Suddenly told won't do operation - confused.

FormerMember
FormerMember
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Hello, thanks for letting me join. Slight smile 

I hope some of you can let me know if you've had any similar experiences to us! My MiL was diagnosed with bilateral ovarian cancer in June 2020. She was initially told her treatment would be "three doses of chemo, surgery, three more doses of chemo" but ended up being about 12 doses of chemo as we were told the local hospital couldn't do the op at that time because of Covid, and that they would 'ask' another local cancer hospital if they would do the op. The other hospital looked at one of her scans in September and said they wouldn't do the op, based on the scan. Her MDT at her regular hospital then had a meeting and decided that based on recent scans, they have decided they won't do the op at all.

We are extremely concerned about this decision, especially as it seems like they would have done one earlier on if it wasn't for Covid, and because her oncologist said the decision was 'heated' at the meeting which suggests some of those present thought the op should happen?

It's now been a few weeks since the last chemo and the ascites is back quite badly, she's gone in for a drain today. Her oncologist told her over Christmas that he is surprised the ascites has returned so fast, as in the last scan after the last chemo in November, it was all gone.

Should we try and get a second opinion about the operation, or is that just wishful thinking?

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    I have no experience in your actual situation, as I have been very fortunate and had amazing care, However, you are always entitled to a second opinion. Sometimes it isn't even about the decision, more about someone explaining it to you in a way that you understand. I had that with the first doctor I saw at hospital, was a 'yes/no man', no explanations just yes or no. Safe to say I did not see him again, but my consultant now explains everything, so when I get told something I find shocking or confusing, she will explain it all to me clearly so I then understand and 9 times out of 10 I agree afterwards. Hope that helps :) 

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to FormerMember

    Hi , sorry your experiences have been unsatisfactory , I too was told that I would have six chemos then surgery , but after the chemos my oncologist told me that the surgery couldn’t go ahead , and that the team knew after my first three , naturally I was devastated as I had pinned my hopes on the operation , however I explained that I failed to understand , and within fifteen minutes the surgeon called me at home and told me exactly why not , it’s due to a large area of cancer on the small bowel , and I could be at risk of losing my small bowel , he also told me more detail which convinced me . I completed all cycles in June but a blood test and scan in November revealed it was growing again , am now soon to have the second of six carboplatin only , hopefully followed by parp inhibitors , I have a little fluid but hoping this will be reabsorbed , because December 2019 I was drained of ascites three times before my chemo , has anybody else had similar treatment and on parp inhibitors . Hope all goes well for everybody on treatment , take care .