In Sept. 2011 my 26 yrs old daughter had surgery for cancer…

Am not sure what ras mutation is. Her T marker is at 7.4. No genetic testing has been done so far. The size of the tumors by the liver are small at this point. It's the mucin that is causing the pressure on her back and stomach. Right now I do not have the name of the drug used during the HIPEC surgery. Was wondering if it would be advantageous to withdraw mucin from the abdominal cavity to reduce pressure in the affected areas; or if exposure will just hasten the buildup of mucin. I understand that the chemo is hopefully able to slow the growth or kill cancer DNA to reduce the cells from growing and spreading. I will get the info to you when I am able to get the reports on her surgery. Thanks for you input!

It's been awhile since our last "visit". This past Wed. my daughter had a CT scan which followed two rounds of chemo with the drug Irinotecan. The scan showed that there were increased ascites compared to the previous CT scan. Implants are again seen on the liver capsule. Again noted is scarring versus a thrombosed portovenous branch in the liver. The impression given: minimal progression in serosal implants, and mild increase in ascites compared to previous. My question is: What are ascites? How does it affect the cancer cells? She is scheduled for another round of chemo tomorrow. They are adding Avastin. Two rounds of this, three weeks apart, than another CT scan. Any explanation you can give me would help me in trying to understand what's happening.

It's been almost a month since we last exchanged information. In October when we saw the oncologist my daughter's Tmarker was at 7.4. In November it was 9.0 before he added the Avastin. She had the first of two chemo treatments on Nov. 21 and the second one on Dec. 12. At that time, the Tmarker was back down to 7.3. I understand that this can flucuate but are hopeful that the additional chemo drug is helping. Another scan will be done sometime between Christmas and New Year. She is scheduled for her next chemo on Jan. 2. These last two treatments have been harder on her in terms of after effects; this time even worse. Both times she has gone back to the hospital the following day for fluids. This time it doesn't seem to have helped much as she is going back in tomorrow for more fluids. I'm assuming this is normal? She had more diarrhea last time also. Are all of these side effects normal for the types of chemo drugs being used? What can be done to shorten or lessen these side effects?

Yes she has nausea also. This time has been worse. I suggested that she try to drink more so that she doesn't get the "dry heaves". Is only able to take small sips of water. Pressure against the stomach because of the mucin in the abdomen causes her a lot of "heart burn". Is able to only eat smaller amounts more often. She does have a couple of things to take for that. This mucin also causes pressure on her back but takes pills to keep that under bearable control.

It's been almost a month since our last "conversation". Since then, Roni has completed two rounds of 2 chemo drugs with another scan to be done on Dec. 27. With her last chemo, she suffered severe nausea and was admitted to the hospital early Friday morning and was on fluids and several nausea meds. She was released on Sunday afternoon. At that time, her tumor marker was down to 4.3. She was scheduled to have another chemo treatment on Jan. 2; however, since she was tired of always "being tired" she asked to wait a week more and had chemo yesterday. They did cut back on the dosage. Seems to be doing better this time. However she doesn't have much of an appetite; does drink Ensure shakes. Complained last night of stomach being sore. Has had stomach cramps the past two nights. So far has been able to control it. Wonder if there is something else we should be looking at as far as treatment is concerned?

Early this morning Roni was admitted to the hospital because of severe vomitting again. She went earlier this time when she noticed the same symptoms as before. Hopefully she will recover faster this time.

The last time she was in the hospital they did do an MRI of her abdomen but there were no obstructions.

I don't know about the steroid therapy. But I will ask her. As far as using the marijuana or marinol, I'm don't think she has used either. The ginger cookies sound like an easy thing to do, will tell her about that also. Thanks for your help. Will let you know what I have found out.

Roni is getting steroids. She said a friend of hers had given her some ginger candies. She tried working a few hours today but cancelled the afternoon appt's. She was exhausted and her legs hurt. Spent the rest of the day trying to take in more fluids and some food and get some rest. I know that the chemo can really tire you out. She seems to not have much of an appetite (also a side effect, I assume). Also the volume of mucin in the abdomen seems to be putting pressure on the stomach. Hopefully she will begin to feel a little better so that she can at least have some "quality" time before the next scheduled treatment on Feb. 6.

It's been a while since we last conversed. Roni was scheduled for her next chemo on Feb. 6. However because of she was still experiencing nausea and feeling run down, she was given just fluids instead. The last scan they did on Jan. 2 showed there was a small area by the left kidney on a tube. She has elevated blood pressure readings ranging from 160/90, 156/111,166/118,150/116, 174/116, 154/110. Am quite sure these readings are the result of a tumor affecting the adrenal glands that secrete excess amounts of the hormone that elevate blood pressure. Her liver count #'s were also higher than before. She is scheduled for another scan on the 25th but that will probably be moved up if her counts remain high. The Avastin seems to have brought down her tumor marker. However, there is a new drug "Regorafenib" that they would like to have her try next. Don't know too much about this drug. Seems as though we just take one step forward and two steps backwards! I know that she is really getting tired of being "sick and tired". She tries to work when she feels good but lately, that hasn't been too often. Rent on her salon space, apartment rent and car payments always seem to come due. The worst part is that she has no insurance other than State. I know that is a great concern for her also. Do you feel this new drug would be worth trying?

Roni's blood pressure has come down a little but not where it should be. She went in for blood work again today. She said the liver count was down a little but her kidney #'s were up. They did a scan and an MRI of her kidneys. She is to see a Urologist in the morning. They are thinking of putting stents in both kidneys. Imagine all the chemo drugs she has had have put quite a strain on her kidneys and liver. I know dialysis is also a possibility, but could this just be the beginning of the end?

She had a couple of trips planned last year that she was unable to go on because of her health issues. She was really planning to go to Cancun, Mexico the end of the month. Was looking forward to it, but was disappointed before and knows this will only be another disappointment for her. To say she has done everything she would have like to do and seen everyone who is important to her would not be true. It's disheartening to see your child go through this when she is supposed to have many years to live and accomplish many more things. But it's not in our Hands! Thanks for your support. Hopefully I will be able to report back with more hopeful news!