Chemo

[Cynthia18]

I'm thinking about doing the chemo!

[Spencer2016]

I am no doctor but I saw first hand how chemo killed my cancer. I had 4 cycles of chemo prior to my OC / debulking surgery.

When comparing initial scan and scan after chemo, There was significantly less cancer in my body enabling a much better /easier surgery and a dr who believed I would have a better surgical outcome.

I am back in chemo post surgery to kill whatever remains microscopically. Chemo sucks, but it can and does work for many. Sadly not everyone responds the same to every type, but for those lucky enough, it saves lives by killing cancer. Its undeniable and greatly documented and proven.

If you are ruling out chemo unilaterally you could very well be ruling out the very thing that could prolong your live and well being. Its hard to understand why you would accept or consider only a partial treatment (surgery) without its other part (chemo).

Not judging as we all have to choose the path we believe is best for us, but certainly concerned If you unilaterally remove chemo as an option. This is a tough road. Even tougher if you try it with one hand tied behind your back.

All the best to you.

[Terrified24-7 in reply to Spencer2016]

Only 1 in 10 people respond to chemo with low grade serous carcinoma. That's really low odds and the oncologist feels that it's probably uncalled for in my case. If I had a recurrence, there is immunotherapy and clinical trials of vaccine. This is not a unilateral decision, it is a decision based on the doctor's recommendation and my own medical knowledge (I'm a nurse). I'll wait for the second opinion pathology report, which should be available within the next two weeks and then make a final informed decision.

[Tesla_7US in reply to Terrified24-7]

terrified, when I had breast cancer/mastectomy in 2006 I used Oncotype DX which is a database that could tell a patient what their likelihood of survival was with and without chemo. The data showed that the type of BC I had did not respond to chemo and that the likelihood of recurrence was mathematically small. So, I didn't have chemo. That was 10 years ago and I have not had a BC reoccurrence. I did get OC exactly 10 years later though they are not related. Each of our cancers are unique and this time chemo was the only way I might save my life. It worked. I am loving life right now.

[Cropcrop in reply to Terrified24-7]

But that's 1 person out of the ten who did respond and who may not have survived otherwise. Statistics can alway be looked at two ways. As my oncologist says, no two people are the same and their cancers are specific to them and no two people and their cancer respond exactly the same to treatments. I was diagnosed with clear cell carcinoma which is rare at only 5% of diagnosed ovarian cancers and it is thought to be platinum resistant but I still had the carbo/taxol regime because my specific cancer could respond because I'm me and here I am over two years later. Who knows if that's because of or in spite of the carbo? What if you're that one in ten who does respond? I'd do the chemo every time. Hindsight is a wonderful thing ❤xx Jane

[Terrified24-7 in reply to Cropcrop]

Right now we're waiting for a second opinion on the pathology report. Once that comes back, I'll make my final decision. I had a sister who died of esophageal cancer after a year of chemo. She said before she died that if she had known that it wouldn't help, she never would have done it. That it was like some kind of medieval torture. Of course, that was over 20 years ago and things have come a long way. Low grade Carcinoma is a slow growing cancer and chemo attacks fast growing cancers. Right now the recommendation is to wait so that's what I'll do until I have a clearer picture of what is going on. I don't need to be talked into chemo just because everyone here took it! This is my individual situation and my right to make decisions accordingly!

[Choski]

it gives you another option and is a proactive one. You will be monitored and will discuss any side effects with your team so that your meds or the strength of chemo can be altered as required.

Clare xx

[OneLittleStone]

I was told by my doctor 25 years ago that you can't chase cancer cells around with a scalpel. Chemo gets into every part of you body and begins to seek out the cells that need to be destroyed. I know the thought of side effects are scary, but with a good medical team they can help you manage them.

Mine have been the usual this time around, rockin' the Kojack look and dealing with neuropathy in my fingers. All things I don't particularly enjoy but can be lived with especially if it means the cancer is being dealt with. Blessings on you journey!

[Terrified24-7 in reply to OneLittleStone]

As I stated above, I have a slow growing form of cancer. Chemo destroys rapidly dividing cells so would not kill slow growing cells.

[Terrified24-7]

Only 1 in 10 people respond to chemo with low grade serous carcinoma. That's really low odds and the oncologist feels that it's probably uncalled for in my case. If I had a recurrence, there is immunotherapy and clinical trials of vaccine. This is not a unilateral decision, it is a decision based on the doctor's recommendation and my own medical knowledge (I'm a nurse). I'll wait for the second opinion pathology report, which should be available within the next two weeks and then make a final informed decision.

[GwenHP in reply to Terrified24-7]

You are making an informed decision. Low grade serous carcinoma is hard to treat with the standard chemotherapy currently available to us. I'll be curious to see what your second opinion says. Best wishes.

[Terrified24-7 in reply to GwenHP]

Thank you, Gwen! I feel like everybody is trying to talk me into chemo that is unlikely to do anything except make me miserable! If the report comes back with a different conclusion, such as the presence of borderline cells, I will definitely have chemo but a second opinion is always valuable!