Older women with stage 3c ovarian cancer

[Maisienz]

Hi my gorgeous Mum is 82 and she has had her first dose of chemotherapy 2 weeks ago. Stage 3c. She has been having difficulty eating and also significant issues with her bowel and bladder. They are suggesting 3weeks of chemo 3 weeks apart and then rescanning to see if she will be considered for debulking surgery. It all feels huge to deal with and we are taking one day at a time. My. 84 year old Dad is caring for her beautifully and we are hopeful about enjoying some quality time together. Thank you for this wonderful forum. I am interested to hear from anyone who has supported their Mums or family, friends through this at this stage of their lives. Warmly Julie

[lesleysage]

Hi Julie, I feel warmed to read your positivity during this challenging time. I am not in your situation as I am 'the patient' but thought I'd share what helped me with the eating and bowel movements, when I was 65 and 67 with the major ops and chemo.

Eating: I consulted a dietician who helped me maximise the nutritional value in small amounts of food, e.g. adding powdered milk to full-fat milk to use in porridge, cheese sauces, mashed potato and scrambled egg. She also wrote to my GP asking him to prescribe 'Multijoule', a powder to sprinkle onto foods to give extra minerals etc. and a flavourless white protein drink which settled in my tummy far better than commercially available protein flavoured drinks and gave my body 200 calories in each spoonful dose. Tiny amounts of food more frequently worked for me.

Bowels: my GP prescribed Movicol, the doseage of which I worked out how best suited me. It was never perfect but better than nothing. And drink as much water as you can - I did, and still do, have a glass of water 'on the go' all day and also during the night.

Bladder: I ended up just accepted I needed to wee! And so, used a toilet whenever it was available!

I am sure someone will be able to share their experience and hints as the daughter. In the meantime, warmest wishes and very best of luck to you, your Dad and Mum. Lx

[Sashay2020]

Hi Julie. I’m 71. Had my debulking surgery two years ago. Was stage three, but it spread to my liver, so now I’m stage four. I have one child, a daughter (age 37). I live alone, and she was in another state, but came back home and moved into my one bedroom apartment for the six months after my surgery and until two months after I finished frontline chemo. Then she found herself an apartment just ten minutes away. She drives me to my chemo and oncologist appointments. She ordered frozen booties for my feet and a frozen pad for my hands to help prevent neuropathy during chemo. It seems to have worked. We have a notebook and she makes detailed notes of what my doctor says. I really appreciate that because she often has made notes of things the doctor told me that I didn’t remember.After surgery, I had to have daily injections of blood thinner. I asked if I would come to the hospital each day for the injection. I was horrified when the nurse told me I would inject myself, and my daughter immediately volunteered to give me the injections. Sorry to ramble, but I just wanted to let you know that any kindness, however small, will be so appreciated by your dear mum. You are a loving daughter, and I know you will continue to support your mum in many ways. Best wishes from New Orleans, Louisiana to you and your mum. 🙏🏽Sashay

[Pitchperfec]

Hi Julie, my mum was diagnosed with stage 4 OC last October. She was 74 at the time and it came as a huge shock to us all as she had very few symptoms. She had debulking surgery in December followed by 6 rounds of chemo and she is now on 3 weekly infusions of Avastin. Mum really struggled with her bowels after each chemo and was advised to take Movicol. She would have up to 3 sachets a day during the first week after chemo and continued with one sachet a day throughout her treatment. She drank lots of water as well and tried to have a short 10 minute walk every day. The symptoms got easier to manage with each treatment. She also had shooting pains in her abdomen for few days after each chemo session and had to empty her bladder a lot more frequently especially at night. My mum found keeping a diary each day of how she was feeling really helpful to look back on after each treatment, the exact pattern of symptoms occurred each time and were much less scary knowing they would soon pass. My mum has been amazing throughout her journey so far. We lost my dad in 2020 so she has been on her own since then, both my brother and I do not live close to her but we had a rota throughout her treatment so she was never on her own and continue to spend as much time as possible with her. She is well at the moment with no evidence of disease, her hair is growing back and she is getting on with her life.She went to London with friends yesterday, had lunch at the Ivy and went to see a show. It’s a worrying and stressful time for families supporting their loved ones through this journey but take one day at a time and, your mum is lucky to have a lovely family to care and look after her. Best wishes Ashleigh xx

[OvacomeSupport Partner My Ovacome Team]

Hi Maisienz

Thank you for your post - A very warm welcome to the MyOvacome community. I was really sorry to hear that your Mum has been experiencing eating difficulties and significant issues with her bowels and bladder since commencing chemotherapy 2 weeks ago. I wonder whether this is something your Mum has been able to discuss with a member of her clinical team? Your Mum’s clinical nurse specialist or GP may be able to provide personalised advice regarding this and hopefully suggest some approaches to alleviate these symptoms.

I can see that several members have shared their thoughts and experiences which I hope has been helpful. I wanted to let you know that Ovacome run a monthly online support group for the family and friends of those caring for someone with an ovarian cancer diagnosis. This is a friendly and safe environment to connect with others who may be in similar circumstances, ask questions and share information. There is more information about the sessions, and the option to sign up, available through this link on our website: ovacome.org.uk/event/family... . You would be really welcome to join us. I note that you’re based in New Zealand so realise that this may be tricky with our differing time zones. Please do let us know if you have any questions about getting involved.

In addition, I thought you may find the below Ovacome information resources of interest:

- ovacome.org.uk/chemotherapy...

- ovacome.org.uk/stage-3-booklet

I hope this is useful. We are here to support you and your Mum so please don’t hesitate to contact us if there’s anything we may be able to assist with. You can message us directly through this forum, email us via [e-mail] or call our support line on ([phone] or ([phone]. We can also schedule 1-to-1 calls via Zoom, WhatsApp or Skype if that may work better for you: ovacome.org.uk/forms/1-to-1... . Full details about our support services can be found here: ovacome.org.uk/Pages/Catego... . We’re here Monday – Friday, 10am – 5pm (U.K time) to help with questions, provide information resources, or just have a friendly chat about anything that may be on your mind.

Best wishes

Annie – Ovacome support

[Donnie21]

Ensure drinks were amazing for my 78 year old Mum (stage 3c high grade serous OC) particularly during her initial rounds of chemo when she really struggled eating along with ondansatron for nausea. FWIW she had a good response to chemo and was able to undergo radical debunking and make a good recovery. Just finished first line treatment with NED and we are awaiting generic testing before considering maintenance. Needless to say it’s a massive and life changing situation to deal with. We have had excellent guidance from the doctors, the gynae specialist nurses have been invaluable, we have taken it step by step and we have always asked if in doubt and continue to. Best wishes to you, your Mum and your family xxx