9 months on

I am cognizant of the fact that one of the reasons for starting this blog is to inform other women about  ovarian cancer particularly here in Fiji where information is limited and too often is misconstrued to metaphysical levels.

Today's entry is to record some of the physical changes my body is going through, 9 months after diagnosis of Stage 4 Ovarian Cancer. A couple of months ago, I began to notice swelling in my pelvis and all the way down my left leg. Since it was my left ovary which was identified to be the primary site of  the cancer I could understand its location. Interestingly the swelling would subside but would return again. However, it is now a permanent feature of my body and I have become used to it. The left swollen leg poses some challenges.There are times I feel a stiffness in the groin and knee joints making it a wee bit uncomfortable to walk fast and to climb down stairs. I also notice I cannot walk with my normal 'healthy' stride as much as I would love to.

In the last week I have witnessed another change and that is the pressure building up in my stomach. This has somehow led to the growth of my stomach making me look pregnant. My daughter in law who is a medical doctor felt my stomach and suggested that there is a build up of fluids from the cancer, which she called "ascites". As for the swelling in my leg, she and Alipate explained that it is a sign of the cancer blocking the lymphatic system. What I have since learned is that the lymphatic system is a network of channels that runs throughout the body. One of its functions is to drain off the excess fluid which is eventually got rid of in the urine. If these do not drain and are blocked in the system fluid builds up.

In order to relieve the system of this fluid build up it would require a procedure where this fluid would need to be drained out of the body. I know this will need to be done soon.