The Mayo Clinic Pulls Through!

After being told by three different surgeons at three of the finest cancer centers in the world that I was not a candidate for surgery, and would be on chemo for the rest of my life, a surgeon at The Mayo Clinic said without hesitation that he thought I was a candidate for surgery and so I'm having surgery there on November 16th.  The other surgeons said I was inoperable!  I needed to learn to live with it because it was there to stay.  

The surgeon at The Mayo Clinic said that my kind of tumor, low-grade micro papillary serous carcinoma arising out of the background of a borderline tumor, is easier to remove than the regular high grade papillary serous carcinoma and that's why he thinks that I am a candidate for surgery.  The medical oncologist that I saw there as well said that they would keep me on Femara after the surgery.  No chemo!  The CT Scan I had showed stability after three months on it, and that they would probably never put me on regular chemo.  They would try other types of therapy if the cancer comes back after the surgery.

I knew in my gut (forgive the pun) that the course of treatment I was on was not the right one for me.  I just felt that I had to keep knocking on doors until I found a place that had a different approach.  A place that doesn't still group all OvCa people in to "Platinum Sensitive" or "Platinum Resistant" buckets with no regard to grade or morphology of tumor.  The Mayo Clinic is my new favorite place!  

[bohan54]

Fabulous news!  Thanks for sharing.

[gah_70]

Excellent news!  Isn't it such a wonderful feeling when you finally find a doctor who listens and responds to what you've known all along is the right thing?  Even though we are not doctors, we know what's going on with our bodies.  You've done your homework on all this, so the fact that you've gained validity has to be a relief, as well.  The 16th will be here before you know it.  So in the meantime, I hope you're able to keep yourself busy with preparations and other things knowing you're finally getting this done!  Best wishes to you and thanks for sharing your info.  Who knows when some of the rest of us will be able to use it, too.

Smiles and Hugs!

Gail  

[SimplyStar]

We thought Dr Cliby  at Mayo was tops, such a nice manner and dedicated to the work he has chosen.  good luck Lauren.  Marty

[butterflytc]

fantastic news Lauren. I am glad you found someone willing to listen. Will be thinking of you on the 16th, and hope the surgery goes well for you.

butterflytc

[gls2824]

How wonderful!  Just proves that those of us with borderline have to be vigilant and speak up.  Most doctors still don't know how to treat these.  Good luck!

[Tybear]

I'm SO happy for you - Way to go!
I had to fight for three years to find a doctor who would do surgery on me and even though it wasn't a total success I have no regrets.
It's time that doctors stop treating everyone woman who has ovarian the same - low grade cancers need to be surgically managed, and not just thrown on chemo.
The 16th will be here before you know it - best of luck!!
Becky