is it necessary for chemotherapy after debulking operation?

[Laush12]

my 78 years old grandmother recently diagnosed with stage 3 ocarian tumour and had debulking oparation done. She just came out from ICU few days ago. Her base line general condition not in optimum situation. She has not eating well for the last few months and lost weight. Severe osteoarthritis both knees causes her to be difficult in walking. My family agreed for debulking with the hope to relief her abdominal symptoms (nausea, vomiting, lost of appetite) and to have better quality of life. Last night she complaint of difficulty in breathing and the chest x-ray showed lobar pneumonia. We have very good family support, we are afraid of grandmother may not able to tolerate the process of chemotherapy. We are not keen of chemotherapy because we want her to have better quality of life for her last moment. Do you think this is the good decision not to continue with chemotherapy after debulking operation?? thank you.

[Brownie3321]

I just want to say I agree with Roni - this is a decision she needs to make on her own. There are plenty of meds to combat the side effects of chemo, and it will help her to keep the ascites down and extend her life.
I'll be praying for her and your family - with love, Deandra

[silver&gold]

I agree with all that Vegas is saying in the above post. Only she knows how she is feeling and so should make the decisions about her health unless of course she is mentally unable to. I know its really hard for you but if she started chemo and found it too much it could always be stopped .

Best wishes Angie

[vegas2cr]

At the age of 78 your grandmother is the one who needs to make the decision unless she is mentally incapacitated... Without chemo her life expectancy will be greatly shortened... the chemo also helps with fluid, and just in general getting back to normal..Also what do her doctors say?. She is an elderly woman and I hope that she has  pain meds does not have to suffer at all... Sending you hope...

[slee56]

does grandma have a living will or advance directive?? I have a 5 step living will it tells the family what my wishes would be in case I can not make those choices myself as medical and  funeral plans too ... It sounds like the quality of life at the end of life would be important. Chemo is hard on someone who is healthly and well nourished would be hard to imagine when a person is already weak i certainly would not want it in that case either.... just a thought or 2 SU2C (standing up 2 cancer)