Dear Rick M.,
The recommendations your mom received from the gyn/onc (is this person also a surgeon?) sounds like the standard treatment procedure, but I don't know about the chemo before hand. At her age it seems that would make it more difficult for her to handle the major surgery. I would really get another opinion about that before agreeing. Surgery is very important. I had stage 3 - they saw an 11x16 cm tumor in my abd. but when they went in it was several large tumors on many organs, I had the hysterectomy, and lucky it had not invaded the bladder or intestines. One very important recommendation I have for you is for your mom to speak to a Gyn-Onc-surgeon. And, if she goes ahead with surgery, for you to be with her when she wakes in ICU after and with her day and night in the hospital...my recovery went so much easier and quicker having my sister and daughter with me all the way through. Yes, they slept there too. There were never enough nurses and the grouchy ones were so annoying :) My surgeon let them stay as did the nurses. We were even fortunate that my room had a reclining chair/bed for my sister to sleep in.
Wishing you all hope and love while you search for the answers that will be best for your mom. Hugs and prayers. JoanMarie