My dad has End-stage liver failure (Cirrhosis) and is on Hospice. What can I expect?!
Question: My dad has End-stage liver failure (Cirrhosis) and is on Hospice. What can I expect.?
He's on morphine and his mind is definitely not like it used to be. A social-worker is even suppose to be coming to talk to my brother and I.
Should I give up hope that my dad is going to make it.?Health Question & Answer
Should I give up hope that my dad is going to make it.?Health Question & Answer
Answers:
It's going to be a very hard road for you. I just went through this one month ago with my mom. She was also on a morphine pump and her mind was not quite right. Hospice is a wonderful program. The people are excellent-nurses, social workers, volunteers everyone.
The best advice I can tell you is to listen to your dad's doctors. If he's in hospice, he's probably pretty close to the end, but not always. Hospice is a place for creating peace and allowing the person to live out their last days pain free. Some people go into a hospice house for a little bit and then go home. My mom went back and forth a few times. When it was getting close to the end, they gave us a pamphlet called "Gone from my sight." I highly suggest that you get a copy of this as it was very accurate. It was very hard to read, hard to think about, hard to function. Everything. Don't give up hope, but listen with open ears and an open heart and be prepared for whatever will happen, although I know it's difficult. Losing my mom at 26 has been the hardest thing I've ever had to go through. I cried for weeks before she died and for weeks after. Lean on your brother and let him lean on you. You can be support for each other. Without my sister right now, this would be 100% harder. My thoughts are with you and please send me an email if you need help or would like someone to talk to.Health Question & Answer
The best advice I can tell you is to listen to your dad's doctors. If he's in hospice, he's probably pretty close to the end, but not always. Hospice is a place for creating peace and allowing the person to live out their last days pain free. Some people go into a hospice house for a little bit and then go home. My mom went back and forth a few times. When it was getting close to the end, they gave us a pamphlet called "Gone from my sight." I highly suggest that you get a copy of this as it was very accurate. It was very hard to read, hard to think about, hard to function. Everything. Don't give up hope, but listen with open ears and an open heart and be prepared for whatever will happen, although I know it's difficult. Losing my mom at 26 has been the hardest thing I've ever had to go through. I cried for weeks before she died and for weeks after. Lean on your brother and let him lean on you. You can be support for each other. Without my sister right now, this would be 100% harder. My thoughts are with you and please send me an email if you need help or would like someone to talk to.Health Question & Answer
As cliche as this sounds: never give up. One of my best friends was diagnosed with leukemia and he wasn't supposed to make it: he kept slipping in and out of comas, but now his cancer is 97% gone. I can't say it's a *direct* result of hope, but believing in him made all the difference: no matter how indirectly.
If there's one thing kids are able to do with much more ease than adults, it's maintaining optimism. Adults call their own pessimism "wise", and "in touch with reality", and I don't doubt their experience and sagacity, but I think your dad needs what only the younger folks can give him. So even when the adults go about business like as though it's all over, please don't give up. I can't even imagine how tough this must be for you and your family, I'm so sorry.Health Question & Answer
If there's one thing kids are able to do with much more ease than adults, it's maintaining optimism. Adults call their own pessimism "wise", and "in touch with reality", and I don't doubt their experience and sagacity, but I think your dad needs what only the younger folks can give him. So even when the adults go about business like as though it's all over, please don't give up. I can't even imagine how tough this must be for you and your family, I'm so sorry.Health Question & Answer
Sweetie I know that this is hard on you right now, When you get put on hospice it is because there is nothing else that will medically help him. I know that this is easier said than done, but try not to think of it as you loosing your dad, try to think of it as his suffering being over. He don't want to continue to live like this, Like you said he isn't himself, but please don't use the terms "Give up" b/c he never "gave up" on you! Just pray that the lord will take him peacefully without a lot of suffering. Health Question & Answer
My brother died of that a few years back. I say make him as comfortable as possible...be with him as much as you can, surround him with lots of pictures of the good times, let him eat whatever he can,take him in his wheelchair outside from time to time, have a clergy come to visit him from time to time. Make sure that there is no one he needs to see, so that he can let go when the time comes. Ask him in a polite way of what he wants done at his funeral or make the decision between you and your family. You are going to go through alot and my prayers are with you and your family. I went through it.Health Question & Answer
I am sorry about your dad, but I have had many relatives go to Hospice and none of them lasted very long. It is the easiest way to go because Hospice workers really make it easy for the family and patient during their last days.
I would make peace with dad, and just love him. Talk about his life and what he has meant to you. Never give up hope, but it is unlikely he will make it out, but they will make sure he is comfortable.
God bless you all.Health Question & Answer
I would make peace with dad, and just love him. Talk about his life and what he has meant to you. Never give up hope, but it is unlikely he will make it out, but they will make sure he is comfortable.
God bless you all.Health Question & Answer
Hospice specializes in end of life patients. They help guide the patients and their families through the death and dying process. Every once and a while, a patient is dismissed from hospice because they get better. But they are in the minority. I would talk with your dad's social worker, and doctors and get all their opinions. Write your questions down before you met with them, and make sure you get all of them answered.
But honestly the only cure for end stage Liver failure is a transplant, so death is inevitable. It could be months, weeks or days.
I'm very sorry.Health Question & Answer
But honestly the only cure for end stage Liver failure is a transplant, so death is inevitable. It could be months, weeks or days.
I'm very sorry.Health Question & Answer
I have lost both my grans to cancer and my mum has been fighting it for 14 years now but has been told they can do no more.
When my Gran was near the end she 2 was dosed up on morphine and had lost it a little like you mention which will be due to toxemia (blood poisoning). But we cherished the few sane moments we had with her. A friend of ours visited her and my gran dictated letters to each of us which we then opened after her funeral. This was VERY difficult as the time but has brought as such relief since.
All you can do now is love him and reassure him that it will be o.k.
I am very sorry but don't feel you can't cry. He is your dad and you need to express your feelings however you feel best.
God BlessHealth Question & Answer
When my Gran was near the end she 2 was dosed up on morphine and had lost it a little like you mention which will be due to toxemia (blood poisoning). But we cherished the few sane moments we had with her. A friend of ours visited her and my gran dictated letters to each of us which we then opened after her funeral. This was VERY difficult as the time but has brought as such relief since.
All you can do now is love him and reassure him that it will be o.k.
I am very sorry but don't feel you can't cry. He is your dad and you need to express your feelings however you feel best.
God BlessHealth Question & Answer
I very sorry to hear about your father. Just be there to be a friend to him. Patients are generally placed in a hospice when they in the last stages of life. They are usually not expected to make it, so that is why they are not in the hospital anymore, instead they are in the hopsice setting. Good luck!Health Question & Answer
each case is definately different, but i will share with you what our family just experienced.
my dad was diagnosed with cancer about 3 years ago, and he died just this past summer of liver cancer.my grandma also died of liver cancer. both of them died a very easy and virtually painless death...just got weaker and weaker,sleepier and sleepier.frpm the time jaundice set it for my grandma, she was gone within 3 weeks. for my dad, it was closer to a week and a half. near the end it will be hard for them to even keep thier eyes open, or talk as it takes too much energy.but they continue to HEAR TIL THE VERY END.
the morphine is important to keep the pain controlled, dont feel guilty about allowing it to be used.
i have done alot of research on hospice and hospice cases, and have come to beleive fully that the patient has ALOT to do with how his passing will go. it is said that if the person has a strong faith or beleif EITHER WAy( going to heaven, or no afterlife) they will have the easiest time. its the people who arent sure, that have a hard time going.
the best advice i can give you, is to read the literature that hospice will give you. its spot on. i was amazed at how , what i read, happened right before my eyes. also, read the writings of elizabeth kubler ross.
just a hint,....your dad may be commincating much better than you realise, but he may be using alot of symbolism, that you must define.
cherish each moment with him, and use this time to strengthen your family. and be SURE to give your dad permission to go when its time. he needs to know that you and your brother will be ok without him.
all the best...xox
email me if you want to chat further.Health Question & Answer
my dad was diagnosed with cancer about 3 years ago, and he died just this past summer of liver cancer.my grandma also died of liver cancer. both of them died a very easy and virtually painless death...just got weaker and weaker,sleepier and sleepier.frpm the time jaundice set it for my grandma, she was gone within 3 weeks. for my dad, it was closer to a week and a half. near the end it will be hard for them to even keep thier eyes open, or talk as it takes too much energy.but they continue to HEAR TIL THE VERY END.
the morphine is important to keep the pain controlled, dont feel guilty about allowing it to be used.
i have done alot of research on hospice and hospice cases, and have come to beleive fully that the patient has ALOT to do with how his passing will go. it is said that if the person has a strong faith or beleif EITHER WAy( going to heaven, or no afterlife) they will have the easiest time. its the people who arent sure, that have a hard time going.
the best advice i can give you, is to read the literature that hospice will give you. its spot on. i was amazed at how , what i read, happened right before my eyes. also, read the writings of elizabeth kubler ross.
just a hint,....your dad may be commincating much better than you realise, but he may be using alot of symbolism, that you must define.
cherish each moment with him, and use this time to strengthen your family. and be SURE to give your dad permission to go when its time. he needs to know that you and your brother will be ok without him.
all the best...xox
email me if you want to chat further.Health Question & Answer