Not doing well…
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Hi Rick, I would ask your Onc if it would be possible to take a diuretic, which is an oral treatment for ascites, esp since you cant see the ascites yet, it may do the trick to eliminate any potential fluid build up. Im so sorry for your pain, and discomfort..
peace
BarbaraRick, I feel so bad for your pain and the ascites building up. You will be in my prayers! I am 40 years old and the mother of 2 small children diagnosed 1 year ago. Every day is special and I am trying to teach my husband how to do the bills, taxes, etc.. It’s stressful for us type A’s. Take care, Kristin
Rick, I am sorry for you ascites and your pain. During the past few weeks I have developed severe pain at the site of the SBRT radiation and connecting right through to my mid back. The onc said that I had also developed some edema in the area, but did not specifically label it at ascites. I’ve been given vicoden and oncycontin for the pain, which helps. Its good to hear other members mention that ascites hasn’t always necessarily been a prelude to the “end” even though that would solve the pain problem? God bless you and your effforts.
Rick,
I fully understand how you are feeling when something changes that you see as a negative. The protein issue is real as I notice an increase in abdominal and leg swelling when my “quality” protein drops off because I am too busy to cook a more nutritious meal. Exercise is critical too as the muscles contracting can help mobilize fluid from your tissues through your kidneys. Try to look at solutions instead of “borrowing trouble”, anticipating a more negative outcome. Stress causes fluid shifts as well so the prioritizing others have mentioned is really important.We have seen so much loss on this site but we have to acknowledge the incredible courage those who have gone before has shown us. Even though CC is a formidable enemy we can borrow strength from others in our fight and you can also allow us to carry some of your burden. The decrease in your markers is certainly something to cheer about so we will pray that that is the case. My best wishes.
CharlotteRick:
I so understand your feelings. We’ve lost quite a few of us recently, and it’s hard sometimes to be optimistic when you’re looking at something like that. Every time I come here and see someone has passed it makes me fearful, whether that fear is founded or not. You’re such an admirable spirit and I’m always impressed with your views on what’s a priority.
I couldn’t agree more with everyone here that says this disease treats everyone differently. That’s why it’s so darn hard to figure out what’s going on with an individual. We compare ourselves to other cases, but it never seems to match up. I’m choosing to be optimistic for you. I’m always stoked to see tumor markers go down, especially by half, like yours have. To me, that’s enough to buoy my faith a bit. I’m going to hold on to your tumor markers and pray that they’re indicative of some successful chemo, and that everything else are just some transient symptoms we have to deal with and just move on.
God is with you, friend.
Rick,
I’m sorry to hear your not feeling as well, and I’m hoping by the time you reply your pain has been sorted out and the positive vibes off everyone on here have travelled your way.
I must admit that the start to the New Year on this site has not been good, and I have found myself panicking more over Dad. My husband even told me to stop visiting this site and I must admit for a while I was only selectively reading posts, but everyone is different and CC doesn’t effect everyone the same, that’s what I keep telling myself. Dad is still painfree, still eating and although more tired he is doing well considering he should be in his last month according to the Doctors. We just have to take each day at a time but my Dad has been the same as you wanting to sort out everything at home, just incase. He started doing this in April when he was told he had 2 months to live then! No one knows our expiry dates, I know it must be very hard but please try and stay positive as i believe attitude helps enormously.
Take care Rick,
Best wishes
Andrea
Rick:
If you have ascites that DOES NOT NECESSIARLY MEAN THE END IS NEAR! My husband Tom has had two bouts with it. The first time they drained it off w/parentheses (a small incision in the lower belly then a tube sucks the fluid out) The second time they put him on a high dosage water pill which did the trick.
Ascites is caused by a protein inbalance in your body which causes your artieries to leak fluid into your abdomen (your bodies way to try to compensate for the lack of protein.)
The best thing you can do is to increase the protein in your diet. Eat high protein foods such as eggs, cheese and even Boost Plus. This has helped tom greatly. You can search the internet for ascites and you should be able to find a ton of information.
Go with God and KEEP KICKIN’ THAT cancer.
Margaret
Hi Rick,
I’m sorry to hear that things are not to good right now for you. I really hope that your doctors can do something for you regarding your pain right now and that they can get on top of this now. We are all here for you Rick and a load of positive thoughts coming my way to you.
Best wishes,
Gavin
Rick, I pray for you and Cindy every night. I am sorry that you are feeling down and in pain. I hope that you will be able to take care of the pain and the other issue that you are facing. I don’t know if this helps, but I have had perionteal mets for about 6 months now and still feel ok with no ascites. What I mean to say is that the ascites might go away or not effect you too bad. Hopefully you will be able to have more time feeling better for your self and your family.
I really believe in the power of prayer. After 3 1/2 years I have mets to the lungs and perionteum, multiple hospital stays, unnumbered chemo changes, uncounted stent replacements, and still have very little pain or physical effects aside from fatigue. I attribute my health to the good Lord and the power of prayer.
Rick
I’m sorry to hear that things are not going so well for you at the moment – you have always been so positive and focused and lets hope the news gets better. It can be quite overwhelming thinking of all those things that must be done (particularly as I believe you are self-employed) and you don’t need to put too much pressure on yourself as this could jeopardize you recovery. Have you considered an interim manager or is there someone in your business capable of helping you through this next quarter?Gerry
Thanks for posting Rick. I’ve been wondering about you recently. I am sorry that the news isn’t the best. I pray that God will continue to give you cause for hope.
God Bless!
bobHugs and kisses to you Rick. I’m glad to hear from you but of course so sorry you are not feeling well. I think about you often.
Betsy
Hi Rick,
I think overall this can be a “down time” of the year. The holidays are over and there is a lull before the spring and summer months get here.
My biggest concern for your post is the pain issue. Please be sure you get that under control. Pain can sap energy and dull the senses. As for the rest of things take them one at a time. Prioritize and then tackle the list as you see fit.
As Lainy said no two people are alike. I’m praying the chemo is working for you. I know your biggest priority is your family and getting things done. That said don’t neglect the fun and spontaneous things that create memories.
Also don’t discount your “gut feelings”… If you are concerned something is not right, address it with the doctors until you get all questions answered to YOUR satisfaction.
I know we’ve lost a lot of people here lately and that’s hard to process.
Hang in there! I’m sending hugs and prayers to you and yours!
Pam
Rick, please remember that no 2 people are alike. I am praying that the chemo is working. Being a type A like I am, I always do things in advance and have things ready to go no matter the outcome. I am a big believer in keeping my “house” in order. I also found that immersing myself with the kids and grandkids helped a lot. Not just to keep my mind occupied but Teddy loved when they came over and all would sit on his bed at one time and giggle and gab. Maybe you can look at it as being realistically optimistic, get done what needs to be done but hope for the best. Prayers and thoughts going out to you.
I had an appointment last week and my Onc was concerned about the exam he did on my abdomen. He thinks I am developing Ascites and that with my peritoneal cancer that is not a good sign. On top of that, my pain has really increased over the last few weeks. I can’t “see” the ascites buildup so it must not be too bad yet, but I can feel some pressure. If things get too much worse, ONC wants to have the fluid drained. It just seems that when people get to this point it is only a matter of a little time. At the same time, my tumor markers are dropping quickly which leads me to think that my chemo may be working (Gem/Cis) at least on something to cause the marker to go down in half.
There is so much to do in the 1st quarter of this year and I don’t want to push myself too much – but I want to get these things for business and home done asap so I don’t have to deal with it if/when things are worse. Or – to leave them for my family to deal with.
Just feeling a little bit down and hoping that this is some kind of a fluke and I’m not really deteriorating. But I feel like something isn’t quite right. I wish I “knew.” And the string of bad news lately here doesn’t help things either!
Rick
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