stage 4 cirrhosis/hep. c

[te54]

This is my first time to every post on a forum so bear with me, please. Just found out my 78 yr. mom has stage 4 cirr. and hep.c. She had a biop. The dr. has ordered more blood test. From what I read I assume that is to find our what genotype? Maybe? Us 3 kids are afraid. She goes to Dr. 6/7 and we would like to know what questions to ask. My mother is from the old school...ask no questions!  Also wants to keep going to her general dr. in small rurual town. All she knows is dr.who diagonis condition has called in some scripts. Said since she has heart problems can give her some treatment he would prefer to give. Any clues? She also feels okay but has had unexplained abdom. pain for years and some in upper back. Questions? Help!

[jusjames]

google the janis and friends web site
it is a good starting point for you

[nygirl7]

No the general doctor in the rural town will NOT work for her. No no no.  Just all over no.  You are very smart to realize that.  

Did you type that her first appointment isn't until JUNE?

I'm very sorry - my own mom who is only a few years younger than yours if now having some serious issues and although I'm only 50 - when I think about it I feel like I am five years old.

Learn all that you can here and ask all the questions you have so that even though your mom won't.....you will know what is right and what is not. I lived in NY during treatment and went to a very busy GI in a major practice and HE really had no idea about hep at all.  If it wasn't for this forum I would not be cured today - he admitted at the end that he knew hardly nothing when i started but now would be treating his patients differently.

You can do the same and learn!!!!!!!!

good luck!