It's been a while, hasn't it?

Just noticed I hadn't posted anything since OCTOBER!  Sorry about that.  I was dealing with a lot of stress at work, and it kind of put me in a funk.  Don't have to worry about that anymore since I am no longer working.  I had some health issues earlier this month that put me in the hospital for 5 days.  Basically 5 days of fluid push, so I wound up a tad bloated and had my first bout of abdominal ascites.  Finally got to Sioux Falls to see the liver specialist and had an ultrasound done.  And a lovely paracentesis to remove the fluid.  This is what was removed:



Four 1.1 litre bottles, plus .6 litres in the fifth.  A total of five litres, or just about 1.5 gallons of fluid.  Which  is about 14+ pounds.  With the additional fluid I've lost since then (that wasn't in the abdominal pocket), I've lost about 34 pounds now.  Since 12/12/12.  Not fun!  Fortunately the fluid was clear and had no infection or bacteria.

The foamy white stuff on top is protein.  The loss of the protein required an infusion of two units of albumin.  Infusions are NOT fun.  They cause much bruising, especially since they'd had so many problems finding good veins all month anyway.

If you look at the center of the bruise, you can see a wiggly unbruised line.  That was the infusion needle.  This photo was taken four days after the infusion.  The discoloration had started to fade.

 

Now if only my MELD score would go down.  It had been running 18.  A year ago it was 14 to 15.  In the hospital it hit 23.  We've gotten it back down to 20.  Now I have to re-MELD monthly for the transplant center so they can see where I'm at.  Had those labs drawn again yesterday.

 

I am still weak, and get fatigued very easily.  I am not up to working full-time anymore.  So I am moving closer to Sioux Falls to have easier access to the transplant center by air when the call comes.  Or I can ride with my parents if it's a "you need to be hospitalized, but no organ available right now" situation.  Hopefully I can find a part-time job to help while I apply for disability.  I found a great apartment with 2 bedrooms, and it was completely renovated inside and out last summer.  New carpet, blinds, cabinets, countertops, appliances (including the smooth-top range like the one I have now).  Finally will have space for my craft stuff.  Packing, sorting, and cleaning are going slow but sure.  I have to take regular breaks and drink plenty of fluids.

 

In the next day or two, I should have my tiramisu recipe posted at the request of a few people on Facebook.  For now, time to do a little more work on the apartment before I shower and turn in for the night.  Very tired tonight.  Hope to sleep well.