Surgery / no surgery

[valo]

Hi can I ask are there many women diagnosed with oc who do not have any surgery. I have had first line chemo carbo / taxol and avastin for stage 4b and looking to have 12 more treatment of avastin only. My recent CT scan showed all tumour is reducing in size. What do you think. Thanks

[Lyndy]

Hi Valo

If they offer surgery I would go for it...as they explained it to me getting rid of the big bulky bits (ie. Ovaries etc) helps any further chemo to focus on the smaller microscopic bits of disease xxx

[Katmal-UK]

Hi. I agree with Lindy, if I was offered surgery Id take it ( I did over 8 years ago) . As Lindy says that'd deal with the bulky bits and leave the chemo to mop up. Kathy xx

[Susan3]

I would definitely go for surgery . This disease had a tendency to come back so reckon it's a good idea to attack on multiple levels . I walked into the surgeons office two weeks after my first surgery ( hysterectomy omentum removal) and he had to check his notes to see he had operated on me , cause I seemed so well. They gave excellent post op drugs now I was really comfortable and recovered really quick. Best of luck with your decision.

[valo]

Thank you ladies for taking the time to reply, when I discussed the options with the surgeon, I got the strong impression that they preferred me to carry on with chemo. I will discuss with onc next week again thanks

[January-2016-UK]

Hello Valo

I am to have three chemo cycles and then a CT scan with a view to having surgery (stage 3c). I'd definitely take surgery if it's offered. Less left for the chemo to attack.

Helen

[jools53 in reply to January-2016-UK]

hi Helen in the same boat 1 chemo two to go surgery 3 chemos after,port fitted using cold cap live in kent ,how you doing xx

[January-2016-UK in reply to jools53]

Hello Jools

I had one chemo on 13th Feb, second one tomorrow, or rather today. I don't have a port, nor was I offered a cold cap. Having said that my hands and feet are always cold and I've felt very cold for a couple of months now, so I don't think I could cope with a cold cap.

Have lost almost all my hair now and wore my wig for the first time all day today. I have naturally curly hair and have always wanted straight hair and so now, I have it.

Have walked out with my dog every day and went horse riding on Monday for the first time since the first chemo.

Hope you are feeling well.

I'm in East Sussex.

[January-2016-UK in reply to January-2016-UK]

Whoops! Meant first one on 13th January, not February as not there yet......

[Caroles1]

Surgery every time if it's offered,I did then Chemo after and I'm in remission, it's not so bad and knowing the little devil is gone with the chemo to mop up is a good thing.

Best of luck Valo xx

[Hidden]

I agree, if you are offered surgery post chemo, do consider the option, At the moment you cant have it as you have to stop Avastin for at least 28 days before any surgery even tooth extraction or biopsy. Great that the tumours are reducing and hopefully the Avastin will keep it under control. If you are not offered surgery, you may remain on Avastin for a long period. I hope it is all going well and that you are looking after yourself

[MaggyH]

I had 6 X carbo/taxol and then continued on Avastin alone for a further 16 months. The tumours had shrunk sufficiently by then to operate and I had a full hysterectomy.

They initially told me it was unlikely they would be able to operate and remove everything but they did manage to remove almost all of it.

[jools53]

how was the pain after surgery on a scale of 1-10 what did they give you for it and how long did you need it xx

[HogwartsDK]

Hey Jools!

I had 2 surgeries one for removal of large cyst and ovary and once the cancer cells were confirmed I had a second surgery full hysterectomy removal of other ovary, tubes, cervix and omentum. I have to say my surgeon is amazing and specialises in laparoscopic surgery so all of this was done laparoscopically! The first time I was in Hospital for one night the second surgery 2 nights! Apart from the Meds I got for the surgery I didn't need any strong pain Meds the pain was bearable! I would say maybe 3/4 out of 10 and more sore than painful! I think I was lucky to be honest I had a lot of preparation time and had prepared with lots of exercise and healthy eating and I really think that worked for me!!!

I did have myself worked into a proper state about the whole thing so I think I was expecting it to be a lot worse so I suppose that helped too! !

Best of luck with it all its all very daunting but you will get through it!!

😊😊😊😊😊

Dxx