March 18th, 2022
A brief update after Maria's visit with the oncologist this morning:
The doctor says that fluid retention is a known potential side effect of pancreatic cancer; however, it's not clear why it's happening. He's very encouraged to see her CA 19-9 number so low right now, so he feels it is unlikely that the fluid is the result of the cancer spreading to other areas of her abdomen, though that is one possibility.
They'll be testing the fluid for cancer, and it's not clear when those results will come back; if they're negative, they'll test again to be sure. He also expects that Maria will need paracentesis from now on, since the fluid is continuing to build up; she'll be having that procedure done regularly on an outpatient basis. In the meantime, they're trying different medicines and dosages to alleviate the pain and reduce the retention.
So, mixed news! Again, thank you for all your love and support, and please continue to let Maria and Jerry know you're thinking of them!