Is there still hope left or should I just give up?

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duchess15

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As some of you know from previous threads, my mom is having problems with her liver. They finally were able to determine that one of her medications caused all the problems. They were suppose to monitor her liver enzymes as she started, but never did.

They finally ran some other blood work. She has gotten worse in the last few weeks and I really did not know if she would wake up to see another day.

Since I work in the lab, I emailed the doctor and told him that she was constantly going to the bathroom. I guess I emailed him enough that I was surprised that he called me.

Her liver has taken a pretty bad beating. Her four options are that it will heal on it's own (which it won't), that she could have an autoantibody (which I think she may), she may need a liver transplant, or she could die (which is a good possibility).

He wanted her admitted right away and I think that was only because I had warned him how bad it was getting. If it's an autoantibody, they will start giving her steroids, but even with that treatment, she could still need a transplant. Transplant as many of you know are hard to get and time is NOT on her side.

If the damage is not reversed soon, she will not make it much longer. She can barely walk and is very weak. I hope that the steroids will work and help her.

It's a possibility that she could die and I'm not ready for her to! If I could trade places I would! I just don't know what I will do if she does. All I know is that time is running out.

Is there any hope left when things looks so slim?
 

bnwalker2

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I'm so sorry that you have to go through this. If there's one thing I've learned, it's that there is ALWAYS still hope! Sending vibes for you and for your mom!
 

jack31

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There is always hope. It may not be exactly what you want but there is hope. Stay positive and most of all take advantage of the time you have with your mom. Talk about the good times, share stories with her that you've never shared before be open and honest and use this time to your advantage. If its her time, have hope that she goes in peace without regrets.

My aunt has sclorosis (spelled so wrong) of the liver and is in the early stages. But unfortunately all they could tell her is we won't know how fast it will progress, 6 months or 20 years (she is 46 now). At some point the only way to keep her alive is a liver transplant. That said the doctor said for now, be a mom, be a wife love your kids and husband and family and dont' dwell on what may come, or you'll regret missing the good things that are still happening in your life.

I never forget to tell her I love her (she lives 5 hours away) when we talk on the phone or visit and my mom (her sister) talks to her twice a day.

I'll keep your mom and you in my prayers.
Leslie
 

sarahp

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As the others have said, there is always hope. If you give up, she will see it in your eyes and also give up. I truly believe in the power of positive thinking, so please stay positive and fight. Get her on the liver transplant list and do everything you can to keep her going until you can get a liver, or she gets better through other means.

Lots of
and positive
 

catloverin_ks

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Yes there is always hope......

Please know that you and your mom are in my prayers!!!!

positive vibes to your mom.
 

carolpetunia

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Can you take your mom to another doctor, another hospital? It doesn't sound like anybody there is really taking the reins and moving forward for your mom. I'll PM you the name of my mom's endocrinologist...
 

kittymonsters

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I have been wondering how things were going. Liver problems are difficult, because, as you know, if too damaged there is no option but transplant.

I agree 100% with everything Jack31 says, I am in the same position as her aunt. I don't know how long I have or how quickly things will progress, but it will eventually kill me. I will refuse transplantation when my time to be put on the list comes.

Hopefully, the medications didn't destroy too much ( I too had a sever medication reaction too. It took six months for my liver functions to go back down to normal, that was 12 years ago. So there is hope.

With hope though you also have to be realistic. Jack31 words ring so true. Be open, honest, loving and allow your Mom to be able to have her say and if it is her time to leave without regrets. This also means that you should be able to have no regrets either. You will still grieve and miss her till it is your time to pass but you will never say "If only I had ....."

Also remember that your Mom may get to the point that she can't take the suffering anymore and will refuse treatment so as not to prolong her life. You need to let her know that you understand, even though you don't want her to leave you.

Lots of love coming to you both still.
 

pat

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You've had great replies, all I can add is my belief as well that there is still reason to hope and that I will keep you and your mom in my thoughts.
 

lunasmom

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Hope is such a wonderful feeling that we have as humans. as long as she has 3 other possibilities, there is no such thing as giving up hope. Often times with hope comes prayer...from the heart.

If you give up hope, then you may as well start looking for caskets now
 

rapunzel47

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Originally Posted by Pat & Alix

You've had great replies, all I can add is my belief as well that there is still reason to hope and that I will keep you and your mom in my thoughts.
Me, too.
 

kai bengals

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Hi Sabrina. You're having a rough go right now, but there's always hope and for your mom's sake, let her see that in you.


I'm pulling for you and your mom. Stay positive!
 

gailc

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There is always hope. 24 years ago my mom was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and after the initial surgery the docs changed her to stage 3. She wanted to try some non traditional stuff but we said follow the recommended course. The power of positive thinking for her and your entire family can be very important. 24 years later mom is still here without any re-occurence of cancer!!
 
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duchess15

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We are back from the hospital. I had the nurse call the doctor since we just missed him. He talked to the liver specialist and their main concern right now is determining whether or not she has an infection because she has had constant diarrhea for the past 2-3 weeks.

At least now she is not going every hour, but almost every 2 and she said it isn't as much. She is still in pain and very weak. I hate seeing her like this.

The doctors will still do the biopsy, which I still want to talk to the doctor about, and start her on steroids. They will know either tonight or by tomrrow if she has an infection (clostridium difficile) or not which may be causing her constant diarrhea.

I just hope that something works. Please keep your fingers crossed! I won't give up until they stop trying. I just wish I could take her place instead.

I'll know more in the morning when I see the doctor.
 

kittymonsters

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Clostridium D. diarrhea is nasty. That alone will make her feel horrible. Thankfully it is treatable and she should on the mend from that quickly once diagnosed.

Make sure to take care of yourself. You need to stay healthy for her. So tonight get some good sleep knowing she is in the best place to keep her pain under control, hydrated and with a nurse just a button press away if she needs help.

As you said the morning will bring answers.
 
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duchess15

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Originally Posted by kittymonsters

Clostridium D. diarrhea is nasty. That alone will make her feel horrible. Thankfully it is treatable and she should on the mend from that quickly once diagnosed.

Make sure to take care of yourself. You need to stay healthy for her. So tonight get some good sleep knowing she is in the best place to keep her pain under control, hydrated and with a nurse just a button press away if she needs help.

As you said the morning will bring answers.
I've been feeling sick starting yesterday, so I try to leave the room if I start coughing or sneezing. Her system is already compromised and I don't want to make it worse.

She actually is not taking any medicine to include pain killers. They do not want to damage her liver more.
 

pat

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Hoping they got your mom rehydrated and that she can take in lots of fluids..just dehydration from the diarhea alone is enough to have her feeling tired and punky
 
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duchess15

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Originally Posted by Pat & Alix

Hoping they got your mom rehydrated and that she can take in lots of fluids..just dehydration from the diarhea alone is enough to have her feeling tired and punky
Yes...they gave her two 500 ml bags of regular saline in about 3 hours. She was on a 1000 ml bag of potassium today.
 

pat

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Good! I hope she has a comfortable night, and that you feel better too.
 
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duchess15

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Originally Posted by Pat & Alix

Good! I hope she has a comfortable night, and that you feel better too.
Thanks...so do I. I'll be there early in the morning. At least her legs aren't hurting as much.
 
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