Mom starting Chemo tomorrow

minky1225
minky1225 Member Posts: 70
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
Just an update... Mom is starting Chemo tomorrow. I am not sure what kind but she believes the doctor said that they were going to do a full day of chemo every 3 weeks... Does this sound right? She might have misunderstood. The doctor is not available for me to talk to right now. I also found out that all of her tumors are inoperable:(

This has been a rough week for us. The upside is that Mom is doing okay. They constantly have her on pain meds through her PICC line. They basically told her she can have them whenever she wants.

I had a little bit of a breakdown in front of Mom last night but I actually feel better that I did. We talked about our feelings. She told me that she's not nervous or scared and is willing to take whatever God throws her way. She told me that I should try and make an attempt to go to church more often and just pray!
She also said something to me that I thought I would share with the rest of you...

"God might not always be there when you want him to be... but He's always right on time."

Thanks for listening and bless you all.
Allison

Comments

  • Lisa13Q
    Lisa13Q Member Posts: 677
    #2
    Hi Allison
    Wow, what a great conversation you had with your Mom. I don't know about the chemo everyday thing, but net time you have a chance you can ask the doctor. I know that I have wanted details that my mother did not so I had to often ask separately and even when I had answers my mother would just say she didn't want to know. I think in their heart of hearts they know exactly what is going on. They don't need the medical details. I'm sure it's been a rough week, but it sounds like your mother is in a fairly serene place under the circumstances and hopefully that will help you to be at a more peaceful place too.
  • Hissy_Fitz
    Hissy_Fitz Member Posts: 1,834
    #3
    Sounds right to me
    I do about 7 hours of chemo every three weeks. I get Carboplatin and Taxol, plus the anti-nausea drugs, the Benadryl, and the steroids that go along with it.

    Did they not give her a port in her chest? That's how I get my chemo drugs delivered, as well as the two blood transfusions and, when I was in the hospital, my yummy (not) TPN feedings.

    Carlene
  • Barbara53
    Barbara53 Member Posts: 652
    #4
    black saturday
    It's great to hear that your mother is in such good spirits and has such a positive attitude. But I gotta tell you, this chemo for ovarian cancer is no walk in the park, and it's nothing like the regimens used for breast cancer. Anyway, with all your mom has been through, I would expect a hard ride on days 4-9, with day 1 as the day the chemo goes in. She will probably feel pretty good for two or three days, and then need attentive care for several days. Make sure you have Miralax (an over the counter stool softener), because the constipation can be serious. Push her to drink anything. Not trying to scare you, but it's best to know what to expect.

    Sometimes the treatment is worse than the disease, but your mother and God will work out the best joint plan, I'm sure.
  • BonnieR
    BonnieR Member Posts: 1,526 Member
    #5
    Hugs and right on
    Dear Allison, sounds like the plan of action is right on. Praise the Lord for your mom's attitude and your openess with each other, that well make the road a little better..notice did not say easier as this is never easy but doable.

    I want to share with you (and not try to get your hopes up) that sometimes after the chemo they do decide they can operate. I know you may hear from several women here that have had extensive chemo and then surgery. So you just never know what is down that road.

    Sending lots of prayers ♥ Hugs Bonnie

    Rest in the faith that God is always there when you want Him, just waiting, yes weven when we are so busy doing what we have to do that we dont' notice. I know He has to have strong strong arms as he carries me alot.
  • saundra
    saundra Member Posts: 1,370 Member
    #6
    Chemo, surgery, chemo
    I had 4 doses, every three weeks, before my surgery and 4 after of carbo/taxol. The chemo shrunk the tumors by more than half in size so that i could have the surgery. My CA125 went from 2999 to 35 with the four doses. I did have deep bone pain and took some paim medication. My biggest problem was constipation. She should drink lots of water, take stool softeners, or mild laxatives and not let that get out of hand. I did not have any nausea but took the anti nausea pills. It took 6-8 hours to take the infusion. Good luck. Saundra
  • minky1225
    minky1225 Member Posts: 70
    #7
    saundra said:

    Chemo, surgery, chemo
    I had 4 doses, every three weeks, before my surgery and 4 after of carbo/taxol. The chemo shrunk the tumors by more than half in size so that i could have the surgery. My CA125 went from 2999 to 35 with the four doses. I did have deep bone pain and took some paim medication. My biggest problem was constipation. She should drink lots of water, take stool softeners, or mild laxatives and not let that get out of hand. I did not have any nausea but took the anti nausea pills. It took 6-8 hours to take the infusion. Good luck. Saundra

    Thank you everyone!
    She does have the port to get her treatments. She is still in the hospital so I hope that they will give her meds for constipation, etc.

    I will keep everyone posted as I learn more.

    Thanks again!
  • worriedaboutmom
    worriedaboutmom Member Posts: 31
    #8
    minky1225 said:

    Thank you everyone!
    She does have the port to get her treatments. She is still in the hospital so I hope that they will give her meds for constipation, etc.

    I will keep everyone posted as I learn more.

    Thanks again!

    Good Luck!
    I will be thinking and praying for you and your mom!!
    Becky
  • msfanciful
    msfanciful Member Posts: 559
    #9
    minky1225 said:

    Thank you everyone!
    She does have the port to get her treatments. She is still in the hospital so I hope that they will give her meds for constipation, etc.

    I will keep everyone posted as I learn more.

    Thanks again!

    Your mom's treatment sounds
    Your mom's treatment sounds pretty much on point for her first line of treatment.

    One thing I must stress, make sure your mom drinks plenty of water, she will probably get sick of it, but it is very important that she does, because it makes a big difference in how she will rebound from each treatment.

    Let's see... the way my nurse put it was; before you receive chemo, your cells look like a plump grape. After chemo, they literally look like a dried raisin. The water literally re-hydrates the cells back to a plump grape. And lots of water will also help with constipation.

    Will have you and your mom in my prayers,

    Sharon
  • msfanciful
    msfanciful Member Posts: 559
    #10
    minky1225 said:

    Thank you everyone!
    She does have the port to get her treatments. She is still in the hospital so I hope that they will give her meds for constipation, etc.

    I will keep everyone posted as I learn more.

    Thanks again!

    Your mom's treatment sounds
    Your mom's treatment sounds pretty much on point for her first line of treatment.

    One thing I must stress, make sure your mom drinks plenty of water, she will probably get sick of it, but it is very important that she does, because it makes a big difference in how she will rebound from each treatment.

    Let's see... the way my nurse put it was; before you receive chemo, your cells look like a plump grape. After chemo, they literally look like a dried raisin. The water literally re-hydrates the cells back to a plump grape. And lots of water will also help with constipation.

    Will have you and your mom in my prayers,

    Sharon

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