Ethical to keep someone on life support with complete liver failure?

[SandraGEd]

My stepdad was admitted into ICU a week ago. He was diagnosed with severe liver damage about 6 months ago and completely gave up alcohol and changed his diet to try and get his liver to start regenerating. Small spots had started regenerating and things were looking like they had a chance. Unfortunately he somehow contracted an infection which completely destroyed is liver so there is no liver function at all. By the third day my stepdad was unconscious and all his other organs were taking strain and starting to fail. Doctors decided to put him on a ventilator with no discussion with us which really upset my mom as my stepdad had always insisted on never having a ventilator or machine keeping him alive. Doctor assured us that it was not keeping him alive but merely keeping his airways open. That evening we were advised that he was getting adrenalin for his heart as his heart was weak and other medications to assist his failing organs. My mom reiterated that he did not want to be kept alive artificially if he had no chance of recovery and signed a do not resuscitate form. Next day - step father still unconscious and he has been put on a permanent dialysis machine. We have been told that the doctor has taken an oath to treat my step father and will not stop medication. He will not say if he will recover from this or will give us any probability, but says it could be months. Then when he is stronger he will be put on the liver donor list. Again no time limit, approximation or anything about the liver transport. He is a "very ill" (as the doctors put it) 70 year old man who has a non functioning liver from years of alcohol abuse. We would love nothing better than to have him home again but is that even possible? Are we missing something? My mom is shattered and the doctor seems to avoid us or gives us very wishy washy answers. We're in South Africa. Any advice?

[Dee1956]

Hi I am very sorry to hear this. Is there a patient advocate you could speak to? In the US we have advocates or social workers.
I'm so sorry to hear about your Dad
Take care, Dee

[flyinlynn]

What are the laws in your country under these circumstances? I think that might be the problem. Maybe you could contact an attorney for advise.

[SandraGEd]

Unfortunately without a living will - the doctor can ultimately decide what treatment to give.

[flyinlynn]

I guess see if an attorney can help or lean on the doctor for answers