What Can I Expect?

So grateful to have come across this forum that seems so helpful and full of advice.

My 59 year old mother was diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer in January 2011. She was started on chemotherapy and after few treatments had surgery then had more chemotherapy treatments. In July when we though things were going well we found out the chemo had stopped working for her. After waiting to hear if she would qualify for some trial treatments (she didn't qualify) they began a second type of chemotherapy in September. We knew the chances that chemo would work were low and the best we were told to expect was that it would slow the progression of the cancer to give her more time. It seemed to be doing that until December. Earlier this month we were told the chemotherapy is doing more harm then good and it was time to stop.

She has a very large mass in her abdomen (last ct scan in Sept show it was about 20 cm at that time) and spots are showing throughout her abdomen and on one lung. She has ascites quite bad and has to go weekly to have fluid drained from her chest and abdomen. She has lost a ton of weight and has ongoing problems with blockages in her bowels making it difficult to keep food down. Even on good days it's difficult for her to eat much and she is very weak and spends alot of her days sleeping.

I'm wondering if anyone can give me any advice of what I can expect. Her doctor refuses to give any type of prognosis and just says it's different for each patient. I'm just curious if it's realistic to think we still have several months or will it likely progress quicker then that? Any advice is appreciated.

[ireneo]

It is different for each person and I know the doctor doesn't have a special gift to see into her future. But I do hope he hasn't given up. If so, then I would recommend seeing another doctor who may have a different perspective. I have a friend who has been fighting her ovarian cancer for 11 years. And hers was also stage 3. I understand she may be the exception to the norm but can any of us guess who may have months vs, having years ahead of them? If her doctor seems to have exhausted his ideas, again, I'd say ask for another opinion. It couldn't hurt.

[mo78]

Thanks for your reply.

Unfortunately her Oncologist has given up and says now we should just worry about pain and symptom management. We have asked for another opinion elsewhere but have been told her doctor is right in her recommendation. We've also seen a Naturopathic Doctor to explore alternatives to at least give her some more time but other then some dietary suggestions they had no suggestions.

[ireneo]

Unfortunately there does come a time when the doctors have exhausted all the possible treatment options. The body is just too overwhelmed by the disease. Nobody likes to hear that. But if that is indeed true, the next step is to control pain and discomfort. No one should have to suffer needlessly during their last months. There are things that can be done in terms of medications and food/drink to make her life easier. They won't cure but she should feel a bit better. I'm so sorry that the news looks grim. Keep looking for answers, for advice and be her advocate.