Re sister

[Skyp]

No mention of op or debulking which I read most ladies have. Only biopsy in a month then chemo. Is this usual xx

[Jacky5]

When I was first diagnosed I was told I would just have chemo as surgery wasn't possible.

After 3 treatments I had a scan and was told that I'd had a good response to the treatment and that surgery would now be possible. I had full debulking followed by 3 more doses of chemo.

This is such a worrying time I know, all the uncertainty and the waiting . Things should I hope start to feel a little more positive now your sister has a treatment plan. Hope the chemo goes very smoothly and wishing you both all the very best.

Liz x

[Skyp in reply to Jacky5]

Thank you. Just seems to be ages until something is done xx

[Rankij11]

They will only operate if it is more beneficial to your sister than not . I have never had surgery as liver involvement meant I could never hope for NED , so they would have been using drastic surgery to no advantage and possibly detrimental effect . At the time this is very hard to hear , but I do believe they were right . It helped that I knew the surgeon and trusted his opinion. It also took about 12 weeks to start chemo which seemed an eternity at the time , but got there and it worked well. That waiting was awful I admit , bellyful of cancer and no action but actually made no difference to outcome. The biopsy will be to establish metastasis, or to type cancer if you’ve had no surgery . But I can give you hope , all that and here I am 2.5 years later and still chugging and living good life at present .My best wishes for your sister

Jennifer

Ps I do think your onc team should be explaining treatment plan to your sister fully though .

[Skyp in reply to Rankij11]

Thank you. Yes you have given hope. Like you say it's the waiting xx

[Smileeveryday2021]

I was same as Jacky5 above. Was initially told chemo only; then after midway scan was offered surgery..,,which I had. I think they just tell you the first step until they know how you will respond to treatment. So it’s hard to wait and see how she responds to chemo…so try and keep you both busy…….xxx

[SopSinger]

Chemo may be offered either before surgery (to reduce the tumours) or instead of surgery (if it doesn't look likely that surgery will be possible). However, different patients have different responses to chemo, and if the response is better than expected, surgery may come back into the equation. Also, even if you are at a major cancer centre, don't take no as a final answer. Ask for a referral to the amazing Prof Christina Fotopoulou at the Hammersmith/Queen Charlotte hospital. She has a reputation for operating on patients who have been deemed inoperable by other surgeons.

[Morini]

She is not alone in that. Initially an operation seemed the way I was heading but I have now had 6 rounds of chemo and am booked in for a scan to decide whether I will have an op. I guess we are all unique and so what we need is different (although sometimes cynically I wonder about the NHS pressure too). But chemo seems to have worked well, I feel good, I've had no post op recovery in the heat of summer but got out and enjoyed it and my oncologist has a backup plan. xx

[Skyp in reply to Morini]

Thank you morini. I'm so glad you are doing so well.you and other members give us hope. They suspect cancer is on bowel as well and the biopsy is to see if same cancer. Hope your next scan OK. Take care x

[Morini]

I do hope that the biopsy provides positive news for your sister and that chemo works well. I have to say, whilst chemo has been horrid at times, it was nowhere near as bad as my vivid imagination! I have had days where I have felt better and better and able to do nice things. I do hope she experiences it similarly xx

[Skyp in reply to Morini]

Thank you. It's the not knowing and waiting as well xx