Dear Message Board Readers:
My 78-year old mother has been diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer--she seems to be in a stage III situation, with tumors the size of oranges (11 centimeters) growing in each ovary, lots of fluid (distended stomach, ferocious discomfort although no pain), possible bowel obstruction. My mom isn't in wonderful health to begin with--she had Guillem-Barre syndrome (viral nerve sheaf damage) in the 1970s, and developed Multiple Sclerosis in the 1980s.
As of this writing, my mom's seen two excellent gynecologic oncologists who have given her different advice--the first wants to operate Friday, pull as much out as possible, and then would probably follow-up with IP-chemo; the second belives an IV of neoadjuvant therapy--a combination of Carboplatin and paclitaxel-- would be best, followed by surgery probably at the end of the summer. And so my sister and I are uncertain how to advise her wondering:
(a) which course offers the best chance of recovery?
(b) in the absence of full recovery, which course offers my mom the best quality-of-life comfort during whatever time she may have remaining?
My sister and I would be most grateful for any feeback readers might be kind enough to offer.
Many, many thanks,
Filia