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Hep C - Final Stages

My mom contracted Hep C from a blood transfusion in 1990, but didn't know she had it for several years.  By the time it was discovered, her liver was damaged over 25% and she wasn't a candidate from a transplant due to previous cancer, etc.  She's 74, and she's starting to have problems because of the disease and was told it was too far advanced for treatments.  She's been having weak spells, and fell going to the bathroom almost 2 weeks ago and been in the hospital since then.  She's been given 10 pints of blood over this period in the hospital along with 2 pints of plasma.   Her ammonia count changes day to day it seems, and she's receiving "comfort care".  She's a fighter and I just don't know how much longer she can hang on.  She's alert, was very active until this hospital stay, this is her first hospital stay since her surgery in 1990 from cancer.  I know in reality she's in the final stages, her stomach stays swollen, she weighed 122 when she entered the hospital, she's up to 141 due to fluids and is on 2 fluid pills.  Has anyone had a similar situation ?
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Avatar universal
Really, I don't think you need to search any further.  You have put your question out there and when someone logs on with answers for you, they will post.  As I said, weekends not everybody is on the forum, but during the week there's plenty of traffic.  Also, you will find some good discussions on the threads that come up as "related discussion" at the bottom of this thread.  

Don't worry, you're not alone.  
Helpful - 0
448147 tn?1269818087
oh yeah how about that i didnt even look at the date.............i was so excited i may have found someone w a similar situation. i'll keep searching, thank you.
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Avatar universal
This is a pretty old thread and I don't think LEGALANGEL reads the forum these days.  At least she has not posted for three years.  But others will come on and weigh in on your threads.  Sometimes this place is a bit slow at weekends, on Monday you will probably get more responses.

Welcome to the forum.

jd
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448147 tn?1269818087
hi, im having a similar situation.....my mom contracted hep c many years ago through a blood transfusion or through a patient she had to restrain whom had hepc. when she found out she had the hepc (4 years ago) she already had cirrhosis caused by the hepc. she tried interferon but it made her even worse. currently (for the past year) shes had fluid build up, water on the brain which makes her confused when there is fluid build up, hep c open sores, sleeps alot, her days & nights are flip flopped, shes way off balance (needs a walker) she has also fallen so many times (cracked ribs, etc) shes tiny like me @ 112 and has a huge swollen belly. TREATMENT: she gets fluid removed about every other week (now it comes back even faster) she gets blood transfusions when needed because her blood does not make any wbc, rbc or platelets. Im trying to think what else.......basically they cannot do anything for her except (as you said) mantainence. shes home. in bed. and when she gets tapped she just goes to the out patient care. they try to keep her at hospital but she doesnt want to stay. shes 55. Im 35....................shes been in this state of lingering for the past year. its horrible to watch. im drained emotionally. I have no idea how much longer it will last. people say 1 month to several months. it varies.  
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Avatar universal
Several years ago my sister died of liver failure and my heart goes out for you and your mother in this situation. It cannot be easy for either of you. My sister did not have HCV but had the liver failure.  It seems it doesn't really matter what makes the liver fail, the result is the same.  Your mother is a very lucky lady that she has you looking out for her.  Do check out the board mentioned above and glean all you can.  

Take the support that is offered.  And know all here have a lot of empathy for what is happening.  It's hard to find the right words to say in your situation but please know we all offer any support we can.  

Now I'm at a loss as to what else to say.  I wish you both all the strength you need to get thru this.  

miss
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Avatar universal
Really sorry to hear this about your mother.
In my prayers...
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173975 tn?1216257775
I am so sorry to hear about your mom's condition.

I hope that she pulls through this crisis and you can stay strong for her.

She's very lucky to have you.

wyntre

.


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Avatar universal
i'm so sorry to hear about your mom... my mom died of liver failure and its really hard to go through... i wanted you to know that there is an excellent support forum for those going through the end stages of liver disease and their families at this site listed below. you can cut and paste it in your address bar. you may have to sign in but its free...

http://forums.delphiforums.com/liverfailure/messages

they have a ton of information there on how to manage the disease to make it more comfortable and to help slow progression... i hope you can check it out... i think you will really like the folks there... they are so knowledgeable on sever liver disease topics...

May God be with you and your momma right now...
sandi
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