When the small pericardial effusion was first discovered during a routine CT scan, we were told that it would be monitored closely.
At that time, there were no major symptoms, and life continued much as before.
However, over the following weeks, several changes gradually appeared.
My wife’s feet became swollen. Her weight increased despite eating less than usual. Her abdomen felt increasingly bloated, and she often felt full after eating only a small amount of food.
Because these symptoms developed slowly, it was easy to adapt to them day by day without fully realizing how much her condition was changing.
Eating Became Difficult
One of the most concerning changes was her loss of appetite.
Even foods she normally enjoyed became difficult to eat.
She often described a feeling of fullness in her abdomen, as if there was simply no room for food.
Meals became smaller and smaller.
As her food intake decreased, we expected her weight to go down. Instead, her body weight continued to increase.
Looking back, this should have been a warning sign.
Fluid Retention Became More Noticeable
The swelling in her legs gradually worsened.
At first, it seemed like a minor issue.
Later, it became clear that her body was retaining fluid.
The combination of swollen feet, abdominal bloating, increasing body weight, and poor appetite suggested that something more serious might be happening.
Growing Concern
Although she was not experiencing severe chest pain or dramatic shortness of breath, her overall condition was clearly different from a few weeks earlier.
Simple daily activities required more effort.
Her energy level was lower.
As a caregiver, I found it increasingly difficult to ignore the possibility that the fluid around her heart might be affecting her body more than we originally thought.
The Decision to Seek Further Care
Eventually, we contacted the medical team and discussed the worsening symptoms.
After reviewing her condition, the doctors recommended hospital admission for further evaluation and treatment.
At that point, we still did not know exactly how much fluid had accumulated around the heart or what would happen next.
We only knew that the situation was no longer improving on its own.
Looking back, the decision to go to the hospital was the right one.
What initially appeared to be a small and manageable finding had gradually developed into a much more significant medical issue.
In the next article, I will share our first day in the hospital and the procedure that removed approximately 600 milliliters of fluid from around the heart.
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