Need advice.

[Semb]

Hi, in January I was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer, I have had 6 sessions of chemotherapy and 7 weeks ago I had a total hysterectomy and bilateral oopherectomy but I was still left with 5cms of cancer on my spleen, I am now to go for 2 more chemo sessions and also to receive anti bodies, my question is how long have I got left? I know it's terminal but the surgeon and the oncologists opinions are poles apart, any advice from people's personal experience would be much appreciated, ok thank you.

[HVAC]

You can live a long time with it in your spleen. I have had it in my spleen from the beginning and that was 3 1/2 years ago. I am constantly in chemo but the chemos after the Taxatol/carboplatin are easier.  I live a fairly normal life. I just spent 3 weeks tracking through Europe. I can swim for an hour or walk my dogs or ride horses. Many women with late stage ovarian cancer are living longer. They call it a chronic illness. It is kind of like whack a mole they get it one place and it goes somewhere else. I expect to be around a few more years. I did Carboplatin/Taxotere, then Doxil, then Carboplatin, the Lynparza, now Gemzar. I only lost my hair with the Taxotere.

If you can get into a study with immune suppressant therapy that would be great. There are many new things in studies. No doctor can say when you are going to die. I had cancer in 14 places, was 40 pounds under weight and had a doctor who did not care if I died. I found a new hospital. They worked hard getting me back in shape, I have had all kinds of chemo and no one would know I have cancer. It is hard to enjoy a limited life span but it is doable.

I make plans for the future like my three weeks in Europe. Next is a shorter trip in the US. I also have a crazy Dalmatian puppy I have to get trained. I am writing a book. Weekly I plan things with friends. I make sure I eat the one thing I do not want to do.

The trip to Europe was the best ever. I got to see the places I wanted. I went off chemo for three months so I would feel better. I knew it was a risk. No one on the cruise knew I had cancer. It was nice to be normal for several weeks. I climbed up to all these castles. I ate amazing food. I saw so many churches and castles. I took 1000 picture no two of the same thing. My husband has pictures of me truly happy. I am 52 years old and am not happy to get a death sentence but I will have more than 4 years. I am even hoping they come up with something new before I breath my last to give me ten years. I have the BRCA gene so I have a great chance of breast cancer if I survive the ovarian.

What are the antibodies? That sounds promising.

Alex

[Cando2015]

Thank you for writing this!