My mom has Ovarian with many other health problems

JMulkey
JMulkey Member Posts: 32
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
She's had ascetes (sp?). They've drained her abdomen twice. She's insulin dependent and she's in kidney failure. We went to a surgeon who said he didn't want to do surgery right now with the ascetis, and wanted her to have two rounds of chemo first. I'm so concerned that her kidneys won't hold up through chemo and he made it sound like it was next to impossible to do chemo and dialysis. Does anyone have any good news for us? All we get is more bad news :(

She's 78 years old, and not in good health generally.

Tomorrow she gets a port, and then possibly starts chemo on Friday. We think Taxol and Carboplatin. What do we need to have on hand at home for her?

Comments

  • Barbara53
    Barbara53 Member Posts: 652
    #2
    constipation and lethargy
    Hi J, so sorry you're here. Your mother's situation sounds grave, but the chemo may slow the cancer enough to stop the buildup of fluid. That's probably what the doctors are thinking. My mother is 80 and has been fighting OVCA for nearly 2 years, so I've learned a lot about it.

    The chemo will likely cause short-term constipation, so you should have some Miralax on hand, and my mother used Colace (stool softener), too. Sometimes there would be rebound loose movements, so she would take Immodium or Lomotil (rx) to get things back to normal. Your mother may have no normal at this point, because lesions are likely scattered in her abdominal cavity.

    Chemo causes lack of appetite, so you might want to find a flavor of Ensure or Instant Breakfast your mother likes (I'm sure there are formulations without sugar). Also lemon drop candies help cut the "chemo taste" that my mother found pretty awful.

    Do try to get the email address and phone number of a nurse at your mother's oncologists' office so you will have someone to whom you can ask questions. Insist on this! They are billing huge amounts, enough to cover patient support.

    Hope things improve and your mother becomes more comfortable. It's a rough road. Good luck.
  • Mwee
    Mwee Member Posts: 1,338
    #3
    Welcome
    I'm so sorry to hear that your Mom has so much to deal with. Carbo/taxol seems to be the gold standard, but as has already been mentioned can cause terrible constipation, fatique and body aches rather like the flu. I'd like to add that the Drs. should be giving her anti-nausea pills, pain killers, pamphlets with possible side effects and contact numbers. I'd like to suggest that after her infusion and for several days afterwards that to push liquids in much larger amounts than she would normally drink. This will help flush out her system and help with the constipation which can become quite severe. The very best wishes for both of you and we'll be right here if we can help in any way.
    (((HUGS))) Maria
  • Lisa13Q
    Lisa13Q Member Posts: 677
    #4
    Hello
    Sorry to hear about your mother, but chemo can do some amazing things these days. All the ladies here have given you good advice. We also had a huge bottle of extra strength tylenol, as ibuprofen can reak havoc with the blood cells. I also found the worst time was 48 hours after infusion, then my mother slowly rebounded. It really did help the ascites. She had 3 rounds before surgery, hers was so bad when we found it. Hopefully, the taxol/carb will work it's magic with your Mom..Please keep us posted.
  • leesag
    leesag Member Posts: 621 Member
    #5
    Lisa13Q said:

    Hello
    Sorry to hear about your mother, but chemo can do some amazing things these days. All the ladies here have given you good advice. We also had a huge bottle of extra strength tylenol, as ibuprofen can reak havoc with the blood cells. I also found the worst time was 48 hours after infusion, then my mother slowly rebounded. It really did help the ascites. She had 3 rounds before surgery, hers was so bad when we found it. Hopefully, the taxol/carb will work it's magic with your Mom..Please keep us posted.

    Home
    I don't know your mother, but here are some things that I found helped me when I got home:

    We purchased a small tv tray type table to go next to the sofa so I could have something that could be moved and extra space for "stuff." I had a warm fuzzy blanket and soft cuddly pillows. Interestingly enough, although I'm over 40, one of my friends gave me a stuffed puppy that I hugged when I slept (on the sofa for the first few days, and then napping happened on the sofa daily!)

    Lots of stuff to drink...ginger ale, water, Arizona green tea etc. Popsicles and other treats.

    Carnation Instant Breakfast Drink was my choice for a protein supplement. The chocolate tastes like a chocolate shake. (I didn't like ensure at all)

    My doctor prescribed Celexa and Ativan for depression and anxiety. Oxycodone for pain.

    If you don't have a heating pad, get one. The Neulasta especially causes bone and joint pain. My heating pad was plugged in from Saturday through Tuesday (Chemo was on Thursday)

    If your mom is used to being active, remind her that she is still healing inside even when she feels good outside (after surgery). Also, I was definitely NOT up to doing anything for a week or two after chemo.

    Purchase some scarves ahead of time (headcovers.com has large square scarves that I loved loved loved!)

    I hope this helps! Also, contact your local American Cancer Society for caregiver resources and support.


    Hugs and Prayers being sent your way!

    Leesa

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