LIFE: Quantity or Quality?

[sinnumun]

I was diagnosed with alcoholic cirrhosis and hepatic encepalopathy about two years ago. I had no idea I was sick until I began bleeding, couldn't stop and then turned yellow. A few months later I was lifelined to the hospital with septic shock, renal failure, liver failure, etc.-my system was shutting down. I have not touched alcohol in over a year now and I have given up Tylenol, but my "numbers" are not good. Platelet count is averaging mid fifties, wbc 2.5 and red blood cells are borderline low/normal - but my bilirubin is beginning to increase again. I feel sick all of the time and contract illness easily. I was listed as Pugh C and advised to pursue being put on a list for the possibility of a transplant. I am so sick and tired of being sick and tired. I don't know what to expect if I do not pursue a transplant, but I don't want a long life if it is going to merely replicate these past couple of years. I suppose I am seeking opinions as to whether or not the fight for a longer life will be worth it because I don't know what the quality would be.

[Thomas D Schiano, MD]

one a patient with alcoholic liver disease stops drinking there is a chance for appreciable recovery of liver function with ongoing sobriety.  This is up to a certain point however.  It sounds like you should be evaluated for liver transplantation--my sense is that you would do well after transplantation.  I care for many people who had their transplants in the late 1980's and they are still doing well.

[Eeeyoreee]

Dear Friend:

I received a liver transplant in 1997. I can tell you that I was hopeless but I did not give up hope.  I implore you be strong even when there is no strength; I know that this sounds absurd, but it is not.  Get the transplant and trust in God to get you through it, then pray everyday and prepare for the hardest job of your life; recovering from the operation. YOU CAN DO IT! MANY BEFORE YOU HAVE, AND YOU HAVE IT IN YOU NOW!   NEVER GIVE UP! GOD WILL GET YOU THROUGH THIS!

Please do not dismiss this email; there is a reason for you to be here, so don't give up! If you have many friends, the it will be easier. Pray every day to your God and DON'T GIVE UP!  God loves you and is working for you now.

You can email me at ***@****; please do! What state are you in?

Please do not give up! God loves you!


Your friend,
Eeyore

[ill13632]

please don't give up, the specialist says that there is still hope.  I think I have some sense of how you feel....