Any recommendations for the newly diagnosed

bukklvr
bukklvr Member Posts: 4
edited July 2011 in Peritoneal Cancer #1
My Mother, 69, was recently diagnosed with Peritoneal Cancer. We are in the very early stages of treatment as she has only had CT Scan and biopsy and has Omentum tumor and ascites removal surgery scheduled for Wed. July 27th and further treatment to be three rounds of chemo with a three week break in between. There has been no staging so far.

She had cancer of her Endometrial lining diagnosed in November 2010 and in January 2011 had a complete Hysterectomy, lymph nodes were all clear so no further treatment was given. One ovary was previously removed approximately 40 years prior. The biopsy shows subtle differences from cancer in Nov. 2011.

The only indicator was "gas" that started 3 1/2 weeks ago....she has since grown to look like she is in her 8 month of pregnancy, now has developed lack of appetite, extreme bladder pressure and the gas discomfort has turned into severe pain.

She is located in the greater Nashville, TN area and I am in CA but have a sister that will be with her for surgery.

I would like to thank the survivors for sharing your stories, treatments and recommendations as you are helping not only your fellow cancer survivors but it is an enormous reassurance for Family members.

Vicki

Comments

  • Tina Brown
    Tina Brown Member Posts: 1,036 Member
    #2
    Welcome to the boards
    Welcome to the boards. You will find it a great source and strength and comfort. Once the ascites has gone your mum will feel an enormous relief in her tummy. All of her symptoms seem to be as a result of the cancer cells and once streatment is started that will also make her feel more comfortable.

    Good luck with the treatment plan and keep on posting.

    Love Tina
  • daBeachBum
    daBeachBum Member Posts: 164
    #3
    Welcome Vicki
    Hi Vicki,

    Sorry you have to be here, but welcome to the board.

    My advice is going to be general since I am a guy and my peritoneal cancer is secondary to colon cancer. There are a number of women here whose prognosis will match your mother's pretty closely however.

    I would advise your mother to pay particular attention to staying well hydrated and to get in as much exercise as she is comfortable with. She should also not be stoic if she needs pain medication in the early days of her treatment. When the chemo kicks in, she should find that the ascites abate pretty quickly. In the meantime, paracentises are quick and almost painless. I would also advise you and your sister to make sure you take care of yourselves as well. Your mom will need you two to be strong for you, and will want you to be as OK as possible under the circumstances.

    I send good thoughts your mom's way and hope they get this knocked down quickly for her.

    Take care,

    Ray
  • AussieMaddie
    AussieMaddie Member Posts: 345 Member
    #4
    Hi vicky
    Hi,

    I just wanted to add my voice to those of others here in wishing your mother well. I found like other did, that the ascites was quickly under control once I started the chemo. It was very effective from the start. As Tina said, once that is under control, your mother will be more comfortable.

    My thoughts go to her and to you.

    AussieMaddie

    xxx
  • wanttogetwellsoon
    wanttogetwellsoon Member Posts: 147
    #5
    coping...
    It's hard to give advice to people as everyone is different. From my own point of view, I hadn't really realised how much the chemo made me a lot more comfortable. On the down side, it has its own effects and managing it can be a balancing act. I found constipation a real problem because I have so many adhesions and I worry about finding myself in hospital yet again with a blockage. Not everyone with peritoneal cancer has the extent of adhesions as I do but I would agree with the posts here that it is best to keep well hydrated. I have an orange husk drink to help. I take two just before I have chemo because I know things will be sluggish for a while. Once my bowel is working, I have one. Every day, I use porridge and rather than put sugar on, I use prunes (I know they're been relabelled dried plums!). If all of that doesn't work, I just sit down in the morning and leisurely drink two large cups of weak tea. Walking helps too though I find doing it very difficult.

    Once the fatigue of chemo starts to lift after about Day 6, I find I feel so much better. The fluid in my abdomen seems to be under control now which is a good thing because the fluid puts pressure on the bowel and makes it more immobile.

    I keep my spirits up and refuse to let anyone near me lower theirs. I want life to be about living and the chemo is helping me to do that.

    My heart goes out to you and your family.:)
  • bukklvr
    bukklvr Member Posts: 4
    #6
    wanttogetwellsoon said:

    coping...
    It's hard to give advice to people as everyone is different. From my own point of view, I hadn't really realised how much the chemo made me a lot more comfortable. On the down side, it has its own effects and managing it can be a balancing act. I found constipation a real problem because I have so many adhesions and I worry about finding myself in hospital yet again with a blockage. Not everyone with peritoneal cancer has the extent of adhesions as I do but I would agree with the posts here that it is best to keep well hydrated. I have an orange husk drink to help. I take two just before I have chemo because I know things will be sluggish for a while. Once my bowel is working, I have one. Every day, I use porridge and rather than put sugar on, I use prunes (I know they're been relabelled dried plums!). If all of that doesn't work, I just sit down in the morning and leisurely drink two large cups of weak tea. Walking helps too though I find doing it very difficult.

    Once the fatigue of chemo starts to lift after about Day 6, I find I feel so much better. The fluid in my abdomen seems to be under control now which is a good thing because the fluid puts pressure on the bowel and makes it more immobile.

    I keep my spirits up and refuse to let anyone near me lower theirs. I want life to be about living and the chemo is helping me to do that.

    My heart goes out to you and your family.:)

    Thank you
    Tina, Ray, Aussie and others,

    Thank you so much for your kind and generous replies. I wish the best for all of you throughout this journey.

    Vicki
  • SOPHIE333
    SOPHIE333 Member Posts: 92
    #7
    wanttogetwellsoon said:

    coping...
    It's hard to give advice to people as everyone is different. From my own point of view, I hadn't really realised how much the chemo made me a lot more comfortable. On the down side, it has its own effects and managing it can be a balancing act. I found constipation a real problem because I have so many adhesions and I worry about finding myself in hospital yet again with a blockage. Not everyone with peritoneal cancer has the extent of adhesions as I do but I would agree with the posts here that it is best to keep well hydrated. I have an orange husk drink to help. I take two just before I have chemo because I know things will be sluggish for a while. Once my bowel is working, I have one. Every day, I use porridge and rather than put sugar on, I use prunes (I know they're been relabelled dried plums!). If all of that doesn't work, I just sit down in the morning and leisurely drink two large cups of weak tea. Walking helps too though I find doing it very difficult.

    Once the fatigue of chemo starts to lift after about Day 6, I find I feel so much better. The fluid in my abdomen seems to be under control now which is a good thing because the fluid puts pressure on the bowel and makes it more immobile.

    I keep my spirits up and refuse to let anyone near me lower theirs. I want life to be about living and the chemo is helping me to do that.

    My heart goes out to you and your family.:)

    Blockage and adhensions
    Hi, I am new to the list and want to start with saying that I am sorry we have to meet under the circumstances. My mum has a lot of adhensions and blockage. How are you coping and is it getteing worse or better? Mum's semm to continue despite chemo working on the tumors.. It causes a lot of pain and trouble for her. Any information is og grate value for us.. Have you done surgery?

    Love,
    Sophie
  • daBeachBum
    daBeachBum Member Posts: 164
    #8
    SOPHIE333 said:

    Blockage and adhensions
    Hi, I am new to the list and want to start with saying that I am sorry we have to meet under the circumstances. My mum has a lot of adhensions and blockage. How are you coping and is it getteing worse or better? Mum's semm to continue despite chemo working on the tumors.. It causes a lot of pain and trouble for her. Any information is og grate value for us.. Have you done surgery?

    Love,
    Sophie

    Welcome Sophie
    Sophie,

    I'm sorry that you find yourself needing to be here, but welcome you. I hope that things turn out well for your mom and that her pain and discomfort subsides quickly.

    This is a new board and I think that some of the earlier threads from last month will be of use to you. I might take a look at "Peritoneal Cancer - Various Treatments" and "Please tell us your story" in particular.

    Also make sure you take care of yourself! Caregivers have it rough too and the last thing your mom will want is for you is for her illness to impact your life more negatively than it has to.

    Your mom and you are in my thoughts. I wish you both all the best...

    Ray

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