HELP!!!!!

[thegoodson]

My mom has stage 3c. She has been determined partially platinum resistent and has shown tumor shrinkage on weekly Abraxane chemo.  As of last week she has been extremely uncomfortable with urinary frequency, incontinence, urges to go and horriffic cramping and burning. The cancer center said it had nothing to do with cancer. Her urologist did a scope procedure and told my mom that she had a "nasty" infection. She was on Bactrim which caused vomiting. Now she is on another antibiotic and the urologist called today and said "your urine culture came back negative. I'm not quite sure what is wrong but maybe it's gone into some lymph nodes."  DOES HE MEAN THE INFECTION OR THE CANCER? SHE JUST HAD A GOOD CT SCAN IN FEB, CLEAR ABDOMINAL XRAY LAST WEEK, AND AGAIN DESPITE A NEW CYST IN HER LEFT PELVIS THE CANCER DOCS SAID IT WASN'T CANCER. WHAT IS GONIG ON HERE? WHAT DO WE DO? PLEASE HELP!

[survivor_susie]

Hi,
Chemo is really hard on the body. I had a milder case of your mom's symptoms, although it went on for weeks.  My doctor thought it was a UTI, but my tests came back negative, too. So, I soaked (a lot!) in a warm tub bath.  I couldn't believe how much it helped.
Best of luck to your mom.  

[puppyluve]

Hi It sounds as though he isn't certain. Lymph nodes to me would indicate cancer spread and since scans don't always show everything that of course is a possibility, but there are many other possible reasons for it as well. My thoughts would be more the Chemo however. Chemo can play complete havoc on your body and cause those kind of symptoms as well.Have you read up on the possible side effects of Abraxane? Sometimes doctors don't take the time to do that so maybe you should. Also have you asked for a CA125? If you have is it up or down? There is a site someone gave me that I found really helpful....www.chemocare.com It will tell you all about what she is on and it's side effects. Hope this helps. Take care

[Nursemommy34]

I'm not too fresh on the latest cancer meds.  But your Mom's bladder symptoms sound like what happened to my uncle, about 5 years ago.
He had cancer that started in his digestive tract and was on chemo for some time.  I think (my own personal theory) maybe the chemo going through his kidneys and his body flushing it out and all that might have irritated his bladder.
He had a scope done that showed irritation that is usually indicative of UTI, but urine culture came back negative.  He did have bladder ulcers, though.  Every time the pee touches the ulcers, it burns and causes an unrisistable urge to urinate.  He also had pain and cramping. The scope only went so far on him.  I can't remember how they finally diagnosed it..maybe they gave him a deeper scope?  Not to sure.  It's not really my area of refreshed study.
Hope it helps, though.
Nursemommy34