I'm 31 and an ovarian cancer survior. I had my surgery two years ago, and I'm doing pretty well. What breaks my heart is that my 52 year old aunt was just diagnosed wtih ovarian cancer and is scheuled to have surgery this Friday. Part of me feels like I did when I first found out. She keeps saying that she wants to be a survior like me. Her attitude is so positive, I'm so proud of her for that.
About the fluid build up-she has fluid that built up so much around her abdomin that the doctors want to get it drained and under control before they do surgery. Does anyone know what that could be from? There is so much fluid that her stomach area is extreamly distended, it looks herniated too. I did not have that with my cancer, so I wasn't sure what that would be from.
Thank you all in advance for your concern and replies.
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Broken heart/ Fluid build up
- By MarieBatt
- Posted October 21, 2009 at 8:31 am · 6 replies
- In Newly diagnosed
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- By MinnieM
- Posted October 21, 2009 at 8:49 am
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The fluid build-up is called ascites -- very common with ovarian cancer. Although it can be an ongoing problem, the draining and subsequent surgery should get rid of it. Mine didn't have to be drained before surgery, but was removed during, and so far as not returned.
Your aunt will feel much more comfortable once it is drained. Best of luck to her.
- By lifeisgrand
- Posted October 21, 2009 at 8:52 am
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I am so sorry to hear your family is going through this yet again.
The fluid is called ascites and is produced by the cancer cells. Not everyone has this with their ovarian cancer but a lot of people do. If you search here you may find more posts with information about it. Generally they drain it off by inserting a needle into the abdominal cavity and letting the fluid flow out. Just getting the fluid out of there will give her a lot of relief from the pressure it causes on the internal organs.
Best of luck to your aunt. I will keep her in my prayers.
- By FavoriteAunt
- Posted October 22, 2009 at 7:13 am
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Your aunt has ascites and it can be drained. I had it when I was first diagnosed and they drained it all out when I had my surgery and it never came back. The cancer cells produce it. Even though I'm in my second recurrence, I've never had a problem with it again.
I congratulate you on doing so well, and certainly wish the best for you aunt. She's lucky to have you for support.
- By SONGBIRD49
- Posted October 22, 2009 at 11:06 am
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Dear MarieBatt, sorry to hear of your aunt but if this helps; my fluid buildup was the worse sign of my ovca. I had the fluid drawn at surgery and they took off 8 liters! The chemo following her surgery should keep it off. My situation is very bad BUT I have a very positive attitude and the nurses tell me at the chemo center all the time that my positive attitude and continued travelling no matter how I feel is what is keeping me going so wanted to share that survivor tip with you and her. To me a survivor is not one in remission but the one looking in the mirror everyday thru our bald heads and no eyebrows or lashes and make ourselves up, dust ourselves off, go to work and pretend we are like all those more fortunate others that don't have to worry about this awful disease and what it does to our bodies. PS: if she wants to have the fluid drained before the surgery it takes 1/2hr at the local hospital radiology lab and they just num the needle spot (they show you the fluid buildup .. it shows black all across your abdomen.. the numming is like novacane and you don't feel a thing. My mistake a few months ago when the acietes started again (when my chemo treatment wasn't working) and they took off 7 liters was AFTER I was done, went out for supper and ate way too much as I had starved myself all day by mistake and I got sick. You need to relax after and have just something very lite to eat. Good Luck to your aunt and bless her for having such a thoughful and knowledgable niece :)
- By pegart
- Posted October 23, 2009 at 1:08 am
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I looked like I was 3 months pregnant. I could'nt eat beause of all that fluid. They drained it and I felt so much better. that is how they found my ovc. I had surgury a week later.
- By reddynamo
- Posted October 23, 2009 at 2:55 pm
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I have had the fluid drained 3 times from my abdomen prior to my first chemo treatment. I have ovarian cancer, stage 3C. They extracted about 5 1/2 liters each time (a lot of fluid). I felt so much better afterward and was able to finally eat a real meal again. Prior to having fluid removal, I could only eat a few bites of food at a time and I would feel extremely stuffed so that I could eat no more. I also felt like I was 10 months pregnant. Since I started my chemo treatments, the fluid buildup has completely gone away and has not returned after 3 chemo treatments, so far. Thank goodness!
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