My mam got diagnosed with ovarian cancer last week, with
extensive peritoneal and omental infiltration by multiple large masses. But also something on the bottom of her liver. We have had to phone an ambulance for her twice due to the swelling in her tummy becoming too much along with the pain. MDT was Wednesday with a plan to operate asap. First meeting with the surgeon is Monday. She’s back in hospital now and is in so much pain - im struggling so much seeing her in this much pain. They tried to drain her tummy last week but there wasn’t enough fluid they will try again tomorrow. I’m worried that If it isn’t fluid that the masses are so huge and getting bigger. Has anyone experienced this before? I need some help coping so I can support her better. Two weeks ago everything was fine - this has happened all so sudden. She is 65 and although she has ataxia is otherwise healthy and I mean super healthy. How can this happen so fast and why can’t the hospital fix her sooner? My heart is broken. Her biopsy isn’t back yet
Hi Ditto
I’m Anne, one of the Community Champions here on the Online Community and, although I'm not a member of this group, I noticed that your post hadn't had any replies yet. Responding to you will 'bump' it back to the top of the discussion list again.
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"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"
Hi Ditto
Welcome to the Ovarian group. I am really sorry to hear that your Mum has had a recent diagnosis of ovarian cancer and is having swelling and pain. It sounds like she is in the right place where she can be cared for and made as comfortable as possible.
My own cancer was endometrial (womb) so I hope you do not mind me responding but the treatment is often similar. (as with other gynae cancers)
it sounds like everything has happened very quickly and I remember myself how overwhelming it can be. I had no symptoms then a heavy bleed and within a couple of weeks I had my diagnosis. It is normal for it to go through the MDT first and it is where the professionals look at all aspects of Mum's cancer and come up with the best treatment plan.
I would hope for Mum that as she is seeing the surgeon on Monday that she will have her surgery quickly. My own first time meeting the surgeon was on a Friday. I had a pre op on the Friday pm and surgery was on the Monday. Mum being normally super healthy will help a lot.
The surgeon will talk through exactly what will happen with the surgery but the intent is normally to remove as much of the visible cancer as possible. There can sometimes be some follow up treatment. Again, the surgeon should be able to give your Mum a probable treatment plan on Monday. I remember when I had my diagnosis just wanting to get on and have the surgery, but it is really important that the MDT get together first and have all the results of scans etc to decide on the most effective treatment.
Sometimes when there is cancer in the pelvic/abdominal area fluid can build up and this can be drained to help. It is hard to know which swelling could be due to the fluid and which is related to the cancer. However removing the masses and fluid should hopefully help with the pain that Mum is in at the moment. I understand it must be upsetting to see her like this and do encourage her to talk to her nurses and ask for more pain relief if needed.
This link may help explain the fluid and how they can treat it.
Ascites | Macmillan Cancer Support
This link is about the surgery that may be offered and I know for me it helped a bit to know about it before I met with my surgeon and then I could ask questions.
Ovarian cancer surgery | Macmillan Cancer Support
It can be really tough to support a parent through a cancer diagnosis and treatment and we do have the Support Line available from 8am-8pm daily. The number is at the end of this. It can sometimes help just to talk things through. They can also have a look and see if there is anything in your local area that will help. Your Mum may already have been given a cancer nurse specialist and I found mine helpful in being a first port of call for any questions.
Sometimes with cancer we can have it for a while before we notice anything is wrong and it sounds like this may be possible in Mum's case. it can all happen very suddenly and this can be hard to deal with. If Mum's diagnosis was last week and her appointment with the surgeon is on Monday, then it seems they are quickly progressing things for her- and this is a good thing. As Mum has already had the diagnosis, the exact details of the biopsy will probably not affect her treatment and it is the post op pathology that will give a clearer picture of Mum's cancer.
We do have another forum that you may find helpful to look at. I will pop a link in case it is one that you would like to look at.
(+) Cancer carers forum | Macmillan Online Community
I wish Mum well for her appointment on Monday and I hope that when you both have a treatment plan and know what will happen and when, that things will feel a little better. I hope in the meantime Mum's pain is under control in the hospital.
If there is anything you need, please do ask
Jane
