Posted 8/9/2021 5:59 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, about 3 weeks ago I took my roommate (best friend of 25 years) to the ER after getting home from work, she was confused, yellow and her belly looked like she was 14 months pregnant, She was instantly diagnosed with esld, he, etc etc. I got the medical directive signed in the hospital but really have not heard anything "honest" - really just "never drink again".
Her blood work is off the charts, meld score of 38, bilirubin hovers around 28 - everything that should be low is high and vice versus. She drank heavily for many years - then about 3 years ago really fell off the deep end when 3 close friends died. I think she was drinking a 750ml of jaeger a day. I have been so angry and stressed ($ wise as she could not hold a job) - I had filled out paperwork to evict her. I was going to have the papers served the day I took her to the er.
She was in the er/icu for 8 days, home for 2 then back in for 5. I just got her back home and her family is unwilling to help out/care for her. She is better mentally wise but no way can she drive - remember her medications, make food etc. She is pretty miserable (spends most of the day on the toilet from lactulose) - on a new water pill, steroids, cipro among others. She has surgery Tuesday bc of varieses ? in her esophagus and they need to be banded? She has had 2 taps with very little (about 1.5 litres) taken out each time. Her legs and feet and so swollen - super yellow and she is so itchy with spots all over her back/chest.
I have been reading online and in the different forums but really cannot find any info on someone with #'s like hers.
Wondering if anyone had any experience with anything like this. I feel like the county has just pushed her off on me - her family is not willing to help and she has alienated most friends with the alcoholism. I do love her dearly, but I work full time and am not sure where to turn. I tried to get her into a 30 day rehab but they said she was too sick.
I am not going to abandon her - but with work I keep messing up her medication. . With the uber low sodium diet - juicing etc - her mental clarity is better and the endema in her legs / feet is improving (not the itching). (4 days home)
Although her "head" is clearer - it is not normal by any means. Still not "all the way there".
I guess what I am asking is - will the "clarity" come back? , I have been telling her - "one shot - all in to try and make it to get a liver transplant" (no salt, bland chicken breasts, tons of veggies and mass juicing). I feel like this is making her even more miserable. Is there any hope? I am a planner and just have no plan here.