Primary Peritoneal Carcinoma

Hi.  My mom was diagnosed with PPC July 2006.  She had surgery in August, and started chemo in September.  She finished her first round of chemo in January, 2007.  In reading all these messages, I've read CA125 levels incredibly high - in the thousands.  Mom's were, at the highest, like 70.  She did really well, felt good, until October of this year.  She had fluid in her abdomen and had to have that drained - almost 6 liters.  That's when we found out the cancer had returned.  And then a week later had about 3 more liters drained.  She started chemo again on October 31.  She was supposed to have the second (of six) treatments on November 21, but her white blood cell count was way down so the dr. had to reschedule for next Wednesday the 28th.  Today she woke up with her left cheek swollen and the swelling seemed to be moving.  Half of her mouth was swollen and by the time I left her house, it was past half.  Has anyone experienced this?  I don't know if this has anything to do with the cancer, or if she's developed some sort of allergy that is unrelated to the cancer.  My mom is a fighter and won't let this take her down easy.  I am so grateful for every day we have her.

Hi!  My mom was  diagnosed with PPC yesterday.  I went online today to try and find some info and the only thing I found was this website.  Honestly, I don't really know what it is, the doctor never really explained what exactly it is, treatment or mortality rates.  Everything I have read here doesn't seem good.  she is having surgery Dec. 31 to remove the cancer.  I guess I need some realistic answers as to what we have ahead of us.  I am pregnant and getting married in 2008, so she is trying to remain optimistic, should I move up my wedding?  I don't know.  I need some answers.

Thank you,

 

RagenS

Hi Ragan, I am so sorry to hear about your mom.  My mom jsut recently passed after a long courageous battle. She went through alot in the 21 months she fought off this cancer.  I will be honest, you have a very rough road ahead of you but you have to stay positive and keep going for your mom's sake.  My mom had the surgery in Jan of 2006.  She got an infection in the hospital and had to wait about a month to start chemo.  The first one was Taxol/Carbo combination.  She did it for 5 months and her numbers were way down.  The cancer returned in about 4 months.  She started Doxil in Feb of 2007.  It worked for a while but then it stopped.  They changed her to Topetecan in May of 2007.  She did 1 1/2 rounds  (1 round is chemo everry week for 3 weeks then one week off).  In August they gave her 3-6 months.  She died on October 21, the day after my dads birthday.  My mom was 77 and the chemo was VERY hard on her.  YOur mom's circumstances may be different from my moms.  My mom had a great attitude throughout the whole thing/.  We brought hospice in for the lat few months and they were great.  Mom was able to go with all of us around her in her house.  I fyou need to talk please email me your number or I will send you mine!  I cpmpletely understand what you are going throough as swoeone who has been there. Regardless keep me posted.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family!

Lyn

My mom's situation sounds SO similar to yours Perri Lyn.  She was diagnosed last Feb with ovarian cancer, had surgery early March and was told that it was actually PPC.  She started chemo a couple of weeks later- Carboplatin and Taxol.  She responded extremely well to that and was in remission at the end of six treatments.  That lasted about 5 plus months and she was recently told that the cancer has returned as her CA 125 (which had been 2) was now way up again, although not as high as it was the first time around.  She started her first of six rounds of Daxil this week.  She bore it well and is feeling well.  We are hopeful and remaining as positive as possible.  She is so much stronger this time than the last time she started chemo so hopefully that will help her.  She has not been in any pain nor is she weak at all right now.  The doctors have not been very encouraging but we pray and hope and enjoy the time we do have with her. Unfortunately she lives across country from me and I work and have 2 small children so it is difficult for me to travel to see her.  That i think is the hardest part for me.  I am so sorry that your mom passed away. I wish they could find a cure and/or early diagnosis for this terrible disease.  I will keep you all in my prayers.