My mom was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, stage 3b, in June of 2008. She went through chemo, was doing great. Then in April of 2009, she was rushed to the ER with a foot of dead bowel that had to be operated on immediately. She didn't recover well. Then in July of 2009, ended up in the hospital with an obstruction, it was operated on. She recovered even worse from that, with severe diarhea and vomitting. She went back into the hospital about a month ago and her doctor said her small intestine was twisting up as a result of the cancer and continually operating on it wouldn't be a good idea. She can't eat. Is taking nutrient through an IV and anything more than basic liquid (like broth) makes her sick. Her doctor gave her 3 months to 2 years and because of the severity of her digestive issues, I want her to be more pro-active and optimistic, but I also know being hungry and not being able to eat and a walk outside exhasting you can be detrimental to recovery. So, I hope someone here can give me some insight. Thank you.
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Anyone know anything about digestive problems & ovarian cancer?
- By Erin_Pet
- Posted October 26, 2009 at 1:55 am · 3 replies
- In Side effects of treatment
- Shared with the public
- Edited November 5, 2009 at 11:51 pm
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- By lifeisgrand
- Posted October 26, 2009 at 9:13 am
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I'm so sorry to hear of your mom's struggle. Is her cancer gone and this is just the aftermath of the surgery? Or is she also having a recurrence of her cancer? Either way, it sounds like she has been struggling with it. I will pray she finds the strength and the will to live the days she has left... however long that is.... the doctor can't put a date on that. I hope she starts to feel better and not give up. I don't have much insight for you but I know there are many women on this site who endure years of abdominal problems and surgeries so perhaps they will be able to give you some better advise.
God bless!
- By BarbT
- Posted October 26, 2009 at 9:38 am
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I am sorry to hear of this. My only insight would be a second opinion. I work in lung cancer with a fantastic surgeon and we see all sorts of people who were told they were no longer operable, etc., but he was able to do something to improve their quality of life. I say seek a second opinion, if nothing else, then to reassure yourself that there is nothing else to do.
Good Luck.
Barb
- By Jaywalker
- Posted October 26, 2009 at 4:44 pm
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I don't really have any advice but your story sounds exactly like my mom. I was actually getting online to type in almost the exact same question. My mom was diagnosed stage IIIC August 2007. Surgery, chemo, more surgery, more chemo. Bad stomach pains and bowel obstructions. She had surgery and they removed 4ft of her lower intestine. It helped for a while but she hasn't been able to eat now for 4 weeks. She's lost a lot of weight and takes IV fluids 3-4 times weekly. We're seeking a 2nd opinion. We're going to the Cancer Treatment Center of America in Zion, Il. Has anyone had any luck with them? She's still pretty young and her cancer was responding well to the chemo but her stomach is now all twisted in knots. I'm praying for you and your mom. If anyone can offer any insight to CTCA in Zion that would be helpful.
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