Hi Sue,

My feeling is that is never the end of the road until your Mother wants it to be or until her body can take no more. That is certainly my attitude, and I have not responded to first line chemo (or second line yet - I have had round 1 of caeylx only).

These are the drugs I know about beyond carboplatin/taxol together. I also note Taxotere which you had mentioned - I had not come across this before for Ovarian cancer, but having googled it, I shall add it to my list!

Weekly Taxol (number 3) is obviously off your list.

>1) Topotecan
>
>2) Topotecan / Thalidamide
>
>3) weekly treatment with paclitaxel
>
>4) Avastin (drug not chemo - approved but not on NICE list)
>
>5) Gemcitabine
>
>6) Hormone Treatments
>
>7) etoposide
>
>8) trabectedin (approved but not on NICE list)
>
>9) Treosulphur and Gemcitabine

Look on the cancer research site for any ongoing trials which may be applicable. But note where they are being held, as your Mum may need to travel.

I had a Macmillan nurse as soon as I was diagnosed with oc. So I think the lack of one is not an indication of anything except you are missing out on some good mental and practical assistance.

If you do want a second opinion and are prepared to travel I can give you some names of top ovarian cancer specialists on the NHS.

Good luck to you and your Mum. A lot of women on this group get remissions or respond well to treatment. Unfortuinately, some of us do not and for us the battle is relentless.

Love Lizzie
X

Hi Sue,
So sorry to hear that your Mum has had such an awful time of it lately, she must be feeling very down and unsure of things, as must all of her family and friends. The fact that she's been given a Macmillan number to ring doesn't mean it's the end of any further treatment or that she can't enjoy a good few years yet. There are a lot of ideas on this site for living well, even if a terminal diagnosis has been given. We are all different in the way we react to treatment and drugs, and quite a lot of women have kept going for a good long time after treatment seemed to be exhausted. Macmillan are a good idea, brilliant support, as they will help all of you to talk around any thoughts, feelings, emotions etc. It will ease things for all of you, especially your Mum. They can also advise on any financial matters, benefits, drug reactions and support that your Mum may need to get things adapted for her to live independently (no idea what her circumstances are ...) They will also allow her to talk through any thoughts and questions she may have, that she's unable to talk through with those who are really close to her. They do this for people at lots of different stages of their cancer journey. I work with a Macmillan survivorship group who give help for all the issues after having cancer, so it's definitely for the living!
I do hope you will find the support you and your Mum need. Macmillan is a great place to start, but do get back on here and ask any questions, no matter how daft they seem. There's a great bunch of women who are really helpful and will cheer you up when you're feeling unsure
All the best to your Mum, and you, of course!
Love, Wendy xx

Dear Sue
I am one of the support nurses at Ovacome and am so sorry to hear about all that has been going on with your mum. It sounds as if your mother does need a break from chemotherapy as the treatment is causing so many side effects and making her feel so unwell. Her immune system needs a bit of a break. If Taxotere is not available it maybe worth asking if there are any trials which would be suitable or thinking about getting a second opinion If you would liek to discuss this further do please give us a ring.
All the best Ruth

Hi
Am new to here but not to OC, am 7yrs on.
Initial diagnosis age 42yrs, 2005, surgery and 6 cycles 3 weekly carboplatin taxol.
I had 6 cycles 3 weekly carboplatin taxotere for my 2nd line treatment in 2008 and had good response with 2yrs treatment free before relapse, found it was not quite as hard on the system as the carbo taxol.
Have also had 6 cycles 3 weekly carboplatin cyclophosphamide for last recurrance 2010 and am 1yr finished it but expecting further treatment in next few months, as ca125 rising and ct showing disease recurrance again but as symptom free at moment doc happy to hold off another couple of months till next workup.
I guess I am one of the lucky chronic ones and so far have had long gaps between treatments
All the best
M