Questions related to chemo and ascites build up for Stage IIIC Ovarian Cancer

[MTS]

My sister has Stage III C Ovarian Cancer.  She had surgery nine weeks ago (removing ovaries, uterus, etc. plus spleen, part of bladder, bowel - a major ordeal).  She had a second surgery two weeks later to replace sutures on her bowel.  Due to the advanced stage of the cancer, they have been aggressive with the chemo ~ She is beginning her third round of chemo today (three weeks since the last round) and is going into this physically wasted.  She has been unable to keep anything down for the past several days and had an NG tube inserted yesterday; that should help improve the nutrition.

I am some distance away so not seeing her and speaking with her doctors on a regular basis (though others in our family are).  Thus I just have some very general questions given I probably don't provide enough info for more than general answers...here goes:  
~ Should I be suprised my sister is so sick (vomiting twice a day)?  Is this simply to be expected with the chemo?
~ She continues to have ascites build up.  Does this mean chemo is not working?  Will this subside over time?

New to this forum and likely to be asking lots of questions over time - you are an amazing group of people

[msjazz]

Hopefully the chemo will take care of the ascites. What are they giving her for nausea? I get pre med drip of Aloxi for nausea, Zantac, and decadron and benadryl. I take 3 Emend pills. one 1 hr before chemo, 1 a day for next 2 days. Also have to take phenergan for about 4 days. However I have only thrown up 2x in 14 months of treatment.That was my 1st 2 treatments, until they found what worked. I also had home health on the original chemo that was so hard for me. They came to my home the next day, and gave me iv of nausea medication and fluids, after being so sick with the 1st 2 treatments. They need to maybe try some of these things for her. Best wishes

[JC145]

I never vomited with the chemo itself .. but had plenty of nausea.  I also had the Aloxi, Decadron & Benadryl.  I also had the Emend (x 3).  I had 2 other nausea drugs for at home to use as needed .. don't remember the names ... pill form.  I was advised to take a nausea pill as soon as I got home from chemo to ward off vomiting.  If your sister is vomiting often ... she really should be sent for hydration.  It really can make a hugh difference in how she feels.  

Good luck,

Judy

[Knotmeg]

My mom had similar situation.... only stage IV.... bowl resection in 4 places.... and had a really hard time at actual recovery (5-7 days turned into 3weeks in the ICU)....

Her ascites had to be drained 3 times while in the hospital... but since the 3 chemos down (last one was 5-22)... its not been building or causing an issue.

Hopefully chemo can help with it...

As far as being sick, I think that's the most common side effect. For mom, she's not thrown up but been feeling she's "about to any freaking second" (as she says) the entire time... (up to 1 week post chemo).... She takes 3 kinds of meds (I wish I new those names now.. need to write them down)... and they seem to help some. I know one of them knocks her out into a 6 hour nap each time, and she finds that to be better than sitting around awake, feeling ill.

I'm sorry about your mom... keep asking questions.
Good Luck,
Meg

[Binkysmommy]

I had surgery for IIIC myself last July and 6 cycles chemo IV and IP.  My oncologist is wonderful and when I told her I could do anything but be nauseous I had a protocol written form me as follows:  night before each chemo 30 mg decadrom at 10 pm, another 30 mg at 6 am, Emend 120 mg 1 hr before chemo, premed IV before each treatment with Ativan , Benadryl, more Decadron, Kytril and then 80 mg Emend daily when having chemo and for 2 days after.  I was never nauseous nor did I throw up.  Your sister might benefit from a protocol like mine.  Best of luckBarb

[lit86]

If you dont mind please may I ask what the symptoms for this have been? I am worried I have it. Thank you. And Best of Luck to you

[MTS]

Thank you so much for the specific suggestions on medications.  Since writing this, my sister has started her third round of chemo and is feeling much better.  It does seem there is a struggle to find the right mix of drugs to abate the nausea as each patient is different.  Your suggestions are wonderful and ones I will share when I next see my sister (later this week).

To lit86, my sister's symptoms that led her to go to the ER were fatique and overall feeling sick to her stomach.  The most telling symptom was her swelling abdomen.  This is a strong indicator of ovarian cancer - they drained four liters of fluid when she first went into the ER.  Best wishes to you and I encourage you to see your gynocologist (particullarly if there is history of ovarian, breast and/or male breast cancer in your family

[momofsandj]

Glad your sister is doing better -- this is my third go round with chemo and to fight nausea I have Emend 1 hour before and then two days after, Kytril in the drip, and Zofran for five days after, with compazine as needed (and I do need it!) -- I've been queasy but haven't thrown up.  Also, I got really dehydrated this series and it made the nausea much worse but now I have IV fluids the day after chemo and it helps a lot.  I also take Zantac twice a day to help with the nausea and heartburn.

Hopefully she'll continue to improve as she recovers from the surgery....