Change of plan

Hi!

I've been told I have to have 6 chemos, rather than 3, before the debulking surgery. Evidently this is pretty normal in the States and Canada and results are good. Has anyone out there had 6 rather than 3 chemos pre-debulking? ( Isn't debulking a hideous word? ) Take care. xxx

[Cre27]

Didn't have 6 chemos before THAT operation but agree with debulking being a horrible word. Who invented it do you think? Surely not a woman!!!!! Good luck with the treatment x

[Hidden in reply to Cre27]

Deffo not a word invented by a woman Take care. xxx

[vmichel]

Hi! Also had 6 chemos, although the marker was back to normal after 3. Did not have much of a choice. I had to wait for the hospital best surgeon to be available (around 2 month waiting time).

Véronique

[Hidden in reply to vmichel]

What is considered 'normal' on the marker? My CA125 count went from 629 to 221 after one chemo so I'm hoping by chemo 6 it won't be a problem Take care. xxx

[vmichel in reply to Hidden]

Should be less than 35. Started at 1,200 and was around 15 after 3 chemos (think it was like 1,200 > 350 > 45 > 15). Everyone reacts differently, but your marker seems to fall pretty rapidly too. Take care.

[Hidden in reply to vmichel]

Thanks for that. 1200 is massive ! Hope mine falls as swiftly as yours. Take care. xxx

[Hidden]

I agree with you all the medical terms and jargon can do your head in, surgery is a far nicer word dont you think?

[Beth25]

I had 3 before to shrink the tumour and three after to 'mop up' any rogue cells that they hadn't got during surgery. That was four years ago though and I suppose, luckily for all of us, research means that new methods are introduced as and when they're shown to be effective in trials. Good to hear they have good results elsewhere, so hope yours are too. Are they planning any chemo after surgery as well? x

[Hidden in reply to Beth25]

Thanks for the reply. I don't know whether there will be more chemo after surgery ... will have to wait and see Take care. xxx

[Flamingobeef18]

I had 6 rounds of chemo before my debulking surgery. My chemo was carbo, taxol and Avastin. Originally 4 rounds were planned but my response to chemo was better than expected so I had the extra two.

It worked well for me and when the surgery happened the lesions on my bowel had disappeared. Therefore the surgery was more effective than anticipated.

We are all different and the Oncologists skill is in identifying the best treatment plan for each individual.

All the best Julia

[Hidden in reply to Flamingobeef18]

Thanks Julia. Always good to hear positive news. Take care xxx

[Lyndy]

I had 4 chemos then surgery and now having the last two and beginning Avastin. I was a bit worried that the gap in the middle might allow the cancer to re establish itself. I did feel a bit of pressure under my rib towards the end of the surgery recovery and wondered if the pleural effusion had come back. I will never know but you would think they might have a standard protocol by now??!

[Hidden]

The different treatments / protocols show that we are being catered for as individuals which has got to be a good thing. Stay well and be happy. xxx

[Bliney]

I had 3 cycles of carboplatin and paclitaxol which didn't work so was switched to weekly paclitaxol and three weekly carboplatin and avastin which did work. After surgery, I had 2 cycles of weekly paclitaxol and three weekly carboplatin and avastin.

[gailhay]

I had 6 cycles and then debunking which was good as it meant u no longer had to have the colostomy they had talked of. I did have another 2 cycles post op to mop up and then avastin. I guess like the others have said it is based on individuality to a certain extent. Wishing you all the best xxx