Plan for BEACOPP administration

The doctor came in and confirmed that the ABVD did have a good impact on the tumors but not good enough to avoid cranking up to the 7 element chemo. Andy starts tonight with most of the drugs then gets 2 of the drugs over the next week and then on day 8 we repeat today's 5 drugs. He's on the accelerated version of each meaning heavy duty. Side effects are expected to be severe. The next 7 days will be to monitor and treat the white and red blood counts and try to avoid any infections. We will see how it goes. Looking forward Andy will have 5 more sessions about 3 weeks apart each time spending at least 8 days in the hospital. How well he tolerates this weeks treatment should be a good indicator of how he will do overall.

BEACOPP ROUND ONE STARTS TODAY!

We got great news from Andy's Oncologist! He showed Andy and I the images of the PET scan before and after the ABVD chemotherapy and it is amazing! All the areas that lit up below the diaphragm are gone, and the only one remaining in the chest is the chest mass which appears to have dimished significantly, in the xray and the PET images show it about 1/3 or 1/4 of the former size. We almost cried, that is the best news we've heard in a long time! Andy has had nausea and vomiting this morning even before starting any of the meds, the Oncologist thinks it's mostly pre-treatment anxiety causing the nausea, acid reflux and vomiting. So, here we go!!!

To be admitted tonight

Andy will be admitted tonight. Chelle will try to meet up with him ASAP. Mom will arrive Thursday

Waiting for a bed to be available

Yesterday we got word that insurance is approved and now we wait for the hospital bed to be available. Chele is going to try to meet Andy at the hospital and get the medical details first hand to allow Andy to relax and take it one step at a time. She can then update this blog so everyone gets the info. Waiting Israel no fun. Let's get moving to get closer to being done with chemo and being well. Andy's Mom will stay in SFO with him for awhile and to help during this initial BEACOPP. So many people, some who don't know Andy directly, continue to send prayers and good wishes and this is so appreciated!

Friday June 1

We are waiting for insurance approval and then a bed at the hospital and this could happen today or even early next week. Once the call comes that they are ready for Andy to start BIACOFF he will leave immediately. He will be in the hospital for 2-3 weeks for the initial treatment. The info on the study that Andy is part of, and info on BOOCOFF are easily understood at a couple of web sites one is cancerhelp.com and or http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/search/view?cdrid=630501&version=HealthProfessional&protocolsearchid=10484996. Will keep you posted as we know more.

Results of PET

Based on the PET of last week they are going to switch Andy to the BIOCOPP treatment plan. The first cycle will be within a week. He will be hospitalized for a few weeks. Subsequent treatments are every 3 weeks. For info see cancer help.cancerresearchuk.org/type/hodgkins. We will update tomorrow night with the details of the plan

Thursday PET

Andy finished blood work and the PET all before 9am today. That's a lot on an empty stomach and so his stomach revolted! Now it's a drive back home and hope for positive results. We're not sure when the results will be shared so we are guessing early next week. I am seeing that Andy is feeling fat with all the medications making him puff up a bit. Im glad he is hungry and consider the pudge temporary.