I have mentioned the need to "pull fluids off" before. Let me explain that better. Over that past two weeks, she has had so many IV fluids and medications put into her body that it caused her body to swell as the fluid built up in the tissues. We estimate that she gained a total of 40 pounds of fluids at one point. Now the doctors have to perform this fine balancing act of removing the fluids out of her tissues (by using dialysis) without forcing her blood pressure to crash. They were able to take two liters off on today's dialysis (just over 4 pounds). She is getting closer to her starting weight. We estimate she is down about 13 pounds.
She started out with 4 chest tubes, which aid in draining fluid build up in her chest. Now she is down to only two. The doctor said, "That means she's winning the battle. "
The nurse forced her to sit up in the chair for about half an hour today. We probably don't realize how many muscles and the strength required to do that. Just to maintain balance is uncomfortable for her. It exhausted her.
Later on she said she felt like some ice cream so Lynn went down to the cafeteria for some frozen yogurt. She ate several spoonfuls. That is the most she has eaten of anything so far.
She stood again several times today. The next hurdle she needs to cross is to stand and walk and eat more food by mouth. We still have a long way to go but she is improving slowly.
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