Are liver transplants approved for people in their late 70's?

Today we see if mom can be admitted. Dad and I are meeting the doc at around 9:30 this morning. She is too sick to go to Mayo right now for the testing. Her doctor is recommending if we do admit, we go to the University in the event they accept her also for TP. This way any testing done to resolve her high ammonia levels will not have to be repeated. Say a prayer for us please. In the least, I want mom to be able to participate in the decision making around her care or to give us some indication of her wishes.

Got mom into the U of M. So far, they have her a bit more alert and have found an infection which adds fuel to her almost catatonic state. It took me all day yesterday to push the providers to admit her... In the end, they agreed with my non clinical evaluation and ideas. Stay tuned for more updates. One nice thing... The GP treating my mom at the TCU told my dad he loved working with me as an advocate for mom because I did so much research he learned some new things from me.

I have all of you and this forum to thank for that! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Hi Kathleen,
The fact that your mothers PCP learned some things from you, points out a problem I've heard too many times. It amazes me that so few doctors have any solid knowledge of liver diseases. Many seem to think that those with Hep B, or Hep C are screw ups and did it to themselves. I was fortunate to have an amazing PCP. He and his nurses worked with me, two Hepatologists and my transplant docs. I'm happy to see you're getting results. **David**

Kathleen, I have found that infections of any kind can so change mental status and not be found right away. So many times the Dr's would have to play detective with Doug, ammonia levels would be okay but confusion not improve. I am talking something that wouldnt even show on healthy people, so it got to a point they would just start looking first off. Stay a force being an advocate for her and it will go along way.

Sue

Kathleen,We never know what the future holds for any of us wether sick or healthy. Doug was given 24 to 48 hrs not days in the year 2000, he passed away March last year 2009 and that sure beat out their prediction. He was in a coma on a respirator and I told them I was not letting him die so they could stuff it in their hats!!! After 14 days he was awake with in another 4 weeks he was up and around and I was not letting any Dr give up on him if there was a chance, I didnt care how many interns or Dr's wanted to hide out when they saw me coming or how many I fired.....if Doug wanted to fight I fought the battle for him every single step of the way. When it was time to say STOP after to many complications I already knew it was something we discussed and he wanted, the decision wasnt as tough as I thought it would be.....the lose of his bright light was the toughest. You do what ever you can for your mom and fight her battles as she cant, just know when it is enough.

Be there for her journey where ever it takes her..... hold her and kiss her.....

Sue

Sent off my application to be a live liver donor.... Thank goodness gave up alcohol over two years ago, lost 40 pounds (no more BMI over 30 for me) and pass all the other criteria. Now we just need to get mom healthy to see if there is a chance...

Well, the MRI has been reviewed.  No new information as the nurse wants me to talk to the doctor to get the results.  However, they did move foward with the lumbar puncture to rule out any other brain disease like Meningitis.  Seems like my poor mom just continues to get poked and proded.  I am getting really tired and just want answers.  I told the nurse I will be at the hosptial this afternoon and want to know if they can page the doctors at that time - should I demand a care conference yet this week or early next?  Anyone have experience as to how you "demand" such a meeting with the entire team?  

Kathleen, I'm sure you want some answers but it sometimes takes awhile.  They have to be very meticulous.  I can't begin to tell you the amount of "poking and prodding" and tests I had prior to finally having surgery to remove the rt. lobe of my liver, and then following that.  I still go through it every 6 mos. to make sure the cancer hasn't come back.  In fact, I had bloodwork and an MRI with contrast scheduled today.  I had to fast from 11 PM last night.  Got the blood work done this morning and then had to wait around, still fasting, until I could be checked in at 2:30 for the MRI.  After getting undressed and sitting around freezing until 4, I hadn't yet even had the IV put in (which, by the way, has to be done by an interventional radiologist or member of the PIC team using imaging.)  They were backed up due to some ER patients needing MRIs and it looked like they were overbooked, anyway.  I finally had to leave without it being done.  Now I have to leave at 7:45 AM tomorrow (and I'm up every 2 hrs. all night) to go back (fasting again) to have it done in the morning, then wait around to see my hepatologist at 2:30 PM.  The saving grace is that I can eat after the MRI is done.  And this is at Mayo, where they are very organized and efficient.  But the name of the game is "hurry up and wait."

I have to agree with David about the way you approach them regarding a meeting.  Also, doctors usually make rounds early in the morning and devote their afternoons to seeing patients in the office.  So if you really want to speak with her doctor, I'd make sure to find out when he makes his rounds and be there then.

All of this does take a toll.  Which is why I keep reminding you to take care of yourself.  Take some deep breaths, then go to a meeting or call a sponsor or someone in the program whose sobriety you admire.

Hugs,

Connie

MRA = Magnetic Resonance Angiogram

I know you'll let us know the results when you get them, Kathleen.

Hugs,

Connie

Kathleen, I'm sorry to hear of this diagnosis.  There are various types of leukoencephalopathy.  See if you can get it pinned down; i.e., is it progressive multifocal?  Her MELD isn't particularly high, so that's a glimmer of good news.

Hugs,

Connie

Thanks Connie and Lila... I am reading about leukoencephalopathy and not finding anything remotely comforting - it would appear there is not really any treatment. I an wondering how long she has had it and what the prognosis will be. The doctors are leaning toward this diagnosis but still trying to find out if it could be something else. I don't know if it is progressive or not - the only reason I do know this much is that the nurse opened up mom's records on-line and let me read the notes since the docs treating mom had gone home for the day. I mentioned I would rather speak to the team treating mom not the resident on call since they really have to look at the records first and face it, who wants to give any news to someone when you are not really the treating physician. This likely gave me some creditability, so I think he took pity on me and let me see the notes for myself. He recommended I get there early tomorrow or Saturday to talk to the docs - they arrive by 7 and one of the team members is there every day of the week. So, we move forward and hope for the best, but at the same time brace ourselves for the worst. I am getting support from the fellowship and running to reduce stress. In some ways work is a good diversion too.

Also, Lila 20 years, major congratulations to you! Like they say in the program...Keep coming back, I know I will!

Yes, I am sure she did die from it Connie - it is fatal in almost all cases.