Questions for the doctor

[Mywildlove]

Hello all. My fiancé has his second appointment tomorrow since his diagnosis. He then has an endoscopy on Thursday. I’ve been trying to make a list of questions to ask the doctor but would like to ask for your help about what exactly to ask. Should I ask about a fibroscan? I really am at a loss about what to ask, I feel like a terrible person for that. I’ve learned so much from the posts here and on FB but I don’t want to miss this opportunity to ask the doctor things. Thank you!!

[Coralsun]

Hi. I'm not sure I can be much help here, I know there are alot of people who know more than myself. I think a good place to start would be to write down things that you and your fiance have been wondering about, what you have been questioning or worried about. You could ask if any further procedures are needed to find out more or if they already have a clear picture of your fiance's condition. It's usual to want to know what to expect going forward and to know if there's anything your fiance can do to improve things. He seems to have made a great start in not drinking and altering his diet. The fact he has bounced back quickly is a good sign he's quite physically strong. I'm sorry I can't be of more help and hope that his appointment goes well. Good luck.

Cotalsun

[Mywildlove in reply to Coralsun]

Thank you so much! You’re right, I just feel so overwhelmed and flustered but I gotta get my wits about me. I want to ask if he’s going to live but I know that the doctor probably doesn’t know the answer to that yet. And I also don’t want to put more fear into my fiancé. Thank you again so much!

[Coralsun in reply to Mywildlove]

That is the big question and worry. Maybe you could ask if your fiance continues to live healthy can he expect to go forward without any major concerns for the time being. Hopefully the doctor's answer will give a better idea of how he thinks your fiance will be in longer terms.

Coralsun

[Mywildlove in reply to Coralsun]

Coralsun, thank you! That’s such a good way to ask it! I have a problem putting things eloquently haha

[Hidden in reply to Mywildlove]

Heya neighbour 🙂. Where is his appointment if I may ask? Is it at the Francis Ford liver clinic? Coralsun has said pretty much the same thing I would have said and I think her choice of wording about how to ask the doctor the question of long term prognosis is very well said.

Your fiancee and I as you know where in very similar shoes. We are all different of course but when I asked about prognosis I can share with you the answer the hepatologist gave me. She almost verbatim said:

"You are presenting as very well compensated and If you continue to abstain from alcohol you will not see any further progression. In time your liver function will continue to improve and it's quite possible that you may see a regression in time in the cirrhosis from a F4 stage to a precirrhotic stage."

I hope that gives some warmth to your worries. As for other questions I would indeed ask for a fibroscan. If you are going to the Francis Ford clinic they will give him one as soon as he gets in tomorrow anyway free of charge and will repeat it every 6 months. If your appointment is not at the liver clinic and you are seeing a gastrointestinal doctor I highly recommend getting referred to the clinic. Honestly love it's the best damn place in the country for liver disease and is now world renowned for transplants and heptology. Again I think Coralsun summed it up quite well and personnaly I sometimes think fewer more pointed questions can be more useful than many many questions. That's just me and dont hesitate because I said that to ask anything you want to ask. I remember you mentioned you wanted to ask if there is cirrhosis underlying the alcoholic hepatitis. I feel they will likely say it's to early to tell as they like to wait at least 6 months for the dust to settle before making that diagnosis. I hope this all helps and please let me know how you make out and dont hesitate to messege again before you go if you have anything else you want to bounce off of us here.

Keep positive as I believe since our situations are almost identical that the outcome should be as productive and optimistically similar as well!

🙂❤

[Mywildlove in reply to Hidden]

Hello! I’m sorry this is short, his appointment is at 10 this morning and we are not morning people haha No, it’s not at the Francis Ford clinic. Is that in Toronto? I really want him to go to a liver clinic since I know that’s where he will get the best care so I’m going to ask today. Thank you so so much for what you said, it totally makes me feel better! I’m also scared to have any high hopes, I feel sick with worry this morning and while I’m anxious to ask all my questions, I’m also scared to know the answers in a way. I’m off to get ready, hopefully they don’t close due to all the snow we are supposed to get. Thank you so much! ♥️

[Supportinghubby]

Hi, I'm in a similar position to you in that it's my husband with the liver disease, not me. I struggle like you because some of the questions I want to ask are ones that I feel may cause him anxiety. But to be a good support it's sometimes better to have answers (in my husband's case most of my worries have been unfounded anyway & have been discussed before I've needed to ask).

The only question that I've got lined up for his next appt is about do's & don'ts. E.g. how much exercise should he do (is gentle exercise better than vigorous), can he lift heavy weights etc) because I was questioning him too much - should you be doing that? etc (not sure how appropriate these questions would be for your fiancee, my husband has portal hypertension so I'm a bit cautious). Has your fiancee seen a dietician - these appts have been great for my hubby?

Hope the appt goes well.

[Mywildlove in reply to Supportinghubby]

Thank you so much!! I’ve been wondering about a dietician myself so I’m going to ask about it today. And I’m gonna ask about what he can do as far as lifting things, exercising etc. I won’t even let him carry groceries in, I’m so worried it will hurt him, and he’s getting annoyed by it I can tell haha I’m sorry this is short, I have to get ready for his appointment this morning. Thank you again!!

[Garyvh]

Hope all goes well, and that you get some positive answers

Gary