What To Think?

My mom was just recently diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She started her first chemo treatment almost two weeks ago. She is currently in the hospital due to internal bleeding (the bleeding has stopped) and her blood was really thin ( she is also on blood thinners for blood clots). She should hopefully be out soon and be home.

She has ascites, which she has had from the beginning and the fluid just seems to sit in her stomach. She has had it drained several times (like 7) and is having more removed tomorrow. I asked the doctor if this is normal with women and ovarian cancer and he said yes. I have heard and he also told me that the chemo should decrease the tumor which will diminish the fluid.

Has anyone gone through this type of ordeal where the fluid just stays and what was your experience having it removed and did chemo help? Surgery? She may have the option for surgery. I think they want her to do a few rounds of chemo. Is this common as well?

It is so hard to see my mom go through this. She was one healthy woman a few months ago and is now fighting for her life. Any advice and support would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

On 10/13/2007 Believenhope wrote:

My mom was just recently diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She started her first chemo treatment almost two weeks ago. She is currently in the hospital due to internal bleeding (the bleeding has stopped) and her blood was really thin ( she is also on blood thinners for blood clots). She should hopefully be out soon and be home.

She has ascites, which she has had from the beginning and the fluid just seems to sit in her stomach. She has had it drained several times (like 7) and is having more removed tomorrow. I asked the doctor if this is normal with women and ovarian cancer and he said yes. I have heard and he also told me that the chemo should decrease the tumor which will diminish the fluid.

Has anyone gone through this type of ordeal where the fluid just stays and what was your experience having it removed and did chemo help? Surgery? She may have the option for surgery. I think they want her to do a few rounds of chemo. Is this common as well?

It is so hard to see my mom go through this. She was one healthy woman a few months ago and is now fighting for her life. Any advice and support would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

I'm really sorry about your mom and her diagnosis.  I was diagnosed in Jan 07 with ov ca stage 4.  I had ascites too.  They drained 6 litres off my abdomen, I couldn't breathe.  I had 3 rounds of taxol and carboplatin, then they did surgery to remove the tumor and all of my female organs and then I had 3 more rounds of chemo..  The ascites is what brought me to the doctor.  Mine has gone and has not returned.  The chemo should help reduce the ascites and help the surgeons when they do surgery, it's my understanding that this is normal procedure, some docs do the surgery first, then the chemo.  I'm going to a gyn oncologist and have to believe he knows what he is doing. I finished my first round of chemo in June, and my ca has returned, I'm on Cisplatin and Gemzar currently.  I intend to fight and beat this dreaded disease.  But in the meantime, I'm living my life as best I can, and praying for the best.

My heart and prayers go out to you and your mom.  I too was a healthy woman (just hit 50) just living my life when this awful disease hit me.  Fighting for our lives is what we have to do now.  And try to have faith.

I am a six year survivor, going on seven but most of the time i was not in remission.  I have ascites all the time. i was going the rout or gong to the hospital to have it tapped all the time until my wonderful interventional radiology group inserted a TENKOFF catheter in my side. Ah, i can drain any time i need to. The most i tapped was in the 900 cc range but lately, with chemo it is down to between only 20 to 75 ccs.  Please ask, research about the device. it is a very simple tube extending from my left side. When not in use it is 'coiled' under a gauze (the hopital staff would teach you) and it is undetected under clothing.  I do  the tap daily to prevent the ascites from migrating to the lung (had that!) or anywhere else. I hope you find someone to put it in. (by local ansthetic) no biggy if you are a big girl about it.  At first it is creepy and awkward, later you bless the day you got it. No more extended abdomen with the fluid.  Bless you in your quest for relief.  (i got mine at Lancaster General Hospital in Lancaster PA)