Update on heart issues

[Pam P]

A bit of good news from my oncologist. He got the report on the stress test I had on Tuesday. He said the report looks good & doesn't think 'there's anything to worry about'; of course he wants to 'consult with the cardiologist on her assessment.'

And I'm actually breathing better than I was 2 weeks ago. The only 2 things that have changed: 1) I haven't had a tx of avastin now for 4 weeks, and 2) my blood pressure has come down to close to normal since I've been on the b/p medication (a condition caused by the avastin).

I think avastin is the cause of theshortness of breath, the pericardial fluid, the low LVEF, and the compromised heart wall pumping that showed up on the echo. I'll have another echo next week to see if anything is better.

I assumed that I'd be discontinuing the avastin. But my oncologist said that he'd like me to be able to resume the avastin with the taxol since the combo is working well on the cancer. He thinks by regulating the b/p with meds & taking a beta blocker - newly prescribed, that the avastin shouldn't cause harm. I'm not so sure I'm comfortable with that - this was a pretty big scare for me. However, I sure don't want to stop a cancer fighting drug that is working well. No simple choices. I'll see what the cardiologist thinks when I see her after the next echo.

And - more good news -- my grandbaby, Alma was born on 10-8. And, of course, she's perfect!