Update on mum

[sjg81]

Hi

I hope you are all doing as well as can be. I have posted a few times but briefly my mum finished front line chemo for hgs 3c last Dec and carried on with Avastin. She had stranding showing on her first scan and her CA125 never went below 49 and since May starting climbing again. In Sept she was told her latest scan showed some cancerous deposits in a few places and she was given Tamoxifen as she had no symptoms and was feeling well. She had a chest infection about 8 weeks ago which totally wiped her out and around 2 weeks ago she said she felt like she was starting to get ascites again (this is one of the main symptoms she had first time around) fast forward to yesterday we made her go to A&E as her gp and onc department.

She was admitted last night and has since been told her cancer has become more aggressive since the last scan and that she needs to start chemo again on Thursday. I wasn't there when he spoke to her but hes also said that shes eligible for a tablet but she wasn't sure if it was to take during chemo or a parp (shes BRCA Neg).

Part of us were expecting it but it's still come as a shock but what I'm confused about is that shes going to be getting Carbo/Taxol again. What I understand from you ladies on here and the fb group was that if she had recurred within 6 months she wouldn't be getting that combination again. Trying to get answers out of anyone is a nightmare.

Sorry for the long rant.

Sarah xx

[Lyndy]

Sorry your poor Mum is facing chemo again. Sending her and you all the best.. hopefully she will feel more comfortable by Christmas xx

[sjg81 in reply to Lyndy]

Hi

Hope your doing ok? She knew she would be facing chemo again but she was hoping that the Tamoxifen would work for a few months but sadly no. The ascites went almost straight away once she started so fingers crossed it will again so hopefully, fingers crossed christmas should be a lot more comfortable for her xx

[Vicx1977]

Hi, aww I'm so sorry to hear your mum's cancer has recurred again so soon. We found out on thurs that my mum's has recurred 4 months after her last chemo and she starts caelyx next wed. I'm not sure if this is what your mum will be getting but mum was told she can't have the taxol/carbo either because she's recurred so quickly. She's also BRCA negative.

I hope your mum gets some relief soon and that you can all spend some time together over the Christmas holiday. It's such an emotional rollercoaster isn't it. Thinking of you and your family. Lots of love vickie x

[sjg81 in reply to Vicx1977]

Hi Vickie

I'm so sorry about your mum, her journey is only around 6 months less than my mums. My mums recurrence was confirmed in sept through her scan but at that point it was only small deposits and because she was feeling well they advised her to take Tamoxifen but with hindsight she should have probably pushed to start chemo.

Her Ca125 never went below 49 and it was slowly creeping up so we were prepared but it's the speed it's happened. Like your mum she also had stranding show up on her first scan after finishing chemo and we've always thought the stranding was left over cancer, more so when her ca125 started rising. I'm a little confused because shes actually going to be given carbo/taxol again but I was under the impression because she technically recurred within 6 months she would not be able to have that combo again.

It must have been such a shock to you all but it seems like your mums team is on the ball and shes starting her treatment really quick. I'm keeping everything crossed that this blasts everything for your mum.

My mum has been told that if the chemo works she will be given a parp and shes also brca neg so hopefully that's something else you mum may get?

Love to you sarah xx

[Vicx1977 in reply to sjg81]

Hi Sarah ,

It is such a difficult journey in so many ways isn't it. We just hope that the doctors are doing the best for our lovely mums.

Have you thought about ringing ovacone to have a chat, I did just last week to get things clear in my head so I could help my mum. We are also going to ask for a second opinion in the new year from Christie's, just to make sure there are no other options of care that mum may be suitable for. It may be worth thinking of this for your mum if you're unsure of what's the best treatment.

Thinking of you and always here for a chat, we are all on this journey together.

Take care and lots of love to you and your mum, vickie x

[sjg81 in reply to Vicx1977]

Hi Vickie

Sorry I didn't reply sooner I didn't realise you had messaged back.

Its definitely a difficult journey and I just keep thinking of what my mum is going through and what it must be like for her.

She was told today that she will never be cancer free and I think for once it's totally thrown her. I think I will give the ovacome a ring and we haven't even thought of a second opinion or where to even start.

I hope the best for you and your mum as well. Keeping everything crossed 🤞

Sarah xx

[Vicx1977 in reply to sjg81]

Hi Sarah,

Don't worry! Lovely to hear from you. My mum has been told her cancer will prob never go away completely either, but I remember one of the ladies on here telling me to see it as a chronic illness such as diabetes, people live with these illnesses for years and lots of people do live with cancer now for many years, and do have a very good quality of life. I agree though it's a shock when you are first told.

The lady I spoke to at ovacome was lovely and very helpful.

Take care and speak soon, vickie xx

[sjg81 in reply to Vicx1977]

So Vickie I missed your reply again. That's exactly what I told my mum about it being a chronic illness. All we can do is hope whatever treatment is offered works and take one day at a time.

Thanks again for replying vickie. Take care and speak soon.

Sarah xx