Scared 31 year old with mucinous ovarian cancer

I am at lot older than you but was told in November that I had a positive blood marker for ovarian cancer and from there my health deteriorated markedly.  In January had the CT scan and biopsy, with peritoneal drainage, and later due to increasing breathlessness pleural drainage too.  I was a lot better following that as could lie down and breathe more easily.  I started Chemo and now have had 5 treatments at 3 weekly intervals, the ascites isn't such a problem now.  Life revolves around the calendar as the week following the infusion is a write off.   I am due to have an exploratory laparoscopy in a fortnight to see if surgery is possible or just more chemo.  All through constipation has been a problem, and eventually found a small amount of lactulose with or without a senna tablet has sorted it.  Being free of constipation helps your appetite, and I found small frequent snacks , nuts, biscuits, fruit, bananas, avocado or honey on toast, icecream, were easier than a full meal,  calories are the most important at the moment, so eat whatever you fancy, the cancer nurse said to me in January, now is the time for cream, chocolate etc that you didn't eat before!   Plenty of water is good, lots of sips or hourly drinks, and I found diluted orange juice goes down well too for a change, (as I go off tea drinking after chemo.)   Make sure you  keep up with gentle  exercise and get plenty of rest.  I just take paracetamol for aches and pains, but the cancer nurse should be able to give you advice on that and  any other worries.     I am not in the same situation as you re fertility, having 3 grown up daughters, but I do feel for you.  I am just doing one day at a time, and appreciating the better weather and spring flowers whilst I can.    Hope I have been some help, I am just surprised at how many people are attending the cancer centre and no doubt having their own struggles.   

Hi there, I share some of your experiences and emotions as regards eating, constipation, appetite etc.

I am 54 and have 4a stage, starting 3 cycles of chemo on weds, then probably extensive surgery and then more chemo. All been a whirlwind the last few weeks since GP made same day referral for urgent CT scan.

I was suffering from constipation, bloating and pain in abdomen and aching in rear kidney flank areas. Had already been fobbed off twice by GP since first visit at end Dec as was clearly not a UTI as urine tests were clear for UTI markers. Was not eating much for fear of further pain, didn't feel nausious at all but didn't actually feel hungry either, felt like something inside was going to explode. Got a lovely haemorroid for my toilet efforts.

My diagnosis includes spread of cancer around part of bowel and omentum. I don't seem to have the ascites issue, or at least that has not been mentioned to me.

Doc immediately also prescribed Laxido to help bowel movements and for my case this is supported at present by the gynae/oncology team.  I take it 3 times a day and it now means I have a 'runny' bowel movement if you know what I mean every morning - it's not pleasant but I figure it's better out than in. Still takes a little bit of leap of faith to push a bit to make it happen as I don't want another haemorroid but is much less strain now.

Also I am now taking codeine for pain management which can increase constipation risk, so I will continue to take Laxidol or similar unless the docs tell me otherwise. The orange flavour is not too bad and I find it tastes better if you heat it for 45 seconds in the microwave - this also keeps it cool enough that I can use it to take my tablets with too (get all of it done in one hit as such).

I was also for my circumstances advised to eat a 'low residue diet' which bizarrely involves eating things you would normally consider unhealthy eg white bread, full fat milk, low fibre, high sugar etc!!! Not eating many carbs such as potato and rice as that makes me feel too full. Aso as Patchwork says eating smaller bites more often can help rather than big meals.

Everyone's circumstances are unique but hopefully even just reading about other experiences and picking up awareness and knowledge of topics you never thought you would have to encounter is helpful. I find these forum pages very useful as it is direct words/experience from fellow sufferers which provide a different perspective from official guidance or specialist advice.

Hi there, I am sorry to hear all that you are going through. Take a look at targetovariancancer.org.uk/ . They have a brilliant support line with nurses who are so lovely.roup with the most amazing women on it who are a brilliant support. 

Hi there, I hope you are doing 'ok'? I thought I would add another quick post to offer ongoing virtual support and to share some experiences/thoughts in case they may be of interest. Never thought I would be writing on social media about tummy/toilet issues but then again never thought I would get cancer at 54.....

Since my previous post I have experienced a few days of significant nausea which I don't think was related directly to chemo treatment but rather to aforementioned linked tummy issues. 

I have chosen for the moment to stop taking Laxidil because it just felt like I had a grim swimming pool of #### swirling round in my abdomen awaiting several unpleasant but temporarily soothing toilet visits a day. 

In tandem I have stopped taking codeine to reduce constipation risk. So far things are good but of course am keeping under continual review as DO NOT want constipation to return. Am also continuing to follow a low residue food plan.

Everyone's circumstances are different but right now for me I feel like I have made a self-informed affirming decision to stop taking the Laxidil, even my partner was very dubious about stopping it (out of concern I think for having seen me experience constipation previously). I even asked my partner to move the Laxodil box of sachets out of sight as even looking at it was making me feel psychologically queasy.

Just wanted to make the point I guess that everything is under constant review with this wretched cancer and it's a combination of all the specialist input plus very importantly your own feelings and experiences.

Best wishes x