Fluid on legs

• By pat813
• Posted October 20, 2009 at 8:28 pm
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Teddyjack,
I am sorry to hear about your mom, but you and your sister found a wonderful resource in this website to help you navigate through this disease and treatment.

As for the extra fluid....could be fluid from the surgery. They flush stomach with fluids. After my surgery, I had an about 20 lbs on me too. My doc said that it could take up to year for body to absorb fluid. As it turned out, it did take a good couple months. The water pill should help. If it doesn't seem to lessen in next week, call your onc.

Good luck with your mom!

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• By jeaniet
• Posted October 20, 2009 at 10:11 pm
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another thought----did they mess with any of her lymph nodes in abdomen or groin? Retention of lymphatic fluid is a complication of a surgery where they mess around with lymph nodes. Talk to your surgeon.

I just had my second cancer surgery, and it was strictly to remove some lymph nodes. By the way---I had no swelling after my first surgery. Anyway---my abdomen was so swollen after this surgery, and didn't go down. I looked like I was 7 months pregnant. It was affecting my eating because I felt so full immediately. It even moved into my lung. When they found the fluid in my lung, they drained it, and discovered it was lymphatic fluid (chylous ascites), NOT malignant fluid (called malignant ascites). I had 3 liters of chylous ascites drained from my belly the next week.
Regardless of what the fluid is, draining it from her belly might help how she feels before going into chemo. It really helped me start chemo too. the procedure is called paracentesis.
Jeanie
So.....talk with the surgeon.

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• By FavoriteAunt
• Posted October 21, 2009 at 7:53 am
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Sorry that your mom has endured so much. Sometimes surgery can cause excess fluid. I know my feet and ankles were so swollen I couldn't get shoes on when I went home from the hospital and had to take water pills. And ovca can cause ascites (fluid buildup) because of the tumor. Her doctor should be able to tell the difference. Ascites fluid is sometimes drained to ease the discomfort, if that is what it is.

All the best and hope she feels better soon.

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• By MinnieM
• Posted October 21, 2009 at 8:55 am
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I also had fluid build-up, primarily in my legs. They increased my diuretic, which eventually helped; however, I read later that lack of protein in your diet can cause fluid build up. That made sense since I was on IVs for 7 days, and my stomach was the size of a peanut when I finally got home.

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• By lifeisgrand
• Posted October 21, 2009 at 9:07 am
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She must be miserable with all that extra fluid and weight on top of recovering from surgery. It certainly could be from the lymph system not draining or the pressure of the tumor even affecting that. You might also consider whether she is drinking enough fluids. I know that may sound crazy with all the fluid in her legs but our body does hold onto fluid when we are not taking enough in. Only when we increase the input does it let go with the output. My mom often tries not to drink to avoid the bathroom which in turn causes her legs to swell and she turns to the lasix to get rid of the swelling. When she drinks enough the swelling goes away. Granted my mom isn't dealing with the problems your mom has but I just wanted to put it out there as we often miss the forest for the trees. I hope she is getting some relief but if it continues I would definately call the doctor to see if there is something more you can do. God bless.

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• By barbjh
• Posted October 21, 2009 at 5:31 pm
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hi, i can tell you that after my tumor was removed, my stomach and it seemed like everything else was pushed out to a point where it hurt. some is normal but you may want to talk to her doctor to verify everything. give her lots of hugs and support and she will do fine. also green tea helps both before during and after chemo.

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