Child pugh cat C, but how long to live?

Hi All, Would really appreciate some answers, or even just to know im not alone, as im feeling a little lost at the minute.

My dad was diagnosed with Decompensated liver Cirrhosis in Jan from ALD and has been getting worse since. He was admitted to hospital in April and put on a detox from alcohol. He suffers from Jaundice, Asites, Odema, lack of apetite, weakness. think that about covers it??

A few weeks ago I had seen his specialist letter stating that he has a child pugh score of C, so hes worst case scenario. (this doesn't surprise me). Along with this, he had also stopped taking his medicine saying he has basically given up (water tablets for fluids mainly). He became very swollen very quickly, Can barely get shoes/socks on, cant do up his jeans, and says he couldn't even feel his knees. He has been mentioning falling asleep during the day and struggling to walk for 5mins without becoming very short of breath. He is a very strange colour also... kind of yellow/orange but grey at the same time, if that makes any sense? I have been so angry at him choosing to kill himself. He basically said that me and my brother are not enough for him to stick around for. He also suffers from depression and I have dealt with suicide attempts in the past, which I feel like I cant cope with again.

anyway... Last week he got stuck in the bath and panicked and has now started taking the meds again!
His symptoms appear to not be improving much though and I think he may need to go to hospital to have it drained? Is this quite straight forward, or will he be in over a long period of time? I know there is complications that can come with having fluids drained.

I still don't know what he plans to do, he had been alcohol free since April but has had 2 occasions in the last month where he brought 4 cans cider. I know this is a slippery slope and think he will soon progress... not to mention that he will no longer be eligible for a transplant.

Im so full of questions:
- What will happen if he has it drained? will he feel better/worse? what's the procedure like?
- are his symptoms signs that he may die soon? I love my dad, and don't want him to die, but im finding this all so hard, its like when I visit him we are practically just discussing his illness, not to mention that its painful to watch him like this.... I almost want his suffering to end now. He lives alone and sees me weekly and has very little support other than myself. I know its no life! does that make me sound awful?
- what signs should I be looking for to know when he is nearing the end? ( I just wish I could know what will happen/ how long it will take... I feel like I need to know whether he could have 2 weeks or 2 years in him?)
- will the doctor know he has had a drink? im sure he is lying to them... and he could still be lying to me too, who knows?

Would love to hear any advice... or even just a few people facing the same stuff as me. Similar stories? anything.

Thanks for reading!

Kelly, So sorry about your dad. As far as how long? Well nobody truly knows. Doctors of course are the best at guessing that answer, but that's all it will be, a educated guess. You have been asked to review a thread written by me. Please do.
You ask about draining. The proper medical term is Paracentesis, but draining will do fine if you like. It's not a overly technical procedure and usually is done in outpatient services. They insert a large needle into the stomach or area to be drained. A catheter of sorts will be inserted and a vacuum tube attached to a pitcher with the suction device on top of it. Pump sucks the fluid out and the volume of fluid removed is recorded. I have had personally upwards of 14 liters of fluid removed at one session.

It's usually a all day affair when alot of fluid is removed. For every liter of fluid removed during paracentesis a few ounces of Albumin has to be given as a replacement. Albumin is essential in the process to re-nourish the body. No discretion of good and bad fluid can be done by the suction pump during paracentesis. Good fluid is removed with the bad. Albumin needs to administered to solve this issue.

A radiologist lab technician assist in the location of the fluid in the cavity by sonogram. A Doctor on call likely will do the insertion of the needle and removal/documentation of fluid. A R/N will likely administer the albumin. The pain level of removal is moderate initially (inserting the needle) Bee Sting. The minor discomfort of the process is worth the feeling of having all that fluid off of a stressed body. The albumin is a thick syrup solution that tends to clog I.V lines. The lines will have to be checked and replaced as needed during the later half of the procedure.

Thanks for all of your replies. Its good to hear that there are some positive stories and you can fight this... I just wish my dad would choose to fight. Maybe im wrong and he will stay sober, and continue taking his meds. I guess only time will tell.

Its good to know that there are people who understand what this all feels like. its just very overwhelming at the moment.

Really appreciate your comments.
Themiz - Is your husband still waiting for a transplant? it sounds like he is doing well. Im not too sure about the stages and what this means? not sure if I have been told this about my dad, all I have is the Child Pugh score to go by.

Ziff - I did comment on your thread, but thanks you for taking the time to respond to me also... now I will just wait and see if he needs to have the paracentesis (im sure I will forget this soon, please excuse my basic language... this is all still quite new to me) it sounds a bit horrible... but I am terrified of needles. He looks at the moment almost like his skin will split its so swollen, so I think it would be a relief if he does have this done. I will wait and see now if they suggest this on Monday at his next appointment.

Mama Lama - so it sounds like your partner was in a similar boat then to my dad. Its reassuring to know that he did it.

can I ask you all... how is everyone feeling now? My dad worries that he will never feel right again, and is not keen on a life filled with meds. Obviously to me it clearly beats the thought of death, but I guess we don't think the same. Also, how has everyone found staying sober? Has this been a struggle? any slips? I really thought my dad was doing brilliant, but now he has had these few nights when things just feel too tough and he has drunk, I feel its just going to get worse. I guess one positive is that he has told everyone he associates with, so he wont feel able to go and drink socially now, which is something I guess?

I have imperceptible (to average eye) issues. That can change if I don't take my medication as directed. One would think as long as I've been doing this it would be natural. I feel like I don't need the meds occasionally so I'll skip. Restless, Erratic sleep patterns, depression and mood swings. Ehhhh encephalopathy creeps in and I'm reminded of yesterday. Take my medications and I'm back to being my old self again. I'm fine in short,but thanks for asking. By the way. You can say "draining" everyone knows what your referring too. Don't be put out by technicalities. You'll learn or catch on if your father doesn't straighten out.

Ziff

My timely reply to this post disappeared when I hit a wrong key, just now trying again. Looked over your post again and was struck by your question about sounding awful. The short answer is no, it sounds like a very normal reaction to a very tough situation. It also sounds like your dad is giving you a clear message that he does not want to stick around and it may be that he simply is not up to the challenge. No judgment on him, impossible to measure his internal pain and important to recognize that for some people it is too much to bear. Breaks my heart to hear that he has said you and your brother aren't enough to stick around for and I hope you realize that is his disease talking and no measure of your worth.

Impossible also to know what his decision will be and from the sound of it unlikely that you will influence his choice. There are miracles on both sides, some people get the spark to go forward, others allow the suffering to end. The only real power we have is to accept their choice and live comfortably with the outcome. Whatever it is.

My hope is that you are getting some help and support for you.