Scared and frightened

Hi Karen

This waiting stage is the hardest and I understand your fear. I also struggled with a build up of fluid which was very uncomfortable and made it hard for me to eat because I always felt full.  You can ask them to drain it again. 

I had stage 3 cancer which had spread throughout my omentum. I had 3 cycles of chemo followed by radical surgery in which my womb, ovaries and fallopian tubes along with most of my intestines were removed. I now have a stoma and colostomy bag. Following the surgery I had 3 more cycles of chemo. That all finished in December 24 and since I have been receiving immunotherapy treatment. At this point there is sign of cancer returning. Phew! 

I am 68 and am living a normal life. I exercise regularly (I’m even more aware now of the need to stay healthy), we travel extensively and I recently went skiing. I’m doing everything that I did before cancer. The main difference pre and post cancer is that I am even more aware of how precious life and health is and I am living life to the full. 

I encourage you to stay hopeful and focus on what you can control at this time which is to eat healthily and exercise regularly (just walking is enough) as this will help you be fit to cope with the chemo and any surgery. 

I wish you the best.