Thanks a lot everyone

[ritabon]

Thank you most sincerely to all of you who replied to my depressing posy. I'm feeling more positive now, eve though I have to have a rocket drain fitted lol. You've all been such a help and I'm so very grateful

Rita

[ritabon]

And of course I meant post!!!

[Lyndy]

I absolutely loved my rocket drains Rita! They allowed me to live normally after 3 lonely months in hospital with them telling me I had covid and me saying no I have pleural effusion…. Just drain very slowly and you’ll be comfortable.

Mine were eventually dried up by chemo but they were a life saver at the time xx

[ritabon in reply to Lyndy]

Oh thank you so much for such encouraging words Lyndy, I'm very grateful

[FlowerRose]

We're here for all your ups and downs 🙂

[Marie101]

Hi Rita, I have just read your post about your rocket drain and wondered how you are getting on with it and if you still have it? I have reoccurring ascites and think that it may be the way forward for me. I just wanted to know how it impacts your day to day life? I hope you are well 😊

Many thanks.

[ritabon in reply to Marie101]

Hello Marie. I'm currently well thanks and I hope are too. I ended up with an infection in the drain. They removed it but could not get the cuff out so I ended up with an abscess and i was in hospital on IV antibiotics until it was removed. I would still recommend having it - my body reacts very badly to things in it lol. Very easy to self drain and keeps the ascites at bay until they can stop it with treatment. I wouldn't say it impacted my life much, other than having to wear loose clothes and not being able to swim or bathe, but showers work well!

[Marie101]

Hi Rita, thank you for your quick response. I'm sorry to hear about the infection you ended up with. It's good to hear that the drain doesn't impact your life too much.I'm having to be drained once a month at the moment which is why I am curious about the rocket drain. I'm on tamoxifen which up until now has kept my CA125 at a good level however the ascites hasn't improved.

I have a consultation on the 1st September so I will see what is said then.

Thank you again 💓

[ritabon in reply to Marie101]

Good luck Marie and keep me posted. Always happy to help if I can.

[Marie101]

Thank you 😊

[hollychem]

Hi Rita, I'm really glad you had a good experience (mainly) with the rocket drain. My family member has recently had one fitted and is really struggling to get hold of the drainage bag and equipment for the drain, even on prescription we have not found a pharmacy that stocks them.

Can I ask, how were you able to keep stocked up?

[ritabon in reply to hollychem]

yes, of course. You need to ask either your GP, CNS or hospital or even the District nurse if u have one. I had problems getting them too!

[ritabon in reply to hollychem]

Did you manage to get a supply? Chest drain for me this Tuesday. I have fluid in right lung. Happy days lol