Understanding his prognosis

[Redhothoochycoocher]

DB has been diagnosed with cancer in his liver along with decompensated cirrhosis of the liver. He has been a heavy drinker his whole life. He's really poorly and has been having treatment for encephalopathy at hospital. He seemed so much better at the start of the week but the last few days is slipping back to being quite confused and muddled.

A month ago he was given 2 months to live. His quality of life has drastically reduced.

I guess I'm asking a hard question which is what is it like when someone gets close to the end? Not right before they die but in the weeks preceding. It's so hard not knowing how long he has left.

Unfortunately i think if he already has encephalopathy (muddled, sleepy) he's got a very short time (days, few weeks most). Can you ask for palliative care to be involved with his care? To support you really. I'm so sorry

Ok thank you. I suspected as much. He's under palliative care. He will have carers at home but I think he needs to go to the hospice. Something I can look into over the next couple of days.

I had a similar conversation with the mcmallian nurses recently. They said as a rule of thumb if changes are happening over months, it indicates months left, over weeks then weeks and over days then days. I found this helpful as a guide. They were very good when I called them up and might be able to help you x

Thank you that is a helpful guide. I never imagined how awful it could be waiting for someone to die. His quality of life is so far gone now

Sending hugs. I used to work with liver patients at end of life (non medical capacity, so I don't really know what I'm talking about) & it was very unpredictable. Sometimes the doctors would say days + the person would go on for months, other times sadly other way round.
Lots of love x

Thank you x

I don't have an answer for you, @Redhothoochycoocher, but I do hope that he has an easy last few weeks or months, and that you especially get all the help you need.

It sounds like the end is near if he's sleepy and confused, I'm so sorry your going through this, such a horrible disease 😔 sending you both lots of love ❤️