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Mom's ovarian cancer status

rsp
Hi, I'm writing on behalf of my Mom.  She was diagnosed with Stage IV Ovarian Cancer on April 18, 2006, with metastasis to the diaphragm and lining of her right lung.  She completed 6 rounds of Carbo/Taxol and her CA-125 levels were low enough for her to be in so-called "remission".  Her cancer returned 4 months later.  She has been on chemotherapy since.  She's had allergic reactions to a certain chemo (not exactly sure which one).  She kept trying different protocols, but none were bringing down her CA-125 levels, so she was next administered Doxil.  What a horrifying poison!  It had many damaging effects to her body, but worked on bringing the CA-125 levels down...then, it stopped working.  She was hospitalized with blood clots, and her Doctor suggested she take a break from the Doxil.  Being the fighter that she is, she asked if there were any other chemos she could try, and he named a few.  She chose Gemzar.  She has been on Gemzar since August 2008.  It's working as far as killing the cancer cells according to her CA-125 levels.  Her CA-125 levels are currently at 109, dropping about 30 points every month. However, she keeps getting a build up of ascites in her abdomen... about 3-5 liters are drained weekly.  She was hospitalized last week due to an extreme weak/fatigue feeling.  Her blood pressure was VERY low... and we found out that her protein and albumin levels are dangerously low.  She continues to get Gemzar on a weekly basis, with one week off in the month.  Her Doctor told her not to get the paracentesis for as long as she can tolerate the fluid.  Is the fluid damaging in anyway?  Or just a side effect.  Her abdomen is quite "bloated"  right now and it's been 6 days since her last paracentesis.  The ascites causes her to not want to eat... but she tries very hard.  She drinks two whey protein powder drinks a day... but I know that's not enough, she needs to eat to get her other nutrition.

Is there still hope?  Her CA-125 levels are dropping which is good... if we can get her nutrition back to a "healthy" state, is it possible for her to pull through this.  If I could only explain her strength in fighting.  Can we rely on the CA-125 as being a good tumor marker at this point?  How much ascites can the body build up?  Is it bad to have a lot of ascites?  

Sorry for the many, many questions.  I just would like to hear from a Doctor since my sisters and I haven't been able to go to the Doctors visits with her much, because it's something her and my Dad want to do together.

I hope to hear from you soon!  

Rachael
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523728 tn?1264621521
On this site go to forums and on the right side of the page is the "Ask a Doctor" section.  I will send you a private message for the other site as it will be blocked if I post it here.
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Avatar universal
rsp
Hi Sharon,

Thanks for the info.  How exactly do I go about getting on the OVCA forum?  Not sure which site to go on... or what not.  

Thanks, Rachael
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523728 tn?1264621521
Try to get on the medical OVCA forum.  It's hard because they only accept so many posts per day but will be worth it in terms of getting a professional opinion.   We will try to support you here in any way we can with personal anecdotes.  You may also want to check out About.com which has a Dr. available to answer medical questions promptly.

So sorry to hear of your mom's suffering.  She is lucky to have you as a concerned supportive daughter.
Best wishes,
Sharon
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Avatar universal
My mom had a lot of ascites.It also was around her lung.Is your mom able to have a bowel movement,very important.She should drink Bio-k,a drinkable probiotic,aids in food digestion.Is she taking a stool softener or Senokot.Smart Water is good.Bromelain,a pineapple enzyme improves chemo response.New chapter organics Ginger Force for healthy cell renewal,their multi-vitamin is great.As long is she can eat and go to the bathroom daily,that's half the battle.I have a lot of other suggestions.Just being for their is helping more then you know.This is the most evil of all cancers.The early symptoms are just so vague.Thats why its not usually found until later stage.the only symptoms my mom had was weight gain,abdominal swelling,and indigestion.Be strong for your mom and family.Don't be afraid to ask questions,make suggestions.Marinol helped my mom with her appetite,a narcotic.Are they giving her Emend before chemo.Is she taking Ativan & Zofran for nausea.She must walk,it helps with the constipation & fatigue,everyday with help if needed.
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Avatar universal
rsp
Thanks so much for your reply Jen.  I was aware of all the problems and such from the ascites.  It's just hard because answers are so vague.  

Did your Mom have the ascites?  

My Mom is only 49.... I'm 23.  I have two older sisters 33, and 32... and my Dad is 53.

I hate this disease... why can't they figure out a cure?  It's just so unknown, and it seems to be an epidemic more and more lately.  My Grandma and Grandpa were both diagnosed with sorts of cancer within the last 2 years also.  So 3 family members in 2 years!  They have to figure this out!  
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Avatar universal
I think your mom's best bet would be a permanent peritoneal catheter.Every time she gets a paracentesis theirs a risk of her lung getting punctured.The most common problems from ascites is shortness of breath,pressure in bowel area making it difficult to go the bathroom,pressure in stomach area,difficulty eating.Sometimes the ascites can accumulate around the lung.Hope this helps.I'm so sorry,I've been in your position I was my mom's caretaker up until her passing in August.If you need any support I'm here for you.My mom was only 50.I'm having a hard time,depression from the holidays,her birthday's coming up.God Bless you and your mom,Jen
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