Seeking Advice for My Mom with Ovarian Cancer

[Jasonn]

Hi everyone,

I'm seeking advice and opinions for my mom who has been diagnosed with ovarian cancer. The diagnosis confirmed it is aggressive. She has already undergone ovarian removal surgery and chemotherapy at a private hospital. Initially, the doctor said the first few chemotherapy sessions were quite effective, but later, the treatment seemed to lose its effectiveness. Her CA125 level dropped from 170+ to 130+, but the cancer has now metastasized to her liver and bones. The private hospital is too expensive for us, so they recommended moving to a government hospital, which is more affordable. However, we need to wait for an appointment scheduled on July 15th. It's been over 20+ days since her last chemotherapy session, almost a month. Her latest CA125 level was 180+.

Last week, my mom started vomiting, feeling nauseous even with a small amount of food. The smell of cooking makes her lose her appetite and feel like vomiting. She can't eat anything oily, even something like stir-fried vegetables. She has bloating and no appetite at all and have been vomiting for more than a week. Right now, she can only manage a few bites of plain congee, and sometimes, she can't eat anything at all. She has lost a lot of weight and seems malnourished. With 10 more days until the government hospital appointment, we are not sure what to do and how to help her maintain her nutrition.

Any advice or suggestions on what we can do to help her get through these days and improve her nutrition would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

[babsclunn]

Can you not take your mother to accident and emergency she cannot continue unable to eat and obviously in great discomfort She could have a build up of ascites that is causing the bloating and discomfort they can possibly drain it make her more comfortable.

[Jasonn in reply to babsclunn]

Thank you. Will bring her to investigate if is ascites.

[babsclunn in reply to Jasonn]

Please let us know how you get on and if they were able help her .

[Gonewith]

Hi, sorry to hear about your mum and thats horrible. Can she try some medication? Like I was given some tablet (Metoclopramide) to take if feel nausea and vomiting. I didnt need to take. I always thought I need to eat well to be able to go through chemo and the rest. Can you like cook plain chicken in water and add some rice. She can have it with little yoghurt. Plain food.

I ate so well during chemo my skin turned so good but we dont always have time for that.

Hope your mom feels better soon xx

[Jasonn in reply to Gonewith]

Yes, she is having liquid one, but it is not quite effective.

[Ydaff]

hi Jason, I agree with everything that babsclunn has said. I think you need to take her to the emergency department at the hospital. Her symptoms are more than likely connected to her cancer, but she can’t wait so long to be seen. She is quite possibly very dehydrated if she’s vomiting so much and may need to have her fluids replaced intravenously, which can only be done in hospital. Once there, they should investigate the cause and if ascites drain them, which should make her more comfortable. I think perhaps you are not in the UK, where you could ring 111 for advice, but is there a telephone helpline where you live? I think they too would advise you to take her to hospital, but could give more specific advice and support.

[Jasonn]

Thank you so much. Will take her for investigation.

[BlueHue22]

Hi Jason, sorry to here how your mum is feeling. Just wanted to add that many of us in the uk are given nutritional milkshakes like Fortisip or Freshubin if we are struggling to eat or weight is low. They are ready mixed drink high in protein to supplement diet or as a meal replacement. Thought this would be useful if she can't bear the cooking smells. You can have a little here or there if you can't drink the whole thing.Also second what others have said about getting some medical treatment to treat any acute symptoms and then concentrate on eating more.

Hope this helps a little x

[Jasonn in reply to BlueHue22]

Thank you so much👍

[Ova104]

she needs emergency treatment and possibly to be on drip. It’s too long to wait take my advice. Hugs to you xxx

[Maxandralf]

please get her something for the sickness. I did this for my mum and it hugely relieved sickness and nausea. Don’t sit and wait. Ring the consulltant and let them know you’re concerned about the wait. Keep pushing!

[Barbara36]

Have you tried ondansetron. Tastes awful but worked for me. Also ginger lozenges. A good thc/cbd tincture is also good. Once the vomiting is under control try to get her to take diarrhea meds. Experimenting with different scents sometimes helps. A nice peppermint tea helped me.