Waiting for tx to begin

me_and_my_mom
me_and_my_mom Member Posts: 46 Member
in Ovarian Cancer #1
My mom was dx at ER w/ advanced OC last week. She is home now, waiting for final biopsy results to begin tx. She has 20 cm tumor and ascites, and is so uncomfortable. She can't eat much, and it is hard for her to be comfortable. Is this normal for her to have to wait so long to begin tx? Should I be pushing to get in her sooner? Should she be in the hospital? Is there any hope? Her onco keeps saying once she starts tx, things should shrink and she will become more comfortable. Please, any encouraging words would be helpful. I feel as if I am in hell right now.

Comments

  • lovesanimals
    lovesanimals Member Posts: 1,366 Member
    #2
    Hi
    I'm so sorry that your mom has joined our "club" but you've come to the right place for information and support. We can so relate to what you and your mom are experiencing. When you or a loved one gets the diagnosis, you don't want to wait one day to start the chemo or have surgery. The doctors have to wait for the final biopsy results to decide on the specific game plan for your mom. In the meantime, know that you and your mom have every reason to be hopeful about the future. Please keep us posted and let us know what the next steps are for your mom.

    Big hugs and prayers to you both,

    Kelly
  • MJensen
    MJensen Member Posts: 93
    #3
    Waiting for treatment
    Hi
    Waiting a week is not unusual but if your mom is so uncomfortable and can't eat or stay hydrated then you should be her advocate and call the DR and let him/her know. Maybe she should be in the hospital especially if she can't eat or drink fluids. There is definitely hope for her to feel better and even go into remission. I felt better once they started chemo. I had a Carboplatin / Taxol combo and it worked for me. There were other side effects associated with the chemo but the ascities fluid dissipated which helped the abdominal pain and all other areas were shrinking as well. I ended up having a total hysterectomy after 3 rounds of chemo and this helped as well. As I mentioned in your other post I know a women that is 75 and just went thru all of this. She is doing REALLY well. I was with her daughter yesterday and she is anxious to celebrate the holidays with her mom since she is doing so well. Lots of hope for her to feel better. It is normal for you to feel anxious and helpless. Listen to your mom and if she is so uncomfortable she would rather be in the hospital, then I would definitely call the DR or go back to the ER. She may need to be hooked up to an IV to get some fluids in her. If the ascities has built back up they can drain it a second time if need be. Hope you and your mom can get some relief soon. Take care of yourself and your mom! Michele
  • me_and_my_mom
    me_and_my_mom Member Posts: 46 Member
    #4
    MJensen said:

    Waiting for treatment
    Hi
    Waiting a week is not unusual but if your mom is so uncomfortable and can't eat or stay hydrated then you should be her advocate and call the DR and let him/her know. Maybe she should be in the hospital especially if she can't eat or drink fluids. There is definitely hope for her to feel better and even go into remission. I felt better once they started chemo. I had a Carboplatin / Taxol combo and it worked for me. There were other side effects associated with the chemo but the ascities fluid dissipated which helped the abdominal pain and all other areas were shrinking as well. I ended up having a total hysterectomy after 3 rounds of chemo and this helped as well. As I mentioned in your other post I know a women that is 75 and just went thru all of this. She is doing REALLY well. I was with her daughter yesterday and she is anxious to celebrate the holidays with her mom since she is doing so well. Lots of hope for her to feel better. It is normal for you to feel anxious and helpless. Listen to your mom and if she is so uncomfortable she would rather be in the hospital, then I would definitely call the DR or go back to the ER. She may need to be hooked up to an IV to get some fluids in her. If the ascities has built back up they can drain it a second time if need be. Hope you and your mom can get some relief soon. Take care of yourself and your mom! Michele

    Waiting
    THANK YOU. This forum is the only place that makes me feel not alone. My mother is keeping down a little food and some fluids, now that I called the dr, yesterday and got zofran prescribed. It has helped her alot. I just got back from her house, and she seems better today than yesterday. She does not want to go to the hospital unless absolutely necessary. Tonight she even ate some steamed veggies and a small piece of chicken. This will be a long week. Hoping for some positive news on her upcoming consult w/ the onc this week.
  • lovesanimals
    lovesanimals Member Posts: 1,366 Member
    #5
    me_and_my_mom said:

    Waiting
    THANK YOU. This forum is the only place that makes me feel not alone. My mother is keeping down a little food and some fluids, now that I called the dr, yesterday and got zofran prescribed. It has helped her alot. I just got back from her house, and she seems better today than yesterday. She does not want to go to the hospital unless absolutely necessary. Tonight she even ate some steamed veggies and a small piece of chicken. This will be a long week. Hoping for some positive news on her upcoming consult w/ the onc this week.

    Hi
    The waiting can be like torture, but I'm glad that your mom is feeling better and able to eat some food. My go-to drink when I'm feeling like I'm not getting enough calories and essential nutrients is Ensure, which comes in chocolate, vanilla and strawberry and possibly other flavors too. She should check with her doctor first, but your mom might want to consider this, especially during this long week of waiting.

    Kelly

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