Short update:-
I am gradually going bad to worse and then worse back to bad!
I am just sitting it out and doing a lot of resting and sleeping - as before!
MRI scan this morning - not sure why- very horrible and exhausting.

One change - I cannot see myself being able to go home - I cannot manage a lot of things for myself. So discussions likely about where I do go - but no pressure or hurry.

A lot of ups and downs since Sunday. I have had a very quiet day today - asleep much of the time- which  would be recuperative if it were something like flu but is not especially so with this. But I am starting to eat again.  Low blood pressure is the main problem at present making it hard to get to the loo and much else.

Am likely to be here for some time until it is clear what is going on.

I got into hospital with the usual delays and frustrations, on Friday. Felt very stressed and ill by I got in.
I was fortuneately spotted by the consultant - who took one look at the fluid build-up and put a draining.  I have to say this is the only bit of efficiency I have seen to date - so a. So a lot of frustrations.

I havE low blood pressure so also feel shaken and immobile.

Today - not good either as I felt more ill than usual. I have had the drain removed - it was about 8 litres yield. Also managed to spill a lot as one bit had not drained.

Altogether horrible. I hope it will moderate in a few days as it did last time.

Thanks again for you emails - I barely have strength to write this so am unlikely to reply. But know I have enjoyed and appreciated them.

I am not sure how to describe how I am feeling just now and for the last couple of days. Basically I feel a lot worse - partly the fluid in abdomen - partly the disease developing. I am hoping to get the fluid drained again soon. And my appetite has gone.

I am still hanging out at home

Lookfar for sale

Lookfar - out of the  water, cleaned, emptied and polished

Proof - if needed - of illness. Now on the market with the local broker.

I have been home a few days and find I can manage to walk across the room, get food, go to the loo etc. But most of the time I sit around doing nothing much. Watch the tele - read the newspaper on iPad - send a few messages. I have limited energy so do not do things for very long and cannot read for long either. I am not getting any better - I am just less uncomfortable at home. I have a very good 'helper' who does clearing up and lots of bits and pieces and shopping.

So I mostly feel pretty rough - some times and days better than others. I am not expecting to get any better overall, even when the fluid is drained again. Apparently chemo type treatments would finish me off there and then!

The fluid is building up and will need to be drained again - in about a week to a week and a half.  I am expecting not to stay in hospital so long this time ( ever optimistic) because it will be done before it gets as full as last time.
I even got a tax bill yesterday!

Thanks for emails and comments - I do like them and to hear how people are doing. xx

Entering the Deben - much more fun that horrid medical stuff.

Deben entrance, August 2012

I am at home. This time I had my own oxygen so got a taxi- not waiting around. I have slumped in front of the tele - eaten proper food - and generally appreciated quiet and privacy. I will try to insert pictures for a while - of something nice. It looks as if I will have to go back to have it drained again in a few weeks - it is still fluid entering  the abdomen. Ugh.

I continue to feel a bit better day-by-day.
So I am leaving for home tomorrow unless anything goes wrong. And after the last attempt to use hospital transport - I am getting a taxi in the morning. I can then sit around all day and have my toys around me.
I think I will manage OK or I would not try - and have had enough of hospital - so am motivated.

Some improvements again, although I felt a bit zapped out yesterday morning - breakfast was late!
I am not dozing as much and slept better at night I also can read the paper on the iPad for longer. Apparently recovery has good and bad days.

Some slight improvement today - not much to show for it 'tho. I am going to stay here into next week but hope life will feel easier if I am less zapped out by the effects of the fluid.

Now - many hours of lead. It takes time for the effect of the fluid to wear off and so I have not felt any better but less uncomfortable than before. I have been told by the consultant to do as I want and to liaise with one of the staff about what I want to do when I leave hospital. To that end - one nice conversation and a couple of hard ones for which I do not have the energy.

I am lying around dozing- not able to read for longer that 15 mins. So you will know why I have not replied to your supportive comments and emails - but know that I appreciate them. Xx

Yesterday they put a drain in my abdomen - nasty stuff - it yielded about 8 litres - no wonder it was distended and horrible.
Today I lounged about thinking I should feel better for the removal of the fluid - but  did not. Some improvement when the tube was removed however; it takes some days to settle down apparently.
Sorry for boring post!

Thanks you all once again for your emails and good thoughts over the ether - I continue to appreciate them more than I can say. I don't think I will reply individually unless I get a lot better.

I am in Ipswich hospital - they had a bed yesterday and I got in OK with Aidan driving. I am more ill than I remember feeling - the hour of lead indeed. I don't have much energy to write but will try to keep in touch through the wonders of modern networks.