My mother in law has Fallopian tube cancer.

I am from St. Lucia and I moved across to the UK to be with my husband who is in the British army and I've been here from February. In July his mom started complaining about pain in the umbilical area after weeks of being treated for acid reflux and 1 mis read CT and ultrasound later we found out that it was ovarian cancer. An immediate hysterectomy was scheduled and this confirmed that there was a tumour in the Fallopian tube and she would need chemotherapy and a second surgical attempt followed by repeat chemotherapy sessions. My husband and I left immediately after hearing the news. When we got to St Lucia we scheduled an appointment with surgeon as there was still so much we did not understand. We had hoped that she would have been able to return to the uk with us although financially we had no idea how this would be possible since she would not be covered by the NHS. Surgeon informed us that it was stage 3?and that she wasn't fit to fly. The ascites is making her so uncomfortable and we were all up last at 3 in the morning because she couldn't stop throwing up. How do others with ascites sleep? Any advice? Currently she sleeps on her back. We were told that nothing can be done about the ascites till she starts chemo but we have to wait 4 weeks for that to start because she is currently recovering from her previous surgery. Feel so helpless. 

  • Welcome to Cancer Chat Shaiz although I'm sorry for the reason it brings you here.

    I'm really sorry to hear about your mother in law's situation and that she is currently having trouble sleeping due to the ascites. Hopefully other members who have experienced this will reply soon to share their advice and experiences with you but I just wanted to let you know that I have made our cancer nurses aware of your post as well and they will reply to you in the next few days.

    All the best, 

    Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

  • Hello Shaiz,

    Thank you for posting. I am sorry to learn about your relative’s situation.

    Patients that have troublesome ascites symptoms may find it helpful to sleep sat up and not lying flat. This can be done by propping them up well with pillows and putting a pillow under their knees to help stop them slipping down the bed. An alternative is to get a recliner chair that can tilt back so they are in between sitting up straight and lying flat.

    Sometimes ascites can be helped by giving someone medicine to help them expel the extra fluid although this often has only a limited response. Also, again depending on the patient, doctors can put a drain into the abdomen area to drain off some fluid.

    We have information on ascites on our website link,

    http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/coping-with-cancer/coping-physically/fluid-in-the-abdomen-ascites/treating-fluid-in-abdomen

    Chemotherapy can help treat the underlying disease that can then help with the ascites symptoms. You said that she was being sick too. Do ask the doctors to prescribe some anti-sickness medication which may help. The cause of the sickness should be explored by her doctor. It could be pressure on the tummy from the extra fluid or sometimes this can be due to someone being constipated and not opening their bowels regularly.

    There is some information on sickness on this link,

    http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/cancers-in-general/treatment/cancer-drugs/side-effects/sickness-and-cancer-drugs#doctor

    I hope that this reply is helpful and that you get to find out more soon.

    Kind regards

    Vanda