Worried about my partner

AC201986 over 1 year ago

1 reply
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Hello,

I hope this post is ok - I just would like some guidance on my situation.

My 58 year old postmenopausal female partner has developed new onset abdominal bloating (over the last few weeks) associated with a slight change in bowel habit (usually once per twice per week now going once every couple of days and a bit looser but no diarrhoea). No other symptoms. The bloating is firm and increases throughout the day - as she is slim, it is pronounced. She has always had a little bit of a more prominent abdomen but this is larger and new.

I think that she should go get this checked out with her GP (given her age and symptoms, I think ovarian cancer could be a possible diagnosis) but her personality is very resistant to being told what to do, to the point if you nag her too much, she just refuses to do anything or does the opposite.

I'm really worried about her and was just wondering whether I'm being over anxious or whether I have valid concerns (and I should press her more)? Has anyone else experienced this? She actually went to the GP today as she also has developed a chest infection but she actively didn't ask about the bloating as she doesn't think anything of it!

Helen M - Macmillan over 1 year ago

Hello AC201986

Thanks for getting in touch. My name is Helen, I’m one of the Cancer Information Nurses on the Macmillan Support Line.

Welcome to the online community. I see you have joined the ovarian cancer forum and hope you have found it a warm and welcoming group.

I was sorry to read that you are worried about your partner’s symptoms and are finding things difficult because she doesn’t share your concerns.

You mentioned her tummy becomes swollen during the day, and she has had a slightly looser stools but you haven’t noticed, or she hasn’t shared with you, any other symptoms of concern.

Ovarian cancer symptoms are often rather non-specific - a long-lasting swollen tummy, needing to pee urgently, feeling full quickly after eating, unexplained weight loss or changes to bowel habits.

That can mean it is sometimes difficult to know if the symptoms warrant checking out, or if they will resolve by themselves.

It is very difficult for us to say if you are being over-anxious – you naturally care for your partner and are worried, but we would always say that it is a good idea to get any symptoms that are ongoing, unexplained or unusual to be checked out by the GP.

While your partner is feeling under the weather with a chest infection (which, if she has been given antibiotics, may upset her gut flora leading to increase wind, bloating and loose stools) perhaps adopting a watch and wait strategy until the chest infection is treated sufficiently, may give you both a little space to see if her symptoms improve?

You might consider giving us a call to talk through your worries. We could help you think about ways to express your concern if your partner’s symptoms don’t go away after the chest infection has been treated.

The Macmillan Support Line offers practical, clinical, financial and emotional support. You can call us free from landlines and from most mobile phone networks on 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week, 8am – 8pm.

I do hope this information is useful. Please don’t hesitate to get back in contact by email, webchat or phone, if you need further information or support.

Best wishes, Helen

Cancer Information Nurse Specialist

Ref HM/SA

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Worried about my partner