Hello everyone,
We were just told my dad was in the end stage of liver failure (he is an alcoholic). First, let me say that we love our dad very much and he's always been there for us. The doctors aren't really telling us anything, or maybe we just don't know the right questions to ask. I am not there right now, I live in another state but will be leaving to go home tomorrow evening. In the meantime the Doctor is suppose to call me in the morning. I was hoping ya'll could give me some idea about what to ask and what his answers may mean. My dad has had cirrhrosis of the liver for about 5 years now (he would quit drinking and start back, but never quit for good). He was just hospitalized again and the doctor said he is in the end stage of liver failure. He doesn't recognize people that he should, including my sister, my aunt, and when I was talking to my mom on the phone and he ask who she was talking to and she said my name, he asked, "Who is that?" Among other things, he acts like he's chewing tobacco, drinking something, or giving something to my mom when theres no tobacco, no glass, and nothing in his hand. He's using the bathroom on himself. He keeps taking off all his clothes (and he's really a modest person, and it's not that he's hot, because he stays cold all the time, its 97 degrees outside and he wants you turn on the heater). He's very yellow all over (almost orange). He's not eating very good. His stomach has been swollen since he was diagnosed, but lately his ankles are so swollen and red they look like they are going to burst! They done a brain scan (it shows he had a stroke), they've done blood work and a liver scan, and the doctor said that they were going to do one more test and he would probably go home tomorrow. He said there is nothing else really that they can do. My mom ask him what that means, that she needs to tell her kids something (2 of us live out of state), and all he would say is he is in the end stage, he may get a little better or he may not. Can anybody tell me anything more? What to expect? How much time he has left? Signs to watch for? And maybe what questions I can ask the doctor that would tell me more. I don't know, like are there certain blood count numbers to look for? Any replies will be very much appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Post Edited By Moderator (Pink Grandma) : 8/13/2009 6:27:58 PM (GMT-6)