Gyne Cancer (ovarian) Foregoing Treatment

@katycot how did you discover your recurrence? I have recently finished my treatment and I seem to be clear. Wondering about asking for CT sans, blood work to monitor CA125 and HE4. Thank you for any guidance

@ckeintz Welcome to our Gynecologic Cancers Support Group.
May I ask if the kind of cancer that you were diagnosed with? What kind of treatment did you have?

When I was diagnosed with endometrial cancer (endometroid adenocarcinoma, Grade 1, Stage 1a), I had a hysterectomy that removed my uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. The hysterectomy was laparoscopic. When I returned for follow-up about 6 weeks after the surgery my gyn/oncologist gave me a Cancer Survival Plan that included information about my cancer, my pathology reports, and the recommendations for follow-up - how often and kind of follow-up.

What has your cancer care team told you about your follow-ups - often referred to as cancer surveillance appointments?

As a survivor of both ovarian cancer (2008) and endometrioid cancer (2017), I've come to a personal decision NOT to have any more scans/surgeries/treatments, if it can be avoided. Of course, it will depend on what diagnosis the future circumstances bring whether a simple excision vs. major treatment is recommended. Having had more than a life-time's amount of radiation frying my GI system into a daily painful experience and a lymph system/vascular system that has been damaged by surgery and radiation to the point where one leg feels 40 lbs heavier than the other (throwing off gait causing hip pain), to ponder going through any of it again is daunting. Quality of life post-treatment is just as important to one's survival well-being. Cancer destroyed my marriage, in addition to my long-term health/well-being, and my retirement finances (despite working at a major medical facility with rather good benefits-albeit expensive!) so I may be a bit biased in the path chosen to move forward. The will to blindly fight has faded. My input may be harsh, but after having my life put on an extended medical-hold twice now (not to mention corrective procedures and therapies), the battle for me would be daunting if I had to face it again. It may also be a matter of where you are in life when you are making this decision in that, I'm blessed to have met all the grandchildren I will be having and have seen my children well into their adulthood/careers. Putting life on hold for health matters potentially creating lasting side effects is something I'd prefer not to do again. I could be open to an alternative medicine that is less invasive, but where I live these would likely be hard to find. I wish you well on your decision-journey as I know it is NOT easy. I'm grateful for the care I was given and simply want to enjoy what time I have left, as-is. Sending you hope and light on your journey to a tough decision.

@naturegirl5 Thank you for responding. So kind. I had fallopian tube cancer on my left side. I did 1 year of monthly chemotherapy and 2 years of Lynparza ( chemo drug) I am wondering about follow up with my clinic team and what is considered the highest level of post care. I am having blood draws quarterly to measure my HE4 and CA 125. But thinking about asking for CT scans with contrast- and wondered what are the most frequent locations that ovarian cancers may spread