To have surgery or Not??

shelfish

My mother was diagnosed in September with Stage IV. She has gone through 3 rounds of carbo/taxol and her CA125 went from 625 to 111. Her oncologist has suggested the debulking surgergy but some of our family members think the surgery will be too hard on her. She is 70, in great health other than the OV cancer but she is very thin. 5'5 about 105'. I think she should have it. What are some of your experiences??

LaundryQueen

What does Mom want?
Cancer grows slower in the elderly and I would see what she wants to do first.

poopergirl14052

my thoughts
if she is in good health surgery should be done if possible. Diseased organs need to be removed. Stage four means it has already affected her organs. She has to make the decision on how to proceed and her family needs to support her....blessing...val

shelfish

Stage IV
She is in Stage IV cancer. My mother is not sure what to do, She is listening to everyone. My advice to her is to read these posts and listen to the people who are going through the same thing she is. You all are so helpful and seems like such a supportive group. I want to know other peoples experience with this surgery.

poopergirl14052

shelfish said:

Stage IV
She is in Stage IV cancer. My mother is not sure what to do, She is listening to everyone. My advice to her is to read these posts and listen to the people who are going through the same thing she is. You all are so helpful and seems like such a supportive group. I want to know other peoples experience with this surgery.

I won't sugar coat it
mt surgery was very difficult. Was cut from just below the breast bone to the pubic area.More than half of my bowels were removed,spleen,omentum, as well as all female reproductive organs. But I did heal and I am better now. It has been 2 years now and I am in remission....hope this helps,,,val

Susan777

shelfish said:

Stage IV
She is in Stage IV cancer. My mother is not sure what to do, She is listening to everyone. My advice to her is to read these posts and listen to the people who are going through the same thing she is. You all are so helpful and seems like such a supportive group. I want to know other peoples experience with this surgery.

Shelfish
How can they determine for certain that her OVC is stage 4 without surgery? Did they do biopsys on tumors that metasized to other organs other than the ovary? I would think that with her good health she should have the surgery and have a full pathology report. I had a CT scan that determined I had a mass on both of my ovaries and a CA125 of 1150. My CT showed possible stranding on my liver and lungs.....but when they did the surgery the lung as an old infection spot and the liver was just a fatty deposit. I didnt have to be debulked at all....just the total hysterectomy, apendectomy and removal of omentum and lymph nodes. Everything was benign except my ovaries and 2 of 23 lymph nodes tested positive. I just dont think you know until you have surgery for sure. Just my opinion. 70 is not that old....my gramma is 88 and still kicking!

My best to you and your Mom!

Susan

kayandok

surgery
Hello and welcome to the board. If you mom is 70 and in good health, I would say go for it. There have been other very healthy 70 something year-olds and even older that tolerated surgery and then the chemo that follows with good results.
Just my two cents,
katlhleen

carolyn45

kayandok said:

surgery
Hello and welcome to the board. If you mom is 70 and in good health, I would say go for it. There have been other very healthy 70 something year-olds and even older that tolerated surgery and then the chemo that follows with good results.
Just my two cents,
katlhleen

I vote YES
I'm normally 5'5" and 110 pounds. When my Stage 3C was discovered, my CA 125 was 1587. I had 3 rounds of chemo, then the debulking surgery. I'm 5 years younger than your Mom, but I if she's normally thin, the surgery won't be any harder on her than on a heavier person. It wasn't fun, but after my surgery last May, there was no evidence of disease and my CA 125 was 6. It has been a bit over 6 months since the surgery, and I'm close to being back to absolute normal. My last chemo was 3 months ago. All my best to both of you.

carolenk

carolyn45 said:

I vote YES
I'm normally 5'5" and 110 pounds. When my Stage 3C was discovered, my CA 125 was 1587. I had 3 rounds of chemo, then the debulking surgery. I'm 5 years younger than your Mom, but I if she's normally thin, the surgery won't be any harder on her than on a heavier person. It wasn't fun, but after my surgery last May, there was no evidence of disease and my CA 125 was 6. It has been a bit over 6 months since the surgery, and I'm close to being back to absolute normal. My last chemo was 3 months ago. All my best to both of you.

I agree that surgery is
I agree that surgery is worthwhile. If not surgery, hospice is around the corner. Surgery will give her a chance at remission. Without surgery, more chemo leading to palliative care is highly likely.

karen1951

i was diagnosed stage IV in
i was diagnosed stage IV in august of 2010.....my lungs were full of fluid that had to be drained first, but i had debulking surgery a week after my diagnosis. i was 58 at the time....surgery lasted 5 hours and i came out with a colostomy which was a shock...they said they might have to do some bowel resection but the cancer was everywhere so they took everything they could. bottom line....i am here a 14 months later and have enjoyed great quality of life. i know if i didn't have the surgery i wouldn't be here now. best of luck...keep us posted ... karen

LaundryQueen

karen1951 said:

i was diagnosed stage IV in
i was diagnosed stage IV in august of 2010.....my lungs were full of fluid that had to be drained first, but i had debulking surgery a week after my diagnosis. i was 58 at the time....surgery lasted 5 hours and i came out with a colostomy which was a shock...they said they might have to do some bowel resection but the cancer was everywhere so they took everything they could. bottom line....i am here a 14 months later and have enjoyed great quality of life. i know if i didn't have the surgery i wouldn't be here now. best of luck...keep us posted ... karen

If your mom is up for the
If your mom is up for the surgery, I would encourage her to do it. I would be sure that friends or family members stay at the bedside in the hospital day and night. You have no idea what a difference it makes to have someone there in the recovery phase.

And be sure your mom is never alone after the surgery for at least 6 weeks. Don't let the stage IV diagnosis make her feel hopeless; she deserves a chance.

(((hugs)))

kellyh33

Surgery
Hi,
My Mom went down to 94lbs prior to her surgery, so being 105 lbs should not be a deterrant especially since she is in good health.
If her oncologist is recommending it then he/she must believe it is a good idea.
If she decides not to do the surgery then she will have a lifetime of chemo. If she changes her mind at a later date it maybe too late.
Good luck,
Kelly

kellyh33

Surgery
Hi,
My Mom went down to 94lbs prior to her surgery, so being 105 lbs should not be a deterrant especially since she is in good health.
If her oncologist is recommending it then he/she must believe it is a good idea.
If she decides not to do the surgery then she will have a lifetime of chemo. If she changes her mind at a later date it maybe too late.
Good luck,
Kelly

kellyh33

Surgery
Hi,
My Mom went down to 94lbs prior to her surgery, so being 105 lbs should not be a deterrant especially since she is in good health.
If her oncologist is recommending it then he/she must believe it is a good idea.
If she decides not to do the surgery then she will have a lifetime of chemo. If she changes her mind at a later date it maybe too late.
Good luck,
Kelly