What do you recommend?

[myHealthyPeopleCoElPaso]

I just found out my dad has cirrhosis. Im not sure how bad he is but I was hoping to find out more on what we can do for him.He has no insurance or money. From what he has described to me and what I have read, it sounds bad. He is in Oklahoma and we are in Texas. I just want to do something. I feel helpless here. Is there some type of assistance he could get out there?

[willbb]

Hopfully because you posted on this old thread you saw this posted  above by Hectorsf. Also if you need to ask further questions about cirrhosis ..Hector is a wealth of  knowledge on the subject and is always helpful with his answers.....
Best ..
Will  



Oklahoma

Health Care Authority of Oklahoma
4545 N. Lincoln Boulevard
Suite 124
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
Toll-Free: 1-800-522-0310
Website: Health Care Authority of Oklahoma
http://okhca.org/individuals.aspx?id=52&menu=114&parts=11601_7453

SoonerCare (Oklahoma Medicaid) is a health coverage program jointly funded by the federal and state government. This program helps pay some or all medical bills for many people who can't afford them. The Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA) is the state agency that administers the program and determines financial eligibility for the program.

Who Qualifies?

To qualify for SoonerCare, a person must:

Reside in Oklahoma;
Be a U.S. citizen or qualified alien (most immigrants who arrived after August 22, 1996 are barred from the program for five years);
Meet financial income and resources standards in certain categories.
What services are paid?

Covered health care services may include doctor visits, hospitalization and prescriptions. For more details please see the Benefits page.

What does it cost?

There is no cost for those who meet the income guidelines; however, co-pays may apply to some services.

[nygirl7]

Will is a great person and gave you good advice.

We joke around a lot ( we are real friends) but we never take this disease nothing more than serious. Some are testing, some are cured, some are retreating, some /have had waiting for a transplant and then treating.

You came o a great place, introduce your aunt. We do understand,

I've treated in 2005 - been cured since 2006 or 2007, can't even remember anymore but know how I got there, this forum and my friends.

[willbb]

I am not sure about state funding however the drug companies do have assistance programs.

Possibly strat with these numbers.

Merck: 1-888-437-2608

Vertex: 1855-837-8394

Pegassist assist:  1-877-734-2797

Good luck to you and your aunt and welcome..
Will

[tommorrowillbebetter]

I aunt has hepatitis C and been diagnosed with stage 3 liver cirrhosis. She has no income to afford the hepatitis treatment. She is residing in Oklahoma City. I am wondering if there is a federal funding program to treat hepatitis C for people without income?
  

[HectorSF]

Yes, your father is dying because he is killing himself. Plain and simple. He is probably drinking. He is smoking. Not eating properly to survive. "He says he eats bananas almost everyday because a Dr said it would help." That is pure alcoholic nonsense. That is like cleaning the bullet before you blow your brains out so you won't get an infection.

Yes of course you want to help him. That is normal. He is your dad. Unfortunately he is not such a caring soul as you or he wouldn't be in this position. Where are the other adults in his life??? Your mother, for example? Why is she telling you this? She either needs to do something herself or not that is her responsibility NOT yours. You're only 26. You are very young. And you have your own family to take care off.

You were probably the person in your family who tried to fix things. But you are trying to taking on the problems of someone who has squandered his life. And was suppose to care for you and set an example to his kids. But he doesn't appear to have cared for you or anybody and now doesn't care enough to do the things he needs to do to live. It is very sad and disturbing. I am very sorry for the pain that he and your mom are putting you through. They are the adults they should be protecting you against this type of thing.

"It hurts my heart to think he can pass any day now and we would have no idea where to find him. Dying alone and in pain.Left there...its not right."Yes it is not right. Neither was it right that he has not been a father to you. Is your mother as upset? It is up to her to handle the matter herself. She shouldn't be involving you. You are not the one who should be taking care of either your mother or your father. They are suppose to take care of you. You are their child. They need to grow up and take responsibility for themselves.

On a practical note. You have your mother get a bracelet, necklace or some form of ID with your mother's name, address, phone number so if your father is found deranged, unconscious or expired the police/hospital or coroner with contact her. This will prevent him from being processed without your mother knowing what happened. If he should die with no ID or address he will be buried in a common grave as other indigent people are.

I am so sorry that all this has been dumped on you. You are a caring person unlike your father. Stay that way. His inability to interact with people in a healthy way has led him to the fate he has chosen.

Peace.
Hector

[dixiechicdana]

I have had cirrhosis for 10 years or better. I could run most of the people around the block and back, however, if he drinks then he needs to stop. The liver is the only organ in the body that can regenerate but is not likely to do that drinking. If he has hep c he needs to get medicaid and get treatment.

[coeric]

please do not get drawn into your parent's drama.

of course there are folks that have become homeless because of the recession.  But most single men are homeless because of chemical addictions and mental illness.  i have immediate family members that suffer from both.  people with severe mental illness or addictions are not suited to treatment for hepatitis c. the best thing for your father to do is to enter a homeless shelter, like the salvation army shelter or another run by a religious organization.  i am sure the salvation army has a shelter in Tulsa. unless he is committed to turning his life around, i would not get involved.  he needs counseling and physical nourishment. if i were in your shoes,  i would ask him to do that before i became involved in his life.  unless by some grace he can somehow turn his life over to a higher power he will break your heart.

God bless you,
eric

[myHealthyPeopleCoElPaso]

Thank you for your input. Im trying to get numbers together to call. Maybe my mom and I will make a trip out there to see what we can get together for him. Thank you!

[coeric]

in order for you to know how bad your father is he would need to be under the care of a gastroenterologist or hepatologist that has experience with his situation.

i am sorry you are suffering.  ultimately we cannot control the actions of those around us. it is especially difficult to watch family members suffer. a few years ago my sister killed herself. a few months before she died she told me she had stopped taking the antidepressants, and she seemed depressed. i told her she needed to talk with her doctor and get back on the antidepressants. she did not, and i blamed myself for not following up.

all we can do is try to find our own peace.  i find it helpful to share my fears with others including friends, therapists and clergy.

blessing
eric

[myHealthyPeopleCoElPaso]

Can smbdy please tell md how bad this is?I feel like Im running out of time.I dn't kno whr 2 go from here.

[myHealthyPeopleCoElPaso]

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL OF THE INFORMATION!To be honest, him and I do not speak.He hasnt really been around.All the info I get is via my mom.He just got out of prison maybe 2 months ago?He's homeless at the moment and he told her he's been living in the woods at a "camp" with other homeless people?He says the ER gave him water pills and sent him to another place.That place charges 25 to see a Dr.He told them he was homeless n had no money.THEY TOLD HIM HE NEEDED A NOTARIZED LETTER STATING HES HOMELESS!Is the tree supposed to do this for him?He dsnt hav the resources to find help.Hes turned away wherever he goes and it's probably because he's homeless!He has made very bad choices throughout his life.Believe me, but he is still my father and he is human like the rest of us.Its hard for me to do this because of my pride.Im pushing that aside because all of that means nothing.Its negative and hateful.He may have cared less about the well being of his family, but I chose to be better thn that...moving along, he is in pretty bad shape from what I hear and read.His feet are swollen, he says he looks pregnant and that he can see the veins on his stomach.I read that was ballooning?If and when he urinates, it's a dark brown color?He told her like Michelob beer.He had been drinking but stopped when I told my mom how bad that is for him.He smokes everyday.Im not sure how his diet is, but I imagine it's rare that he eats.He says he eats bananas almost everyday because a Dr said it would help.I think my dad is dying.I know hes bad but I dnt kno how bad.Im dnt kno how much time he has and since he isnt getting the meds or treatment he needs, It hurts my heart to think he can pass any day now and we would have no idea where to find him.Dying alone and in pain.Left there...its not right.We are trying to do what we can to get him help or get him here.He would need permission from the state for his parole to be transferred?Its a big mess.That's all I know.Its taking a toll on me.I cnt sleep or eat.I feel depressed and helpless.

[cheesenrice]

medicare medicaid ssd ssi