Friday, September 15, 2006
How to lose 8 pounds in an hour
Today, I received some much-needed reflief in the form of a paracentesis - withdrawal of ascites fluid from my abdominal cavity. This is my third one, and as usual, when they look at me initially in the radiology department, and look at my ulltrasound, they comment that there doesn't appear to be much fluid there. But when it begins to flow, they are amazed as one bottle after another fills. Today was a new record - 3.8 liters, a full gallon. When I got home, I weighed 8 pounds less than I did this morning!
This draining of the body fluids is not something that sounds very desirable, but when it provides so much relief, it is hard to regard it as anything but positive. It does not hurt, and is effective very quickly. However, in the long run, it does deplete the stores of protein and probably other needed substances as well, and would best be avoided. Thus, my interest in the clinical trial at Wake Forest University.
I met with the study physician, Dr. Brigette Miller, on September 12, and am scheduled to begin the study on October 2. The specific purpose is to stop the production of ascites from occurring. The secondary aim is to see if my immune system can mount an antibody response that will attack the tumor cells in areas outside the abdominal cavity, cause them to shrink or disappear, and prevent new ones from forming. Dr. Miller indicated this may take several months to assess, and I will need to return monthly for monitoring.
In the meantime, my eating problems have resolved, even if only temporarily. I am trying to take it easy, but it feels so good to eat solid food without....how to say this delicately....belching every couple of bites! I will enjoy it for as long as this temporary fix works, and hope that my next paracentesis on October 2 is my last one. In particular, I'll be trying to build up my protein stores and regain some lost body mass so that I will still meet the study requirements (BMI of 19 or more), and maintain a good nutritional status.
My first "meal" - egg salad sandwich and fresh strawberries for lunch - yum!
Link
This draining of the body fluids is not something that sounds very desirable, but when it provides so much relief, it is hard to regard it as anything but positive. It does not hurt, and is effective very quickly. However, in the long run, it does deplete the stores of protein and probably other needed substances as well, and would best be avoided. Thus, my interest in the clinical trial at Wake Forest University.
I met with the study physician, Dr. Brigette Miller, on September 12, and am scheduled to begin the study on October 2. The specific purpose is to stop the production of ascites from occurring. The secondary aim is to see if my immune system can mount an antibody response that will attack the tumor cells in areas outside the abdominal cavity, cause them to shrink or disappear, and prevent new ones from forming. Dr. Miller indicated this may take several months to assess, and I will need to return monthly for monitoring.
In the meantime, my eating problems have resolved, even if only temporarily. I am trying to take it easy, but it feels so good to eat solid food without....how to say this delicately....belching every couple of bites! I will enjoy it for as long as this temporary fix works, and hope that my next paracentesis on October 2 is my last one. In particular, I'll be trying to build up my protein stores and regain some lost body mass so that I will still meet the study requirements (BMI of 19 or more), and maintain a good nutritional status.
My first "meal" - egg salad sandwich and fresh strawberries for lunch - yum!
Link
