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785188 tn?1279928405

Ovarian cancer spread to the bowel - anyone have this?

I have not come across anyone on this site that has had this happen.  My mom is getting a feeding tube put in her stomach tomorrow to help get nutrition back in her body - she is very weak and was recently admitted last Sat for total dehydration due to diahrea and vomiting.  They could not do a full hysterectomy because the cancer spread to the colong/rectum/bowel.  They did one chemo treatment and her next one is scheduled for next friday - we are trying to build up her strength so they can do the chemo.  If the chemo works, they will go back in and remove as much as possible.

Did anyone have this same issue? I cannot locate any information on this and Im just wondering what other people went through and experienced.

Shari
11 Responses
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Avatar universal
I am new to this site, and was wondering what it means when someone is vomitting and it is like muddy water, dark brown? I know this sounds gross, but Mom (stage 3c ovarian) is in the hospital from severe vomitting on friday. she is doing a lot better only vomitting 2 or 3 times a day. but the last time that i checked the pan, it was a dark dark brown watery like muddy water? I immediately showed the nurse and she said it was bile, I am concerned now more than ever because I am reading these posts, and Mom had surgery on the Feb 24 and hasnt started the chemo yet, and I do remember the doctor saying that were some residual cancer on her bowel. He didnt want to remove any of the bowel at that time, due to not wanting her to have a colostomy bag. he stated that the chemo would "zap" the rest of the cancer on the bowel. I am so worried now that it sounds like a blockage. She is still in the hospital (since friday afternoon) but the oncologist JUST visited her yesterday apparently her oncologist didnt have assisting privelages in the hospital she was in.  lots of miscommunication bizzarre but anyways... I am having to speak up more and be more assertive than ever, not being that way ever, but learning now, because this is Mom, I want her to be ok, not sick anymore. We were weighing out the pros and cons of cancer, and having a really tough time making these decisions, one of the hardest obstacles in my life ever.  anyone think this brown stuff is serious? shouldnt the nurses  know ? they are nurses, but Im just getting bad feeling about it. We are going to the oncologist today to see whats next ( My sister and I) HOPE is what we are clinging to ....
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408448 tn?1286883821
I will be thinking of your mom and keeping your family in my prayers.  Marie
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785188 tn?1279928405
My mom had the tube put in her stomach today to drain the fluid to prevent her from vomiting - she is in a lot of pain and has some staples again.  The diahrea seems to be under control and they will continue to feed her through her port.  We will be doing all of this at home as well - next chemo is the 17th of this month so we really need her strong enough for it, no time to waste.

They said that the tumors and nodules and tumors on the colon/rectum/bowel are too much to remove it all so they are counting on the chemo.  It give me some hope that several of you had success with the chemo working and the same problems my mom is experiencing.

Thanks for your responses, means so much to me

Shari
Helpful - 0
107366 tn?1305680375
COMMUNITY LEADER
Same here - my cancer had also spread to my bowel, and I had 12 inches taken out very close to the rectum.  In fact, the surgeon came out during surgery and told my family I would have a colostomy.  But, thankfully, his partner came in to assist and between the two of them, they were able to ressect it without a colostomy.  I also had some small nodules on my small intestine, and chemo cleared both that, as well as the ascites.  It took 5 treatments for the ascites to go away, so it's possible it may take awhile, but hopefully it will happen soon.  It sounds pretty scary to have to have a feeding tube, but if it helps her regain some strength to keep her chemo on schedule, it is definitely worth it!  I'm sending out lots of postive thoughts to you both!

Gail
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454026 tn?1236881142
Hi, yes my cancer had spread to the outside of my large bowel. I had 6 inches taken out and resected. I also had tumors on my small bowel , my Gyn/Onc said that chemo would take care of it, and it did. I hope your Mom does well with the chemo. I will be saying prayers for her.
Hugs, Terry
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349465 tn?1289081764
During my second surgery necessitated by a recurrence, I experienced a blockage.  The tumor was the size of a walnut and was in the area of the colon.  The surgery caused a blockage. They immediately went back in to remove the blockage. It was one of the worst times of my life. Fortunately, they were able to correct it with no colonoscopy needed.  I do experience pain spasms when I try to eat too much. My stomach does not tolerate being filled to the max any longer.
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451053 tn?1237577749
Shari,
Yes, she had "big time" blockage and all the yucky stuff that goes with it; fluid in her abdomen, diahrea and vomiting.  The obstruction was so bad that they truly believed that her second surgery would most likely result in a colonoscopy...but it didn't:)  As with your Mom, my Mom too lost wieght FAST.  From the time of dx and her first surgery she dropped 28 pds.  

My Mom is doing well, however she is still on chemo.  While it at times it has been emotionally and physically exhausting we are gratfeful that her numbers have continued to drop(sloowly).  Her Dr. is also anxious to get her into remission but wants to keep her in remission longer than 3 months(which happens to be quite standard with this disease), therefore she has been aggressive with the lengthy chemo regiment.  Shari, I am so sorry that you and your Mom are having to experience all of this.  I really do understand, I know it's terrible and I know it's scary.  Hang in there and hold tight to hope.  We are ALL here to support you and walk beside you.    Alisa
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Avatar universal
Shari,
I also wanted to add that the feeding tube did help my aunt and reduced the vomiting and diahrea.  Sorry, I didnt explain that before.  
I'm sorry your Mom (and you) are going through this.  I hope she feels better soon and please let us know how she is doing. Best wishes, Janice
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Avatar universal
Shari,
Vomiting and diahrea are unfortunately common with bowel obstruction. They put a feeding tube into my Aunts stomach to get her strength up so that they could go back in and remove the blockage.  I think they ended up giving her a tube also to drain any fluids that build up in the stomach and that caused the vomiting.  I hope the feeding tube helps her and she begins to feel stronger. Janice
Helpful - 0
785188 tn?1279928405
Alisa  - was the cancer also attached to her bowel/rectum? Did she have diahrea at all from this?

Im so happy for you that your mom's surgery went well and the chemo worked!  Im praying the same for my mom who has been through so much in a month.  After surgery she had a bowel obstruction and then chemo - she wasnt home very much, more at the hospital.  Because she is throwing up everything she eats/drinks they are putting the feeding tube in this morning.

Is your mom going through treatments still after a year??
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451053 tn?1237577749
Yes, my Mom went in for surgery one year ago for a full hysterectomy, however once "in" they too found much more cancer than they had anticipated.  They stitiched her back up and immediately started her on chemo.  She had 4 treatments and then had her surgery.  It worked as they hoped...no bowel resecting needed and much of the cancer had been gobbled up by the chemo.  The surgery was consider "successful" however as with OVC she is still battling the disease. I will pray that your Mom get healthy enough to handle the chemo.  Don't lose hope!  There are a few women on this site that also went the chemo first route and then the surgery.  Hang in there:)  ALisa
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