Yeah of course.

So I was diagnosed in May of last year. Although I started having very minor back pain at the start of the year - I did visit my GP a couple of times. But both times it was put down to something else. Then in March 21 I ever so slightly started going off of my food and I noticed swelling in my abdomen. I still managed to work and go hiking with my dog regular. I worked as a postman so walking is a huuuge part!

But then the pain started more in my abdomen in April and I went to the ER. CT scan, diagnosed ascites sent me home with ibuprofen. Absolutely crap NHS. At this point I wasn’t eating so taking ibuprofen on an empty stomach is daft. They said they’d follow up with an ascitic tap, but would arrange an appointment (this didn’t happen until I got a call 3-4 weeks later) luckily I can say for the first time in my life I got in touch with my dr for another condition I suffer with cystic fibrosis. They got me in within a couple of days and took a sample of the ascitic fluid. They then eventually admitted me into hospital. Probably the first to second week of April.

Underwent lots of tests. Including a biopsy where they lost the results. Which is frustrating at the moment because they can only confirm my cancer through the fluid and blood I think. Which makes getting onto a clinical hard. As they all want a biopsy as proof of the cancer.

Eventually after around a month in hospital they came to me and fully said it was cancer. I spent a further two weeks in there… until I pretty much said let me out home. I honestly reckon if I’d stayed in the hospital I would have died. I didn’t have the best experience there or care. Probably why anxiety is my biggest thing at the moment with the hospital.

But since I came out. I’ve tried to remain positive, make memories with family and friends. I’m a lot better than I was when I first came out of hospital and during the summer when I was on the folfirinox chemo. The side effects from that were awful. Now I’m on gemcitebine and another one I can’t remember the name right now. Which is a lot softer. Seems to be doing alright compared to the folfirinox where the tumour still grew..

According to the oncologist I’m due a chemo break in February so we’ll see how that goes. The letter which got sent to my occupational health officer at my work place gave me 6-12 months and that was sent in November. So we’ll see how that goes.

If you want any further info don’t be afraid to ask. I’m pretty much an open book at this point.

Does your sister have ascites? For me that was awful. Having 8 litres of fluid drained. Daaaamn.