Becoming a burden to my family

[oap74]

Hi I have cirrhosis and liver cancer and would be interested in talking to other older people like myself who feel that they are undecided about there future. The experts all seem to give the same advice. My worry is are they just keeping you alive regardless of your quality of life and the heartache for your family?

[Yorkybar]

Just to throw my thoughts in the mix. My husband had inoperable cancer and was given just a year to live. He lasted 10 months and the quality of his life was poor for perhaps the last couple of months. He had chemo etc to try to extend his time.

At no point did I or his friends and family consider him a burden - our hearts were sore yes seeing him decline as his will to live was so strong but his physicality was compromised. For me it was a privilege to care for him in his last year. He was 76 when he died.

As his health deteriorated significantly it became obvious that the hospital wanted him out and off their books and on end of life care and contrary to your suggestion the medical profession wasn’t wanting to keep him alive. There was a lot of pressure placed on us both to not waste more medical resources. Perhaps you might think of yourself as lucky that you can get treatment and delay any thoughts of ‘letting nature take its course’ until further along the journey.

Wishing you good luck and some happy times.

[oap74 in reply to Yorkybar]

I’m pleased for you that your period of care was short and you enjoyed it. For me that would be my worst nightmare if the care was longer than that. Well done and thanks

[BritishLiverTrust3 Administrator British Liver Trust]

Hi oap74,

Have you thought about joining on of the British Liver Trust Virtual Support Groups? There you can meet people who share experiences of living with liver disease and liver cancer.

You can register your interest on the website via this link: britishlivertrust.org.uk/vi...

[oap74 in reply to BritishLiverTrust3]

Yes I attended my first one this month invited by Amy and am looking forward to the next one

[Couch1]

Hope you are feeling good today, ty for sharing🤗🙂

[oap74 in reply to Couch1]

I woke up that’s a good day, every day is a bonus. You enjoy yours as well