fluid build-up

[annie]

I started Doxil last Tuesday and did quite well - no side affects.  however over the weekend I started feeling really crumby.  i had noticed over the past week that my body seemed to be going back to my pregnacy shape.  Fluid build up.  Can anyoone tell me how they "tap" it.  I talked with the nurse today and she is going to set it up.  I believe the fluid is called ascites?  Right?  Or, could I just call it cancer juice?


I am so fortunate that this is the first time since my surgery last May 31st that I can really say that I felt bad.  Not too bad for my 11+ month journey  I hope it is just a passing thing. Wishful thinking.

[katditty]

The fluid is called ascites.  The procedure to drain it is called a "guided paracentesis" (sp).  They pierce your abdomen with a long needle after visualizing the area with, I think, ultrasound to make sure they do not hit any organs, etc.; I can't recall if they can visualize the area during the whole procedure.  The worst part is when the needle pierces the membrane in your abdomen, it is fairly painful.  But once that part was over, the relief as the fluid drained out - normally they don't drain every drop, but they take out as much as they feel they safely can, and then they will test it for CA-125 level - was for me so intense and so immediate that I just kept saying "Thank you, Thank you!" over and over again until it was done!  For me, this procedure was the beginning of my cancer journey; I had been so bloated, and in so much pain and discomfort for so long, that I hadn't even been able to eat solid food for months.  Even though this procedure would prove to be only the beginning, at the time, I felt so much relief afterwards that I was able to go out and eat solid food for the first time in months!  They drained 3 litres (about 1 and 1/2 large pop bottles full) of fluid; it looked sort of like plum juice with a creamy foam on top.  I felt a little weak afterwards, but was _so_ relieved; the pressure build-up in my abdomen had been intense, as well as all the other symptoms.  For me, the CA-125 test on the fluid was, I think, 513; I underwent surgery a couple of weeks later to remove ovaries, omentum, and several lymph nodes, and was diagnosed with OVCA stage IIIc.  But I gather you have already been DXed, and that the ascites is a by-product?  It is my understanding that ascites can be caused by several things, not necessarily cancer.  In any case, I hope all goes well with you and that you will feel as much relief from this procedure as I did! God Bless!

[Miss Pickles]

Are you from the midwest or Canada?  I noticed you said "pop" bottles rather than soda.  I'm from Minn. so I used to say pop all the time until after I moved out west and got teased about it all the time.  Anyway, I love reading your posts because you are so informative!  When were you diagnosed and how are you doing today?

[rmarie]

Sorry to read about your set back, lets hope that is all it is.  Katditty, gave a good explanation of the removal of the fluid.  I have read of ladies that have had it done and when the drugs kick in the ascites clears.  Good luck to you.  I did my doxil and carbo on Monday, went back to work Tues. and have the hand stuff today, and queasy stomach.  Fighting this disease is a thrill a minute.  Keep me posted

[annie]

I don't know what'sggoing on.I am scheduled to have it tapped tomorrow morning and hope I will feel better.  Right now I am having problems figuring out what food to eat to make my stomach feel better.  It is not really upset, just not knowing what would be the right thing to make things right again.  
I have not been drinking much "POP" recently but Diet coke seems to be one of the good things.   The only time  I say SODa is when we leave MINN and head East.  


After my procedure tomorrow I am going to talk to one of our benefits councelors about retiring. It is a scarey thought but I think I might be ready to do it.

Hioe your stomach settles down!

Annie

[dian07]

Wow....such powerful women you guys are....it is a power filled experience just hearing your conversation.....this stuff is tough but it appears you guys are tougher!  Keep up the good talk and know we are all listening and standing beside you.....you  are of my heart...
Peace.
dian

[katditty]

It's Thursday the 10th and I have been thinking about you all morning. I hope the procedure to drain the ascites has been done and that you are enjoying relief from the discomfort and the pressure, and that it all went really well. Food is always a problem in circumstances like this but it sounds like you are doing your best to find the foods that taste good to you and that don't cause gas or otherwise increase the pressure. Before I was DXed, and then during chemo, I read and was told that carbonated drinks should be avoided because they can cause gas and digestive problems. But I found that for me, Dr. Pepper was one of the few things that _always_ tasted good, no matter what, and it really seemed to help me with nausea if I didn't drink too much in one day. We are all so different, but you seem to know that you have to find what works for you. I hope everything is going better for you today, and I look forward to hearing how it goes with your counselor and your possible plans for retirement.  Take good care of yourself!
God Bless.

[rmarie]

How did the procedure go?  I hope you are feeling some relief.  As for the eating, try small amounts of food and eat frequently.  I tend to like raisins, cause they are high in iron, and lord knows we need that, and protein food.  Fats hang around in the stomach to long so avoid them.  

I envy you thinking retirement.  I carry the health insurance, so I will be working for awhile.  

[AlysMom]

Hi, My name is darthi.  I have recently been diagnosed via ct scan that I have ovarian cancer.  I am still in a state of shock.  No one in my famiy ever had it and I am the youngest of six kids and have two parents who are in 85 and 90.  why me, I keep asking.  I have a 20 year old son and a 2 year old daugther and when I'm feeling sorry for myself I think of them.  I am waiting on a call from the gyno oncologist.  I hope I can be seen quickly.  Do any of you know what I can expect from that visit?  I am full of liquid, my organs are being pressed, I pee all the time and can't eat only little bits of food at a time.  Pretty  much the standard textbook symptoms.  I feel weak, which one thing is good, it eplains why I've not been doing all the activities with vigor that I once enjoyed.  I am forty five years old and petrified.  If anyone can give me any advice or information, I would greatly appreciate it.  Has anyone thought of going to a homeopathic doctor along with taking the advice of conventional medicine?  Has anyone recommended to you various foods to avoid like red meat or any supplements you shold take?  I look very forward to your responses.  

darthi

[Helmar]

Hi Darthi,  Like you, my parents both reached their late 80s too, and we don't have any type of cancer in either side of my family, so it was a shock to me as well, to be dx with OvCa. I was dx Stage 4 in Feb'04. I had a few months break after the initial 6 treatments of chemo, and then recurred. I've been doing all types of chemo since then, so it's been ongoing for me. I hope your Doctors will operate a.s.a.p. as this disease doesn't wait around for anyone, so the sooner they get the cancer out, and you can start on chemo, the better. We are all different in how we manage the cancer, and chemo, but if you can eat 'healthy' with lots of fruit and vegetables that should help. My Oncol. has recommended that I have red meat 2-3 times each week to keep up my red cells, and I still have some dairy and sugar. I have a well-balanced diet, and I think everything in moderation doesn't hurt. If you want to take any 'extras' like vitamins/supplements, it's always a good idea to just check with you Oncol. to ensure that they won't interfere with the drugs that you will be taking.
I feel for you, as the news that one has Ovarian Cancer is one of the toughest to absorb, but if you have a strong mental attitude, and are able to stay reasonably physically well too, then these will be a big bonus in helping you combat this disease.
Wishing you all the best...hugs..Helen..

[DH63]

Hi Darthi- My situation is very similar to yours. I am 44, was diagnosed April 06. I am stage lllc. Nobody in my family has/ had cancer, I am the first. It is very scary. I have been on chemo for two years this month. I have not heard anything about a diet that would help out in any way. Please let me know if you find some of this to be true and to work. I would be interested, I will try anything. I have two kids 18 and 14, I need to stick around to be here for them! What is your next step? I wish you all the best. I am new to this site, but boy has it been a blessing. I have met and talked to the nicest gals, it's good to talk to another with OVCA, we can all relate as to how we feel. Hang in there!
Your friend,
Doris

[SimplyStar]

It is my daughter that has OVCA. dx june 2006, recurred and still doing chemo. I do a lot of research and just read another artical about using the heated chemo  directly into the abdomen after the complete debulking surgery, the researchers feel it kills off the micro cells that remain in the abdomen  and cause the recurrances. this is done while you are still on the OR table ,  It is late  now  but I will look up the artical tomorrow and post it here.  Marty