Is There any hope for my friend?

My friend is 49 years old. He is suffering from Hep C and Chirosis of the liver. He has had this for about 5 years now I believe. He has been to doctors who have now given him 6 months to live. He is a strong fighter and they are amazed that he isn't on hospice and bed fast already. He still walks around and has such a strong will to fight this and get a new liver. He was told 2 years ago by his liver doctor that he had to quit smoking in order to be put on the list, and he couldn't quit. He now hurts all the time, but refuses all the help with the pain cause hes afraid that it will kill him. He wants to live so much. Hes afraid to sleep because hes afraid that he won't wake up. All the doctors have given up on him. He's been clean from alcohol for a long time, but he had a relasp in January,. I'm not sure if that affected their decision to give up on him or if there's just nothing they can do. He is on Medicare and Medicaid and they say that, that's why they are so particular. We don't have the money or course to buy a liver, so do we just give up too? We dont know what to do? Please can someone help??????

[Thomas D Schiano, MD]

if one transplant program has decided not to list him, he should seek a second opinion.  as long as he is abstinent it is OK.  his insurance coverage should not make a difference in this regard.

[eureka254]

A strong will can help your friend if he wants to pursue transplantation.  It is important to know that most centers require transplant candidates to be alcohol-free for a minimum of 6 months to be eligible to be listed.  It seems that your friend's will to live must overcome his vices of drinking and smoking if he wants to get on the transplant list.  Also, being on the transplant list means doing what the doctors say -- if he doesn't follow their guidelines, it's possible that they won't list him -- it has more to do with 'compliance' than insurance.  I don't know if circumstances would allow your friend to travel outside his area, but as Dr. Schiano said, he could also try to get listing in a different region.

Another possibility to consider is living donor transplantation -- if your friend can comply with the transplant guidelines and he has family members or loved ones who actively want to donate part of their liver and they are a 'match,' one of them could donate a piece of their liver for transplantation, but it is not something to be done quickly or lightly.  Hope that helps. ~eureka

[kkracca]

you did not list what state you reside in. maybe someone out there in the same state knows where help is available. the most critical are considered first. seems like you have tried everything you can and my heart breaks for you. in no way should he allow himself to suffer. without a functioning liver it would not take large doses of a pain reliever to help him if physicians think he should take something. i think the same thoughts at times. sometimes it seems the ones with the most money get the most medical care,but i do know that transplants are critical cases first. i knew someone with medicare/medicaid that received 2 kidney transplants in houston,tx. he was actually a resident of louisiana. as posted before. google transplant centers and email and call them all. then you will know without a doubt you have tried every avenue you could. God bless you both,