Unfortunate Circumstance

[Rimeru]

My mother was put on the list for a liver transplant and everything was looking good until recently, she had developed pancreatitis which they say is fatal if she were to transplant her while she has pancreatitis. The doctors keep pushing my family and myself to hospice care and telling us to be realistic and not just hopeful. I don't want to give up on my mother, and my mother doesn't want to give up. I want to explore other options for her, second opinions, etc. I just don't know what to do.

[DonnaBoll Administrator]

I am so sorry to read this. What a horribly difficult decision to make now. Of course, you don't want to give up on your Mom. It's so hard to be realistic yet know you will not stop trying to do what may help her. Transplanting someone who has pancreatitis just isn't going to happen. You know that too. I know you want your Mom to be as comfortable as possible right now though too. Hospice is no longer the 'end of life' stigma it used to be. They can provide so many services that otherwise would not be afforded to her. Do you live in the states?

[Rimeru in reply to DonnaBoll]

Thank you for responding, and yes I live in the states.

[Braveheart65]

I’ve had a liver transplant and then developed pancreatitis shortly after resulting from a ERCP procedure used to place a stent into the transplanted bile duct connection. The pancreatitis was 100% worse than the transplant so my heart goes out to your poor mother.

Although my recovery from pancreatitis was lengthy, I did recover, so why can’t they wait for your mum to do likewise & then transplant?

[Rimeru in reply to Braveheart65]

Her liver team say her condition is already at its end stages and she is nearing death, so they dont have time to wait for her pancreatitis to go away and they don't think it will.

[DonnaBoll Administrator in reply to Rimeru]

I can certainly understand how scary this must be for you to feel the transplant is being done under these unfavorable circumstances. I think at some point you just need to trust in their wisdom and pray. We all pray for her as well. Please let us know how your Mom does.

[Braveheart65 in reply to Rimeru]

Thoughts and prayers for all of you