June 2013- Ascites

So I left the hospital after 6 days (May 18th), still in excruciating pain, but with no definitive cause and not enough pain relief.  The first 2 weeks were rough as I struggled to find an answer, while my symptoms changed.  Unable/unwilling to see another doc or take another test (yet) I continued to monitor my symptoms and research, research, research.  Meanwhile, I developed Bronchitis (threat of pneumonia)
I watched my symptoms slowly return to when I first was diagnosed... everything I ate or drank started trying to come back up.  I was gaining weight and eating less.  Eventually, I had an almost perfect basketball where my FLAT tummy used to be.  Looked and felt 6 months pregnant.  Very painful, don't recommend it.  Ascites!

Saw my oncologist June 24th, he diagnosed the fluid upon physical examination.  So 2 days later I had 2 liters drained from the abdomen.  I have a CT scheduled for Monday and a follow up the following week.  I need results:
-the cytology from my fluid
-the CT results
-review with oncologist

Once I can review (digest) things I will need a new plan.  I have had a plan at every stage, but this stage is the one I have dreaded the most.  To me 'it' represents "the end".

I was told of relief upon draining, but I haven't really seen it.  Lots of pain, uncomfortable and still looking quite large (4 months pregnant).  I have been vomiting a lot and keep losing my medication (not good). 
Chemo was mentioned as a possible 'treatment' funny how they use that word.  To help shrink it more, to alleviate some of the symptoms.  They took my port last August, because there are no further treatments for me... palliative ONLY.  I don't feel that chemo is a PALLATIVE option for me.  It was a race before to see which would kill me first, the cancer or the chemo.  Not really looking for odds these days.  The cost is too great for the 'benefits' they offer.

I'll be back within a couple weeks to post where we go from here.

Thank you for following, I hope for better news (or attitude)  next time !

Behind on posting... May 2013

I wished I had posted sooner (more frequently) but times are getting tough.  So I could feel it coming in late April, but didn't really notice it until after I landed in the hospital (sick again).  Symptom- Severe Stabbing pain on back near left kidney.  After 6 days of hell (May 12-18) and any logical test you can think to run, I left the hospital.  The only logical conclusion was that the cancer was back. They did drain 3oz of fluid from a cul-de-sac behind my uterus.    No bacteria, but there were cancer cells present.  Oncologist, said not to ring the village alarm yet... logical to have cancer cells present, the count of them is what matters.  He said the fluid and the cancer cell count were both low.  And wanted to see me in a month.  Since then nothing has been the same.  It is now late June and I need a few more posts in...

If you are following, I give you my thanks and appreciate your patience.