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Symptoms of last stages of a person with stage 3b ovarian cancer
Could you pls let me know what the symptoms of last stages of a person with ovarian cancer?
Hi roshanie,
There is always hope. Under these circumstances it is normal for the bowel to be a bit sporadic. You can still get constipated with a colostomy though. Chat to your colostomy nurse or Dr on how to maintain the bowel actions.
I didn't mean to frighten you but your original question was, "What are the symptoms of last stages of a person with ovarian cancer?"
Some patients have frequent drainage of the ascitic fluid to take off the pressure in the abdomen, this will help Mum to feel more comfortable. Taking small sips of fluid (water) every few minutes will give it chance to absorb via the stomach, hopefully without vomiting. If the vomiting is too bad and she is getting dehydrated, return to the hospital.
I don't know how terminal Mum is or what her wishes are. You will need to discuss these issues with her. It is a personal decision on how to be treated with cancer and when a patient wishes to stop invasive uncomfortable hospital treatments. If Mum is comfortable and happy with her current treatment plan that is what matters.
There is always hope. Under these circumstances it is normal for the bowel to be a bit sporadic. You can still get constipated with a colostomy though. Chat to your colostomy nurse or Dr on how to maintain the bowel actions.
I didn't mean to frighten you but your original question was, "What are the symptoms of last stages of a person with ovarian cancer?"
Some patients have frequent drainage of the ascitic fluid to take off the pressure in the abdomen, this will help Mum to feel more comfortable. Taking small sips of fluid (water) every few minutes will give it chance to absorb via the stomach, hopefully without vomiting. If the vomiting is too bad and she is getting dehydrated, return to the hospital.
I don't know how terminal Mum is or what her wishes are. You will need to discuss these issues with her. It is a personal decision on how to be treated with cancer and when a patient wishes to stop invasive uncomfortable hospital treatments. If Mum is comfortable and happy with her current treatment plan that is what matters.
Sue,
She's with a cholestomy bag. Sometimes the system works sometimes it doesn't. This morning it didn't. I am hoping it will, later on in the day.
Is there no hope at all at this stage????
She's with a cholestomy bag. Sometimes the system works sometimes it doesn't. This morning it didn't. I am hoping it will, later on in the day.
Is there no hope at all at this stage????
Hi roshani,
So sorry to hear of your difficuties. Making sure Mum is not constipated will also help. You may have to give Mum a small microlax enema to get things moving.(check with her Dr which one is best) If she has no pain it is unlikely that she has a bowel obstruction (they hurt) Even if not eating, the digestive juices are still being produced and so a person still gets constipated. It sounds as though you need a paliative care nurse to help you. They can adminster injections to help the nausia and arrange suitable analgesia if and when required. This is a difficult ending of a journey, one I will have to face myself at some stage. Malnourishment is the main issue in terminal illness, organs start to fail making them drowzy or confused, arms & legs become cool with a distinct demarcation, breathing changes. My understanding & belief is that the soul leaves the body for extended periods for preparation, perhaps in the 2-3 weeks before passing. The patient is ok, it is us who have to suffer as a wittness to a failing earthly body. The moment of passing is a very special moment, it is an honour to wittness, as a nurse I always put it in the catagory of seeing a baby born. This is a time to love, be loved and nurtured. My thoughts are with you.
So sorry to hear of your difficuties. Making sure Mum is not constipated will also help. You may have to give Mum a small microlax enema to get things moving.(check with her Dr which one is best) If she has no pain it is unlikely that she has a bowel obstruction (they hurt) Even if not eating, the digestive juices are still being produced and so a person still gets constipated. It sounds as though you need a paliative care nurse to help you. They can adminster injections to help the nausia and arrange suitable analgesia if and when required. This is a difficult ending of a journey, one I will have to face myself at some stage. Malnourishment is the main issue in terminal illness, organs start to fail making them drowzy or confused, arms & legs become cool with a distinct demarcation, breathing changes. My understanding & belief is that the soul leaves the body for extended periods for preparation, perhaps in the 2-3 weeks before passing. The patient is ok, it is us who have to suffer as a wittness to a failing earthly body. The moment of passing is a very special moment, it is an honour to wittness, as a nurse I always put it in the catagory of seeing a baby born. This is a time to love, be loved and nurtured. My thoughts are with you.
Hi Sue,
It's my mother who is 73 yrs old. She was detected with it an year ago. She had surgery to debulk it and then again had a block in the bowels in a few days and within only a few days of the operation another had to be done and now she's with a cholostomy bag.
She's had 8 cyles of chemo - carboplatin. Then her CA 125 count came down to 39. Then it started rising again and went up to 830 at which point the oncologist ( and yes she's being trested by an oncologist) gave her another chemo (gemsetamin I think it was called) and she could only take two rounds of it as her blood count was dropping drastically and she became very very weak. Lost apetite etc.
Her latest CT scan (a month ago) show that it has spread to the liver.
Now she has fluid collection in her stomach and in the last 15 days we've had a drain it twice. Her doctor tells me that it may happen more frequently and that I will have to bring her in again in a fwe days to drain it.
Her CA 125 which was done last week is at 1400.
She was in hospital many times but the last time was for a week and she was brought home Last Sat.
She says there's no pain or any other difficulty. But she has constant nausea and has absolutely no apetite. Brings out anything that she takes.
I just want to know how much time she has ........ I just don't want her to suffer ....... what can I do to make her comfortable?
Roshanie
It's my mother who is 73 yrs old. She was detected with it an year ago. She had surgery to debulk it and then again had a block in the bowels in a few days and within only a few days of the operation another had to be done and now she's with a cholostomy bag.
She's had 8 cyles of chemo - carboplatin. Then her CA 125 count came down to 39. Then it started rising again and went up to 830 at which point the oncologist ( and yes she's being trested by an oncologist) gave her another chemo (gemsetamin I think it was called) and she could only take two rounds of it as her blood count was dropping drastically and she became very very weak. Lost apetite etc.
Her latest CT scan (a month ago) show that it has spread to the liver.
Now she has fluid collection in her stomach and in the last 15 days we've had a drain it twice. Her doctor tells me that it may happen more frequently and that I will have to bring her in again in a fwe days to drain it.
Her CA 125 which was done last week is at 1400.
She was in hospital many times but the last time was for a week and she was brought home Last Sat.
She says there's no pain or any other difficulty. But she has constant nausea and has absolutely no apetite. Brings out anything that she takes.
I just want to know how much time she has ........ I just don't want her to suffer ....... what can I do to make her comfortable?
Roshanie
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