My mom has had numerous rounds of chemo and now it's time for surgery

ChrisMcG

My mom was diagnosed with stage III/IV ovarian cancer on May 4th of this year. She has had 5 or 6 rounds of chemo, and despite losing her hair she has reacted very well. Her CA number has dropped significantly since the beginning. She goes in for a cat scan tomorrow and then they will plan surgery to remove the rest of the cancer. After the surgery there will be more chemo to get rid of what's left.

Question: will this surgery and chemo remove all cancer from her? Will she be cancer free after this?

And with this type of cancer is there a strang chance that it could come back in the next few years?

Thanks a lot. I really appreciate it.

-Chris

Hissy_Fitz

Well, Chris, to be perfectly
Well, Chris, to be perfectly honest, yes, Ovarian Cancer, especially stage III and IV, will recur about 80% of the time, even when the initial chemo and/or surgery are successful and subsequent CT scans and CA125 results show NED (no evidence of disease). That's the bad news. The good news is that she can do more than one, or two, or three rouds of chemo, utilizing different "cocktails". I know a woman who has lived with late stage OC for 11 years,though she has been on and off chemo most of that time.

Most of the ladies here are either veterans who have been thru more than one session of chemo, or they are "newbies" like me and have been NED for less than 2 years. I can't think of anyone on the board who was diagnosed at stage III or IV more than 2 years ago who has not had a recurrance.

This is a terrific place for information and support. Come back and let us know how your mom is doing.

Carlene

kayandok

Chris,
welcome to the board, I'm sorry that you had to come here. Surgery could remove all the cancer, but chances are she will recur eventually. I do however, know some women, who remain NED (no evidence of disease) for a good long time, and a few who have never recurred. My really good friend, who introduced me to her wonderful surgeon that saved my life, is NED after 8 years, and never recurred. She was IIIC, grade 3, the same as I am.

I did remain NED for about 8 months after my surgery/chemo regime was finished. I have had to have chemo, but with breaks in between, have had a good quality of life. I am a 3 year plus survivor. It really can be managable.

I wish you and your mom the very best!

kathleen

Mwee

Hi Chris
Just wanted to add my voice. I was diagnosed May 2006 stage 3C, had the surgeries and round of chemo and remained in remission for 3 1/2 years before my counts slowly began to rise. I'm back on chemo, but and working towards another long remission. I wish your Mom every success with her surgery. The really tough part of this is realizing that she is in a marathon and not a sprint.
(((HUGS))) Maria

LPack

Everyone different
Chris,

As you can see already we each have a different story. And the statistics are the average. I was also diagnosed stage 3C in January 2008 and was NED for about 6-8 months (who really knows).

But am now on my 4th different treatment (this one being a clinical trial). But also need to say that I am BRCA 2 positive.

My quality of life is managable. I try my best not to complain. I realized that I may never be healed of this disease. I also realized that I am a 2 year, 8 months and 1 week survivor of Ovarian Cancer!

I desire to be in the 19% who beat this disease. I also refuse to let cancer control my life.

I pray your mom is healed of this cancer and it never comes back, In Jesus's Name!

Living for Eternity,
Libby ☺

nancy591

statistics
Chris the statistics aren't great for this type of cancer, that is true. I personally know a women who was diagnosed in her early 20s with stage 3 ovarian cancer. She has not had a recurrence in 20years. I, on the other hand, had a recurrence confirmed at 8 months post chemo. I've been on 2 chemos since with little success. These chemos have been easy to tolerate and I am living a very active and full life. Sometimes I do forget I'm sick. Even if it is only for a short while. Since diagnosis 2 years ago I've been on 5 vacations and am currently planning a trip to Orlando this month. I have two young boys at home and I volunteer at the school weekly. My point is, despite 'being sick', cancer has become a chronic disease that people are living with. Good luck to your Mom!!!

LPack

nancy591 said:

statistics
Chris the statistics aren't great for this type of cancer, that is true. I personally know a women who was diagnosed in her early 20s with stage 3 ovarian cancer. She has not had a recurrence in 20years. I, on the other hand, had a recurrence confirmed at 8 months post chemo. I've been on 2 chemos since with little success. These chemos have been easy to tolerate and I am living a very active and full life. Sometimes I do forget I'm sick. Even if it is only for a short while. Since diagnosis 2 years ago I've been on 5 vacations and am currently planning a trip to Orlando this month. I have two young boys at home and I volunteer at the school weekly. My point is, despite 'being sick', cancer has become a chronic disease that people are living with. Good luck to your Mom!!!

vacations
Just like Nancy, we too take vacations. We have been fishing in Alabama 3 times, the beach 2 times, camping several times and just got back from the Smokey Mountains. And probably a few other trips but you know I do have chemo brain. ☺

I do not work anymore, but I was already resigning my position anyways (not retiring ☺).

We have 4 adult children, 4 grandchildren, and 2 more on the way (Yippee!). Lots to live for..........

My sons and daughter do worry some about me, but they really love me and let me be me. My husband on the other hand is retired and sometimes I need to kick him out of the house for awhile. He is the best caregiver but we both need a break from each other here and there.

Take care!!

Libby ☺

Mum2bellaandwilliam

Hi Chris,Your mum was
Hi Chris,

Your mum was diagnosed at the same time as my mum ovarian stage 3 high grade serous, she has 3 lots of chemo and has had her surgery , she is now going back for her last 3 lots starting on Friday.
It is so emotional , and stressful , and it is not even us going through it.
Mums surgeon said that he has removed all visible traces of the beast so we are hoping that the chemo will kill of any that are not visible with the naked eye.I think that they can tell alot more when they go in and have a look!we have now found out that she has peritoneal cancer (sister to ovarian, same syptoms etc) as her ovaries were removed and came back clear from cancer, as I said thay can tell alot more from going in and looking, before the op her surgeon did say that she had responded very well just by looknig at the ct scan.I am praying that she has a long remission, but reading some of the stats it is very scary, but take heart from the ladies on here, they are surviving and leading full lives.The only thing that matters is what happens to your mother and that statistic is 100%. There have to be people who make up the good part of the numbers.. why not your mum?

liz x

msfanciful

Hi Chris,
As a stage iv ovca
Hi Chris,

As a stage iv ovca survivor I have had at least 4 different sets of treatments in my almost 4 years of living with this cancer.

After my first round of chemo 8 rounds of carbo/taxol for 8 months I was in remisssion for exactly one year and one month; and then I found myself back on chemo. (You can check out my profile for further details).

The thing about living with this type of cancer is that you and your mom and doctor must take a proactive approach to managing the cancer as I have. I truly believe that one can live with this cancer for a number of productive years as I have again.

The road will be uncertain and sometime scary, but with proper management of it, your mom can have many productive years.

Sharon