Hi Cher

I'm really sorry to hear the sad news. I didn't know what malignant acities (fluid in abdomen caused by cancer) was until it happened to my dad. 

It was just so quick, I was so deluded thinking we had a chance but he passed away yesterday morning.. he had pancreatic cancer which spread to the abdominal lining, hence the fluid.

Also, it's very likely that the fluid can come back clear of cancer cells (it did for my dad) but they did a laparoscopy and they were able to see the cancer and spread.

I don't know what the outcome will be for your husband but usually the fluid is not a good sign if its cancer and the survival isn't long.. 

I really hope that it isn't cancer, but I was exactly like you 4 weeks ago.

God bless you.

I am very sorry for your loss but he hasn't received his results yet and I don't think it's the stomach lining but only fluid in a specific area. If any one else has advice regarding this it would be most helpful. 

I too was diagnosed with IBS by my GP  and the 

endoscopist, who refused to conduct a colonoscopy.  Two years later after much suffering i was diagnosed with T4 bowel cancer, resulting in a major operation and 6 months of chemotherapy. I have been told I am at high risk of recurrence.

i’ve had profuse apologies from the doctors and the hospital. 

Dont be fobbed off, demand a thorough investigation and colonoscopy 

Thanks a lot Mike for your reply. It's happened so many times where GP's have not investigated further and just come up with the easiest solution. I've had it with myself and my mother, I don't trust GP's anymore, it's best to trust your instincts, he's had this problem for a year and has repeated visits back and forth, it was his perogative to go into hospital, thank god he did. They've taken some fluid and tissue samples this morning and say it might take a while to get results, theyve also fortunately booked him in for a colonoscopy tomorrow or next week. I'll also be telling him to contact his GP so he doesn't do this hopefully to someone else. I really hope that you have a clear bill of health now for the rest of your life, at least you now know what the warning signs are. I'll probably continue on here but I understand if you don't want to reply again. Thank you so much again Mike 

Hi Mike

I hope you don't mind me messaging you again. Iain has found out today he has inoperable bowel cancer, he is 36 and so far hasn't had any evidence from scans and examinations that it has spread anywhere else, I couldn't be with him because of covid so I am wonderibg why it would be inoperable? The consultant he has seen so far is not an oncologist so isn't an expert on bowel cancer but from what I could gather was very negative when he saw my partner and kept saying 'don't get your hopes up' numerous times, when it came to chemotherapy. He has been given an oncologist but hasn't seen him yet and he is supposed to have a colonoscopy and doesn't know what form of chemotherapy he will have. I am quite angry when hes been told not to get his hopes when he hasn't gone through all the examinations yet or spoken to an oncologist, he is so very young so surely that's a plus point and the fact it hasn't spread, I am trying to remain positive and have read so many positive stories on here, trying to remain strong for him. I'll totally understand if you don't want to reply or don't have any answers but thought I'd ask your opinion, thank you 

Hello Cher

Of course I don't mind you messaging me, I am so sorry that iain has bowel cancer.

I can't see how a doctor can tell if the cancer is inoperable without all the information, including a colonoscopy. Was it a surgeon who told you that?  Were you told at what stage the cancer is at? My bowel cancer was at stage T4, about the highest. But it had not spread into other organs.  I had an operation to remove the growth together with a large part of my bowel, this was followed by 24 weeks of chemotherapy one session each week..

It is important that iain insists on getting all the information and get it in writing.

As I told you I was misdiagnosed at the very start with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (was given no colonoscopy at that time) since my diagnosis of bowel cancer the doctors and management at the hospital have been most apologetic and caring. I am still being monitored on a regular basis.

Unfortunately I have also been diagnosed with prostate and bone cancers, both incurable and the fault of my own GP who stopped testing me without informing me.

I have little regard for doctors in general, they appear to be interested in covering themselves and each other.

It is most important that Iain gets all the information he can concerning his condition from the doctors and have it in writing. Question everything they say and keep insisting .If you are seen to be insistant and questioning every step of the way they will take notice.  I had a battle to get chemotherapy following my operation, I was told that having two other cancers it would not be worthwhile, but I insisted and insisted . The Chemo I had was Fluorouacil (5FU). Two weeks ago I had a CT scan which indicated no sign of recurrence of my bowel cancer. ( My prostate and bone cancers are advancing gradually.)

Please, both of you be strong and keep positive.

Much love

Mike

Thank you so much Mike, I am really sorry to hear about your other two cancers, I really hope you have a close support group around and someone to take care of you. Iain has insisted on been seen sooner because he's not taking it too well and luckily the oncologist has said he'll see him just for a chat after his colonoscopy tomorrow. Apparently it will be just a chat and to ask questions but no definite results as apparently they need two weeks to look at samples under microscopes etc to figure out what stage it is etc. I have plenty of questions to ask though and I've noted them all down. I've had experience with cancer before which is to my advantage now I suppose and don't trust doctors either. The person he had spoken to was a gastroenteroligist, it will the first time he'll speak to an oncologist tomorrow, I am hoping it might help. And that in two weeks it'll be clearer, this limbo is horrific. I am trying to remain positive and strong for him but its easy to be sucked into a black hole. I hope your remaining strong too. Your replies are helping a lot.

Take Care

Love  Cheryl 

Hi Cher,

really sorry to hear about everything you and your partner have gone through. How is he getting on now? Hope you've had better news from the oncologist! 

I went into hospital with shallow breathing. and had fluid seeping from under the skin.  The hospital put a drain in, after several atempts.   It did make my breathing easier. but was told normally the amount of fluid taken from my abdomin  3 litres, normally wouldn't warrent a drain.. My issue was fluid seeping from under the skin.  I was changing hospital gowns 3 to four times a day..  It did stop after a week. so was relieved no more cloths changing.  Or so I thought. these seapages have started again. It is so annoying. My GP suggested having another drain done. but ultra sounds have shown only small pockets under the skin.  I'm due to be invited to a midlands transplant unit to be assessed.  I know if they say I'm not a candidate for a liver transplant. My only otion is to wait for liver failure.  I know in my heart of hearts, I'm not the fittest person as I have severe cirrhosis of the liver and I'm diabetic, all of which will go against me.

Very rarely do I get much sleep. less now I'm lucky if I can get an hour in one night.  I know I'm suffering from sleep deprevation,  and often feel the worst for what might happen.  The only thing that stops me from just giving up, I know my wife give me a rollocking, she died in July 22020 from a 6 week aggressive cancer.  and knowing she will be waiting for me,  stops me doing anything stupid. sorry just me thinking out loud.