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Message
DR's of the OT: Complete liver and kidney failure...
Posted on 8/15/14 at 10:46 pm
Posted on 8/15/14 at 10:46 pm
My sister-in-law went to the hospital last week because she wasn't feeling well, and was diagnosed with kidney and liver failure. No shocker. She's only 32, but she's been an extreme alcoholic for as long as I've known her. She's completely yellow down to her teeth and eyes. From what I was told, an average "liver score" is 1, and she tested at a 26. The news came today that her liver has completely failed, and they are just going to keep her comfortable until she passes.
Is there any kind of average time frame as far as how long she has left? We are trying to be prepared as possible as far as absences from work/school, plane tickets, etc... I tried Google, but answers are all over the place. My in-laws are, of course, in constant communication with her Dr's, but it's not a question I would ask them. Thanks.
Is there any kind of average time frame as far as how long she has left? We are trying to be prepared as possible as far as absences from work/school, plane tickets, etc... I tried Google, but answers are all over the place. My in-laws are, of course, in constant communication with her Dr's, but it's not a question I would ask them. Thanks.
This post was edited on 8/15/14 at 10:49 pm
Posted on 8/15/14 at 10:47 pm to northshorebamaman
Damn. She must have done some serious drinking.
Posted on 8/15/14 at 10:47 pm to northshorebamaman
Yikes. This info gives me pause.
Posted on 8/15/14 at 10:47 pm to northshorebamaman
Oh my. Even for an extreme alcoholic, complete liver failure at 32 is shocking to me. I'm sorry for your brother's loss.
Posted on 8/15/14 at 10:48 pm to northshorebamaman
Wow that is so tragic
Posted on 8/15/14 at 10:51 pm to northshorebamaman
No one on this board will have that answer. Sad to hear though. I wish your family well....
Posted on 8/15/14 at 10:54 pm to northshorebamaman
Amazing what things people will do to themselves.
I'm sure it is not set in stone how long. My guess is that she'd hang on longer than normal, since she is only 32.
I'm sure it is not set in stone how long. My guess is that she'd hang on longer than normal, since she is only 32.
Posted on 8/15/14 at 11:00 pm to northshorebamaman
Man I'm sorry to hear this. My advice is to ask who her dr recommends for hospice care and get them out there as soon as possible.
This post was edited on 8/15/14 at 11:04 pm
Posted on 8/15/14 at 11:00 pm to northshorebamaman
I think a 26 is a fairly high MELD score but I know 30's is considered very high. MELD can be tricky. Is she on the list for a liver transplant?
PS- I'm not a doctor but have experience in transplant.
PS- I'm not a doctor but have experience in transplant.
Posted on 8/15/14 at 11:05 pm to northshorebamaman
sorry to hear
just curious as to why you would bother posting on a message board?
just curious as to why you would bother posting on a message board?
Posted on 8/15/14 at 11:22 pm to northshorebamaman
quote:
From what I was told, an average "liver score" is 1, and she tested at a 26.
If this is her Mayo MELD score, it means she has a 50-75% chance of dying in the next three months. That's as specific as it gets based on that alone. From what you have written, it's tough to be any more specific. If they are keeping her in the hospital to die, they're probably expecting it to be in the next 7 days. If they're sending her to a hospice hospital, they're expecting it to be in probably the next month (or before, though after is always a possibility). And, lastly, if they sent her home on hospice (nurse/doc/social worker/etc come to the house and meet with her), then they are expecting her to die in the next 6 months.
If the word "unstable" is used, they expect her to die soon (if on hospice, probably in days) rather than "stable" which would be later.
Sorry I can't really be more specific than that.
Posted on 8/15/14 at 11:25 pm to northshorebamaman
Thank you for posting this. I can't offer you even an attempt at an answer but I think it's important that people hear and see the effects of alcoholism. Maybe somebody had a gut check reading this.
This post was edited on 8/15/14 at 11:26 pm
Posted on 8/15/14 at 11:33 pm to northshorebamaman
Her age makes her a great candidate for transplant, but the alcoholic history could hinder things. The majority of patients with end stage renal disease have it due to diabetes or hypertension. I'm not an expert on liver, but you can definitely accommodate kidney dialysis into your life. I have patients who have been dialyizing since the 90s.
At the end of the day it's up to her. She has to make a change in her life if she want to survive.
Eta: read the rest of the thread after responding to the initial post, so my comments may not hold up to your specific situation.
At the end of the day it's up to her. She has to make a change in her life if she want to survive.
Eta: read the rest of the thread after responding to the initial post, so my comments may not hold up to your specific situation.
This post was edited on 8/15/14 at 11:37 pm
Posted on 8/15/14 at 11:41 pm to northshorebamaman
quote:
es, she drank almost a gallon of vodka a day for years
She drank two handles per day? I can't even imagine that.
As someone who has had problems with alcohol myself, sorry to hear.
Posted on 8/15/14 at 11:42 pm to northshorebamaman
She has hepatotenal syndrome. Very high mortality.
Everyone is different, but the people I've seen with it lived between 2 days to 3 months.
Everyone is different, but the people I've seen with it lived between 2 days to 3 months.
Posted on 8/15/14 at 11:50 pm to northshorebamaman
I knew a man where this same situation happened. His liver repaired its self which shocked doctors who were telling his family to go ahead and begin planning funeral arrangements. He left the hospital, and couldn't stay sober. Vodka was his drink of choice as well, he didn't make it to 40.
I know it's not like that with everyone, but 32 is way too young for a person to drink themself to a death.
I know it's not like that with everyone, but 32 is way too young for a person to drink themself to a death.
Posted on 8/16/14 at 12:21 am to northshorebamaman
One if the reasons I've all but quit drinking
I'm sure when football rolls around I'll be drinking but definitely not as much as I'm accustomed to
Good luck to her and your family
I'm sure when football rolls around I'll be drinking but definitely not as much as I'm accustomed to
Good luck to her and your family
Posted on 8/16/14 at 1:51 am to northshorebamaman
Sorry to hear of your sister-in-law's illness. Are your wife's parents with her at this time?
Posted on 8/16/14 at 1:56 am to northshorebamaman
quote:
The news came today that her liver has completely failed, and they are just going to keep her comfortable until she passes.
When a doctor makes this determination with a young patient, there is probably not much time left. I am not a doctor to be clear, but having worked with hospices, most doctors do not like to "give up" and give only palliative treatment where they're just making the patient comfortable. This is especially true for younger patients.
I can't give you a timeline, obviously, but I would honestly be prepared for it to take place rapidly.
My condolences. Death is a frightening spectre.
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