Ovarian cancer----does anyone have any knowledge or experience please?

[Beadgirl]

My SIL was given a hysterctomy almost 3 weeks ago because they found a cyst on her ovaries. It was found to be malignant and not all of the cancer could be removed. She had tests to see how much chemo she would need/could take. But we haven't haerd anyhting from her.
DH is refusing to ring her more than he noramlly does -'as she may think he is making a fuss over nothing'
He tried to ring this afternoon but there was no answer and he responede with "Hopefully that means everyhting is fine and she has gone shopping" . Surely he ought to be thinking 'hopefully that means she is in hospital and receiving treatment.'
Does anyone know what is 'normal' between diagnosis and treatment starting??

Thanks

thnak you OJ and OSM

i will look at the bacup cancer site
but maybe the Ovacome site isn't the right place as i had reda bout the poor survival rates there and ddon't think DH would cope with it.

DH is going to ring SIL tomorrow then we are going away for half term.

i will let you know what is happening when i can --no internet access next week-

it is very very to see how many of us are dealing with this!

love to you all xxx

i have also found the macmillan site useful, they have a chat board too.

I have requested some leaflets from Backup and hopefully they will be here when we get back next Saturday.

I think I may send a card/letter to SIL just from me once her chemo begins.

I will look at the Macmillan site too, thanks OJ.

Hi
We are back from our holiday. SIL began her chemo on Thursday but DH hasn't yet spoken to her so we don't know how it went.
All the leaflets arrived from Backup and I will read them this evening.
As you said she is to have chemo every three weeks for 6 lots so that will take up until March. DH did ask her how optimistic the oncologist was but she said he wouldn't say either way.
DH will ring her tomorrow.

How are things with you all.
I read about your Rome experiences MB...glad you had such a great time.

hi beadgirl, just seen this thread. do you know what stage your sil's cancer is and also where she is being treated. regardless of the stage (although people do do better if stage 1 rather than stage 4) the skill of the surgeon removing the cancer, performing the staging opertation and the chemo team are so important. I hope she is being seen in a major specialist centre. I have first hand experience of ovacom, they are a fantastic orgaisation. They used to have (and I believe still have) regional co-ordinators who will offer support and answer first hand questions. This might be helpful. Also just remember statistics are just numbers I have known many people who have had late stage ovarian cancer and lived alot longer than many doctors thought they would. My thoughts are with all of you.

DH has spoken to his sis and everything seems fine. Well, as good as can be expected. She has neither been sick nor felt sick. She isn't sleeping (as a result of the steroids) and her joints are aching but otherwise she seems fine.
I hope this continues, or does chemo build up so that the effect gets worse each time?

I have read one of the booklets btw, about not knowing what to say, but as most of our conversations will be by phone a lot of it doesn't apply.

Sibble - she isn't being treated at one of the big hospitals but a fairly local one to them. I think she is at stage 3 or 4 from what I have read on Ovacome but she hasn't actually said what stage but DH hasn't asked her.

Reading Ovacome again I think she is at stage 3 - she hasn't mentioned her lungs at all.

How is your SIL, Beadgirl? Just hoping you have good news x