I have watched this amazing group for many years and I have contributed from time to time , but usually to agree with the brilliant advice and suggestions that have already been posted.
My partner of 30 years, Mr B (that's what our friends call him because we are both Andy), was diagnosed with NAFLD 14 years ago and we coped very well and life was pretty normal. Then about 8 years ago he was admitted to hospital with a big variceal bleed and was in High Dependency Care for about 10 days. That was the most frightening time of my life.
Since then we have experience a number of cycles of decompensating and recompensating, and on average a week or ten days in hospital each year. Various reasons, anaemia, malnutrition (because of diabetes & keeping blood sugar too strictly under control), electrolytes needing to be sorted because of the diuretics, etc.
He had a transplant assessment in 2021 at the Royal Free and that looked OK until they did some extra tests and the kidneys were too vulnerable. A transplant followed by twice weekly dialysis was not an outcome they wanted to see, and we definitely agreed.
To cut a long story short he went downhill very quickly after Christmas and was admitted to the Bristol Liver Unit and referred on to our local hospice. He passed away a few weeks ago, in such a calm, kind place and I was there holding his hand.
From the perspective of a couple supporting each other here are some lessons we have learned.
People here ask can you go from decompensated back to compensated? Yes you can! Several times. But get your vaccines; covid, flu, shingles, etc. Viruses spread in the community can cause quite a setback (not medical advice, just an observation, as is everything below). Take regular gentle exercise. Take care of your diet. Spend time with people you love.
Always go to medical appointments together - two head really are better than one. To understand what's being said and ask relevant questions together.
Make friends with the team that are caring for you. When we understood the 'direction of travel' Mr B's consultant, who we both knew so well, took me into a side-room to shed a few tears together, and so many of the nurses came to see him off when he transferred to the hospice because they had a very fond relationship with funny, cheeky Mr B.
Follow the advice from the dietician and if they prescribe a supplement that you don't like tell them! There are lots of alternatives - sweet, savoury, shots or soups, etc, etc. Getting the carbs and protein right is so important - especially overnight.
If you are also diabetic don't obsess too much about blood sugar readings. Discuss this with your GP practice, but our experience was that because the liver is struggling to store and release energy it is OK to run "a bit hot".
Get (ask for) a walking stick or stroller - falls are the worst thing! They sap self confidence and make you both feel very vulnerable. After Mr B's first fall in the garden it took us 30-40 minutes to get him back on his feet and we were both distraught and exhausted. Don't expose yourself to that.
Find a good independent pharmacy that can respond to a sudden changes in dose or medication quickly. Often happens on hospital discharge.
And finally...
When you know the inevitable is coming don't hold back from sharing your thoughts and fears.
We planned the funeral together, along with Mr B's brother. The music and images were so right and I was able to stand up to share some of our memories. It was something for him to be very proud of.
No need to respond - just telling the story and sharing experiences
Andy, Bristol, UK
Update on partner 
I have so much to share as all this hit our home too! Stop drinking and your health/etc. will thank you! 
Desperately trying to save my partner. 
New and a little lost
