I need to know when to be realistic and stop being emotional

Hello

my baby cousin was diagnoised with stage 3 ovarian cancer just over two months ago. She lives in Canada and I am very confused with the way they are going at this. I know they have stated that her cancer has spread to her colon, bowels, spleen and uterus. She has been through two 6 hr chemo sessions, and they want to operate on her to remove part of her colon,part of her bowel, her uterus, her spleen and ovaries in the first week of August. She has lost over 40 lbs, she can not walk because of the pain in her feet. She is on high doses of oxicotin, and now she is having seizures. I do not know if opening her up is an option and I am not sure of what we should be expecting from her illness. I don't know if I am being unrealistic still hanging onto hope, and was hoping that maybe someone out there could tell me if what she is going through is normal for her diagnosis, or if she is failing us fast.

 

Hanging on to hope

 

On 7/15/2009 mydearcousin wrote:

Hello

my baby cousin was diagnoised with stage 3 ovarian cancer just over two months ago. She lives in Canada and I am very confused with the way they are going at this. I know they have stated that her cancer has spread to her colon, bowels, spleen and uterus. She has been through two 6 hr chemo sessions, and they want to operate on her to remove part of her colon,part of her bowel, her uterus, her spleen and ovaries in the first week of August. She has lost over 40 lbs, she can not walk because of the pain in her feet. She is on high doses of oxicotin, and now she is having seizures. I do not know if opening her up is an option and I am not sure of what we should be expecting from her illness. I don't know if I am being unrealistic still hanging onto hope, and was hoping that maybe someone out there could tell me if what she is going through is normal for her diagnosis, or if she is failing us fast.

 

Hanging on to hope

well the chemo sessions do last 6-7 hours, nothing abnormal there! taxol gives pain & numbness in the toes; its obvious they are giving some chemo first to shrink the tumors, then operating, then more chemo; this is a new way of doing things thats all: just stay calm & POSITIVE!!! distract her from all this: do not keep asking how she's feeling, she might actually have been able to forget her woes at that moment: i liked to receive jokes on my computer! she needs to eat anything that's palatable to her to regain some strength; cant think of anything else; harriet

Thank you Harriet I will distract her the best I can, I avoid the how are you doings because I believe I know the answer, I try just to let her talk, she is very anxious, rightfully so, I just needed to vent I get nervous and do not want it to show, I keep supporting her the best I can with funny cards, and will call her with my real life stories, I work at an airport and boy can people make you laugh. She does not eat well so I will try and stay on her about that. She was having sezuires but they believe that is the pain killers she was on so they have taken her off them. Surgery is planned for Aug 4th. The first round did shrink her tumors some and she had another round this past wed. So hopefully we shrunk them more. Thank you for letting me know some of this was normal, I have never had to deal with this before, and my little cousin means alot to me.

 

On 7/15/2009 mydearcousin wrote:

Hello

my baby cousin was diagnoised with stage 3 ovarian cancer just over two months ago. She lives in Canada and I am very confused with the way they are going at this. I know they have stated that her cancer has spread to her colon, bowels, spleen and uterus. She has been through two 6 hr chemo sessions, and they want to operate on her to remove part of her colon,part of her bowel, her uterus, her spleen and ovaries in the first week of August. She has lost over 40 lbs, she can not walk because of the pain in her feet. She is on high doses of oxicotin, and now she is having seizures. I do not know if opening her up is an option and I am not sure of what we should be expecting from her illness. I don't know if I am being unrealistic still hanging onto hope, and was hoping that maybe someone out there could tell me if what she is going through is normal for her diagnosis, or if she is failing us fast.

 

Hanging on to hope

 

How old is your cousin?  Have them buy Boost, put in freezer to get slushy, eat with a spoon or straw.  I bought chocolate, but know they have other flavors.  Boost has a soy base with lots of nutrients.  It is similar to Ensure, which I did not like.  You can also make a shake  with Boost, protein powder, ice cream or what ever else she likes.  Not fair for a child to have this!!!!!   Kids are resilient!!!!  My thoughts are with you!!!!!   Puna

6-7 hours for chemotherapy treatments are very normal. It is also part of the process to develop severe pain in bones and muscles as a result of the chemo treatments. I had (and still have 1 year after completing treatment) severe pain in my feet, legs, arms, and hands. I use small rubber balls for my hands. You can find them in sports stores, and they are not expensive (probably $5 to to $7 each). My husband gives me foot massages every day, and they help a lot. When I was on chemo, I couldn't get out of bed for 8 days after each treatment, but as soon as I was able to be on my feet I would get on the treadmill and walk 3-4 miles. Walking every day (yes, 7 days a week) helps a lot with the pain. It seems counterintuive, but actuallly exercising whenever you are able to do it is better than not doing it to deal with the pain. I keep your cousin in my prayers, and hope she gets better.

My cousin is an adult but she has three kids trying to deal with this also, I want to thank you because all the stories I have been getting are truly giving me hope. She is strong - and I want so much to help her. and I appreciate everyone stepping up and giving me suggestions. Its nice to know your not alone in these times.

Thank you so much for replying , You made me feel there is hope. I am happy you are beating it and have the strength to do so. I pass everything on to my cousin, and my Aunt so they all know, I feel helpless but your responses have brought me encouragement, and a sense of positiveness, that she can beat this. Thanks