Hello Everyone,
My Dad's just been diagnosed with Chronic Liver Disease. He's been itching like crazy since september along with all the classic symptoms of CLD but this has not been diagnosed before as these are the also the symptoms of heart disease.
He is 67 and on a combination of meds for his heart disease. He had a valve replacement 2 years ago, which helped, but the symptoms (difficulty walking, dizzy spells, low body temperature, lack of appetite, fluid retention) returned within 6 months. He has also spent most of his life in the pub but gave up drinking 6 weeks ago when the liver problems were first noticed.
My Dad is also incredibly afraid of bad news. To the point where he's hiding information from myself and the doctors, which is why it's also taken so long to be diagnosed and why it's also hard to make sure he's being properly cared for.
I've read a lot about
the prognosis for liver & heart disease and how people that have had surgery and given up drinking have out-lived theirs but another surgery is out of the question and he is still receiving toxins via the heart medication.
Does this sound familiar to anyone and what should i expect in the coming months?
I am his only carer and I live a 2 hour drive away so my question here is practical rather than emotional. I really want him to be comfortable at the end and would like to prepare for this but at the moment I feel that the doctors are only offering hope because there's nothing else they can do. I understand that this is important for him but I need to be informed in order to care for him.
Please help and thanks for your time.
Post Edited (Sick Dad) : 7/12/2011 11:00:01 AM (GMT-6)