Update on my mom and seeking advice

[msuspartan]

Hi, Looking for some advice again, update is that my mom is still in her battle for stage 4? Ovarian cancer. She is doing fine health wise. To recap, Her starting CA 125 number was out of roof at 110000 back in October 2019, She took 6 cycle (18 rounds) of carboplatin/paclitaxel. She did fine on that overall, her reading on CA125 was 8000 last month. Her PET scan showed the curbing of tumor but showed metabolic activity in medistinal lymph node (20% increase comparatively in 6 months). Due to covid 19 her surgery is getting delayed. Surgery will be focused on ovarian and lower abdomen area and they will not do anything for lymph node. We are bouncing ideas on what is our best next step at this point. Can she take more chemo for the moment or the surgery is a must at this time. Any suggestions will be helpful...thanks a ton and be safe.

[Lyndy]

Hello, I was told that the surgery makes chemo more effective because there’s less bulk to deal with. So if it is available then surgery might be her first choice. Clearly we are not in ordinary times but there are now some hospital sites not dealing with Covid where it would be safer to have treatment. xx

[msuspartan in reply to Lyndy]

Thanks..Lyndy. Stay well and safe.

[Nicky100]

Hello,

Sorry to hear your mum is poorly. But you are doing a great job as a daughter and helping her.

They are strange times just now- so things will or may be different with regard to medical teams and their decisions.

I had surgery after my stage 4 and it was a big surgery, but I was also told that it gave me better chances. I am now fingers crossed still doing really well and that was 2.5 years ago. I had a second opinion with a radical surgeon in London Dr. Christina Fotopoulou, who probably saved my life for now. I bang on about her on this forum! She is truely incredible, and she would be worthwhile contacting, or the oncologist at Hammersmith/Queen Charlotte's. Much love Nicky xx

[msuspartan in reply to Nicky100]

Thank you..Nicky. Great story and feedback. Wish you all the best.

[delia2]

Surgery is really important for overall survival so go for it. I suggest a second opinion on the lymph node. Maybe another surgeon would take it out. Radiation is also possible for one node depending on circumstances.

[msuspartan in reply to delia2]

Thanks for your insight..This us very useful. Stay well.