Paracentesis, Food Stuff, and MRIs

I went for my first paracentesis Friday morning. We had had snow overnight and everything was closed - except Radiology. Part of me was happy because the fluid in my abdomen was so uncomfortable and painful. The other part was worried because we would have to drive in the snow. I'm a nervous passenger in normal circumstances, much less with snowy roads. But kind and caring friends offered to take me in their 4x4 truck (and the driver was from Buffalo, NY, and knew how to drive in snow!). I closed my eyes through a section or two, but we made it safe and sound.

The procedure was so much less invasive than I was expecting! I didn't even have to change into a gown or take my shoes off. (Pro tip: take your shoes off. You'll be on the bed for a while.) You just walk straight into the procedure room, lie down on a stretcher, and lift up your shirt. They clean the area and stick a really long needle deep into your side. It contains a numbing agent, so you don't feel what comes next.

Then they inserted a catheter (tube) and started draining fluid. You just lie comfortably on the stretcher until it all comes out. The time it takes is different for everyone, and I didn't have a clock, but I think mine took maybe 45 minutes. They were able to drain two liters of liquid! That's almost two pounds! (And that is only considered a "moderate" amount of fluid.) Below is a picture of what they took out, if you're curious.

After they drained all that was there, they took out the catheter, stuck a Band-Aid on me, and wheeled me out to the waiting room. It's so nice when a cancer treatment (or any treatment) that sounds scary or awful ends up being better than you expected! I got immediate relief from some of my symptoms. I can now bend over enough to tie my shoes, no longer resemble a pregnant woman quite as much, and the pain is a bit less. 

But other parts are still really uncomfortable. I thought the swelling would go completely away with the paracentesis, but it didn't. I still can't button my pants, which makes me sad; I had just refreshed all my jeans, and now I can't wear them. And it's not just that I gained weight over the past month or two. I've been eating much less than before, so I should have lost quite a bit of weight. But it's hard to eat; I feel full and start having abdominal pain and bloating after just two to three bites. 

The bites I am able to take should be certain foods that are gentle on a diseased liver and inflamed gallbladder. But there are also a lot of foods that stress them out and cause me pain. Unfortunately, it's very different than how I've been eating, and we're having trouble getting into a completely different mindset, especially in the midst of all the scans, tests, appointments, and results. We would really appreciate a meal or two, if anyone has been wanting something they can do to care for us. We'll post a schedule soon.

Also, my brain MRI is tomorrow at 10:15. I would really love prayers, especially for claustrophobia in the machine itself and for the results we hope to get ASAP.