Hello everyone, wishing you a healthy 2019 and many great days to come.
I haven't posted in a while but I am sitting around and a question just popped into my head: "Why isn't my mom getting any maintenance therapy?" so I jumped on here to post and ask.
I ask this because I have been reading various stories of women with similar ovarian cancer diagnoses and treatments (successful surgery and chemo), and these women often tell about the maintenance drugs that they are on after initial cancer treatment (such as Avastin, or Lynparza). The oncologist had told us that she did very well, it was all removed. We assumed she would go on maintenance drugs to continue this positive outcome but he didn't jump on it and suggested we wait to use this [e.x. Avastin] IF it's needed down the road. Has anyone had a similar suggestion from their onc? Would anyone care to share if they are on maintenance (and what) or if just on the wait and see approach? I know that the brca population tend to get Lynparza after firstline, which isn't happening for the non-brca population, but it still seems to vary for the different stories I read so am wondering and learning.
Thanks.
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Yes, so hard to figure it all out as it - this disease and treatment - it is so individual - many variables.
It helps to have those questions ready and ask the DR team for all the alternatives and options available.
Also, is there a website or resource that has information rating the Ontario cancer care? (such as best clinics and oncologists)
I found it really hard to wrap my mind around it all at first. It was reassuring for me to discuss the followup process and treatment plans with the NP or DR and also have discussions with psychosocial support providers.
Also, it helped to refer to the OCC resource booklet "By Your Side" - you can order from the main website above and from there, I watched the recorded web series "Coping with Fear of Recurrence " and the "Treatment / Living with Recurrence webinars"... they offer great information and can help you pose questions to your medical team. Wishing you and your mom all the best for sure.
Not certain if this will help you or if you have it already
https://www.cancercareontario.ca/en/pathway-maps/ovarian-cancer
You can also ask if they have a Cancer Navigator team to help you with the process.
Hope that is of assistance for you and wishing you well.