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Liver Failure and cirrhosis death, anyone go through this?
If you have lost a friend or close relative to liver failure and cirhosis, please share with me the amount of time they had in "end stage". We are trying to get some idea of what to expect....I have posted on the liver forum...but decided to ask here as well. Thank you all for your time!
Mary Z
Mary Z
I'm not sure if any of you will see this for its been years since the original post. You all touched my heart. I lost my grandmother last year and was with her when she passed. She had liver failure. A year prior to her death she started having bouts of confusion. Near the end it was a matter of wishing she'd go to end her suffering. She was ready and waiting day in and day out for death to come, I just can't imagine. It lasted for a few weeks after we thought it was the end so you just never know.
My Father is 72 years old, diabetic for 20 years, insulin-dependent. He has stopped drinking/smoking when he was 52, after he learned that he has diabetes. He took care of himself, ate the right foods, exercised, go for regular check-ups and take his medicines on time. Though sometimes, he cheats and eat high-sugar and oily foods and drink soda. It was only after 10 years when he had to depend on insulin and had to inject himself everyday.
On 2010, my father had hypoglycemia and very low blood pressure. He was diagnosed of Liver Cirrhosis after doing colonoscopy and endoscopy tests. After which the doctor found out that he has internal bleeding caused by the esophageal varices. He stayed in the hospital for a week as he had to undergo blood transfusion. The doctor has prescribed him 4 additional medicines to take for maintenance. The doctor had instructed my father to visit him every 6 months for another series of tests which my father did not do as he said he was feeling okay.
On February 2013, my mother observed some changes happening to my father. He lost his appetite. He is beginning to have water retention on his leg and feet. His eyes were yellow. His blood sugar was uncontrollable. He was feeling pains in his stomach, particularly on the liver area. The family have been encouraging him to see the doctor but he hesitated. On March 7, 2013, he was brought to the hospital. The next day, the doctor told my mother and siblings that my father is now on Stage IV of liver cancer. We were shocked... We became silent, cried and worried. The doctor asked us to decide whether my father will undergo treatment or not. He explained that he may live for another 6 months with chemotherapy, 9 months with chemotherapy with radiation but if he will not go for treatment, he may live for a maximum of 2 months. Wow, it was a really a difficult decision then... Our family have weighed the advantages and disadvantages of chemotherapy for our father who is a diabetic. We thought that his body will not be able to bear the pain of treatment anymore. We were also sure that he wouldn't like it anyway. So we have decided not to go for further treatment. The decision was hard but it is the only way to alleviate our father's pain.
After his hospitalization, we brought him home. We did not tell him of his condition because as his children, we know that he will not be able to accept and might decline to take his insulin, medicines and food. He may get depressed. So what we decided was just to tell him that he has a liver damage due to his cirrhosis and that the only way for him to feel better is to totally live a healthy and happy life. He was weak, delirious, confused, yellowish and coughing. Just by looking at him physically made us realize that he may leave us anytime. We spent a lot of time with him. I myself, who is working abroad, went home for 45 days to take care of him. I just thought that it would make me feel better if I will spend time with him while he is still alive.
Well, apparently, he became better and better each day. We didn't really expect that he would look better as compared to the time he was discharged from the hospital. Though he doesn't have that much appetite but he tried to eat so he will have energy. We gave him a lot of fruits and veges, most especially "guyabano fruit" or graviola which a lot of people say stops the cancer cells to reproduce. We also gave him Alkaline water instead of the normal drinking water as there were several people whom we know were cured of cancer because of Alkaline water. These was my father's diet and he became better and better. No ascities, seldom pains, he walks up and down the stairs... He was actually stronger than we expected. In fact, my parents just celebrated their golden wedding anniversary last June 2013. In fact, i promised him i would get home by October to celebrate his 73rd birthday. He was actually super excited on his birthday because i will be home...
Today was a sad news :( Since I am far away, i couldn't help but to worry. My sister said my father has been rushed to the hospital because he cannot prolong the pain, his blood pressure went down to 60/40, his blood sugar was 300+ and he was vomiting. This was so sudden... I do not really know what to do now... I am confused, crying, and worried... If only I can produce my plane ticket now, i would go home and see him. I hope he will be okay. It hurts to know that my father is at the moment suffering from severe pains... if only I can get a share of his pains so he wont suffer that much.
Please join me in my prayers and ask Father God to be with my Papa in this time. May HE touch and calm him and restore his health. May HE prolong my father's life and keep my mother and the entire family strong.
Thanks to all your posts... It helped me in a lot of ways. God bless.
On 2010, my father had hypoglycemia and very low blood pressure. He was diagnosed of Liver Cirrhosis after doing colonoscopy and endoscopy tests. After which the doctor found out that he has internal bleeding caused by the esophageal varices. He stayed in the hospital for a week as he had to undergo blood transfusion. The doctor has prescribed him 4 additional medicines to take for maintenance. The doctor had instructed my father to visit him every 6 months for another series of tests which my father did not do as he said he was feeling okay.
On February 2013, my mother observed some changes happening to my father. He lost his appetite. He is beginning to have water retention on his leg and feet. His eyes were yellow. His blood sugar was uncontrollable. He was feeling pains in his stomach, particularly on the liver area. The family have been encouraging him to see the doctor but he hesitated. On March 7, 2013, he was brought to the hospital. The next day, the doctor told my mother and siblings that my father is now on Stage IV of liver cancer. We were shocked... We became silent, cried and worried. The doctor asked us to decide whether my father will undergo treatment or not. He explained that he may live for another 6 months with chemotherapy, 9 months with chemotherapy with radiation but if he will not go for treatment, he may live for a maximum of 2 months. Wow, it was a really a difficult decision then... Our family have weighed the advantages and disadvantages of chemotherapy for our father who is a diabetic. We thought that his body will not be able to bear the pain of treatment anymore. We were also sure that he wouldn't like it anyway. So we have decided not to go for further treatment. The decision was hard but it is the only way to alleviate our father's pain.
After his hospitalization, we brought him home. We did not tell him of his condition because as his children, we know that he will not be able to accept and might decline to take his insulin, medicines and food. He may get depressed. So what we decided was just to tell him that he has a liver damage due to his cirrhosis and that the only way for him to feel better is to totally live a healthy and happy life. He was weak, delirious, confused, yellowish and coughing. Just by looking at him physically made us realize that he may leave us anytime. We spent a lot of time with him. I myself, who is working abroad, went home for 45 days to take care of him. I just thought that it would make me feel better if I will spend time with him while he is still alive.
Well, apparently, he became better and better each day. We didn't really expect that he would look better as compared to the time he was discharged from the hospital. Though he doesn't have that much appetite but he tried to eat so he will have energy. We gave him a lot of fruits and veges, most especially "guyabano fruit" or graviola which a lot of people say stops the cancer cells to reproduce. We also gave him Alkaline water instead of the normal drinking water as there were several people whom we know were cured of cancer because of Alkaline water. These was my father's diet and he became better and better. No ascities, seldom pains, he walks up and down the stairs... He was actually stronger than we expected. In fact, my parents just celebrated their golden wedding anniversary last June 2013. In fact, i promised him i would get home by October to celebrate his 73rd birthday. He was actually super excited on his birthday because i will be home...
Today was a sad news :( Since I am far away, i couldn't help but to worry. My sister said my father has been rushed to the hospital because he cannot prolong the pain, his blood pressure went down to 60/40, his blood sugar was 300+ and he was vomiting. This was so sudden... I do not really know what to do now... I am confused, crying, and worried... If only I can produce my plane ticket now, i would go home and see him. I hope he will be okay. It hurts to know that my father is at the moment suffering from severe pains... if only I can get a share of his pains so he wont suffer that much.
Please join me in my prayers and ask Father God to be with my Papa in this time. May HE touch and calm him and restore his health. May HE prolong my father's life and keep my mother and the entire family strong.
Thanks to all your posts... It helped me in a lot of ways. God bless.
Hi Diane
its the hardest thing to watch, you feel utterly helpless. all your life your told that Drs can help you - your sick, go to the drs and they help make you better. when you are sitting in those little rooms and a whole team of them come in and tell your loved one that the condition has progressed to a point where he will be sent home to be 'comfortable' it knocks you - hard.
the clock continues its countdown.... can not be stopped and the courage our loved ones must have to hold it together like they do -Im so proud of my dad and how he handled facing his fate. he wasnt a perfect dad - but he was perfect at the end and that i know, was to protect me and be brave for me.
my heart goes out to you and your husband. for what you will one day have to face. I hope you can both be brave and help support each other....
there is endless questions... no one can answer exactly how it will happen...I guess you have taken the best steps in coming to this site and arming yourself with the knowledge of what to look for, and being a nurse you will know... when its getting close. it doesnt stop it - you dont find the miracle cure :( but it helps to know we are not alone in this terrible journey...
My dad seemed to go quite peacefully... there was no sign if struggleing and I have to beleive that it was fast. I wish I had been braver for him and held his hand while he passed away. it does kill me that he was alone in his final moment. I know he would have prefered it this way though. he would not have wanted me to see it.
I hope that you and your husband cherish the moments you have together. take photos - i didnt take enough pictures....
I still think of my dad every day. he visits me in my dreams and he is just the way i remember - he is around me :)
good luck to you and your husband - my thoughts are with you both.
its the hardest thing to watch, you feel utterly helpless. all your life your told that Drs can help you - your sick, go to the drs and they help make you better. when you are sitting in those little rooms and a whole team of them come in and tell your loved one that the condition has progressed to a point where he will be sent home to be 'comfortable' it knocks you - hard.
the clock continues its countdown.... can not be stopped and the courage our loved ones must have to hold it together like they do -Im so proud of my dad and how he handled facing his fate. he wasnt a perfect dad - but he was perfect at the end and that i know, was to protect me and be brave for me.
my heart goes out to you and your husband. for what you will one day have to face. I hope you can both be brave and help support each other....
there is endless questions... no one can answer exactly how it will happen...I guess you have taken the best steps in coming to this site and arming yourself with the knowledge of what to look for, and being a nurse you will know... when its getting close. it doesnt stop it - you dont find the miracle cure :( but it helps to know we are not alone in this terrible journey...
My dad seemed to go quite peacefully... there was no sign if struggleing and I have to beleive that it was fast. I wish I had been braver for him and held his hand while he passed away. it does kill me that he was alone in his final moment. I know he would have prefered it this way though. he would not have wanted me to see it.
I hope that you and your husband cherish the moments you have together. take photos - i didnt take enough pictures....
I still think of my dad every day. he visits me in my dreams and he is just the way i remember - he is around me :)
good luck to you and your husband - my thoughts are with you both.
Hi Kristy, I was touched by your story- I too am going through this very thing with my husband of 34 years- he is in the last stages of cirrhosis- has been in the hospital 6 times since last july- wasting away- sleeps more and more, feels like hes pulling away also- this is sooooo hard, some days I cry non-stop, afraid of whats to come- just wanting to wake up from this nightmare, his doctors never say very much except the last one about a month ago said" your prognosis isn't very good, if we can control your symptoms you may get 1-2 years- I have a gut feeling its more like 1 year, I have the unfortunate position of being a nurse as well as a wife! knowing too much is not helpful to my situation- talking to others however; has been helpful- my thoughts are with you and all the others who are suffering out there, Diane Coleman
My dad is in hospital as I type he has cirrhosis of the liver and had internal bleeding last night was was due a operation today. Stubborn as he is he refused to have any surgery. To our delight the hemorrhaging stopped however as today went on he has gotten worse. His kidneys have failed and jaundice setting in and fluid building around the heart with possible pneumonia. His body is slowly giving up the fight and deliria we have been told they will not resuscitate if his heart gives in. It now in gods hands and only the hope of a miracle will keep him alive.
Its sad watching someone waste away due the effect of alcoholism and I hope people find the strength to stop before its too late.
Its sad watching someone waste away due the effect of alcoholism and I hope people find the strength to stop before its too late.
Hi I lost my Ex partner Saturday 15th June he left behind 3 children 15, 6 and 8 ,His name was michael he was first diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver a couple of years ago not sure what stage it was at. He didn't give up drinking he had been a every drinker for 30 years he was 45 when he died. he went in to hospital about his leg has he had thrombosis most likely caused by drink they took him in straight away he was very jaundiced skin and eyes were yellow swollen stomach the lot me and my daughter was shocked at the sight of him. He was in there for a month and then he discharged himself and bought drink his family persuaded him to go back so he did the next day, he then discharged himself again. His cousin went and got him and took him to a specialist hospital, I still thought he would get better, he went in on the Thursday went to see him on the Monday he was bed ridden he couldn't go to the toilet he had pads underneath him and his urine was very dark but still he was sitting up talking Tuesday he was slowly getting worse wed he took a turn for the worse the doctors Heavly sedated him and he was on oxygen, he went a grey mustard coulor and we was told that his liver is poisining his kidneys they said they would try to repair the kidneys and said if there's any bit of liver thats working he may have a chance but to be honest we knew there was little hope but hope was all we had. But they couldn't repair the kidneys the dialysis wasn't working so we put a DNR on him sat morning his heart stopped and that was it. Just wanted to tell this to all u heavy drinkers who have been diaignosed with early stages Of liver disease give up now while you still have a chance think about what you are doing to yourself and to the people around you it's not nice seeing someone you love drinking themselfs to death especially your kids.
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