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Posted 4/21/2011 4:13 PM (GMT 0)
First off, I am new here so hello to everyone!

I have been reading some of every bodies different stories and my heart and prayers go out to each and everyone of you with this terrible disease. I was hoping that ya'll could help me come to a conclusion about my fathers condition because the dr's are not being real forthcoming or they tell me he is going to be ok and then contradict themselves when he gets out of the hospital and goes to his drs appointments. Basically he was diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver (from alcohol) about a 1 1/2 ago and the drs told him if he did not stop drinking he would die in a couple of months. Well the good news is he quit drinking but got real sick and on christmas day and was in icu for around 3 weeks and in a regular room for a week (from ulcer bleeds in his stomach and intestinal tract with ammonia levels well over 100) He pulled out of that ok but is now on his 4th hospital stay since christmas averaging 2-3 weeks each stay. His mind is totally gone and says off the wall things and gets mad when you don't know what he wants, and not only is his liver not functioning good but they tell us now his kidneys and heart are functioning around 25%. He is basically wasting away in front of us. His weight went from 189 lbs. to current weight of 141 lbs. You can hardly get him to eat or drink and the drs do not really tell us anything besides that this is part of his condition. I guess basically what I am asking is do you think we only have a little more time with him and his disease has about run its course because I have brothers and sisters that are out of state and they are wanting me to tell them when to come to spend some time with him before he passes. I just don't know what to tell them...... shakehead
Posted 4/21/2011 6:26 PM (GMT 0)

Hello, Chevygirl, and welcome to the forum.  I'm sorry to hear that your dad is so ill.  It sounds to me like your dad is suffering multi-organ failure.  If this progresses, he could die soon.  When?  Nobody really knows.  Some people come back from the brink and some don't.  It's a very individualitic disease and part of the reason that nobody can tell you how long he has left.  I've seen posts on here by people who thought their loved ones were going to die within a week, but they're still alive many months later.  Others go very quickly.  It seems that he may have stopped drinking too late--that the damage was such that he won't return to health.  But who knows?

His lack of appetite and the organ failure means that he is on a downward spiral.  Ask the doctor about referring him to Hospice.  They will come into the hospital and be a lot more forthcoming than the doctors.  Also, they will make sure that he doesn't suffer.

Hugs,

Connie

Posted 4/21/2011 7:27 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the information. I did talk to his dr about an hour ago and he told me that they did not expect him to make it thru the first stay in the hospital, but said that he is a very sick man and they just don't know what is going to happen? His blood pressure was 170/111 when I saw him at lunch and the drs said they are watching it closely.
Posted 4/21/2011 7:32 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Chevygirl, welcome to the forum. You will find so much support here, everyone is so great. I am very sorry to hear about your dad. It is very hard to go through, I know. I am going through the same with my mother in law. As Connie said, you can never tell. We thought my MIL was going to pass the other night, called all the family in, and she is still here. Granted, she is not in good shape, we could lose her at any time. It is a roller coaster ride, most definitely. We have the same trouble out of our doctors and nurses here. They beat around the bush, but their eyes tell all. Her kidneys arent doing well either, blood in her urine, not producing very much urine, maybe 600ml in a day. The HE he is experiencing is why his mind isnt right, and it is difficult to watch. If I was you, I would go ahead and tell them to come in. Not that I dont think he has a lot of time left, God only knows, but maybe they can visit with him, while he is somewhat right in his mind and have good memories. Also he would know they are ther and it may out him at peace.

I am really sorry you are going through this too. It is very hard to endure. Connie is right though, try to get hospice. We are right now, and it will give you all comfort. They are more forthcoming as Connie said, and may be able to help answer questions that we can not.

My thoughts and prayers are with you
Natalie
Posted 4/21/2011 8:05 PM (GMT 0)
Oh I'm sorry, I did forget to mention he is 66 years old. He has had a hard life with seeing and doing things. (Retired Col. and was a fighter pilot) I know he had a hard time dealing with things that he has done and turned to alcohol to help ease the pain. He did mention to me a few weeks ago that he did not know if he deserved to go to heaven with the things he had done and that just breaks my heart. I just hate to see him that way and know there is not much you can do besides being there. I just hope when the time comes he does not suffer anymore than he has (if that makes any sense) Again thanks for your comments
Posted 4/21/2011 8:22 PM (GMT 0)
I am going to go ahead and tell the family to come if they can, I don't know if he will recognize anyone. I can tell sometimes he will recognize me but he can't tell me my name and he calls me by someone else name. I kind of hurts your feelings but you are right the HE does cause that and he has no control over it.
Posted 4/21/2011 8:25 PM (GMT 0)
CG...

I agree with others, give his family time to come see him if they can. It may be what he needs to rally just one more time!

If he is 66 and a retired pilot, he likely was in Vietnam. Do the VA folks know he is ill? They might want to come around too.

If his is talking about going to heaven, if was ever, even a long time ago, a spiritual man, be sure to have a spiritual advisor of his faith come see him. Folks have a way of reconciling their differences with their God when the end is near. It may give him some comfort to be told by someone in the clergy that he did the best he could with what he was dealing with. Who knows what he has seen in his time?

That you are sticking by his side during his "transition" is WONDERFUL and a testamony to him and to you.

Best to him and to you in this hard time, Carol
Posted 4/21/2011 8:27 PM (GMT 0)
Hey there Chevygirl..... right on... for Chevy.. no Fix or Repair Dailies (FORD).... not to make light of your situation... yes call the family... excellent idea.... has he been on the lactulose for the ammonia build up?? that could help... sounds like you have your thinking pretty clear on what is happening... and yes you're right about family coming.... better to have them come... even if he passes in a few months... then they know they were able to see him...and he'll know in his spirit too... my thoughts are with you and your family.. Sandi
Posted 4/22/2011 5:23 AM (GMT 0)
Hello Chevy, I too am sorry that your father is so ill. And yes I too think it's time to call the rest of the family. Even if he surprises the doctors and manages to pull through this ........At least he would know how much he means to his family and how very much they love him. This disease is so all over the charts.......Patients lasting years........and then some only a few weeks or months after diagnosis.
Take care......thoughts and prayers......
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