Help Please :o(

My mom was diagnosed with Stage 1C - Ovarian Cancer - the clear cell kind.  She had her first round of chemo on Friday and seems to have been ok with the nausea part.  Although she has a lot of pain shooting down her legs.  Is there anything that can be done to relieve the pain?  how long does this last?

 Can anyone please tell me if it looks like she won't get sick this round if she hasn't already?  She's on Dexamethazone until tomorrow night then Tuesday just Zofran.  I am worried as she is on her own (we are in different cities and my work is 2 hours away).

She's on Carboplatin and the Plaxitil?? this one (can't remember it off hand).

I know that hairloss is expected on her next round (in three weeks).  Does the nausea get worse?  And how many days in does it usually hit?

 Please help me - it's just me and I am frightened.

God Speed.

On 1/25/2009 what2do wrote:

My mom was diagnosed with Stage 1C - Ovarian Cancer - the clear cell kind.  She had her first round of chemo on Friday and seems to have been ok with the nausea part.  Although she has a lot of pain shooting down her legs.  Is there anything that can be done to relieve the pain?  how long does this last?

 Can anyone please tell me if it looks like she won't get sick this round if she hasn't already?  She's on Dexamethazone until tomorrow night then Tuesday just Zofran.  I am worried as she is on her own (we are in different cities and my work is 2 hours away).

She's on Carboplatin and the Plaxitil?? this one (can't remember it off hand).

I know that hairloss is expected on her next round (in three weeks).  Does the nausea get worse?  And how many days in does it usually hit?

 Please help me - it's just me and I am frightened.

God Speed.

 

 

Hi God speed,

 I have ovarian caner stage 3 c and have had carbonplatin and taxol and now on doxil for a recuurence.

Everyone reacts differently to chemo, but the nausea or the worse of it, starts the third to fifth day after chemo and can last up to a week, some people more. Zofran works she has to keep takening it every eight hours I think it is. I never got sick just light headed, and heartburn and acid reflex, which they gave me meds for. She must ask doctor before taking any over the counter medicines.

The steriods and the taxol causes the pains in legs, I had that too. She may get tingling and numbness in feet and or hands, thats the taxol. Tylenor helps but consult her doctor first. No advil or any thing in that family. I may suggest you getting someone to stay with her the week after each chemo, walking and just getting around with nausea and weakness of legs is a bit tricky and dangerous due to falling or fainting. I fainted after a shower and fell off toilet when I was sitting there drying my self off. The steam made my nausea worse. Make sure she drinks a lot of water and eats something. Thats important.

You need to see how she reacts but someone should be near by and be able to get in if needed.

Its scary for family members but for patients too. There is plenty out there fighting cancer and I am sorry your mom is one of them. Stay postive and try to be strong, she has to be positive and be a figther to get through this. We all get down times, but these kind of support websites are helpful. Don't believe what happens to someone else will happen to your mom, when reading other messages. Everyone is different. We support and give or own stories and share our feelings here. We can suggest things that have helped us and give advice but her doctor is the one who you need to ask questions too. Keep a log of her problems and write down questions you have so you can ask doc when you see him.    Call Doc if any symtoms are really usally or really bad. Don't wait.

You can write your frustrates here, or just vent, we will listen. It helps. We will help you get through this, one day at a time. Keep in touch and best wishes to you and your mom.

Nancy

Thank you for getting back to me, I greatly appreciate it. 

My mom is at the point with the pain in her legs that she doesn't think she can go through with the chemo.  From what I have heard, I can't say that I blame her.

She's complaining of chest pain today - I am not sure if that is related to chemo or not - she is on Warfarin for her blood so it's all too much.

It's so hard because her common theme is she is dying.  She has such a poor attitude - it hurts and its frustrating.  She is not looking at "ok I am Stage 1C...I have a fighting chance" - she is just convinced the cancer has spread throughout and she won't be around too long.  Full of remorse/regret and guilt.  It's sad really.  I just wish she'd embrace the potential that this may save her life.

 Anyway I am rambling.  If anyone has anything other insight to lend to my initial cry for help - I'd appreciate it.

 Thank you

On 1/28/2009 what2do wrote:

Thank you for getting back to me, I greatly appreciate it. 

My mom is at the point with the pain in her legs that she doesn't think she can go through with the chemo.  From what I have heard, I can't say that I blame her.

She's complaining of chest pain today - I am not sure if that is related to chemo or not - she is on Warfarin for her blood so it's all too much.

It's so hard because her common theme is she is dying.  She has such a poor attitude - it hurts and its frustrating.  She is not looking at "ok I am Stage 1C...I have a fighting chance" - she is just convinced the cancer has spread throughout and she won't be around too long.  Full of remorse/regret and guilt.  It's sad really.  I just wish she'd embrace the potential that this may save her life.

 Anyway I am rambling.  If anyone has anything other insight to lend to my initial cry for help - I'd appreciate it.

 Thank you

Hey Harriet - I'm with you, stage 1 would be wonderful - I also have stage 3!

About your Mom - do as suggested, contact her doctor right away! Also know that you don't have to wait until each treatment to get your questions or concerns answered - CALL the doc immediately. This is CANCER, not some flu or cold. Tell the doc about her depression too!! She should not be alone during this time.

I'm sorry your Mom has such a negative attitude - I personally think that will only make it worse. My Lord, as so many have, I've done my chemos and surgery and the sickness and despair of it all.  Right now I am so 'thankful' to be able to appreciate every little thing in life.

Talk to the doctors - and the blessings for both you and your Mom.

Thank you all for getting back to me.  I see the promise in her being stage 1 if only she too could see it.  You have all been very inspirational to me and I can't begin to thank you enough.  I have learnt so much on here.

I will continue to let her doctor and nurse know what is going on in terms of pain in the legs/chest. 

I pray she will continue with the treatment - there is so much for us to do when she gets past her treatment. 

Again THANKS TO ALL OF YOU -

xo

On 1/29/2009 what2do wrote:

Thank you all for getting back to me.  I see the promise in her being stage 1 if only she too could see it.  You have all been very inspirational to me and I can't begin to thank you enough.  I have learnt so much on here.

I will continue to let her doctor and nurse know what is going on in terms of pain in the legs/chest. 

I pray she will continue with the treatment - there is so much for us to do when she gets past her treatment. 

Again THANKS TO ALL OF YOU -

xo

Come whenever you need to - even if just to 'vent'. We've been thru lots - each of us to a different degree so if we can help, please let us.

Don't hold back how she is taking all this, ie. depression from the doctors. They need to know 'everything' in order to treat her properly.

Blessings, LindaMae

My ex-husband has renal cell carcinoma with mets to lungs and liver.  He developed almost unbearable pain in his legs after a round of Sutent.  The oncologist put him on Kadian (slow release morphine) in addition to the Vicodin he was already taking for post surgical pain. Had a kidney removed.  His Sutent dose was lowered on the next round and the pain is now just occasional and he is able to control it with one or two Vicodin tablets on most days.

I see no reason for your Mom not to be given pain medication and possibly an antidepressant to help her deal with the chemo and just the trauma of finding out she has cancer.  

On 1/28/2009 what2do wrote:

Thank you for getting back to me, I greatly appreciate it. 

My mom is at the point with the pain in her legs that she doesn't think she can go through with the chemo.  From what I have heard, I can't say that I blame her.

She's complaining of chest pain today - I am not sure if that is related to chemo or not - she is on Warfarin for her blood so it's all too much.

It's so hard because her common theme is she is dying.  She has such a poor attitude - it hurts and its frustrating.  She is not looking at "ok I am Stage 1C...I have a fighting chance" - she is just convinced the cancer has spread throughout and she won't be around too long.  Full of remorse/regret and guilt.  It's sad really.  I just wish she'd embrace the potential that this may save her life.

 Anyway I am rambling.  If anyone has anything other insight to lend to my initial cry for help - I'd appreciate it.

 Thank you