Hi all,

My mom was diagnosed with cancer 7 weeks ago. A biopsy from her liver couldn't determine which type of cancer it is exactly (so at the moment it is CUP) however the medical oncologist is quite sure that it is an ovarian cancer of sorts that just isn't"behaving like a typical ovarian cancer". Before this she was a healthy weight, generally quite fit, vegetarian, practiced yoga, and doesn't have any underlying health conditions.

She began to feel pains in her right abdomen around December, nausea and looser bowel movements in January and by March she had lost a bit of weight. When she went to the doctor they told her that her blood were perfect and it was likely gallstones. Just in case they did a colonoscopy (biopsies were clear) and a CT scan. The scan showed cancer associated with her ovaries, abdominal lining, spleen and liver. However unlike most of what I've read about ovarian cancer her ovaries are tiny, not enlarged as massive tumours, she has very little ascites, her CA125 level was 240 and most of the few symptoms she did have disappeared by April around when she was diagnosed (though I know this could be psychological).

She's just finished her second session of chemo with carbo/ taxol and Avastin and we're hoping the scan after her third session will show a reduction in visible cancer and she could go for surgery. 

We're hoping she may be a candidate for HIPEC surgery. Does anyone have any experience with this? How long did the cancer stay away after HIPEC before there was a recurrence?

Also, some positive stories of long-term (>10 years) survivors and what they did in order to stay alive that long would be helpful. We're trying all we can to keep our motivation up but the statistics for this cancer are so *** that I can't help but lose all hope at times. She's drinking raw juices now, she's still cycling her bike and walking between chemo sessions and we're lifting light weights with her each morning and evening in order to build her up and prepare her for this fight.

Would appreciate some positive stories, we need to stay positive for her.

Many thanks!