It is very comforting to read your stories of how to cope with liver disease. My friend retired from teaching less than a year ago and discovered she has a genetic liver disease ( as do four of her sisters - one had received a transplant one year ago).
I can't believe how fast she went. Her swelling of the abdomen began, then bowel problems, salt deficiency, mild confusion, blood transfusions. She perked up and was visiting relatives and they even suggested a date to go home. Then because she was not a candidate for a liver transplant at 69 years old - they withdrew all treatment and gave her morphine - she dies the same week.
We have just had a new law in Canada for euthanizing and I can't but wonder if this did speed up her death. We were all wondering why she was not put on the list one year ago when they found out??? It seems to be luck of the draw. She died Aug. 15
God Bless you all.
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smockler
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The British Liver Trust are working hard in the UK to raise awareness for all forms of liver disease and support those affected.
I have found these organisations in Canada that support those with liver disease;
CANADIAN ASSOCIATION FOR THE STUDY OF THE LIVER
CASL is a non-profit organization that seeks to eliminate liver disease through research, education and advocacy. Its members include hepatologists, gastroenterologists, pathologists, pediatricians, radiologists, scientists, surgeons, trainees and other interested people.
Established in 1969, the Canadian Liver Foundation’s mandate is to promote liver health and reduce the incidence and impact of liver disease by providing support for research and education into the causes, diagnoses, prevention and treatment of liver disease.
I am so sorry for your loss. It was a pity when she had years of retirement before her.
I am so sorry for the loss of your friend.
On the day my husband died of liver and kidney failure and bronco pneumonia he was in intensive care and I was told he could have from 3 to 36 hours left to live. His team explained to me the kindest thing to do was to top up his dire morphine and let him go. There was nothing else that could be done for him and trying to prolong the inevitable would only cause him more discomfort. I had to agree with them and watched him slip away in while I held his hand. I believe that was the closest to euthanasia within UK law as we can go and as tough as it was to watch, I couldn't watch him suffer any longer.
As hard as it is that you have lost your dear friend, be thankful for the special time you had together although far too short, and that she's no longer in pain or suffering. Remember all the happy times you had while she was alive rather than dwelling on her sad demise, with time it will become easier.
Sorry for your loss which must be a difficult time for you. xxx
Gosh, this is so tragic and I really feel for you, as friends like these are rare indeed. It is fantastic that other peoples' stories and postings have brought you some comfort and I hope you continue to find that to be so. I really hope that you have a way of cherishing the memories of being her friend. We have seen at first hand the devastating effect of one of our friends losing his life partner, so this has taken a great deal of courage for you to come on here. I hope your courage continues to hold you fast in the coming times ahead. All the very best and I wish you and yours well for the future
The same thing happened to my husband. He was ill for only two months before then he had led a fit and energetic life. However once he had received the diagnosis of liver cancer he was admitted into hospital to try and reduce his potassium levels, without success, and all treatment withdrawn. His morphine was increased and he died seven days after admittance to hospital.
Hard for us all but I hated seeing him in pain and as my doctor said, better this way than a long drawn out painful illness.
I’m guessing that the palliative might have hastened his death.
This happened only three months ago and it’s still difficult to accept. And I’m guessing that’s exactly how you feel.
I take each day at a time in the hope that things will get better.
I hope you have a good circle of family and friends to share your grief.
Deepest sympathies on the loss of your friend. I wish there was a way to send hugs that could be felt, I guess I'm assuming people don't mind being hugged.
My folks were of the opinion that if the medical community and government accepted euthanasia as a treatment it would start to skew the thoughts of treatment options mostly for older people. Perhaps it has.
Again, sorry for the loss of your friend and best wishes to you.
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Totally lost and confused
Advice for a friend with cirrhosis (alcohol induced)?
Just some food for thought, and sharing some news
Lost and beyond devastated
Lost the battle and the war
