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Posted 4/29/2008 4:59 PM (GMT 0)
Hey guys!!!   This is me again.  Havent checked in with you for a long time.  I am very worried about my brother.  He is not doing well at all...  Still drinking, and will not go to the doctor.  He cant eat, or walk, and has to have help to get to the bedside commode, which he uses often.  Yesterday, they called me saying that they thought that he had a stroke.  I made them call the ambulance, and they confirmed that they thought that it was a stroke, but he refused to go to the doctor.   By the time that we made it up there, he looks terrible.  His eyes which were green are turning gray, which I know is not a good sign at all, and the whites are completely yellow.  He will not stop drinking, and I am positive it wont be long.  please keep us in your prayers, as we surely need it at this time.  Has anyone else experienced this?  If so, how long was it before the end? 

Thanks guys

Calla

Posted 4/30/2008 12:00 AM (GMT 0)
Calla I am so sorry you are having to go thru this.
1 thing about him going to the hospital, he will be medically managed and cannot drink, keep your fingers crossed that they keep him a few weeks :)
God Bless you
Therese
Posted 4/30/2008 2:19 AM (GMT 0)
Nope, I guess I said that wrong. He would not go to the hospital.... that is what is killing me. THanks so much for the kind words. They help so much.

Thanks
Calla
Posted 4/30/2008 3:47 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Calla  How is your brother getting the alchohol?  I have found out if you call an ambulance and they say they will not go they can't force them.  Maybe if he passes out you can get him to a hospital and get him dried out.  I'm sure he needs to be hospitalized to dry out.  I feel so bad for you.  If he could just sober up long enough to see what he's missing maybe it would help.  Hang in there and don't give up.

JoAnn

Posted 5/5/2008 6:36 PM (GMT 0)
Calla, I am really sorry that your brother is in such bad shape. I think what is so hard for all of us when these situations occur is that he has a legal right to accept or refuse treatment. Even if he passes out and an ambulance comes for him once they dry him out a little and he is sober then he can sign himself out AMA (Against Medical Advice). The choice is his. That's what is so very frustrating for family members. His prognosis is probably poor at the present time but no one can say when the end will come. Everyone is different and have different tolerance levels. I am curious as Exhaused is how he is getting his alcohol?
Posted 5/7/2008 12:31 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks so much guys. This last couple of days have been really hard.  He had been passing out a lot, and finally he decided that we could take him to the dr.  We took him to the ER, and they admitted him to ICU right then.  He has dehydration along with cdiff(intestinal bacteria), and pneumonia, as well as an infection in his blood.  Needless to say, he is not doing well.  He is having DTs really badly, and they called us this morning to come down there, because they thought it was close, but then he took a turn for the better.  It is so hard to see him like that, and he cant even open his eyes or talk, since they have him on things to make him more comfortable and an oxygen mask on his face.  It is so hard to take.  I wish things were better, but I know they look pretty grim right now.  As for the alcohol, I guess his friends were getting it for him.... some friends, huh?

Thanks guys!

Calla

Posted 5/7/2008 1:30 AM (GMT 0)
I know exactly how you feel, Dansbrother. When ever I hear my friend is back in the hospital I feel a sense of relief. He has stopped drinking and is getting better little by little but he is very, very sick.
Calla, how old is your brother? Just curious because sick people sometimes arn't able to think about the loved ones who are hurting because of them.
Posted 5/7/2008 1:30 AM (GMT 0)
Calla, even if he can't open his eyes or talk I would bet my bottom dollar that he can hear and probably feel. Just let him know that you guys are there and how much you love him. Just keep talking to him like he's part of the conversation. Talk about funny or happy things that happened when you guys were children. Touch him, hold his hand,rub is head. I know that it is so hard, but if in fact God takes him home he will go filled with loving thoughts and know how much you guys loved him.

The friends who were getting the alcohol for him either didn't care about him or were not very educated on this disease. You'd be surprised at what people don't know about liver disease. Some just plain don't want to know about it....they are too scared.

Thoughts and prayers............
Posted 5/7/2008 1:49 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks so much Grandma. I was there as much as I could be today. I held his hand and let him know that I was there. I am hoping and praying that he comes out of this, but it doesnt sound very good to me. He is only 43, and way too young to go through this, but we all make our choices in life I guess. I am so appreciative of all of you guys and thank you so much for all of the kind words and the input, as I am in the dark on this.

Praying for the best.
Calla
Posted 5/7/2008 1:55 AM (GMT 0)
Calla, your brother is still a young man. With modern medicine and strength from God I hope he sees the writing on the wall and chooses to get sober and enjoy the many years of life left.

As pink grandma said, talk to him and tell him he has so much time left if he will just help himself. Sounds easy and I know it's not but it can be DONE.
Posted 5/7/2008 12:48 PM (GMT 0)
Calla, I just read your posts concerning your brothers hospitalization and I'm so sorry that it has come to this for him. On the other hand I'm glad he is in the hospital getting the care he needs. The one good thing is when someone has severe DT's they have no memory of the event itself. Pink Grandma gave you great advice-holding his hand and talking to him. He can hear you believe me. Watching this whole process is pure torture on the loved ones and my heart goes out to you. The alcoholic has no concept of the pain they are inflicting on their families or the actual damage they are causing themselves. It doesn't seem to matter to them until they are clean and sober for awhile. We can pray that your brother survives his current situation and stays sober and heals. Keep your chin up! You are a wonderful sister and it's evident how much you love him and care about him.
Posted 5/8/2008 1:34 AM (GMT 0)
Calla, My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. My husband is also 43 years old. And I agree, much to young to be going through this. I will pray that your brother makes it home from the hospital and God takes the need for alcohol away.

Take care.
Posted 5/8/2008 2:31 AM (GMT 0)
Hey everyone. Me again. I came home tonight to try and rest. He is now on a ventilator, and they said that on top of everything else(pneumonia, sepsis, cdiff, low blood count), he now has colitis and they are having to give him blood. The doctor said right now we have a 50 50 chance at either way, but that he is really really sick. When I was in there with him today, his arterio blood pressure (in his neck) was 73/39. I had to leave the room while they turned him and worked with him. I am worn out, and deeply appreciate all of your thoughts and prayers, and can use all of the prayers that you can send up for me. :) Hope you are all well.

Thanks again

Calla
Posted 5/8/2008 3:19 AM (GMT 0)
Calla Hang in there. I've heard people much worse and pulled through. Miracles happen every day. I will say a prayer for your brother.

JoAnn
Posted 5/8/2008 3:27 AM (GMT 0)
(((Calla)))),

Gets some rest and eat something. You probably haven't eaten much lately either huh?

Take care...........lots of thoughts and prayers coming your way............
Posted 5/9/2008 4:04 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Calla and (((((Calla))))),

I want to offer you my prayers and support.
How are you? Is your brother showing any signs of improvement yet? I sure hope so.

Blessings to you,
Carol
Posted 5/12/2008 12:29 AM (GMT 0)
Hey guys. Finally back from the hospital. My brother is in multi organ failure and is not responding at all. When we were in there with him this morning, we felt him go, but he is still hooked up to the respirator, and it is keeping his body alive. He tried to tell us he loved us today, and then let out a tear, and we told him it was okay to let go, and then he just seemed to relax and that was it, but the machine is still on. His wife is supposed to sign the order to take it off tomorrow. Thank you guys for all of your support and kind words. You guys are all wonderful people.
Posted 5/12/2008 2:54 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you so much Dans. Your story about the painting is wonderful. I am just ready for the next few days to be over with so I can get some kind of closure. It hurts so bad to say my brother is gone. We have lost our parents, but this is way different. I know the Lord will help us through it, though, and I know that my brother is not suffering any more. Now we just have to wait for the end to come. His wife is having such a hard time letting go, and telling them to take the life support off. This is killing us in itself, but she has to do what she has to do to deal with it , too. I feel for her so badly. It was so strange, we all slept so good last night, and the electrikcity and then the peace in the room today when we felt him leave was definitely our sign. We just miss him so much already.
Posted 5/12/2008 4:04 AM (GMT 0)
Calla, so sorry it has ended this way. Prayers for you and your whole family for strength during this difficult time.

Hugs,
Connie
Posted 5/13/2008 1:51 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks so much guys! I just wanted to check in and give you the no change update. He did open his eyes today and let out a couple of tears, and that killed us all..but that is about it. I keep praying, and know that God will take care of this situation in the way that he thinks is best, so I just have to put it in his hands. Hope you all have a great night.
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