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Terminal alcoholic hep C in brother
My brother is 32 years old and a few weeks ago was diagnosed terminal with 6 months to live. Our family wants to support him thru this and have the opportunity to have what time we can with him. His attitude has turned very nasty he is angry and takes it out on his family. Now he wont even see or test me. I am very hurt and confused by his behavior. Why does he want to waste what time he has left alienating and treating those who love him most? Does anyone have any answers or experience with this or advice. please help us try to understand whats going on with him.
I'm so very sorry that your family is going thru this. If your brother will stop drinking he can still live. I've read that most alcoholics also suffer from depression as they lack dopamine (chemical in our brains related to happiness ). They drink because its the only time in their daily life where they do t feel sad. In the past 10 years or so its been scientifically proven that alcoholism is truly a disease. If your brother can be treated for his depression, it may give him a reason to live.
There are many of us on this site whom have had liver transplants. Some of us had alcoholism, Hep C, or other forms of liver disease. The majority are living healthy, happy lives. It's not to late for your brother. He needs a reason to want to live. I so hope he finds that reason.
My best to you
......Kim
There are many of us on this site whom have had liver transplants. Some of us had alcoholism, Hep C, or other forms of liver disease. The majority are living healthy, happy lives. It's not to late for your brother. He needs a reason to want to live. I so hope he finds that reason.
My best to you
......Kim
Tragic. If he was able to stop drinking, he may have been a candidate for a liver transplant. 32 is young.
All you can do is to keep trying. He is likely angry at himself and feels hopeless. He knows that his situation is self-inflicted. Don't take it personally when he lashes out and tries to alienate himself. You can only do what you can do. Alot of drinking had to happen for so much damage to occur in 17 years (addiction has many causes...all seemingly amplified by continued drinking). I hope you and your family find some support for yourselves during this ordeal. It is not going to be easy. I am glad you have hospice involved.
Take care of you. Jo
All you can do is to keep trying. He is likely angry at himself and feels hopeless. He knows that his situation is self-inflicted. Don't take it personally when he lashes out and tries to alienate himself. You can only do what you can do. Alot of drinking had to happen for so much damage to occur in 17 years (addiction has many causes...all seemingly amplified by continued drinking). I hope you and your family find some support for yourselves during this ordeal. It is not going to be easy. I am glad you have hospice involved.
Take care of you. Jo
Hello Shy.....I am so very sorry to hear about your brother he is so very young. I Think perhaps he is more mad with himself than any family member, IMHO. I haven't had much experience with terminally ill except my father. But reading thru all the comments I'm positive you have rec'd excellent advice. I wish all the best for your brother and your family thru this journey. Be strong. Sending many prayers your way
Peace
Deb
Peace
Deb
I have had esophageal bleeding for the last 5 years and I'm still alive. In fact I no longer have the Hep virus. Something other than the drinking killing his liver doesn't add up.
He's 32 y/o. Let's say IF he even got Hep C at 22y/o that's only 10 years. It takes much longer to get Cirrhosis from Hep C. Likely his drinking is the culprit. His moods are from his drinking. He's an angry drunk and needs to be put into and inhouse treatment center. As long as he is drinking he will treat you all like what you described. He resents the world and doesn't need a reason. His drinking is hurting his liver too.
Like what was said above, there is no real proof that he is terminal. Get the Medical statement saying that. Drunks make stuff up. Get doctors proof that he is terminal. No doctor will commit to a time frame of how long someone has left to live. No one. NONE. They just don't do that.
Get your bro a soul retrieval from a shaman. He sounds possessed.
Like what was said above, there is no real proof that he is terminal. Get the Medical statement saying that. Drunks make stuff up. Get doctors proof that he is terminal. No doctor will commit to a time frame of how long someone has left to live. No one. NONE. They just don't do that.
Get your bro a soul retrieval from a shaman. He sounds possessed.
Sorry to hear all of that. We will be here to give you what information and support we can.
Remember, do only what you all can. He has made the choices that brought him to this point AND only he can make the changes in his life whick will give he more time and/or less pain and problems. Don'tt you and your family feel guilty because of what was done, or wasn't done, etc. I know that is easy to say and hard to do, but cling to that to help you through.
Hospice is a good thing! They have care and support for him and training , information, and support for the family.
Welcome to the Forum and be strong (you are stronger than you ever know) and keep taking it one step at a time.
Remember, do only what you all can. He has made the choices that brought him to this point AND only he can make the changes in his life whick will give he more time and/or less pain and problems. Don'tt you and your family feel guilty because of what was done, or wasn't done, etc. I know that is easy to say and hard to do, but cling to that to help you through.
Hospice is a good thing! They have care and support for him and training , information, and support for the family.
Welcome to the Forum and be strong (you are stronger than you ever know) and keep taking it one step at a time.
yes my mom was there. He had come out of surgery to tie of bleeding blood vessels in his esophagus when they were given the diagnosis. They also drained fluid out of his abdomen and put him on oxygen because the fluid was compressing his lungs. He has been asking for beer and of course no one is getting him any but I have a feeling he will start drinking as soon as he can. Hospice will be coming starting next week to help care for him I hope they will be able to help the situation. He has been an alcoholic since age 15 and has gone thru 28 day inpatient treatment twice just to relapse both times. Thanks for your message
Was someone with him when he was told he was terminal? If not, does someone in the family (or attorney, friend,etc.) have a medical or durablePower of Attorney, who can talk with his doctor?
I ask that because it is important to KNOW what that Dr. said. Was the Dx based on hepc? on Liver failure due to the alcoholism? Is he still drinking. Was the Dx for something else entirely, just complicated by the hepc? Did he maybe say, that your brother has hepc and, if he doesn't quit alcohol, will become terminal? Not saying this IS - only asking if you all have complete information.
I am not trying to confuse the issue, but over the years, we have had people who were told they had hepc and were terminal, when, in fact, they were early in the hepc and were completely treatable!
I AM NOT A DOCTOR and I am NOT saying that has happened to him. BUT, if no one heard what the Dr said, could your brother confused the information? OR is the Dr not knowledgeable about hepc, and treatments, etc.
If all that has been checked and the Dx IS correct, then I really agree with AWM - as hard as that will be.
God Bless and good luck to you in supporting him and to your Brother in his treatment, acceptance.
I ask that because it is important to KNOW what that Dr. said. Was the Dx based on hepc? on Liver failure due to the alcoholism? Is he still drinking. Was the Dx for something else entirely, just complicated by the hepc? Did he maybe say, that your brother has hepc and, if he doesn't quit alcohol, will become terminal? Not saying this IS - only asking if you all have complete information.
I am not trying to confuse the issue, but over the years, we have had people who were told they had hepc and were terminal, when, in fact, they were early in the hepc and were completely treatable!
I AM NOT A DOCTOR and I am NOT saying that has happened to him. BUT, if no one heard what the Dr said, could your brother confused the information? OR is the Dr not knowledgeable about hepc, and treatments, etc.
If all that has been checked and the Dx IS correct, then I really agree with AWM - as hard as that will be.
God Bless and good luck to you in supporting him and to your Brother in his treatment, acceptance.
He may be experiencing hepatic encepholapathy from the toxins in his brain (high ammonia levels). This causes mood swings. He also may be trying to come to terms with his feelings over his terminal diagnosis. I am sure he doesn't want to alienate you or waste time. You can support him by still coming around and telling him how much you care about him.
I'm sorry you and your family are going through this very tough time. I pray for strength and compassion for you.
I'm sorry you and your family are going through this very tough time. I pray for strength and compassion for you.
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