my mother has hepatits c viral infection. she has moderate cirrhosis and is getting into liver comas. i dont know if it is time to consider transplantation. is it a safe process or will it be danderous for her. she is 60 years old with diabetes and hypertension. if anybody has an experience please tell me.
2007-04-09 14:08:21 · 3 answers · asked by lema 1 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Other - Diseases
Anyone who wants a liver transplant should try to be placed on the transplant list as soon as possible. The list is long and an evaluation process has to take place first. Your mother should be in the hands of a doctor known as a Hepatologist, a liver specialist. The doctor would be the best one to discuss this with,as he knows all your mother's medical conditions and he can tell you better than anyone if she will be able to withstand the surgery. I would look into getting an Advance directive or power of attorney form made up as soon as possible so you can receive her medical records and have a say in her care and also be able to speak for her. I hope she is still able, when she is out of this coma, to be considered capable of signing such papers as this. I am with a Group on Yahoo known as the "Liver Cirrhosis Support"
group that Yahoo provides for people who have a common bond and we can discuss, post, and send links to answer each other questions...you are welcome to come there and join us. There are also other groups just for Hepatitis...you might like to look into them also. You should not have to bare this all alone.
2007-04-10 15:05:05 · answer #1 · answered by abijann 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Transplant is not easier in many ways. You may not get the "best" liver. You may not make it through surgery. If those things work well then your life is forever on immunosuppressant drugs. Not only do you have to avoid infections if you have a family history of cancer it usally pops up. You may also have to take steroids that can dramatically impact your health especially high doses it ruins your bones. You won't be selected to be on the transplant list unless you have a good support system because you have to rely on your support to help you get the medical need required after transplant. Some people do well with all the different aspects and can lead a normal life or at least improved life but it is so not what it is cracked up to be "a second chance at life" If the cirrhosis is moderate why is she into coma? Usally that is final stage and if your mom is a canidate and in the hospital the doctor would have approched you or her main family about transplant.
2007-04-09 14:22:36 · answer #2 · answered by toastyrachel 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
shortly yes my mom kidney but she is truly strong
2007-04-09 14:12:29 · answer #3 · answered by miya 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋