Despite much experimentation, we have not found the perfect combinations of drugs at the right intervals to keep me pain free. We re-tried the hydrocodone 2x yesterday. The pills helped push down the pain at the cost of knocking me out. I basically slept all day and night. Today is RSO and then off to see Doc Berry.

So it’s settled. I’ll have the Large volume tap — please and thank you. Pump out several liters to relieve my abdominal pain and fluid buildup and shortness of breath caused by a large volume of ascites. Doc Berry says I have about 2 1/2 gallons of fluid pushing on my organs. The result has been this unrelenting pain. He suspects that the operation will provide me with some relief. NOT full relief because they can only take so much out at a time and not all the pain is from the ascites. So there’s that.

There’s also Doc’s warning that the tap’s usefulness will decline over time. But for now, it’s my best option.

Doc wanted to schedule the next round of chemo but I asked to wait just long enough for me to see if I get well enough to handle being beaten up again. He is ok with my decision to go with the Chemo lite option. More on this later.

Tomorrow…outpatient…Manatee Memorial Hospital. Let’s drain some Ascites!