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How long does my father in law have..?
He is 63 years old and has been an alcoholic his whole life. He went into the hospital May 22nd. Two weeks prior he had quit drinking, and started having trouble using the bathroom and walking. Months before that he started lost his appetite. He found out he had acities, and they drained several gallons of fluid from his abdomen during his three day stay. They did an ultrasound and told him that he had mild cirrhosis, but that the liver could still come back. They set him up with a liver specialist, medication, and sodium free diet. He also has to go back in every few days to have fluid drained. Yesterday he went to see the liver specialist who told him that the cirrhosis is worse than they originally thought. They told him that he is going to die.
My fiancé and I are getting married on June 26th, and our biggest fear is him dying and not being able to see us get married. It means everything to my fiancé that he is there for our wedding. I'm afraid of him dying within the next few weeks, and my fiancé and I being too devastated to be happy on what's supposed to be our happiest day.
Is he really going to die? Any advice? What the doctor said has us all very scared...
It's been a really rough week. A couple nights ago he went back to the hospital because of severe abdominal pain. On the way to the car he took a bad fall, and skinned himself up really good. They wanted to take blood to do testing, but he is too dehydrated so his blood was too thick for them to draw. They ended up sending him home with pain killers and no answers. Hepatic Encephalopathy has become a lot worse in the past week. In the past it has been in episodes that last 20 mins or so. It was all day yesterday. If you tried to talk to him, he would say he was too confused to understand. He is the most peaceful man I've ever meet, and yesterday was the first time I've ever seen him angry. He woke up from a dream and said he needed something. No one could figure out what he wanted. He ended up yelling at my finance to "get out of his face.", and the night ended with a lot of crying. The doctors haven't addressed this issue, and I read online that he could slip into a coma. It's all I can think about! The wedding is 6 days away, we need him here! It doesn't matter what condition but at least there! I'm so worried, it's consuming me!
It appears the webinar is no longer available. Click on this link for access to some links to HE materials.
http://he123.liverfoundation.org/resources/alf-he-materials/
Best wishes,
Nan
Thanks so much for the update. I was hoping you would let us know how things were going. What an absolute disgrace to have a patient who has an appt wait 6 hours without even checking on him! I am so relieved for you that he is now being seen by specialists at the Mayo Clinic.
As Mzkity posted, his confusion is the result HE which is a symptom of advanced liver disease. He will likely be prescribed lactulose which is a special laxative which will help him clear the ammonia and other toxins from his body. These toxins are the result of a poorly functioning liver and they end up in the brain if not cleared. Another medicine that may be prescribed is an antibiotic called Xifaxin.
This webinar may provide you with additional information:
http://he123.liverfoundation.org/resources/webinars/diagnosing-and-treating-he/
You have a wedding coming up very soon! It is my hope and prayer that everyone will be there (including your father-in-law) and you will have a wonderful day to remember. Your fiancé is very lucky to have you.
Nan
As Mzkity posted, his confusion is the result HE which is a symptom of advanced liver disease. He will likely be prescribed lactulose which is a special laxative which will help him clear the ammonia and other toxins from his body. These toxins are the result of a poorly functioning liver and they end up in the brain if not cleared. Another medicine that may be prescribed is an antibiotic called Xifaxin.
This webinar may provide you with additional information:
http://he123.liverfoundation.org/resources/webinars/diagnosing-and-treating-he/
You have a wedding coming up very soon! It is my hope and prayer that everyone will be there (including your father-in-law) and you will have a wonderful day to remember. Your fiancé is very lucky to have you.
Nan
Wonderful news. Thank you so much for taking time out to update. But really shortcake your a fantastic advocate.
Now that he's with Mayo I'm certain things will get better for him. They will manage his symptoms. His confusion is HE, hepatic encephalopathy. His ammonia levels will be checked for that. Then he will be given medication for it.
Wow I can't believe he sat in a room for six hours with out anyone giving him any attention. He doesn't feel good as it is, he doesn't need to be tortured.
Wishing him and all of you the very best!
Now that he's with Mayo I'm certain things will get better for him. They will manage his symptoms. His confusion is HE, hepatic encephalopathy. His ammonia levels will be checked for that. Then he will be given medication for it.
Wow I can't believe he sat in a room for six hours with out anyone giving him any attention. He doesn't feel good as it is, he doesn't need to be tortured.
Wishing him and all of you the very best!
I'm so glad that I found this forum. Your kind words have been such a help during this time!
Here’s an update on my father in law.
Dad went in for a paracentesis this weekend (at the same hospital with the extremely rude doctor). He waited it a room for close to 6 hours without anyone coming in to check on him or anything. He grew irritated and decided to leave without getting the procedure done. When we called to reschedule the appointment they told us that we would have to wait 8 days because they were over scheduled at all local hospitals. I yelled at them telling them is he is in extreme pain and that they better find room for him! He has an appointment today for the paracentesis at a different hospital.
The Mayo Clinic appointment was this morning. He said it went a lot better than previous appointments. They are running tests on him right now. He has an appointment July 10th with a team of experts from the Mayo clinic and the University of Minnesota. They want to use him for a clinical trial at the liver clinic.
He recently started showing new symptoms. He has been very confused this week, and a lot of what he says isn't making sense. A couple nights ago he yelled for about an hour because he "needed that black thing and we should know what he's talking about." Later he didn't remember the conversation ever happening. He has regained some of his strength though and seems to be holding on.
Praying for positive news from the Mayo Clinic!
Here’s an update on my father in law.
Dad went in for a paracentesis this weekend (at the same hospital with the extremely rude doctor). He waited it a room for close to 6 hours without anyone coming in to check on him or anything. He grew irritated and decided to leave without getting the procedure done. When we called to reschedule the appointment they told us that we would have to wait 8 days because they were over scheduled at all local hospitals. I yelled at them telling them is he is in extreme pain and that they better find room for him! He has an appointment today for the paracentesis at a different hospital.
The Mayo Clinic appointment was this morning. He said it went a lot better than previous appointments. They are running tests on him right now. He has an appointment July 10th with a team of experts from the Mayo clinic and the University of Minnesota. They want to use him for a clinical trial at the liver clinic.
He recently started showing new symptoms. He has been very confused this week, and a lot of what he says isn't making sense. A couple nights ago he yelled for about an hour because he "needed that black thing and we should know what he's talking about." Later he didn't remember the conversation ever happening. He has regained some of his strength though and seems to be holding on.
Praying for positive news from the Mayo Clinic!
Thanks, Hector. I am sure Mayo will offer some better advice and care than someone who yells at his patient and tells him he's going to die. Just plain disgraceful.
Nan
Nan
COMMUNITY LEADER
Yes, excellent advice Nan!
I hope Mayo can get involved and provide the proper care that can make so much of a difference for patients with advanced liver disease.
-`ღ´-
Hector
I hope Mayo can get involved and provide the proper care that can make so much of a difference for patients with advanced liver disease.
-`ღ´-
Hector
Thank you so much for your very kind words. I truly hope that sharing our experience has been and will continue to be a help to others. I know first hand how scary this can be for the patient as well as the caregivers.
Nan
Nan
I'm so happy to hear he has an appt. at he Mayo Clinic. I wish you all the best. Please let us know how he is doing. Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! Praying it will be especially joyous for you all.
Nan
Nan
Wonderful news!! Nan is always such a great help on the forums, especially the liver forum with all she's been through.
Mayo is a fantastic choice! Hoping and praying he can still get help and they can stabilize him for your big day. Don't give up, your a good person to do this shortcake! I know your very busy but try to update if you get a chance!
Wishing you the best!
Mayo is a fantastic choice! Hoping and praying he can still get help and they can stabilize him for your big day. Don't give up, your a good person to do this shortcake! I know your very busy but try to update if you get a chance!
Wishing you the best!
Thank you so much for the encouraging kind words. We set up an appointment at the Mayo client next week. Hopefully they're more positive and helpful! Praying for better news..
We don't know a whole lot about this, or what to expect. The doctor was rude, and didn't seem to care. She yelled at him and told him he was going to die. We haven't had anything explained to us. I've been doing research online, and everything I've read has been extremely depressing, and has taken away any hope I had. Please help, anyone that can tell me anything! I love this man very much. He is a beautiful soul and I want him there on our special day more then anything! I'm so stressed and afraid...
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No one should have to put up with this kind of treatment especially when they have a very serious illness. Is this liver specialist associated with a transplant center? If not, then I would suggest he make an appointment with a hepatologist, preferably at a teaching medical center that has a liver transplant center. If so, then seek out another doctor. All doctors are NOT created equal.
Being an alcoholic, it would take six months of sobriety to be considered for a transplant. However, these doctors are the best in the field and will know how to best treat him and hopefully prolong his life.
The worse thing for you and for him is to lose hope. Never let anyone do that to you. Try to think positive and seek out the best medical advice and treatment you can for him.
I wish you all the best at this very difficult time.
Nan