Abdominal Paracentesis #12 (November 1, 2024)

Yesterday, Ali had another abdominal paracentesis procedure. Initially, this was scheduled for mid-next week but her stomach had become visibly swollen and increasingly painful, to the point where we felt we couldn’t wait until her next scheduled appointment. I reached out to Vanderbilt Hospital, hoping they could accommodate her sooner. Fortunately, they found an opening yesterday at 11:00 AM, which was a relief.

We arrived on time, and Ali was called back almost immediately. The procedure itself typically takes an hour or two, so I set up in the main lobby with my work laptop. Although I wish I could be by her side, the hospital’s policy prohibits family from entering the procedure room due to the sterile environment required. It’s tough not being with her, but I know she’s in good hands with her medical team.

Once again, the volume of fluid they removed had increased... an unsettling trend that has continued over the last few procedures. Two weeks ago, they removed 2.25 liters of fluid, a noticeable increase from the previous appointment. This time, they removed 3.5 liters, matching the highest amount ever removed before Ali started chemotherapy. Seeing this increase is definitely not what we had hoped for, but Dr. Michael Gibson assured us that fluctuating levels of fluid can be expected in cases like Ali’s. He recommended we keep a close eye on it, as managing fluid buildup is essential for her comfort and overall health. To help with this, he prescribed a 50 mg dose of spironolactone, a medication aimed at reducing fluid retention. We’re hopeful this will help, and we’ll monitor the effects closely, looking for a decrease in fluid at her next procedure.

As I mentioned in my last post, Ali’s current round of chemotherapy treatments has been challenging. These sessions are tougher than ever on her body, and while we’re doing all we can to make her comfortable, we know the journey will continue to demand resilience. Last night, sleep was rough for both of us. I stayed up late, giving her a massage to help ease her pain. I think it was around 2:00 or 2:30 in the morning before she finally fell asleep.

Every day brings its own hurdles, but we’re grateful for the small victories and all the support from friends, family, and the incredible team at Vanderbilt. Thank you for keeping Ali in your thoughts as we continue down this path, doing our best to manage each moment as it comes.