Mike get what is called Ascites.
Ascites is the accumulation of fluid (usually serous fluid which is a pale yellow and clear fluid) that accumulates in the abdominal (peritoneal) cavity. The abdominal cavity is located below the chest cavity, separated from it by the diaphragm. Ascitic fluid can have many sources such as liver disease, cancers, congestive heart failure, or kidney failure.
The most common cause of ascites is advanced liver disease or cirrhosis. Although the exact mechanism of ascites development is not completely understood, most theories suggest portal hypertension (increased pressure in the liver blood flow to the liver) as the main contributor. The basic principle is similar to the formation of edema elsewhere in the body due to an imbalance of pressure between inside the circulation (high pressure system) and outside, in this case, the abdominal cavity (low pressure space). The increase in portal blood pressure and decrease in albumin (a protein that is carried in the blood) may be responsible in forming the pressure gradient and resulting in abdominal ascites.
when the fluid get too built up he needs to have what is called a parenthesis. they try to control the fluid through medication and diet. he is on a strict low sodium diet, and he is on a couple of water pills to try to flush the fluid out of the body. if these treatments don't work then Mike needs a therapeutic parenthesis (a needle carefully is placed into the abdominal area, under sterile conditions) can be performed to remove large amounts of fluid. A few liters (up to 4 to 5 liters) of fluid can be removed safely by this procedure each time. For patients with malignant ascites, this procedure may also be more effective than diuretic use. Mike has had this done multiple times since July. he had 2 drains in July, then he did pretty good until October.
October 7th Mike woke up very full of fluid. we had the kids this weekend and Ryan couldn't find his church clothes so I had him take Mike to the hospital and I took the younger 2 to church. The hospital drained 7.4 liters from Mikes abdomen that is just over 2 gallons of fluid he was carrying. no wonder he felt so full and couldn't eat, he felt full and had a hard time eating anything.
we knew he was full but he didn't have any insurance at the time so we kept putting off getting him tested. Ryan thought the procedure was so cool. I was texting him throughout the day to find out what was going on.
Oct 15th he went to the ER he felt so full of fluid he couldn't eat. they admitted him to the hospital so they could drain him again. He got upstairs about 11:30. Emily came to the hospital and picked up the kids so I could stay with Mike. they took out 6.5 liters from his abdomen this time, that is almost 14 liters in 8 days.
this was a real wake up call for us. this means that his liver disease is progressing rapidly. We have an appointment with the U of U liver clinic on November 30th. this seems like a lifetime away.
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