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Ovarian Cancer: Should I go on Maintenance Therapy?
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My name is Diana and I was diagnosed with Stage 3B ovarian cancer in April. Just finished my last chemo treatment two weeks ago. I need to decide if I want to go on a maintenance drug (Neraparid) or not. I am BRCA neg, but am HRD positive and have a high LOH score. From what I could decipher from the trial done with this drug, it looks like I could on avg only add 10 months of progression free survival. I am still dealing with the neuropathy side effect in my feet from chemo. I can't imagine starting a new drug now, even if it is not as potent as my chemo drugs. I also really don't want to be feeling sick and tired for a year or two, if I have those side effects. I have been on medical leave but have to return to work in a few weeks at an elementary school. Possible side effects and monthly blood draws, just seems like a challenge when working full time. My question to the group is if there is anyone who has chosen not to go on a maintenance drug. How are you doing? Is there anyone who has gone on the maintenance drug but wishes they had not? I really want to give my body a chance to heal from chemo. and I really am trying to make healthy lifestyle choices (diet, exercise, sleep, emotional support, etc.) in hopes to support my bodies own healing abilities. I am thrilled Mayo offers integrative health support and have been taking advantage of all that is offered!
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@charli7 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect and to our Gynecological Cancers Support Group. While we wait for others to respond I'd like to share my thoughts and feelings about being constantly worried.
If you choose to read through other Discussions in our support group you will see that many of us (dare I say most of us) have that state of worry that you mention. My diagnosis of endometrial cancer was in 2019 and then a recurrence in 2021. It took me awhile to address those worries, observe them, and see them less often as time went on. I still worry and I accept that my worry may never completely go away. I'm still going to follow-up surveillance appointments every 6 months and it's shortly before and during those times that my anxiety increases. What will be found? What will the CT show? Why can't I live day-to-day and enjoy my life just as you note.
The diagnosis of Stage 3c high grade serous epithelial and the genetic markers that are not treatable is something you likely never thought about prior to your diagnosis? I know I didn't think about a cancer diagnosis prior to my own. We now are in the midst of adjusting our thoughts and views of ourselves. How do we do this? I pulled out the coping skills I've developed over the years to get through periods of anxiety and depression. These include going for walks, going to the gym, wandering around my favorite places to look at birds, breathing practices, looking at the sky and trees while I did the breathing exercises. These work for a little while and then if the worry pops back I do it all again.
Do you have a therapist you work with? If no, would you like to ask your oncologist for a referral to a therapist, usually a social worker, in the oncology department who you can talk with?