HIV-positive organ transplants allowed under new rule

 HIV positive people can now donate kidneys and liver for other HIV positive patients that need a transplant.

This is great news for HIV patients.

Read more about it here.

Scheduled Fun

 As I mentioned previously, I get paracentesis weekly on Wednesdays. Well sometimes they like to make changes to the schedule on a moments notice. Which then means shuffling my albumin infusion at the infusion clinic. Plus my work schedule. It's daunting and frustrating, but just part of the fun with liver cirrhosis.

Finally Relief

My paracentesis is scheduled for today FINALLY. I hate the poking and prodding, but look very forward to the relief. We have also increased the amount of albumin given after para.

To learn more about albumin after paracentesis, check it out here.

The important part is, "In cirrhotics undergoing paracentesis, albumin infusion prevents rapid re-accumulation of ascitic fluid while simultaneously decreasing the risk of post-paracentesis related circulatory dysfunction."

Ascites Update

 One of the fun symptoms of liver disease is a condition called ascites.

Learn More About Ascites

Long story short, it's a whole lot of fluid in the belly. I do a process once a week called paracentesis to remove it. Usually it takes a full week for me to gain enough fluid to drain it, but this week it seems to have gathered within a couple of days. We're talking an extra 10-15lbs pushing on my stomach and lungs. Right now I'm freaking miserable. My liver medical team increased my diuretics to help, and they do a little bit. But still feeling miserable.