A little advice if possible

[Tay100]

Hi lovely people,

I saw my consultant yesterday who said that the CAT scan I had last Friday showed activity in three lymph nodes. She is happy to wait a little while longer and is going to see me every six weeks now. She's now talking about when I start chemo, which is some thing she's never done before.

She also explained it's most likely to come back in several areas but in small amounts rather that in just one big area. I didn't know this at all and hopefully the chemo will remove it all.

She also said that my hernia has gotten a lot bigger, and she measured it as 18cm by 9cms I guess that's why I'm looking a lot bigger these days, it not just all the cake. She is writing to a colonic surgeon to see if they will close it but the choice will be mine. I'm not sure what to do about it to be honest, it is painful but not unbearable and the thought of another operation and the recovery is a bit daunting. Especially if I then need to have chemo again.

Any advice or thoughts from you wise people is very welcome. Big hugs to all xx

[Spirit22]

Hi I have a midline hernia too and its got quite a lot bigger, gone up a jean size. Although not too painful its uncomfortable. I have been waiting a year just to see a GI consultant and finally got one in October although my oncologist is going to see if can move it forward. Like you I would be worried about another op and the recovery , although if I can have keyhole I would jump at the chance (if its not too big that is ) I always worry that I will get a blockage as well so know how you are feeling

Hope if you do have chemo all goes well ! Best wishes Lesley xx

[Katmal-UK]

Hi, sorry to hear you may have to have chemo again. Can't help regarding the hernia, my clothes really are just too tight from all the cake.....(says she just about to make a Lemon drizzle cake ) but I can tell you that when my cancer reoccurred for the second time I had 4 areas and after 3 cycles it was all gone though I did continue with the full cycles. I hope you get the advise you need regarding the hernia. Big hug xx Kathy xx

[SuSue]

Hi there I have a midline hernia which has recently got bigger due to ascites. I have started getting pain where it is now which I haven’t experienced before. Can I ask what the pain is like mine feels gripey and sharp and although it’s quite short and intermittent it’s quite intense. Have been worrying it might be the cancer as it makes all these gurgling noises as well

Thanks

[Tay100 in reply to SuSue]

Hi there, it’s a dull ache with very sharp pains, almost like needles being stuck in from time to time. If I’ve over done it, it comes in waves, I think it’s as the bowels contract. After I’ve eaten my tummy gurgles away for a while. The pain is much worse if I haven’t eaten enough fibre during the day. The doctors recommended that I take Movicol every day and that helps to keep everything moving. Sorry if TMI xx

[bamboo89 in reply to SuSue]

I've got a massive incisional hernia running almost the total length of the surgery scar from debulking. I had ascites for a few months, and I have to say it was not comfortable - for one thing, the hernia itself got larger, and I found I had constant digestive troubles, things like feeling full a lot of the time, having to eat small amounts of food more often, lots of gripey pains, some of them brief but sharp, others like someone scraping their fingernails down the inside of your intestines, trapped wind, lots of wind and so on. Also increased need to urinate, and slight urinary incontinence if I coughed or sneezed, apparently because the ascites fluid was sitting on top of my bladder.

I've had 4 chemo since then and those bladder and intestinal troubles have more or less resolved as the ascites disappeared. I still take a movicol every day because of the hernia, or 3 times a day with the anti sickness meds they give you with the chemo to help with the inevitable constipation they cause. So I would say what you're experiencing is not unusual with ascites and a hernia, though the ascites would indicate there is cancer activity going on. I was told that those of us with large hernias probably need the ascites draining sooner than someone without a hernia, if chemo is not given or doesn't clear the fluid. I'm pleased mine cleared with the chemo - at the time chemo was offered, lockdown had arrived and the hospital was not, at that time draining anybody anyway, though I believe they are now, 3 months later.

Miriam

[Ruebacelle]

hi. i would get the hernia repaired. is it an incisional or inguinal? inguinal they could probably do a local anesthetic.....you will need to wear an abdominal brace for 2 months then always control top panties to help keep it from moving around. good luck

[SuSue in reply to Ruebacelle]

Thanks for the reply mine is an insitional hernia and it’s definitely got bigger with the ascites. Had that drained now and although more comfortable the pain behind my belly button is still there. Surgery isn’t an option as I have blood clotting issues but I’ve got a scan in a couple of weeks so I’ll know more then. Fingers crossed

[Tay100]

Thanks for your replies I really appreciate them. My hernia is incisional and runs from the top of my debulking scar to my belly button. It has definitely gotten bigger as time has gone by. Eating small meals definitely helps and I try and get some exercise by walking each day which helps to. Xx