Ovarian cancer fluid on lung

[Aliollie]

Hi I’m really worried mum is waiting for her next chemo to start. She had fluid on the lung last week they drained it, it is now back so she is in hospital again, please does anybody know when her chemo starts will this get rid of it, I feel so lost and can’t even visit her xx

[Lyndy]

Hi AliollieYes the chemo will deal with the lung fluid but it may take a little time. Meanwhile, they can drain the fluid by inserting a drain each time or by fitting one that stays in.

I was in your Mum’s position last year and my lungs have dried up and the chemo has done it’s job too.

I know it’s very difficult not to worry..having fluid on your lung isn’t normal but they are doing all the right things by the sound of it. I don’t know if they might allow hospital visits again soon but I loved having cards and food sent in by my family during last year’s lockdown or some nice moisturiser..a real treat when you are not up to much xx

[Aliollie in reply to Lyndy]

Thanks Lyndy that’s positive news to focus on, really glad your doing well, can I ask what chemo you had xx

[Lyndy in reply to Aliollie]

Carboplatin as a single agent...I had three and three quarter doses last summer but was too ill to finish it. Restarted in January and I have done 4 cycles...hopefully scan will show it’s enough but my markers are right down xx

[Aliollie in reply to Lyndy]

That’s great let me know please when you have your scan results but positive the ca125 have gone down xx

[vipervictoria in reply to Aliollie]

Hi,

Given the stage of her illness, I think you should be allowed to go to see her if you are her next of kin. You need to ask the hospital PALS team for help to do this, if you are not your mother's next of kin, you should be able to call the ward regularly.

I know it sounds awful, but it happens to ladies with ovarian cancer and, so long as it is treated properly - which it seems to me to be - your mother should get better as soon as they start chemotherapy.

With a hug,

VV xxx

[Aliollie in reply to vipervictoria]

Hello thanks for your reply am bit confused as they said her cancer was stable I know it’s not a good thing to have the fluid but do you mean it’s at a really bad stage of this awful cancer xx

[Frannyfrank52 in reply to Aliollie]

I had it at the beginning of the diagnosis it’s the only symptom I had unfortunately little noduals grew there. No mor fluid just noduals It will dry up. U can put a drain in. And empty it every other day I had one for 5 months Fran

[Aliollie in reply to Frannyfrank52]

Hi how are you doing now? X

[Frannyfrank52 in reply to Aliollie]

Hey I’m stable. As they say. Nothing in abdomen. And two little. Pea size of the original ca left on side of lung. I’m on avastin alone now will be on something always.... lymph node by lung is back. To normal. Ct in May. Thanks for asking!!

[Aliollie in reply to Frannyfrank52]

Thats really good news are you on avastin for maintenance? X

[Frannyfrank52 in reply to Aliollie]

Yes is I am but. Avastin to hold my cA stable. Ca on my lung is original

[vipervictoria in reply to Aliollie]

Hi Aliolle,

I am sorry it's taken me so long to reply. I had major surgery on my neck 10 days ago and the pain has been severe, but fortunately it's not cancer.

As everyone else has said, it's a common side effect of ovarian cancer. I had ascites 11 years ago. But as I said it goes away with chemo and if it is severe then a drain really helps. I have a friend whose husband has oesophageal cancer now, and she was allowed sometimes to stay with her husband during initial treatment with chemo, just after the start of this lockdown. Sometimes she just stood outside the chemo suite window and waved at him with their sons.

Covid rules and the location of the chemo suite might make things much more difficult. It all depends because each hospital has it's own policy. In the case of this hospital the chemo suite is large, facing a huge open window.

I so very much hope your mother is feeling a bit better now.

Vvxxx

[Aliollie in reply to vipervictoria]

Hi thanks for your message I hope your feeling brighter, my dad had oesophageal cancer the same time as mums ovarian cancer it’s been a nightmare he has recovered really well, it’s a long recovery if you need any help on what will help after surgery I have lots of tips. Mums still in hospital she should know tomorrow if they are going to drain it again or wait as her chemo starts on the 20th, I don’t know what they will put her on after chemo as she has already been on Niraparib which stopped working any ideas ? Many thanks Ali xxx

[vipervictoria in reply to Aliollie]

Hi, Aliollie,

Thanks for your good wishes. You must be such a great comfort to your parents, you must remember to take care of yourself at the same time, even if it's only an hour or two a day.

My surgery was actually a double removal of 2 herniated discs in my neck. The surgeon was brilliant - I was out of hospital the same day. It's taken a week to get my pain under control, but now it's beginning to ease. I think we all forgot that I had it on April Fools Day, and then there was a long weekend, so that was a struggle because it felt as if all primary care services shut down. Because of the lockdown every day feels the same - it's even worse for cancer patients who are so very vulnerable.

We can only do our best...

Vvxxx

[mrstadpole]

When I was first diagnosed I had huge amounts of fluid. After it was drained I started on chemo and the fluid disappeared. Hope your mum will feel well soon. xx

[Aliollie in reply to mrstadpole]

Thank you for your help xx

[Brum1966]

Hi hun I also had pleural effusions and it was the Chemo that sorted it out for me so hopefully this will be the case for your mom, big hugs xx

[Aliollie]

That’s good news thanks so much xx

[Frannyfrank52]

Hey Yep chemo dries it up Taxol. Especially. Not to worry !!! Fran🥰

[Aliollie]

Thank you xx