Hi Johol,

im so sorry your having to support your mum and both of you go through this. It is a devastating journey. Sadly my brave warrior lost her fight in October. I'm devastated beyond belief, she was my best friend. But we did go through it together, we made it count as much as we possibly could. She caught covid and battled that, but sadly it halted her chemo and the cancer spread. Sending big hugs to both you and your mum ️

Hi SK20

I'm so glad that my story has given you some hope. As it is really important to have hope while being treated for this disease.

Ive found that everyone has been diagnosed with this disease through various different approaches, I had to have an operation called a laparotomy, some have been diagnosed through the draining of fluid from the tummy, some via an MRI scan.

however I believe the treatment is very similar using the same drugs such as carboplatin and paxlitaxol.

I had 3 cycles of carbo and then one of carbo and taxol together, they worked very well for me and the side effects weren't that bad, thank the Lord for me the cancer responded and I was able to have the debulking operation, I had this just over four weeks ago and it was successful, they got all the cancer which was amazing, they were also able to save my bowel, so no stoma! 
it was a huge operation though, the recovery is slow for me, and I restart my chemo next week, so all in all it is extremely positive for me.

There was a in the same ward as me a lady who went through the same op, my op was 8hrs, hers was 10.5hrs and she was 71! She was amazing, she seemed to sail through it, she was a real inspiration.

please keep in touch and let me know how you mum is doing and please feel free to as any questions and I will answer whatever I can. X

Hello all, 

Thank you for taking the time to reply to my post. I am sorry for the delay in replying. 
 

I'm pleased you are doing well snippy, keep powering forward! 
 

sk20, I am sorry you find yourself in this boat with your mum. Please remember that every case is different and what you read here isn't necessarily the path for everyone. 
 

April59 I am so sorry to hear about your mum's passing. I really am. It is with a heavy heart that I say I also lost my mum 3 weeks ago. After the chemo, which she tolerated reasonably well, the cancer grew at a fast rate and put pressure on her intestines, making it difficult, if not impossible, for food to pass. She got weaker and thinner. She also developed spots on her liver. She fought a very brave 11 month battle, but now we are trying to adjust to life without  her. It's early days, but it's so incredibly difficult. 
 

I hope you are ok April59. Contact me if you wish. 
 

snippy and SK20, please stay strong and focussed.I wish you both the very best outcomes

johol xx 

Sk20, my mum was told the same and it is confusing, being told it's  non-curable but treatable. 
 

I think this means that chemotherapy is an option for her, maybe even surgery depending on her circumstances, but this is to give her more time (hopefully a lot more time) but they know they can't eliminate the cancer and put her into remission. They can manage the cancer growth, and the symptoms so hopefully the disease becomes stable and either grows at a slow rate or growth is halted before further treatment is necessary. I think it's a case of living with it, rather than eliminating it. Of course, lots of people are in this situation. Prostate cancer for example can be managed with drugs, but is often not curable. 
 

every case is individual. Hopefully your mum will respond well to the treatment offered to her. I wish you both well. Please let us know how you both are 

Johol xx

Hi johol 

I am so so sorry to hear about your mum, my thoughts and prayers are with you at this very sad time.

I will be resuming my chemo treatment soon and praying for a good outcome.

If any of you want to chat then please feel free to contact me, I'm more than happy to listen.

please take care and stay safe xxx

Thank you Snippy. Best of luck, we have everything crossed for you. You have age and determination on your side. I send positive thoughts and a million best wishes your way. You've got this! 

So very sorry to hear about both of your Mums April59 and Jahol. I am sure you both did them proud.
 

Thank you very much for the reply and explaining. Can I ask did your Mum have surgery? I am praying she does respond well and is offered surgery to give her the best chance.

xx

Hello SK20, thank you for your kind words. I hope I did her proud. I tried. 
 

my mum was never offered surgery straight off because it had spread from the peritoneum to the omentum. They said it was big surgery. They never totally took it off the table though, so we always had the hope, but she went down the chemo line. The chemo seemed to control the cancer and although it hadn't shrunk, it hadn't grown either. They wanted her to have a break before starting more chemo, but 6 weeks after the first lot of chemo has stopped the tumours grew very quickly and mum was not well enough for surgery or more chemo as there were now spots in her liver and she was terminal. She passed 2 weeks later, 8 weeks after the chemo had ended. I really wish she had been offered surgery and I think she may have still been here now.
 

How old is your mum? My mum had just turned 73 but was very healthy, not obese, didn't smoke etc. It seems so unfair Xx 

Hi Snippy, 

Thank you. I did send you a private message after I saw your reply with a few questions. Not sure if you received it? Do let me know, best of luck with your upcoming Chemo, youve done amazing!xx

Hi [@johol]‍, 

thank you for your reply and explaining your Mums journey with me. Can I ask how long it was from your mum being diagnosed to treatment starting? Also was it secondary cancer in the peritoneal, did they have a primary site? Does make me worry as my Mums Omentum has been mentioned as it has a thickening and that is where they first biopsied. Although I am taking your advice, that every individual case is different! 
 

My Mum has just turned 62, she is 'fit' also I would like to say- doesnt smoke etc. Rarely has alcohol and is very active. (Not a takeaway lover either much to my disbelief!) no exsisting heart lung diabetes problems please god. 
 

So yes it is very hard news for us to take, although it shows cancer can pick anyone regardless of their lifestyle! 
 

6 weeks today she was diagnosed and they have yet to find the primary, or a treatment plan all agonising and too long a wait for us! 
 

I am praying and trying my best to stay positive for her.

xx