Ascities again.......

Hi all, just a quick update on this week, which was supposed to be a clear week after recovering from the chemo. What happens instead - I have a worrying pain on the left side of my chest, so was sent to A&E... Wednesday afternoon. Abdomen full of fluid again, so they could exclude a heart problem, but needed to drain the fluid to check anything else. Nobody would do it yesterday,so I've had it done today , 6.5ltrs, but we presume the pain was pressure, and as its weekend I've been sent home. Definitely on the list for the rm on Thursday!!!!!

I really feel hospitals should have spaces for ascities treatments, it is ridiculous keeping me waiting for a procedure that took 5 hours in total

Love n hugs

Viv

[MargaretJ]

Too true viv! I hope you are more comfortable now!

Love Margaret!

Low battery! Recharge required (Ipad and me too! LOL!)

Xxxxxxxx

[doreenharwood]

So sorry to hear your news Viv that is the trouble with hospitals nowadays they don't seem to have the space or time. I hope you feel more comfortable now you have been drained. Wishing you well

Love Babs x x

[Hidden]

Sorry Viv, Seems inadequate to say that. We know how disappointing it is when chemo is delayed. On the up side hope that you are at least feeling more comfortable and not worrying so much.So enjoy your weekend!

Thinking of you often

Love Suex

[Whippit]

Dear Viv

I'm so sorry you had to wait for this drain thing. How are you feeling? Is it a horrid procedure? Is it something that is done in a day ward? Sorry about so many questions but it seems something that's quite common and it would be helpful to understand all the ramifications.

At least you'll be up for your trip to the RM next week and you should be feeling more comfortable by then. What a worrying and frustrating week for you.

I hope you can enjoy the weekend and put it out of your mind for a couple of days.

love Annie xxx

[Hidden]

Hi Viv,

Sorry youv'e been through the mill again !!!

Yes I agree with you there are enough of us around for somewhere to be set aside

for us ladies that have the Ascities, this needs to be done as quickly as possible to

give us the relief we need thank you very much !!

Hope youe feeling better now.

Good Luck for Thursday.

Luv trish x x

[Hidden]

Poor you Viv - been there several times and empathise.... Had this right at the very start and they had to drain about 5 litres before they could scan and then give me the bad news about the tumour. I later had a couple of chemo delays (neutropenia) and even my op got delayed - it all leaves you feeling destabilised, worried and generally battered.

Sue x

PS Right with you on the dedicated ascities area, Trish! It's not at all fun from start to finish and I think my lower lip was wobbling throughout...that's if i wasn't crying (i had zero idea of what was going on at that point - just terrified what might be). I felt a right nana in the middle of a general ward of stoical surgical patients...

[MargaretJ in reply to Hidden]

Dear Sue,

What an awful experience! Neutropenia twice! I had one delay following post op infection but luckily not neutropenic. I don't know how many litres they drained from me but I was 12lb lighter after it.

The problem with dedicating facilities to draining ascites is that they need the ultrasound to guide the drain in and when I was "pushed in" as an emergency on a Friday there was no-one on the Saturday who knew how to remove the drain! But boy was I glad to have it done!

I was on the day ward and the delay on the Saturday (it closes at 12 on Saturdays) meant one of the nurses missed part of her little boy's birthday and they then transferred me to a mixed ward of ENT and Urology! Luckily I was in a 4 bed bay of women with nasal polyps not the next one of men with prostate problems! I too felt a proper nana!

Love! Margaret

Xxxxxxxx

[MargaretJ]

Hi Viv

Battery recharged! You will feel so much more comfortable after the drain! I know I did!

I have been lucky with no recurrence so far! In a way I am disappointed! The radiologist who placed the drain was absolutely gorgeous! The sheath for the ultrasound probe was so like a giant condom that, when he caught my eye as he was putting it on, we simultaneously burst out laughing. Very difficult to explain to the nurse and the medic who was overseeing guiding the drain into place. He is about 40 years too young but my ! I would not object to another look! Great eye candy does distract from the discomfort! LOL!

Good luck with the next chemo!

Love

Margaret! Xxxxxx

[Hidden]

I must admit there were some verrrrry nice doctors, but they seem so young, mind you the little Chinese female doctor wasn't strong enough to push the drain through the abdominal wall!!!

Yes Annie it can, and should be done on a day ward if your onc or specialist nurse arrange it. Unfortunately I went in through a & e, so was stuck in amu for 48 hours while somebody was found that would do it. Just involves putting a needle into the cavity so the fluid drains off, .1 litre of fluid weighs approx 1 kilo, so I've lost 6 kilos in weight! Hope it stays off.

Viv

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

The weight loss is the ONLY redeeming feature of this whole horrible cancer thing! As a former fat bird I am still reeling from the instruction to "eat as much as possible" and "if you fancy it, eat it"... Shame about the taste bud destruction really... ;-/

[Hidden]

Sorry prchick, but apart from this ascities loss, I have put on over3 stone in the 5 years I have been bad, and I try to eat sensibly with only an occasional treat or drink, but I don't feel I should go on a strict diet, as the doctor says you might need it! Just try and follow an anti cancer diet, with colourful veg, and fruit being very good for you.

Love n hugs

Viv

[Whippit in reply to Hidden]

Oh dear Viv, are you feeling any better now you're home? A & E is the worst place to be as they don't have comfortable beds and it's noisy and stressful. I guess we might have to nag the oncology nurse to get the right ward booked for this horrible procedure.

I hope you gave yourself a treat when you got home. Mine would be a nice glass of decent red wine though I wouldn't refuse a colourful fruit smoothy if someone took the trouble to make it for me.

Take care, let us know how you're getting on. xxx Annie

[DebiMcK]

I have had this procedure done once and am now aware that my tummy is filling up again. I've tried to bring my oncology clinic appointment forward so that my consultant can get on to it sooner rather than later but the hospital won't let me change my appointment. There advice to me is to go through my GP who will admit me for the procedure. This seems such a short sighted way of doing things. I agree some sort of ascites day hospital would be really useful.

Debi

[Hidden in reply to DebiMcK]

If you have a specialist nurse she will sort it out for you. That's my way forward next time again.... She is very good at getting it arranged before the time for chemo cros up again.