Hi:
I have an elderly father (72 yrs. old), who has been a serious drinker most of his life. He just went through a series of liver tests, and his levels were over 500. I did some research online, and I guess the test that he was over the charts on said the normal range was 42-128. So can I assume this is bad?
My question is: if he were to stop drinking, would there be any hope of reversing the damage, and offering him a bit more quality and length to his life....or, is the damage too severe, both the affects to the liver, as well as what he would go through regarding withdrawals, etc...(if his system, health, and age factor would even permit it).
I hope I am making some kind of sense...basically what it comes down to....should he just go on doing what he has always done, making him as comfortable as possible for what is inevitable?
The ideal would be for him to stop, yes. That is a given. I hope I don't sound morbid.....quite the contrary. Would hope that if he took the risk to help himself, despite the fact that it is so late, and so much damge done, that the outcome will at least offer him a bit more time. Maybe it is just me not wanting to have to face what is in front of me, or not wanting to let go....but HOPE always helps.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
AK1012