confused and want to help

Hi J.................being in remission from 3c ovarian cancer, I can't really help you on whether radiotherapy is used with this cancer. I suggest you ask her out right and see what she says love. Maybe someone else can answer your question on her....Love Carol (in Cornwall) x

Hello J

I am sorry - I am probably being a suspicious so and so, but I am on my third round of treatment for ovarian cancer, and what your friend has told you doesn't really mesh with my own experiences.

Firstly, she would not have been able to start chemo immediately after surgery as the wound has to be completely healed or else the chemo will destroy the new tissue.  Second, 'gold standard' chemo for ovarian cancer is carboplatin, or carboplatin pllus taxol (with taxol you will lose your hair).  This is usually given at 3 week intervals over 6 cycles, so the minimum duration of chemo will be 15 weeks.  I have never heard of a radioactive pellet being inserted!  What is this?  Radiotherapy is not usually given for ovarian cancer as the area affected is too large and the problems which can be caused to the bowel and other abdominal organs outweigh the potential benefits.  As you read, radiotherapy will usually only be used for relief of pain.  Have you seen her recently or just spoken on the phone?  Has she told anyone else - you did say she hadn't mentioned it to her parents.  I'm sorry to be so suspicious - I don't know you or your friend, but I'm afraid that for me her story just doesn't ring true.

Best wishes, Kate

Hello J

I am sorry - I am probably being a suspicious so and so, but I am on my third round of treatment for ovarian cancer, and what your friend has told you doesn't really mesh with my own experiences.

Firstly, she would not have been able to start chemo immediately after surgery as the wound has to be completely healed or else the chemo will destroy the new tissue.  Second, 'gold standard' chemo for ovarian cancer is carboplatin, or carboplatin pllus taxol (with taxol you will lose your hair).  This is usually given at 3 week intervals over 6 cycles, so the minimum duration of chemo will be 15 weeks.  I have never heard of a radioactive pellet being inserted!  What is this?  Radiotherapy is not usually given for ovarian cancer as the area affected is too large and the problems which can be caused to the bowel and other abdominal organs outweigh the potential benefits.  As you read, radiotherapy will usually only be used for relief of pain.  Have you seen her recently or just spoken on the phone?  Has she told anyone else - you did say she hadn't mentioned it to her parents.  I'm sorry to be so suspicious - I don't know you or your friend, but I'm afraid that for me her story just doesn't ring true.

Best wishes, Kate

Carol and Kate, Hello to you both and thank-you for responding to my blog.  Firstly, I have to say that I have my suspicions too and that is why I sought help here.  I truly want to support my friend if she is going through such a terrible thing but, the way she has been acting since she broke the "news" has been odd! I have tried to talk to her but get evasive/vague answers, I have never been able to attend any appointments with her and she has been quite perky during all of this.  After posting last night I made up my mind to ask her about the radiotherapy today, I see her at least once a week, so this morning I bit the bullet and asked about it outright and if she was dying.  She replied that she was not dying and the radio therapy was to treat a couple of lumps found in her stomach area as a precautionary measure. (which she did tell me about but when tested they were supposed to be ok - forgot about them!) As for scarring after removal of the ovary - apparently it was removed via the vagina. Not knowing how these things work I took it all on board but over the weeks I'm sorry to say that the suspicions crept in, and I feel so horrible for being suspicious.  I really don't know how to deal with this for the best. Thankyou, I wish you both well. Jackie xx