 24-hour urine test and this week we found that 24-hour test also showed a high level of protein. This is one of the "serious" side effects of Avastin. So on Wednesday, we met with Dr. Bower and he informed us that we needed to suspend the use of Avastin until the protein levels go down.
Of course we worried that by suspending the Avastin, the tumors may grow again. However, there is no choice if we want to avoid permanent kidney damage. Ed will continue on the Xeloda which as Dr. Bowers explained is the primary chemotheraphy drug. The Avastin and the Irinotecean (that we stopped earlier this year) supplement the Xeloda. So Ed will continue to go in every two weeks to get his blood levels and urine checked, but no infusions for now (since the Xeloda is an oral drug).
A possible bonus? Well, the Avastin is also the cause of Ed's high blood pressure and even though Dr. Bowers upped the dosage of his blood pressure medicine earlier this year, he did so again this week since Ed's blood pressure continues to be high. So by suspending the Avastin for a bit we hope this also helps with the hypertension.
Time will tell...
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