Chemo just finishing - what to expect when we get the results and what to ask

[Fahza]

Hi before I ask my question I just wanted to say how much I am moved by the honesty and support shown in this community.

My wife Sam was found to have suspected ovarian cancer in February this year. Total hysterectomy carried out shortly afterwards at St Mary's in Manchester. Ovarian Cancer was found and was graded 2b. Sam finishes Chemotherapy at Christie's this week. We meet our consultant on 3rd October. So what can we expect and more importantly whatever the outcome what should we be asking. Thanks Paul.

[Lyndy]

Hi Paul

Has she had an 'end of chemo' scan? I had one plus a blood test so that we could have a where are we now discussion. I went on to have Avastin but I am not sure she would qualify for it now at stage 2. All being well she will go on to 3 monthly checks. Strangely enough that moment when you finish treatment can be very difficult- suddenly you are on your own!

I would ask about the best way to contact the hospital again if she needs reassurance or feels that something is not right. I found some side effects went on way after the end of chemo!

If she is anything like me then she may need to look into support through your local Macmillan centre....I did the 'hope ' course which was useful and helped me think about life.

I've assumed that she will go into remission.. if this isn't the case then others here have experience that I am sure would be useful...best of luck to you both!! L xx

[Fahza in reply to Lyndy]

Thanks Lindy. We have a date for a CT Scan and a blood test. So far support has come from Maggie's but we have talked about finding something more local.

[Wiganw]

Hi.

I think first question will be if any evidence of disease and really where you go from there will depend on answer. You will need to know how you are going to be monitored in the future. And who to contact if worried. There are some general questions on the ovacome website.

I hope that your wife's cancer has all gone, but if not future treatment options and trial availability. I don't know if you need emotional support but it's worth asking what's available. I also finished 3rd line chemo at the Christie and I have been undergoing 3 monthly scans.

I don't know where you live, but after my second line chem I attended a holistic centre and had acupuncture and aromatherapy and I found that very helpful it was not so much the treatment but going somewhere were I could talk openly about my cancer.

Sx

[Hidden]

Hi Paul. The answer depends on a number of things. Firstly, what your wife's CA125 is at the end of chemo. Being staged as 2B, I'm thinking she'll be in remission. I was 3C and, when told I was in remission, I ventured to ask what the prognosis was. Not everyone wants to ask that.

Things vary too from hospital to hospital. I continued monthly checks after and 3-monthly CT scans.

As Lyndy said, it's a strange feeling to finish chemo. You think it will be such a relief but in fact you feel cast adrift. You get used to it though and pick up your life again.

I found a local OC support group. They're a great bunch of women & a few husbands come too. It's not all doom & gloom I can assure you. But we're bonded to each other by our experiences and we support each other - at our monthly meetings and also via email.

Best wishes to you both. Pauline