Chemotherapy before surgery.

Hi I am new to the forum and just about to start my journey with OC. I am having 3 chemo sessions before surgery as they said I might of needed extensive bowel surgery if I had surgery first. Has anyone had some chemo before surgery and how it effected you going in to surgery. I feel very frightened as mentally I am not very strong.

[Mommoo65]

hi Jang1,

I had 1 round of Carbo/Taxol then surgery, then 5 more rounds of Carbo/Taxol. I really never questioned why that was, tho.

[Jacquiemoo]

I had the 3 rounds before surgery. They gave me a month off of chemo before surgery so I felt ok. Are they giving you time off before?

[Hidden in reply to Jacquiemoo]

I am not sure they haven't said but hopefully they will. Thanks for your reply.

[Riverflo]

Hi there,It seems fairly standard practice to have chemo before and after surgery regardless of whether bowel surgery would be required. I had the same with both de bulking surgeries.

Hope it goes well for you.

Martine x

[Hidden in reply to Riverflo]

Thanks Martine x

[Itha]

Hi, I had 3 x chemo cycles, some time to be OK for surgery, then the surgery, recovery after surgery, and 3 x chemo cycles again. The chemo reduce the size of the tumours. From all the research I read, this seems to be the most optimal way to deal with OC at the start. They do need to start with chemo as soon as possible after surgery for optimal impact. The risk is possibly a hernia, so you must make sure you really take good care after the surgery. Wear a binder for 6 weeks and do not do ANYTHING that will put strain on your tummy.

[Hidden in reply to Itha]

Thank you x

[Morini]

I was told I would have 3 chemo before surgery too. But I actually needed 6 before in the end. Then a break then surgery and the 2 more. I did get progressively more tired but I recovered well from surgery and have been NED for a year now.

I wa.s very scared about chemo but my son helped me put it into perspective when he said that chemo wasn't my enemy, the cancer already in me was; and chemo was actually my weapon to attack it with. Looking at it like that helped me.

Best wishes, I always found my imagination in the waiting far treatment worse than the actual event itself xx

[Hidden in reply to Morini]

Thank you x

[Skyeplus]

Morning Jang1, I empathise with how you feel as I was told that I might need bowel surgery. The journey we are on is frightening at times, and I have found navigating the medical world a challenge. Knowing the questions to ask was an issue for me. You will find everyone on here very supportive and I recommend ringing the Ovacome helpline. They are wonderful.

It’s normal to have three rounds of chemo first. We are all unique but I had two tumours, one attached to my bowel, and ascites. They give you chemo to shrink the tumours and in my case to disperse the ascites. The chemo helps the surgeon achieve the best possible result. You then have a break, mine was six weeks, to allow you to feel better and to allow your body to recover. The break also allows your body to cope with the anaesthetic.

Then you will have three more, and depending on the results, they may extend and give you more. I had 6 sessions of chemo then a further two.

I don’t know where you are but I am sure that you will have a fantastic team of staff wrapped around you. The surgeons, oncologist and the Specialist Nurses? Have you been given the name of a Specialist Nurse? Call her and remember no question is a daft one. You and all of us here have entered a world we knew nothing about. They do understand and I found my Specialist Nurse great.

I hope this and all the replies help you. You’re not alone, there is lots of support here.. sending a big hug.

[Hidden in reply to Skyeplus]

I do now have a nurse I have spoken to her once she was very nice. All the replies have helped and now I don't feel very alone with this disease.

[Fluffyjumper]

Hi Jang1

It is common practice to have some chemotherapy before surgery, although this depends upon what they think is the likely diagnosis regarding staging. You can get through this. You’re stronger than you think.

Your surgeon will probably discuss the potential for bowel surgery and get your permission for this plus removal of your appendix. This is partly precautionary as they don’t know what they’re going to find until they go in there. I signed for far more extensive surgery than was required.

Try and take things one day at a time and remember to be kind to yourself.

[Hidden in reply to Fluffyjumper]

Thank you.

[LesleyGB]

I am sure you are stronger than you think! I had three carbo/taxol, then surgery, then picked up carbo/taxol and avastin for another three months. Everything went fine. it just seems to depends on what your oncologists thinks is best. Good luck. x

[Hidden in reply to LesleyGB]

Thank You x