Welcome to Connect, Kate. I'm glad you found us. @joannedb @rena42 and @cynthiawick can tell you more about their experience with Avastin.

Kate, here is some information from Ovarian Cancer Canada about recurrence symptoms http://www.ovariancanada.org/living-with-ovarian-cancer/recurrence. I can understand the concern about watching for symptoms of recurrence and how going for blood work or scans can increase the anxiety levels. But this type of monitoring is your best defense. I'd like to bring @hopeful33250 (Teresa) into this discussion. While she doesn't have ovarian cancer, she has had 3 recurrences of carcinoma.

Kate, what do you do to ease the fear of recurrence?

Welcome Kate, glad to hear you are doing well. Going for tests and bloodwork is always nerve racking. Hopefully you will continue to be clear. Recurrence is something we all live with. The operative word here is "live". I ve recurred twice, currently in chemo, and have bounced back nicely. My longest remission was one year and I credit avastin for that. When I recurred I received carbo, taxol and avastin until my scans were clear then continued with monthly infusions of avastin. I had some side effects from the avastin, but generally felt well and appreciated the time away from chemo. My doc did have to put me on a high blood pressure med with avastin as that seems to be one of the most common side effects. I was also tired for a couple of days a,fete my infusion and sometimes had join pain. It is defiantly worth discussing with your doc. Best of luck to u. Joanne

Two replys...had an acquaintance that came thru the chemo and everything just fine...so just want to encourage you..I really don't know anymore about her than that.
The other is that I would suggest that you get the shingles vaccine as when your body gets down, you can get shingles and it takes you down even more and you need to stay as healthy as possible to get thru this....knew someone where this was true... keep us posted as we care........

Hi Kate-Congrats on your success so far. that is really great and hopeful for all of us out here. I was diagnosed April 2016 with stage 3b OC. Have finished chemo in October and right now NED. I was told Avastin might be my next step is I reoccur.
Best of luck to you! Carol

Thank you for your reply. What is NED? I have not had Avastin mentioned to me, but I will keep it in mind if and when needed. The universal health care system is not always what it is cracked up to be. I was in contact with another OC patient here in Halifax. She did have a couple of reoccurances, but did manage to survive for 13 years. She felt that taking a ginger supplement helped quite a bit. I spoke to my doctors and she said that if I thought it might help to give it a try. I wish you all the best as well. Hopefully treatments will progress and improve. In the meantime, take care.

I also received Carbo and Taxol as well. I think it was the Taxol that they had to reduce by 20% as due to it I developed neuropathy in my hands and feet. It has subsided somewhat in my hands but is still in my feet. Time will tell I guess. I think part of the secret is to just try and get back to things that make you happy (for me needlework) and try to keep spirits as high as possible. At the very best to you. Kate

Thank you falconfly with the mention of the shingles vaccine, I did have it a few years back when my husband had cancer. It was recommended by our family doctor. So, at least that is out of the way.