Seattle visit recap

We are on our way home from my appointment in Seattle with the Gastro Drs.  I got to drink that yummy Barium drink this morning, got my 11^th IV of this ordeal, and was given a contrast for the CT scan that makes you feel like you have wet your pants…at least this time they told me…the last time, I thought I really had peed! The CT Scan was quick and then we just had to wait around for the follow-up with Dr. Gluck.  He had good and bad news for us…We actually saw the results of the CT scan and saw a frontal of my internal anatomy….I thought it looked pretty cool! So the results: Lots of fluid! There is fluid formed around the pancreas that is its own mass but there are also fluid patches throughout my abdomen all the way down to the perineum…which is why it feels like I have cramps sometimes. The fluid is pressing against my stomach which could explain why I sometimes don’t feel like eating at all, it is around my spleen, kidneys, below my lungs…basically just hanging out all around…that is the bad news.  It could cause pain at anytime or I can be symptom free…not predictable.  If it were one mass, they could go in and drain that mass (like the one around the pancreas itself) but since the fluid is spread out they want to wait longer to see how things continue to form. The good news…I do not have to have drain tubes put in (which would mean a week+ in hospital), I look and feel stronger each day, and we are gonna follow up in a month unless any symptoms pose problems, I get a fever, or I start having breathing difficulties. Today has been surprisingly good…I have been vertical since 8am and I still feel good!  I am moving slow but I still feel okay…still took my meds as scheduled and even stopped for a pork burrito at Qdoba on the way home…ate a few bites and will save the rest for when I am home!  The best scenario is still that my body will absorb the excess liquid and no drain tubes will be necessary (yea!).  We are still hopeful that the pancreas will function and that I won’t be insulin dependent! In the meantime I need to start walking outside more, eat more to regain my strength, and see as many friends and family as possible (I added that cause I miss everyone so much!)