Wife recently diagnosed

[Toeknee112]

She had been experiencing constipation for a couple weeks and had noticed some bloating. She went to see her doctor who discovered that her uterus was enlarged. She had an ultrasound done and it showed possible cysts or fibroids. A CT was done and the initial diagnosis is an ovarian tumor. The CA-125 showed an elevated level but the doctor said that it wasn't enough to definitely say it is malignant. A consult and surgery is being scheduled with a GYN-Oncologist. The problem is that the bloating has really gotten bad very quickly...like in the past 4-5 days. She can't eat or drink much because of the fullness and can't sleep. The doctor is aware of this and is trying to expedite the consult and surgery. Is it normal (I guess none of this is normal) for the stomach to become so bloated so fast? I thought in ovarian tumor that it was a very gradual problem...? Anything short of drawing off the fluid that might help? Apparently none of the radiologists in our area don't do this procedure because of the risk of the needle poking an uninfected organ and possibly introducing cells. I know that when the surgery is done a lot of these symptoms should go away but I don't know how long she can go with not eating, drinking or sleeping.
Thank you!!!

[JC145]

You are so lucky your MD's are so cautious.  Rather be safe than sorry.  I am not an expert by any means, but my $$ is on the drugs causing the confusion for Sandi.  Things should be much better once they remove the cancer.  Keep your hopes alive and I will pray for all of you.  Judy

[Toeknee112]

UPDATE from UC Davis Medical Center:

Surgery tentatively scheduled for 8am tomorrow...

The fluid in Sandi's stomach had started building again which is causing her the shortness of breath that she had before they did the drain on Saturday. They want to make sure that it is the fluid compressing things and NOT a possible blood clot in her lung so a CT scheduled for tonight. They're pretty sure that it is just the fluid but need to make sure. Also, Sandi has been a little "loopy" and they will also be using the CT to check her brain...which has me scared as hell. She has only been a little "out of it" since she's been admitted to the hospital(s) and on pain medication. I'm so worried now that something has spread to her brain which I know is soooo bad...
They are saying that it is probably just the medication but they want to make sure.
I was so hoping that we would just get here and they would take the bad stuff out and start her on chemo or whatever therapy and we would be on our way to recovery. The doctors keep saying that they just want to know everything that is going on before surgery so there are absolutely no surprises...its all just precautionary...but it frightens me none the less.

[Janet535]

I'd like to wish you and your wife Sandi all the very best and hope for the best possible  outcome with her surgery. Having a supportive and caring husband like you on her side and watching out for her is a blessing. Take good care of Sandie, but also, remember to take good care of yourself. Kindest regards.... Janet

[vegas2cr]

Sending positive vibes and prayers  and warm thoughts from Sunny Costa Rica.  17 months ago I was diagnosed with stage IV and I am doing well for today..I know how difficult this is for you both but better times are ahead... Ronni

[Toeknee112]

Sunday afternoon update.

The Oncologist today confirmed that it is a malignancy. The fluid is starting to build again and they are trying to decide whether to drain or wait until the surgery.

Sandi will be transferred to UC Davis Medical Center tomorrow.

There is some concern about her kidneys today (the output of urine) so they are doing an ultrasound right now but say that it may be because of the fluid building up again.

I will have the laptop with me in Sacramento...I'll try and keep you updated.

You all are WONDERFUL! Thank you for your kind words of encouragement and prayers.

Tony

[jlock]

I know how scary this diagnosis can be.  I seemed to get very bloated very fast as well. I was staged 3c with a grade 1..so the dr.s do not know it all.  You will not know the true stage or grade until the surgery and after the pathology report is back. keep the faith and I'll be keeping your wife in prayer..~~~Joanne

[StillFighting]

Sometimes cancer can grow very fast. If her stomach is full of fluid, I'd ask to have a parasenthesis done while your waiting for the consult, They can send the fluid off to lab and see if it tests pos for cancer cells.

[SimplyStar]

tony   there is always hope, I know how you feel right now, it is a shock to you and your wife, but let me tell you that the many women on this forum have been there and done that.  it is HOPE that pulls us all through. Nothing will be known for sure until after the surgery, then it is the time to make all the plans on how to beat this dam-- disease if that is what it is. many have done very well,  and with whatever she has in there that is causing her the pain, is out, then  we shall see what happens.  Keep the faith tony, it is very important.  Marty

[Toeknee112]

Well, here's the update...

First the goods news:

They drained a lot of fluid this afternoon. Sandi is feeling better. She's off oxygen and can eat solid food and drink. She almost looks, acts and feels like she did before all of this started. They don't have results from the fluid yet...probably tomorrow.

And the not so good news:

Sandi's doctor came in to see her (she's not even on call this weekend and she came in) and cried with her and told her that unless there is a big miracle that she more than likely has ovarian cancer and that because the symptoms came on so fast that she fears it is a very aggressive form.

Will be transferring her to Sacramento for surgery tomorrow or Monday.

I'm numb. I had been preparing myself for the big "C" but the reality is still tough.

[Toeknee112]

Thanks for your replies! Sandi was admitted to local hospital today - they put her on IV and got her hydrated and gave her meds for pain. She is currently PAIN FREE! Yay! She was able to eat a little and drink for the first thing a couple days. They are going to drain the fluid first thing in the morning! This such good news. We were so worried about her deteriorating health with surgey coming up. We want her as strong as possible!
Again God Bless all who answered my post. I'll let you know how things go with the fluid drain tomorrow! Nite!
Tony

[Michi143]

My sister had just undergone surgery yesterday. I am in Japan right now to be with her. My sister started with bloating and they found out she had ascitis (fluid) in her stomach. It got so bad that fluid started going to her lungs and she could not breathe. The first hospital they went to did not know why she was bloating. They never even tried to drain any fluid from her stomach. My niece (her daughter) decided to take her to another hospital and as soon as they got there, they immediately drained her ascitis, did a couple of test and found out she had stage 4 ovarian cancer. They continued draining her fluids from her stomach and before her surgery she told me that she never felt any better than now that her ascitis is removed. They constantly have to drain the fluids because according to her doctor, ascitis floats around the body and if the ascitis is carrying cancer cells, there is a possibility that the cancer can be spread to any part of the body. If I were you, I would go to another hospital/doctor that will be able to drain your fluids as fast as possible.  Good luck and I hope that it is not cancer.

[junamgen]

Sorry about your wife (Sandi right?) 's situation.I think you have posted in NOCC  site and which I've made a short reply to you.

I just want to say you really need to push drs very hard to have her in surgery ASAP.

Keep telling her GYN/oncologist that your wife can not tolerate it any more or go to ER.

Best wish

Peace and Love

jun

[SimplyStar]

I do not know how long you have to wait, but even one day is too long when you are miserable, my daughter finally got a doctor to pay attention and then it went fast, after the TVUS and MRI  it was 3 days till surgery.

[marleerose]

As noted above, my symptoms took off over a 1-2 week period, bloating ( ascites) seemed like overnight. As noted, I would not wait. It can be drained. This does not mean it is cancer, can be one of the signs. Hope she is feeling better soon!!!

[marie3B]

I wish they would do for her like my doc did.  He did the ultra-sound in his office and admitted me directly into the hospital for surgery.  He called in a gyn/onc and a general surgeon.  If she is in pain and distress they should admit her if she goes into the emergency room and get the surgery over with. As far as ovarian cancer being a gradual problem, it can take off and grow suddenly and fast at any time.  I had an exam on 5/17 and the nurse practitioner felt no tumors.  A couple weeks later I was huge and on 6/16 I had my surgery and one of the tumors was almost as big as a soccer ball.  Mine is a slow growing cell type that just started growing unbelievably fast.  I wish her the best and come here for help any time.  Marie

[vegas2cr]

I am sorry that your wife is suffering.. I am assuming you are out of the United States. If your wife is not better take her to an emergency room.  If she is filling with fluid that can be very dangerous... I am not saying she has cancer but asceties (fluid buildup) can be a sign and it needs to be drained... they can drain ultrasound assisted.. I have had that done... Hope that she feels better soon and its not cancer..

[manneca]

I went from normal size to looking like I was 7 months pregnant in about a month. Actually I put on 10 pounds in a couple of weeks. If the oncologist thinks it's cancer, then the surgery will probably be done fairly quickly. (My CA 125 was 34 which is the top end of normal).

I hope it's not cancer.