Mark's abdomen gets severely distended due to the build-up of fluid (ascites). This causes severe pain, and he cannot eat leading to further weight loss and weakness. He requires weekly draining of this fluid by a procedure called paracentesis.
This is the fluid that is drained from his abdomen during a paracentesis. Every week they typically drain between 8 to 10 litres of fluid from his abdomen or the equivalent of 5 large bottles of soda.
He always feels much better after the drainage, but within days, the fluid builds up again, leaving him nauseous, unable to eat, and very weak. He will continue with the weekly procedure, while awaiting the next step.