Pleas help I am in need of answers.

Options
Carolhodnett
Carolhodnett Member Posts: 27
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
Good Morning: Well I have had a harrowing week. I had a CTScan done last week and my CA125 rose from 15 to 38. My scan also showed that there was a small to moderate amount of fluid (acites). I am going to have a biopsy this week on that. My question to those of you that have gone through this is how do thy test this and how do they drain the fluid? I the fluid is cancer free will I have to have more Chemo or will they just monitor me? I am scared to death. I switched doctors a few months ago and my new doctor scared me to death. While in tears, I asked him about my prognosis and said:"Will I survive this? He said, "Probably not." I was speechless. I was diagnosed at 1c and my current scan shows no other abnormalities just the fluid. To make a long story short I saw my original doctor yesterday and she was very positive and encouraging so I am going back to her! I am praying that one of you can help to relieve me and let me know what is ahead of me. Thsnk you. Carol

Comments

  • saundra
    saundra Member Posts: 1,370 Member
    #2
    Options
    Prayers coming your way
    Dear Carol, I understand your fears at this time. Have you read the post from the daughter whose Mother has been fighting this for 10 years. Wow, that made me sit up and take notice. My oncologist says that we still have lots of things to try yet and I have only been fighting 2.5 years. I have not had the acites problem yet, other than before I was diagnosed, a sonagram could not be read in the pelvic area due to fluid. That resolved itself I guess. I think they drain them with a needle. I have had two needle biopsies under the CT scanner and it was painless. Don't worry. I will be watching for your updates. Saundra
  • mopar
    mopar Member Posts: 1,972 Member
    #3
    Options
    SENDING HUGS
    Carol:

    I can't answer regarding the ascites. But I will respond to the heartless comment by your doctor ('probably not'). I was Stage 1C in 2000 and here I am today! No one has a crystal ball, and statistics are all well and good for some people, but after I heard numbers and opinions, I decided to let them all go and move forward with hope and faith. Some days, it wasn't isn't to do. And even now, some days that fear wants to creep in and tell me 'you will deal with this again and again - it's not over'. Bottom line, don't focus on those negatives. And I'm sure you'll see on this board that there are MANY, MANY women who have beaten the odds and have far surpassed the 'statistics'.

    To see know what's ahead of you is anyone's guess. Take one day at a time - one MOMENT at a time if you have to. Looking too far ahead creates a great deal of anxiety. And you WILL get through this, but much better without unnecessary anticipation and fears. I hope we can all be of some help to you. Please keep us up-to-date. And I'll be praying for lots of strength and wisdom for you!

    (((HUGS)))
    Monika
  • BonnieR
    BonnieR Member Posts: 1,526 Member
    #4
    Options
    Prayers ♥ Prayers ♥ and more Prayers
    Dear Carol,

    First some ascites, if the fluid is from the cancer, just means that maybe some microscopic cancer is active and that is easy to get.

    BUT ~ now this happened to me ~ I had fluid in my abdomen back in 03 after surgery. The Drs kept thinking the chemo would get rid of it but it didn't. My ca125 kept dropping but the fluid kept building, finally they drained about 7 liters from my abdomen. It did not test positive for cancer cells. Puzzled but figured okay the cancer is making the fluid but no cancer in the fluid, this went on for weeks and every 2-3 I would get the fluid drained and back it would come. Finally a Dr from IR (Intervention Radiology) from the U asked for a ct scan b4 they drained and upon looking at closely said it was from a lymphocele and was one of the biggest lymphoceles he had ever seen. They inserted a drain into my abdomen and I wore a leg bag. Next I went in to IR 3 times a week and had sclerosis treatment that eventually shrank it to 4-5cm. It took a long time to get it to this size and now since has not gotten much bigger.

    Anyway to make the long story a bit shorter ~ it's not always cancer that can cause the fluids in the abdomen. Can be from cysts bursting, can be from lymph fluid not draining properly and if it is cancer with no tumors I think chemo would kick it right out.

    Hugs ♥ Prayers Bonnie
  • Carolhodnett
    Carolhodnett Member Posts: 27
    #5
    Options
    BonnieR said:

    Prayers ♥ Prayers ♥ and more Prayers
    Dear Carol,

    First some ascites, if the fluid is from the cancer, just means that maybe some microscopic cancer is active and that is easy to get.

    BUT ~ now this happened to me ~ I had fluid in my abdomen back in 03 after surgery. The Drs kept thinking the chemo would get rid of it but it didn't. My ca125 kept dropping but the fluid kept building, finally they drained about 7 liters from my abdomen. It did not test positive for cancer cells. Puzzled but figured okay the cancer is making the fluid but no cancer in the fluid, this went on for weeks and every 2-3 I would get the fluid drained and back it would come. Finally a Dr from IR (Intervention Radiology) from the U asked for a ct scan b4 they drained and upon looking at closely said it was from a lymphocele and was one of the biggest lymphoceles he had ever seen. They inserted a drain into my abdomen and I wore a leg bag. Next I went in to IR 3 times a week and had sclerosis treatment that eventually shrank it to 4-5cm. It took a long time to get it to this size and now since has not gotten much bigger.

    Anyway to make the long story a bit shorter ~ it's not always cancer that can cause the fluids in the abdomen. Can be from cysts bursting, can be from lymph fluid not draining properly and if it is cancer with no tumors I think chemo would kick it right out.

    Hugs ♥ Prayers Bonnie

    My heart is lifted
    To my dear friends Saundra, Monika and Bonnie: You have absolutely no idea how much you have helped me and how much hope you have given me. I am at work and I can't stop crying and I just read your messages and my spirit soared. Bonnie: You give me hope that perhaps this fluid is not cancer . I took a horrible fall two Saturdays ago and fractured my spine and broke two ribs. I've been doing so much research and I found that this could possibly be internal bleeding from my fall. I know I am grasping at straws here but it could be. You also said that not all fluid is cancerous and even if it is there is hope. For the first time since Monday I don't feel like my time here on earth is over. I have my biopsy on Wednesday 11/4/09. I am in need of your prayers and hugs as I know I gather strength from them. Your wise and encouraging words and your cyber hugs are helping me to get through this and I will ask God to bless you all. Carol
  • Hissy_Fitz
    Hissy_Fitz Member Posts: 1,834
    #6
    Options
    Carolhodnett said:

    My heart is lifted
    To my dear friends Saundra, Monika and Bonnie: You have absolutely no idea how much you have helped me and how much hope you have given me. I am at work and I can't stop crying and I just read your messages and my spirit soared. Bonnie: You give me hope that perhaps this fluid is not cancer . I took a horrible fall two Saturdays ago and fractured my spine and broke two ribs. I've been doing so much research and I found that this could possibly be internal bleeding from my fall. I know I am grasping at straws here but it could be. You also said that not all fluid is cancerous and even if it is there is hope. For the first time since Monday I don't feel like my time here on earth is over. I have my biopsy on Wednesday 11/4/09. I am in need of your prayers and hugs as I know I gather strength from them. Your wise and encouraging words and your cyber hugs are helping me to get through this and I will ask God to bless you all. Carol

    Draining fluid from abdomen
    Carol,

    Before my surgery I was sent over to the hospital's radiology dept where they drained 3 liters of fluid from my abdomen. It isn't painful and provides a significant degree of relief.

    They numb the skin, then insert a catheter and drain the fluid off into one liter bottles. They use a suction type thing to get it started each time they change bottles, and it feels a bit weird, but again, not painful.

    They do it under a fluoroscope so the doctor knows exactly where to position the needle.
  • dorion
    dorion Member Posts: 183
    #7
    Options
    u r in the right place
    My Dearest Carol
    Don't get me started on these heartless idiots that have absolutely no bedside manners. I have gone through the same situation quite a few times and the only place I could find any solice is right here with these beautiful women. I too have been scared out of my skin by what these idiots spew out of thier mouths with no feeling or forethought of how it leaves us feeling. Carol, I speak from the heart when I tell you I know exactly how you feel. Every day I try to keep the fear at bay and try to shut the back seat driver of my thoughts off. I was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian Dec. 07, only to find out later that it wasn't stage 4 but 3, good news I thought, they say after that "it doesn't really matter". I was told a month ago that he would be happy if he saw me back in the office in the summer with the same smile on my face. "What the hell does that mean?" my head screamed. In the end Carol, all we have at the end of the day is ourselves and most important of all we have each other for comfort, answers and total support.

    I can't say enough about this place that has saved me from my thoughts and despair. You are so in the right place. Carol, as it was told to me, only one person knows when we are going to die and that is the Big Guy upstairs. I was don't not to listen to the numbers because that's all they are, just numbers. This was told me by a beautiful lady I met shortly after my diagnosis who is still fight lung cancer after they told her she had 6 months, she was telling me this 6 years after the fact. 2 years later she is still kicking. You hang in there sister and you know our thoughts and prayers are with you and please remember..............YOU ARE NOT ALONE!!!! We are here with you every single step of the way. Now you get busy and kick some ****, k???? By the way gang, no one is responding to my night sweats delima! Thought I would plug my blog. LOL

    You keep in touch Carol, please, keep writing and we'll be there! Love and hugs to you, we're gonna be ok!!! OK???

    Linda
  • Carolhodnett
    Carolhodnett Member Posts: 27
    #8
    Options
    Hissy_Fitz said:

    Draining fluid from abdomen
    Carol,

    Before my surgery I was sent over to the hospital's radiology dept where they drained 3 liters of fluid from my abdomen. It isn't painful and provides a significant degree of relief.

    They numb the skin, then insert a catheter and drain the fluid off into one liter bottles. They use a suction type thing to get it started each time they change bottles, and it feels a bit weird, but again, not painful.

    They do it under a fluoroscope so the doctor knows exactly where to position the needle.

    Dranining fluid
    Thank you for your reply. I have a question for you. I am scheduled for a biopsy on Wednesday of the fluid. Do you think they will possibly drain the rest of the fluid off? I am uncomfortable so I hope so. I hope I don't have to go in for another procedure to do that. I hope you are doing well! Carol
  • BonnieR
    BonnieR Member Posts: 1,526 Member
    #9
    Options
    Carolhodnett said:

    Dranining fluid
    Thank you for your reply. I have a question for you. I am scheduled for a biopsy on Wednesday of the fluid. Do you think they will possibly drain the rest of the fluid off? I am uncomfortable so I hope so. I hope I don't have to go in for another procedure to do that. I hope you are doing well! Carol

    ask them too
    Hi Carol, I would hope so, but ask them too before they start. Lots of prayers Bonnie

Discussion Boards