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How long might she have? (Ovarian cancer)

2 replies

SadTimes0 · 15/10/2024 19:15

Hello all - I appreciate nobody will know the actual answer but I just have a question about cancer and life expectancy.

My mum (early 60s) was diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer in summer 2022, sadly it had already metastasised so we knew that ultimately she wouldn’t be getting better. She had a couple of rounds of chemo, hysterectomy, then more chemo. She responded well to treatment and was a trooper through the chemo. She went onto niraparib in Feb 2023 and had quarterly scans to monitor any cancer recurrence. Her scan earlier this year (March/April I think) showed cancer on her liver and she decided to stop the niraparib and have chemo. She’s had 3 rounds of chemo and after a scan showed the tumour had shrunk, she is having 3 more.

My question is, how long might she have? Should I assume this Christmas will be the last? Naively I thought she could be on chemo for a while but from something she and dad said today, it sounds like not too long at all. I could ask but obviously all very emotional and I don’t really think she would want me to know.

Sadly we are very familiar with cancer as a family, another close family member had stage 4 bowel cancer a few years ago and was on chemo for 2 years before it stopped working and she died about 3 months after.

Thanks x

OP posts:
wanttokickoffbutcant · 15/10/2024 19:49

I am so sorry to hear this and unfortunately I have no advice. When my mum had lung cancer I found MacMillan incredibly helpful and the online support boards to talk to others in the same position were a God-send.

whatisforteamum · 15/10/2024 19:58

No one can tell you.my DM had stage. 4 ovarian cancer then it went after chemo.
Reoccurred so more chemo then debulking then chemo.
We kept doing last Christmas s and she is here 17 yrs later.
Macmillan are great for advice.look after yourself and your DM.

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