Joanne

[ashamycat]

Had stage 1c ov ca 9 years ago.  Had a total hysterectomy / oophorectomy, followed by 6 treatments of chemo.  Now I have a rec tumor at the site which is about the size of a lime.  after a CT contrast scan, I had to return to oncology.  I have a week to think about the treatments:  surgery, radiation or chemo...or perhaps all 3.  I am 65, hate the idea of surgery.  Will this be lethal, and what is the "usual" time before death.
Thank you.

[Jane39]

Wow 9 years, it's scary isn't it.  I originally was Stage 1A, clear cell (surgery and chemo), and went about 4 1/2 years, never thinking it would return, however it did.  It was a small tumor about 2.5 cm sitting behind my stomach, against my pancreas.  They did do surgery (big one), luckily and it did come right out.  More chemo.  It's been alittle over 3 years now.  It's a wicked little disease this is.  Hopefully chemo and/or radiation will knock it right out.  You beat it once, you will beat it again.  Best of luck to you.

[HVAC]

I was full of tumors they could not remove. Now they are all almost gone from chemo.

Alex

[ashamycat]

I am so happy you are well!! My tumor is inoperable, but my hopes are high!
Thank you so very much for taking time to reply.

[ashamycat]

Thank you so very much for taking the time to share.  This past Wednesday I had a biopsy on the new tumor.  The radiologist went in through the rectum because the tumor is so far back.  Tomorrow I have a heart and lung CT Scan. I see the oncologist on Wednesday!

[kate953]

I had a recurrent tumor in 2009, coincidentally the size of a lime (after treatment similar to yours in 2006 for stage 3c ovca). I had it surgically removed followed by six months of carboplatin and taxol. The second surgery and chemo treatment was 5 years ago and I've had no evidence of disease since! I wish you the best.

[HVAC]

I am not a doctor but I have read a lot including a text book on Ovarian Cancer. I have stage 4 of a very lethal kind called clear cell but I am doing well two years from diagnosis.

From my understanding what usually kills women is having your bowels blocked. Now they are better at preventing this. They now consider Ovarian Cancer a chronic illness. Originally my bowels were blocked. I threw up everything I ate and was under weight. I had the surgery and the six chemos. My Cancer kept growing so now I am in a clinical trial with a chemo called Doxil. It is not as bad as the Taxotere/Carbopllatin.

Unlike Breast Cancer Ovarian usually does not spread to bone or brain. it usually stays localized.

I know facing this stuff is no fun. It is like choosing from a list of options and you don't want any of them. I just take it one step at a time. My family and friends push me to try the treatments. I worked Veterinary for years and wish I was a dog instead.

I am 50 so my friend's and family would not let me choose no treatment which is what I would do. I am glad I am treating it. I get tired and blisters from the Doxil but that is it. I was really under weight on the Taxotere and Carboplatin.

Whatever you choose is okay. You can even get a second opinion just to see what another doctor or hospital is like. I checked out all three hospitals in my area. If I had stayed with the first hospital where I had my original surgery I would be dead. The care was so much worse than where I am and I had nothing to compare it to until I went to the other hospital.

No one can really say when you will die. I am supposed to be dead according to the cancer I have but I am not only dead but I can ride horses and hike.

Alex