Surgery

[Walkingwithcancer]

Hi I was deemed inoperable after 4 rounds of chemotherapy. I had a diagnostic camera, and was sent back to have 2 further chemotherapy treatments. During this time I decided to go for a second opinion with Professor Christine Fotopoulou, as she was recommended to me. Surgery has been agreed but no guarantee has been given, and I have been told if there is a lot of small spotting of the disease, she will have to close me up again. I'm really hopeful but also realistic that I may be opened up, and stapled together without the cancer being removed. Has anyone else any experiences similar to share with me.

[Rankij11]

well has some similarities ………… So I was told after 6 chemos that due to the extent of liver involvement, the debulking op would not be of any advantage to me . I would have to go through all the negatives associated with the op and the cancer would still be there on liver . As couldn’t do anything about it. Now I knew my surgeon and trusted him . He is definitely a believer in quality not quantity though . After chemo I went onto Olaparib, BRCA 2 pos , and that’s all I’ve done I’m now in 4th year survival , 3 +on Olaparib . I know I’m lucky so far , and of course it will reappear at some point , but I’ve had that time living a good life . Of course this is different for everyone, depending on where mets are etc. I know that they will always do their best for you within the limitations presented by this disease .

I really hope this all works out for you in the best possible way

Jennifer

[Walkingwithcancer in reply to Rankij11]

Thankyou!'x

[DinkyAnnecy]

Hi Maybe you inquire about Hipec. It’s chemo given directly into your abdomen. Also, I read that Pipec is used in Europe, not the US; it’s an aerosol of chemo delivered into the abdomen. Best of luck to you...

[Walkingwithcancer in reply to DinkyAnnecy]

Thankyou!

[Floodal]

hello I was sent to Christine Fotopoulou at the queen Charlotte hospital from my oncologist before I had any chemo my CAV WAS VERY high I had the operation last January then had 18 lots of chemo and now I am on Avastin and olaparib no one can give you guarantee’s but she wouldn’t agree to operate if she thought it was pointless she really is a marvellous surgeon and I have been told she is proberbly one of the top there is , please keep positive remember no one knows how long you can go into remission for (stay strong)

[Walkingwithcancer in reply to Floodal]

Thankyou! X

[Newbery3]

Good morning , I'm so glad you're going with Prof Christina she's amazing!! She operated on me September 7th last year, she's the nicest, hardest working caring woman I've met. She is also like a dog with a bone and if it can be done she will do her very best! She saved my life for sure. Also she won't mince her words or mess you around, after my surgery she told me to keep in touch with any questions or concerns and I do. Please try not to worry as they have to be realistic and give you all the possibilities but if anyone can do it Prof Christina can! Good luck and give her my love Rhian from Wales x

[Walkingwithcancer in reply to Newbery3]

Thankyou Rhian, I sure will! X

[Sherrym]

I am sure she will remove large tumour/tumours if poss. I had speckling everywhere after surgery but chemo mopped it up. Now in oliparib & doing fab

[Walkingwithcancer in reply to Sherrym]

They are making me wait 7 weeks after Chemotherapy for my surgery, I am worried my cancer will grow back in that time, they called me today and changed my surgery dates. I'm really scared, I went with CF. Because she was recommended to me, but now I'm regretting as it's such a long wait. 😪

[Sherrym]

first occurrence, 3C, I had surgery but then waited almost 7 weeks to start chemo, carbo/taxol. Recurrence 6 years later, surgery again, & 7 weeks before Caelyx /carbo.

I think both times they had to be sure I had recovered from such huge surgeries.

Being afraid is part & parcel of this horrible process-please may I recommend the Penny Brohn clinic. They helped me so much

Hang in there -stay bloody fierce !!!!

[Walkingwithcancer]

Thankyou! I will check out the Penny Brohn centre. X