Stage 4 Ovarian Cancer Survival Stories

[Uniquem]

Hello, everyone,

My name is Milena and my mother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer stage 4. I would like to share her story as a positive example and I really hope to find more people with good outcomes.

My mum was 53 when she was diagnosed with stage 4a last year - she had malignant pleural effusion and some cancer cells around the line of the liver.

She underwent debulking surgery, that removed most of the cancer cells - there were few left on the liver's line and in the pleural effusion (which they later drained). She then had 6 rounds of chemotherapy.

The results afterwards were great - almost complete remission. The doctor said that cancer in her lungs has "capsulated" (not sure what this means, but they told us it's not considered "active").

My mother is BRCA2 + and she started taking Olaparib/Lynparza after the chemotherapy. Her last CT scan was one week ago - she was clear and her CA125 were 13.

She currently feels good and takes care of my little niece.

I'm beyond thankful for the current situation, but I can't help but worry about the statistics.

I'm from Bulgaria and here we don't have many sources of information about ovarian cancer, so I translate everything from English for my mum.

I really hope to find more people with positive stories. Please, share yours!

P.S Sorry for my English and for the long post.

[delia2]

Hi Milena. My story is still too short to be helpful but there are stage 4 people on here who have done really well, for example Katmal. I wanted to say that BRCA patients who go on PARPs after frontline treatment seem to have the best results so good luck to her. Xx

[Uniquem in reply to delia2]

Thanks for your support! Good luck to you, too and don't forget that you're not alone! ❤

[Lyndy]

Stage 4 BRCA 1 diagnosed 2015, relapsed for the first time this year but ca125 now 32 again after only 4 chemos. I am happy to share my story to encourage others but I do understand how lucky I am xx

[Uniquem in reply to Lyndy]

Thank you so much for sharing! Your story is an inspiration for people like me and my mother. ❤

[Lewisriley47]

Hi I was diagnosed with stage four in 2012 at the age of 65 and despite 4 recurrences l am still thankfully still here!! I wish you mum well x

[Uniquem in reply to Lewisriley47]

Thank you so much and good luck! Stories like yours give others hope! ❤

[Ruebacelle]

Good luck to your mother there are a lot of women on this site who are brca positive so she is on good company

[Uniquem in reply to Ruebacelle]

Thank you! I'm glad I found this amazing community!

[Tabor]

Hello Uniquem,I had two tumours one stage 2 and one stage 3 in 2014.

Surgery with 6 months chemo, then returned a spot on liver, another 6 months chemo, then again return a spot on spleen another 6 months chemo.

I too am Brac2 positive.

Then 2 and half years ago I was put on Rubraca and scan now showing completely clear of any cancer and my CA125 staying at 2.5

Have you had yourself tested for Brac mutated gene?

God Bless you and your Mom!

Take care

Patsy

[Uniquem in reply to Tabor]

Hello, Tabor,

I'm glad to hear you're clear from cancer!

I haven't been tested for BRCA mutations yet, but I plan to do it in the future, because I'm aware I might have inherited the mutation.

Thank you for the support and keep up the good work!

[chatt2]

hi Melena, Iwas diagnosed stage 4 December 2016,(4years) but I am BRCA negative ,I had pleural effusion in both lungs,had them drained then had first line,then debulking, had a recurrence in october2019 had second line and now on niraparib been on it since May ,All looks good for your Mum does her consultant have a treatment plan, not sure how it work in Bulgaria, all the best for your mumxx Sandra

[ritabon in reply to chatt2]

Hi Sandra

I had exactly the same thing except mine was stage 4a recurrence after 10 years. I had ascites, pleural effusions and deposits in abdomen, pelvis and lung fluid. I've been though it like you, but I am now on niraparib and hopefully things are looking up. I wish you well xxx

[Superkim]

Hi, it's nice to hear a good outcome. Just out of curiosity, when was your mother diagnosed?

[Uniquem in reply to Superkim]

Hi! She was diagnosed in December 2019.