r/Ovariancancer

How do you deal with the constant hospitalisations and the tests and the poking and drains and blood draws?

My mom is my best friend. The cancer basically ate at her bowel so she can't eat.

She hasn't eaten in four months.

How do you see your caregiver, the person who raised you...not eat a single bite for four months? See all the tubes and pipes and the constant infections and antibiotics and hospitalisations?

I don't think I can bear it anymore.

She's my best friend.

Hey everyone. Last month my mum was admitted to hospital, and sadly she passed away about a month later. Her cause of death was metastatic ovarian cancer along with a UTI/infection.

When she was first admitted, she was very bloated from ascites, and she felt much better after the fluid was drained. She was weak though, and could only walk short distances before becoming exhausted. Her kidney function initially improved after treatment because both kidneys had previously been blocked. However, things then declined rapidly after another infection developed following the stent procedure.

The doctors said E. coli was present in her body, and within about a week her kidneys failed and she passed away peacefully. One thing that felt strange throughout all of this was that she never really complained of pain in her body.

I still struggle to understand how everything escalated so quickly. The doctors explained that the cancer was very advanced and aggressive, but part of me keeps wondering whether anything could have been done differently.

Below is her report:

CT scan showed strong suspicion of advanced gynecological cancer (likely ovarian/peritoneal origin).
Large amount of fluid in the abdomen (ascites) causing bloating.
Cancer spread seen across abdominal lining/fatty tissue (“omental caking”).
Enlarged lymph nodes in the abdomen.
Both kidneys swollen because urine flow was blocked (bilateral hydronephrosis).
Bladder wall looked abnormal and possibly involved by tumour.
Enlarged uterus with fibroids.
Fluid around both lungs, more on the left side.
No obvious cancer spots seen in liver, pancreas, spleen, bones, or lungs.
Small abnormal area found in the right breast needing further assessment.

Biopsy findings:
Tissue taken from the omentum confirmed cancer spread in the abdomen.
Cancer described as a high-grade malignant tumour (aggressive and fast-growing).
Features most consistent with a high-grade carcinoma, likely gynecological in origin.
Additional laboratory staining tests (immunohistochemistry) were being done to confirm the exact cancer type.

Female, (32 y.o.)

I have decided to make my first post here as I try and stay positive and proactive. I’ve had right hip pain for quite a few months in combination with heavy and painful menstrual bleeding.

In October 2025 I reported concerns with intensity and frequency of Menstrual bleeding leading to a OBGYN referral and ultrasounds performed. Ultra sound reports small cysts and swelling but no major findings. January 2026 receive an endometrial biopsy which has no significant findings.

Around February 2026 I regularly feel tightness and pressure in my hip, increased frequency in peeing and more difficulty holding my pee when I cough or sneeze. I had mainly chalked this up to menstrual cramps and issues I have been on birth control from the time I was about 13/14 2007? To age 31 (2024)- as I experienced irregular periods and heavy bleeding for years at the start of menstruating.

Fast forward I’m on day 7 of my period. I’ve just resumed birth control and am in the first period since re-starting. I am achey and fatigued. Sunday morning I ice my hip while watching tv and decide to take a nap which ends up being 4 hours. I haven’t eaten due to feeling bloated and in pain but after I wake up feel okay. I take 2 ibuprofen. That evening I am not hungry and feel full quickly despite not eating all day. Go to bed early after drinking water and taking 2 more ibuprofen.

Things start to go downhill. 3 am Monday morning I wake up irritable and experiencing worse pain in my right hip. I am unable to go back to sleep. 6 am I am crying out in pain,by 6:30 I have thrown up due to pain levels. Fast forward to an ER trip in my home town that leads to a long day and some codes being activated where I get transferred to UM by ambulance. 4 ultrasounds, 2 CT scans, a catheter, bladder scan and so many blood tests later I have some answer, kinda.

Ultimately I have 2 masses. One quite large by my right ovary measuring 17 cm x 16cm x 13 cm and one on my left 6 cm x 7cm x 4cm.

I am naturally freaked out. Fortunately my parents and husband drove down to meet me at the ER I transferred to but this just is a lot to process.

I’m waiting on a oncology/gynocology as I want these out asap but understand it’s not that simple :(

If you read this far, thank you. I’m mainly venting but would love insight from others on anything I can expect.

Is there anything I can control?

Are there therapies that make sense to start now?

My main concern day to day is pain management for now. I’m afraid I’ll end up back in the ER because of unbearable pain or will end up there over kidney issues that are already a bit of a concern due to the pressure the larger mass is putting on my ureter and bladder.

Hi all.

Honestly I’m just looking to vent and to hear other people’s experiences. I’m a 33 year old mom of 2 small boys (2 years and 6 months). I recently had a c section November of 2025. I realized in the past few weeks I’d felt fatigued/run down but didn’t think too much of it. Last Thursday, I randomly developed chills and a fever but my kids were just sick so I thought I caught something from them. I went to work the next day because weird enough I woke up feeling fine. Then that Friday night, chills again with fever and lower right abdominal pain. I ended up going to the ER that Saturday morning with my husband while my mom watched the kids. They did a CT and found a 10cm mass in my pelvis. The gyn onc on call set me up for surgery Monday and after surgery he stated I would need a pet scan and chemo. He diagnosed me as stage 3 because of lymph node involvement. We are still waiting on pathology but he says he is sure it is a germ cell tumor dysgerminoma which he said is highly treatable. I am just so scared and sad. I don’t know if I fear the PET scan more or the pathology results pending. I have such young kids and no family history of cancer whatsoever. I can’t stop crying and just need a hug. Has anyone experienced something like this and was okay? I’m prepared to lose my hair, don’t care about that. But I am so sad that this is happening. Any support or advice is so truly appreciated ❤️

Surgery soon in Florida for large mass, unsure if benign and won’t know until surgery is done. Do I mentally prepare myself for the worst or do I stay completely positive? Not sure where my mind should be. Thank you.

Hi everyone,
I am writing this to ask for insights, advice, or shared experiences for a loved one who is battling endometrial cancer. It has been a massive rollercoaster, and we are currently facing some scary setbacks. I’ll lay out the timeline of what happened:

The Diagnosis & Hysterectomy: She was diagnosed with endometrial cancer with clear cell features (adenocarcinoma) and underwent a total hysterectomy (removal of the uterus).

Initial Complications & chemo: Initially, she had fluid in her lungs (pleural effusion) which was successfully drained. She then underwent chemo, tolerated it well, and successfully finished all her sessions. We honestly thought we were in the clear.

The Kidney Complication: Shortly after finishing chemo, she started experiencing severe back pain and could only urinate in drops. The doctors discovered that urine was backing up into her kidney

Failed Stent: The doctor recommended placing a ureteral stent to bypass the blockage. Unfortunately, they attempted the procedure but failed because the stent couldn't pass through.

Abdominal Swelling & Bowel Obstruction: Right after the failed stent attempt, her abdomen started swelling rapidly, and she completely stopped having bowel movements.

Hospitalization: She was hospitalized for two weeks. It turned out she had fluid in her abdomen (ascites). She was placed on NPO (nothing by mouth/no food) for a week and given Imipenem (IV antibiotics). Thankfully, her bowels started working again, she was allowed to eat, and she was discharged.

Current Situation: She is currently discharged and waiting for a new biopsy so the doctors can pinpoint exactly what is happening and target the right treatment. However, since coming home, her abdomen is starting to swell up and grow large again.

We are incredibly stressed watching her abdomen expand again right after being discharged.

Has anyone or their loved ones experienced a similar sequence of events with endometrial/clear cell cancer? Specifically with fluid buildup (ascites) returning quickly, kidney/urinary blockages, or bowel issues after chemo?

Any insights on what questions we should ask the oncologist next, or how you managed the abdominal fluid discomfort, would mean the world to us. Thank you so much.

I have spoken to gynae-oncologist, I understand my situation much better now. And it’s not great tbh. Evidence suggests of a fair bit of cancer. IF it’s cancer. Diagnosis absolutely required before committing to it.

Surgery is in two weeks, I’ve seen the stoma team and gotten my dots placed. I’ve also got the bowel prep to take the day before. Lots of pamphlets and warnings to not try and tough out pain. There was quite a firm warning that if she removes everything she feels she needs to, I could be in hospital for a week or longer. But, they should have me up and about on my second day.

I fully intend to race people.

Emotionally I’m a bit angry, grumpy. I feel like, and my psychologist confirms it, I’ve already had a challenging life and it sucks that I now have to deal with this. But I do, and I need to manage my emotions effectively. Which means taking responsibility for my pain management for the next two weeks because I’m very sore.

Things still feel like they’re moving very slowly but, I just want to not fight the process. And be patient. But, my fears are nipping at my heels and I’m struggling to manage them.

Hello! Im trying to figure out what haircuts might be good for when my hair starts thinning when I start chemo. My doctor said that the specific chemo i should be receiving shouldnt make me lose my hair but ill experience hair thinning and im struggling to figure out what haircuts might be good. My hair is currently to just below my shoulders and it was bleached a few months ago if that gives an idea of what were working with at this moment

My mom (65) is undergoing treatment for ovarian cancer and has completed 3 cycles of chemo. Her recent PET scan shows a big drop in SUV (around 12 → ~1.4), but the tumor size hasn’t reduced much(it's still 10×16×10 cm).

CA-125 has also dropped significantly (2600 → 48) in 3 months, and she currently has no prior symptoms(no bloating, appetite loss, constipation, abdomen pain).

Just trying to understand:

Is it normal for tumor size to remain similar even when SUV drops so much?

Does this indicate mostly inactive/dead tissue?

What should we expect next (especially regarding surgery outcomes)?

Would appreciate any insights from those with similar experiences 🙏

Hi, new here and would love any advice from folks who know much more about this. I had a Pet scan two weeks ago to check for cancer due to having something totally unrelated to OC. Both of my ovaries lit up on the scan. (sUV score of 10). I have no symptoms, and did the bloodwork and the CA 125 and other tests were all normal. I’m only 47 but have a family history. I’m in a long wait to see a gynecological oncologist and a longer wait for an MRI. Just curious how scared folks think I should be.

I’ve been living with stage 3C low grade ovarian cancer for a little over two years now. I was in progression free remission for almost one year. I am now in a clinical trial that has a very high tumor shrinkage rate. It’s still hard for me to live a normal life or have any hope for the future because I know this isn’t curable at this time. I feel like the best I can hope for is to live without pain for as long as possible. I had plans to start a business and buy a house and all of that is out the window now. I am only 38yo and I feel so lost and hopeless.

How do yall cope with the fact that there is no cure for ovarian cancer?

Hey all. I was on testosterone pellets prior to my cancer diagnosis. I was on all the HRT (post-menopausal) and was told to stop it all. My original onc said there might be wiggle room for testosterone after I'm done with chemo. My new onc says no way. This is due to testosterone's potential to convert to a bad form of estrogen. My Nurse Practitioner had me taking DIM, an over the counter supplement which supposedly flushes out the bad estrogen. She is now suggesting I take a once per week (for me) drug that wipes out estrogen. I can't remember the name but I know a lot of breast cancer folks take it. Testosterone really covered a lot of bases for me - even ended vaginal dryness w/o needing estrogen cream. I'm wondering if anyone has used testosterone post ovarian cancer. PS I'm IIIC HG epithelial, 20% estrogen positive tumor and was in remission after my 3rd chemo. Still went through HIPEC, had omentum removed and biopsied (all clear!) And finished my final 3 sessions after HIPEC - last one was yesterday! Whoop!

Hi everyone :)

I had surgery for my ovarian mass that turned out to be stage 1A at the end of January - because the surgeon thought it was possibly benign I was left with my other ovary and uterus so I’m still having regular hormone and period cycles.

I’m now coming up to 4 months post op and just about to have my 4th post surgery period - each cycle I’ve experience pms symptoms like nothing I’ve ever had in my life, like every symptom has been ramped up to 11. Last month the brain fog was so bad I couldn’t finish most of my sentences and this month I’ve just had to leave work early because I can’t stop crying (SUPER emotional).

Was wondering if anyone else had this experience? A nurse told me casually it may take some time to calm down but 4 months on feels like a long time for things to be this intense? Some online research I did seemed to say that a month or two and things should be back to normal.

I guess also having that cancer diagnosis means it’s hard for my brain not to think that the cancer is in the other ovary and making things go nuts. (I don’t think it is but still!)

I (38F) like many of you that I've read so far, went to urgent care with constipation and abdominal pain. 8 hours and a CT scan later I was told I have a 25cm mass with fluid. I'm so scared, my daughter is only 6. My husband is terrified. I need positive input, anyone, please.

My CA 125 has gone up slightly from 11.2 ( the lowest) to 12.4. I am almost 7 months NED. Is this the beginning of a trend or is this to be expected. I wanted a HE4 lab but for some reason not a lab done at Vanderbilt.

I’m due to have a Bilateral salpingectomy and was on the NHS cancer pathway. The most recent ovarian cyst Reddit subs posts are 249 days ago- if you know of other subs to discuss this on please let me know. Two aunts no longer with us had ovarian cancer 10 years ago and now I have pre-op assessments quicker than expected.

I have a multi oculated adnexal cyst which is put as ‘Significant’ on my records. Certainly it’s painful and not having had a period for 5 years it’s why it’s been found after unexpected bleeding. I’m in the U.K. so don’t have annual gynaecological appointments like seems to happen in America. Kind of wishing this was a worldwide occurrence.

How long is the recovery post surgery? I have good pain tolerance but have never given birth but have had my gallbladder removed cos that was a problem and incredibly painful. I’ve read some posts on the sub where people have said they were back at work 5 days later and had little pain but I’d rather prepare for the worst.

My pre-op assessment is in a few weeks so any suggestions for questions to ask are welcome.

Workwise I need to be fully compos mentis to return post surgery as the consequences of not being so are bad bad. So any experience from others is welcome. Without being specific about what I do, just imagine you’re a 999 operator or a nurse or a surgeon.

Hello

It’s roughly 3 months since my surgery (1 ovary omentum and some lymph nodes are out).

In my first MRI report there’s simple hepatic cyst and a para ovarian cyst.

Anyone else has had this issue? And did it go away on its own? Any information on this helps

Thank you

I have been going to a Brazilian wax place in Europe for the past 2.5 years every month almost since moving here and yesterday for the first time I saw that she uses real TALC powder, not cornstarch, from Felce Azzurra. I have been absolutely terrified and cannot sleep since it happened as I know it is linked to ovarian cancer. I must have had at least 20 exposures of talc on my body/genitals in that period, and maybe some more as a baby as I vaguely remember being powdered with J&J. What should I do??? Has anyone been exposed to talc before? I am only 30 years old and suffer from debilitating health anxiety, I can't sleep for 2 nights and read all research linking talk to ovarian cancer and how all women with ovarian cancer who used talc, and even some who didn't personally use talc, had talc and/or asbestos fibers in their reproductive organs.