"You should try to let your body recuperate," she said. She knew no one could force patients to do so, and she seemed to be getting by. "Exhaustion isn't going to help you stay healthy."

Pursing her lips in thought for a moment, she eventually nodded to herself as she decided what they'd be doing. "Okay. I'm going to weigh you first, get an accurate read so we can check how much you're losing in a week or two. Then I'm going to do a little blood work. Can you come back in a few days for the results?"