Cirrhosis and Work

[Samlovescats]

Hi everyone,

This is my first post here. My dad just recently found out he has cirrhosis most likely starting from fatty liver (we’re actually in the US). I’m just wondering how peoples experiences have been continuing to work after diagnosis? He is 52, so relatively young and active (his job is going to houses and doing wireless installations so fairly physical). He is currently following this diet, fattyliverfoundation.org/na... and is already down 22 pounds with probably another 20 to go over the next six months. He is usually pretty tired but goes to bed early and naps on weekends occasionally. But, has anyone with compensated cirrhosis felt they could continue working for awhile, including a fairly physical job? (we will also be seeking advice from doctors in his upcoming appointments, but during the initial one they didn’t seem super concerned about anything). He says it keeps him busy and mind off things, just hoping its not too much for him and his body. I read stats that most people with compensated cirrhosis live on average 9-12 years, but obviously hoping to prolong that.

Just want to thank everyone as well, I’ve been browsing these threads in the last few weeks as a way to cope and its hopeful to see so much progress! Thank you in advance!

[Supportinghubby]

My husband (44) had a decompensated episode last Oct although is compensated now. He went back to work after 5 weeks, his job is a mixture of desk based & minor physical stuff. He's been fine at work & just been given a promotion with more responsibility & may also need to work some weekends. It concerns me that it will be too much but he seems fine & I haven't mentioned anything cos he's very positive. Hopefully your dad will manage ok but I'll be interested in other replies.

[Hidden in reply to Supportinghubby]

It's great he's doing so well, the work will help to keep his mind occupied and off his illness. I guess while he's feeling well enough to cope with extra work and responsibility it's fine, as long as he listens to his body and cuts down if or when he needs to. Presumably his boss is aware of his condition?

Wishing you all the best

Laura x

[Supportinghubby in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Laura. Yes, his boss is aware of his condition, he might have tried to play it down but he has worked with her for years & I know her quite well and spoke to her candidly while he was in hospital so she knows the full story (he knew I was talking to her). His work have been great & really supportive.

[Hidden in reply to Supportinghubby]

Excellent 💕

[Samlovescats in reply to Supportinghubby]

Okay good to know that other people are able to go back to work as well! I think it really is a coping mechanism. Thank you for your reply and glad your husband is doing better

[Roy1955]

It's not a death sentence and not a disability unless it causes illness.

In many cases cirrhosis is happily chugging along and letting us do as much or as little as we want.

Dont let being labeled with the word cirrhosis make him feel like his world is crashing down.

[Hidden in reply to Roy1955]

Very well said Roy. The word and the defintion of that word makes us think we are in immediate danger for some reason even if our health contradicts that entirely. Though this doesnt apply to samloves husband but it makes me think of how its interesting that I find the members who dont have a diagnosis of cirrhosis are far more in fear and in a state of perpetual anxiety about having it than those of us who do have it by far.

[Supportinghubby in reply to Hidden]

That's a really good point about anxiety in those who have a diagnosis compared to those worried about if they might have it. It seems like it could apply to partners/spouses too - I def think I worry about it more than my husband. Wish I could just erase it from my mind!

[Hidden in reply to Supportinghubby]

Oh true. I wasnt at all intending to mean you or your husband where not in the right for worrying love. Or that prople who dont have a diagnosis shouldnt worry. I guess what i meant is that sometimes having it is less anxiety inducing than worrying you have it. Once you have it the mind sort of accepts it and moves onto the "ok now we have to deal with this stage". The unkown I think was more scary for me than when I found out I had it. As a person who suffers from severe anxiety I can say that for me the unknown of most things is what eats me up. If im on stage playing to thousands of people where I could make a mistake or on a plane that could crash im calm. I thinks its because my mind goes into a sort of acceptance and cope state as opposed to "a what do I do if this or what if that" mental vortex. I know when im on a plane that for certainty i cant prevent it from crashing so I become at peace with the possibility.

But we all mentally deal with things differently and our anxietys have different triggers. This is just my experiences. But its no doubt clear that the members on this forum that are the most vocal about their fear regarding cirrhosis seem to be the ones that dont have it or dont have a diagnosis of it. Just an observation. Of course as a loved one of a person who has it you would be likely very anxious about it no doubt! But thats indeed one of the "perils" the heart indures in a setting of true love though isnt it? ❤

[Samlovescats in reply to Roy1955]

Thank you, very true!

[Hidden]

Hi Samlovescats,

My husband is the one with cirrhosis. He had retired not long before his liver & kidney failure episode - so was working with his bad liver. He took a lot of naps during the last few years of working, but did his job just fine - as others mainly a desk job.

If your father is comfortable working and it sounds like he is doing what his doctor advises there would seem to be no reason for major worry at this time.

Just to let you know - my husband went into liver & kidney failure in Nov 2015, came out of it and has done fairly well since. His liver doctor told him that he can live for another 20 years plus [his Mom is 94]. So I wouldn't put any number on the years you father has left

It helps to write down all the questions you might have and take a small notebook with you to write down what the doctor says, at least it has worked for me.

Best wishes,

Mary

[Samlovescats in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much for your advice, glad to hear your husband is doing a lot better

[Hidden in reply to Samlovescats]

Thank you and good luck to you.

mary