What will this tell me

Hi, Alisa. Labs do not always tell the whole story. For instance, while my liver enzymes have been above normal, they have not been as high as one would expect with how rotten I felt/feel.

Hi liver enzymes and bilirubin are the ones to watch. His creatinine and BUN (kidney function tests) are also something to watch. If you see an AFP in his labs, that is a tumor marker. The higher it is, the more likely that he has liver cancer.

Given that he has hep C and continues drinking, you can expect for his symptoms and labs to progressively get worse. Only a liver biopsy can tell the real story of his liver's condition. Since he's not a candidate for hep C treatment or a transplant, there's no point to doing one. They won't do it out of idle curiosity. Hep C puts a patient at high risk for liver cancer (I've had it twice.)

Hugs,
Connie

 Alisa , It may be time to switch your concerns and focus more on his final wishes . Fact is he can go on in a mentally challenged state for a long while , Not being able to communicate his wishes for final resting plans . Now would be the time to get the details of what he wishes to happen should he go into a coma for a extended period of time . You can be just as devastated later on by what may seem unmentionable now . When your in the midst of grief over his loss those details will have to be addressed . Better to get these things done now . I did my will and living will right after my prognosis was given , I didn't want to linger on in a coma beyond a deemed period so I made that clear right off the top .

Dying with dignity for me means giving my family as much peace as possible during this time .

 A. Ziffle

 

Thank You both Rick and Connie for your reply.I will be contacting DHS or a local funeral home to get info on a pauper's grave.Cremation is $800.He hasn't the money nor does family to have this done for him.I am going to speak with some church members and some other contacts to see about these arrangments.All your info and replies are so appreciated.I wouldn't know half of what I do without this site and all the guidance everyone has shared.Love and Many Prayers,Alisa

I have that feeling that feeling better will lead him right back to repeat again.And yes,lack of disipline and consequences have been an issue for most of his life.I told him his drinking buddy says he will be moving to a cheaper area.I asked him if he had put any thought into what he will do upon release.He said"I just gave him money for towrds the electric".Didn't go any further.This in itself told me he was already making excuses to return to infestation and death.I talked with him this morning and he was awaiting them to take him to radiology for fluid removal.I am waiting until after lunch to call back to see what the doc has said.And yes the only thing left to do is prepare for his death.I am awaiting info on this matter.If he hasn't learned anything from this hospital stay except having fluid removed then I don't see any changes for the rest of his existence except worsening health,fluid removal until he can't survive regardless.2 full days of drink free though.3 if they keep him over night.I doubt they will without a complication.This just may be the last chance he gets to healthy up.There are so many that didn't get the chances he has.Love and Many Prayers

Nothing but nightmares