Re: Cirrhosis(my mother)

Tim <jukebox.earthangel.reactive@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
She is currently in hospital due to bad oedema in legs and
stomach(ascites?)and
has been told she has cirrhosis of the liver.
I freaked out big time worrying she would be on the same ward that my
wife died on but luckily she wasn't.
My emotions are very mixed up about it.On one hand i'm going in every
day to see her because despite what she's been like i'd feel guilty if i
didn't on the other hand i'm so angry inside that it's taken 40 odd
years and screwing up all her children to varying
degrees(psychological/verbal abuse plus very
occcasional physical)for the professionals to pick up she has a major
drink problem.
She went to see a psychiatrist when i was 17 but did the one session and
made out he tried touching her up and of course never went back.
They are slowly trying to drain the fluid in her stomach but are having
to do it very slowly due to her blood pressure being low ie 84/66 79/62
etc and are giving her protein drinks(perhaps some of you who are
alcoholics can explain about the protein thing) and she was also
potassium/saline deficient.
Up until being told it was cirrhosis ie just knowing it was a 'liver
problem' she was still very blase.
Her immediate response to being told she had to stop drinking was to
immediately start with the i can switch to 'Icebreakers'(non alcoholic
beers) i'm very dubious about that as psychologically(?) it's a short
step from that to
hitting the alcohol again or maybe i'm being overly paranoid.

Would welcome some feedback from other's with experience in this area be
they recovering alcoholics or children of alcoholics.
--
http://fightaidsathome.scripps.edu/
http://folding.stanford.edu/
http://www.thebutterflycollection.org.uk/home.htm

---------------

She is currently in hospital due to bad oedema in legs and
stomach(ascites?)and

===========
Ascites is basically where the liver leaks fluids into the abdomen which is
what they are trying to keep down by draining off. Its an indication of
decompensation (ie liver giving up).
===========



has been told she has cirrhosis of the liver.
=============
She has probably had cirrhosis for some time. Cirrhosis is staged and takes
time to occur. Cirrhosis is stage 6 fibrosis. It is possible to have
compensated cirrhosis for some time ie asymptomatic then decompensation can
occur which involves ascites/varicese/encepalopathy.(cant spell it) and other
complications. It is possible and common for cirrhosis to go un noticed until
complications start.
============

I freaked out big time worrying she would be on the same ward that my
wife died on but luckily she wasn't.
My emotions are very mixed up about it.On one hand i'm going in every
day to see her because despite what she's been like i'd feel guilty if i
didn't on the other hand i'm so angry inside that it's taken 40 odd
years and screwing up all her children to varying
degrees(psychological/verbal abuse plus very
occcasional physical)for the professionals to pick up she has a major
drink problem.
She went to see a psychiatrist when i was 17 but did the one session and
made out he tried touching her up and of course never went back.
They are slowly trying to drain the fluid in her stomach but are having
to do it very slowly due to her blood pressure being low ie 84/66 79/62
etc and are giving her protein drinks(perhaps some of you who are
alcoholics can explain about the protein thing) and she was also
potassium/saline deficient.
===========
People with cirrhosis often have difficulty processing protein. And Ammonia
levels in the blood can increase leading to encepalopathy ( very serious mental
condition occurs).Often Lactolose is given to help excrete the ammonia. These
are clear indicators of serious decompensation.
=============

Up until being told it was cirrhosis ie just knowing it was a 'liver
problem' she was still very blase.
Her immediate response to being told she had to stop drinking was to
immediately start with the i can switch to 'Icebreakers'(non alcoholic
beers) i'm very dubious about that as psychologically(?) it's a short
step from that to
hitting the alcohol again or maybe i'm being overly paranoid.

Would welcome some feedback from other's with experience in this area be
they recovering alcoholics or children of alcoholic

==================

I'm sorry about her condition but I won't hold any punches here ok.


She is going to die for certain without immediate cessation of booze. She is a
prime candidate for a transplant or will be soon if she makes it that far but
their criteria usually states one year abstinence.


6 months ago I had a liver transplant.I had cirrhosis for some time though was
fortunate I was reasonably well compensated. Unlike your mother. I had
hepattocellular carcinoma as a result of the cirrhosis which wasn't through
alcohol by the way. I used to enjoy a pint and I used to smoke. I can assure
you I had no problem giving both up when my name went on the transplant list.
Having the cancer meant I went straight on the list as priority. I was able to
see many people in your mothers situation in hospital. It's a long haul for
them. It's not until their knocking on heavens door that they start to rise on
the list if their lucky. She needs some proper professional social support
other than the liver doc. The hospital she's under should be able to help on
that score. It might be a good idea for her to try something like antibuse if
that's possible with her condition, along with proper counciling.
==========
She has a long term illness both with the liver and the alcohol and both these
require professional support.I would kick shout and scream at the
doctor/hospital.I'm afraid I can't give much more advice without knowing more
about her ie age, current support, local practitioners involved.But as I'm sure
your already aware the base line is it has to come from her where possible.

I would be more than happy to offer any guidance or advice I can.

Wishing you all the best

P




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