New Diagnosis

They have found a 3 cm by 3 cm tumor on one of my ovaries with a 3 cm lymph node involvement next to it.  There is ascites present.  I have seen my gynecologist and made an appointment with a gyn oncologist at the teaching hospital Medical College of Richmond, in Virginia for this Wednesday.  I concurrently have a stomach problem going on and had a cat scan which revealed thickening of the stomach whatever that means but explains the discomfort I am having.  I am very nervous about this whole thing just having nursed my mother through small cell lung cancer and seeing what she dealt with.  Any advise would be welcomed...as to what to ask, what to pursue, etc.  Thank you.

First don't panic. You are doing the right thing seeing an OB/GYN oncologist. Consider asking about intra peritoneal  (IP)  chemo...not everyone does it, but an article in the New England Journal of Medicine indicates better responses than IV chemo. I would also think about looking into getting into a trial using high dose chemo and a stem cell transplant. Your best shot is to hit this real hard the first time. If we had it to do over, I think we would have done the stem cell, it does not always work, but I think it would have been the best shot. Wish I had known about this message board when my wife was first diagnosed and someone had given me that advice :(   MD Anderson in Houston is doing a clinical trial with stem cell transplant. Good Luck and God Bless. Don't make a hasty decision. Check your options fully and quickly and make the decision that seems best for you.

Hi.  My mom was also diagnosed last year with ascites (water) on her whole abdominal cause by the tumors.  I think what they told you about the thickening in the stomach is what we call the OMENTUM wall which covers the intestines etc.  Before my mother is diagnosed with ovarian cancer (even though she already had a full hysterectomy 9 years ago) she was having a hard time on her bowel, it was because of her intestines were sticking together because of the water pushing the Omentum. 

I think you are right to go to the onco-gyne right away and the doctor will know what to do.  Ask all the questions you want to ask your doc so you will have a peace of mind.  My mom's 5th chemo is coming up and we are hoping for the best because her ca-125 level is going up and down, but luckily her bowel movements are okay now, she has an appetite,  she is slowly gaining weight.

Don't be nervous, I know everybody who experienced this are scared, I am also scared for my mother but we should all stay strong to face this experience.  Be positive,a lot of courage and always PRAY TO GOD, coz if we have faith in him, everything will be okay, just TRUST Him.

Take care. Stay Strong.

I echo what the poster said about Intraperitoneal chemo.  Even though my mother in law has had recurrences after IP and IV chemo, her peritoneal cavity, and major organs have remained cancer free.  But you need to get the IP chemo at a place that has experience doing it and knows how to  manage your side effects.