Another Cancer?

Hi, I am new here so for starters I will share with you all what has been going on with my mother.

21 years ago my mom was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer. She had a complete hysterectomy, and appeared to be doing well. She went for annual check ups for 5 years and all was great...Until....

My mom turned 59 years old on May 2/07. After many trips to the doctor complaining of pain in her abdomen, and being misdiagnosed as having a hernia in her upper chest she was finally sent to Winnipeg for further testing. 1 month after her 59th birthday she was told she has Primary Peritoneal Cancer. She hasn't had any real food for the past 2 months, she can't keep it down. She has been able to swallow the odd piece of fruit, but the fluid builds up in her abdomen so quickly, that it is short lived. She has been in serveral times to have the fluid drained, but last night they couldn't find the spot, and they fear they may have punctured her bowell.

They finally agreed to admit her this morning and put her on an IV, as she is very dehydrated. She is now getting some pain killers and anti-biotics to fight the infection she has in her stomach. She was supposed to start her chemotherapy on Tuesday, but now with these further complications, I am not sure that will happen. The fluid in her abdomen is building up very quickly. It was getting to less than a week between trips for drainage. She is obviously very week, and tired.

The doctors that are treating her, a small town, have never dealt with this kind of cancer, and really don't know how to answer the million questions that I throw at them daily, although they certainly do try.  I can't find much on the net with regards to cure rates. I have seen people talk about ca#'s, I'm not even sure what that means. Is a high number good or bad? My mom has been through a broken back, ovarian cancer, a brain tumour and now this. I am sorry if I am venting here, but my god... how much does one woman need to endure?  Any information you want to pass on would be a great help to me.

I wish all of you the best of luck with you and your loved ones. I do believe that this site will be a great sense of support for me.

Dear Connie:  I am so sorry to hear of your mother going through so much so young.  59 is considered young these days.  There are so many clinical trials out there.  If you do not see any positive results of treatment, please just go onto the computer.  Type in  Clinical Trials, and then just go from there.  They list the types of cancer, and areas where they are doing clinical trials.  I was diagnosed with Leukemia, and standard treatment did not work for me.  I took it upon myself to search for a clinical trial, which I found.  My husband traveled back and forth with me to New York for 8 months.  I am still on the same medication to this day, and in remission.  I do not know what else I can say.  Just have Faith that something good will come along to help your mom.  Suzzie 59

Hi Suzzie,

Thanks for your quick response, and your support. I am glad to hear that your cancer is in remission. You are an inspiration to all of us.

 I come from a long line of cancer. My cousin has some form of cancer when he was 9 years old, I don't recall the name of it, but it forms a web around your major organs, thanks to his parents love, support and many prayers and spending night after night wetting his lips with milk ( the only nutrition he was getting at the time) He survived and is now in his late 30's with no sign of any re-occurance. Last year, his mother (my mom's baby sister) was diagnosed with breast cancer, both breasts, she has been through radiation, and I understand she is doing well. I already told you of my mom's ovarian cancer... Obviously this is a family thing!  But I do have have hope. I figure, for my mom to have made it through so many major medical situations, she has got to be one tough cookie.

As long as she can get her strength up to fight this, I believe she will be fine. I just wish she was in a major city where her chances for clinical trials would be greater, and the doctors who are working with her would know a little more. Mean while.. I keep asking my questions and hope they take the time to look into getting me answers... it's a learning curve for all of us.

Take care Suzzie

God Bless