my mom is in end stage of hepatitis c

[Shaynakerz]

My com contracted hepatitis c 29 yrs and 5 months ago when i was born, there were complications and she needed a blood transfusion where she contracted the disease and had my brother 2 years later not knowing she had it and unfortunately he was born with it. But my mom has gotten significantly worse over the past 6 months and especially the last 2 weeks. Im so scared i dont want to loose her tried rushing my wedding it is nov 10th but it looms like she will be too sick to make it. But she is thin except for her belly which is very big and hard like a 7month pregnant woman. Her feet and lower legs swell, and the medicine that is susposed to keep her ammonia levels down does not seem to be working anymore because she isn't with it. She doesn't talk can't do pretty much anything by her self cant walk she is so weakweak she cannot be alone so  take care of her at night while my dad works and whenever he needs me and he does everything else. It is so hard to see her like this, so helpless. And she also has and ITP which is a platelet disorder so she has like no platlets.

[HectorSF]

OH is 100% correct, your mother needs to be seen at a liver transplant center ASAP!!!  Your mother's liver is failing which is causing all of the complications you mentioned. She needs the care only a transplant center can provide. They work with others in the same condition as your mother on a daily basis. The only effective treatment for people with end-stage liver disease is a liver transplant. Chronic hepatitic C virus is the most frequent cause of liver transplantation in the United States.

If you post where you live we can tell you what centers are near you.

"But she is thin except for her belly which is very big and hard like a 7month pregnant woman. Her feet and lower legs swell"

These are the classic signs of End-Stage Liver Disease. Ascites: This is an increase in abdominal girth, due to fluid build-up in the abdomen as the liver fails. This can cause difficulty breathing as it limits the movement of the diaphragm and crowds the lungs. It can be painful due to pressure on the internal organs, and this fluid can develop bacterial infections leading to peritonitis, infection of the lining of the intestinal tract. The pressure in the abdominal cavity can lead to swelling in the lower extremities as well. Only a liver transplant center can help her manage this degree of illness.

"the medicine that is supposed to keep her ammonia levels down does not seem to be working anymore because she isn't with it.

The amount of care your mother needs is not something you or your father can provide. She probably needs Lactulose enemas and blood tests done until her ammonia level comes down. Only a transplant center has the resources to do this.
Hepatic encephalopathy: As the liver fails, it’s ability to metabolize and rid the body of toxins becomes compromised, and these begin to build up in the bloodstream. This toxin buildup, particularly high ammonia levels, affects the central nervous system and results in fatigue, short-term memory loss, day-night sleep reversal, mental slowness and slurred speech. Patients with increased levels of these toxins may exhibit restless movement and asterixis, a hand-flapping tremor. If the encephalopathy becomes severe, the patient is likely to become unresponsive and comatose.

"And she also has and ITP which is a platelet disorder so she has like no platelets."

Thrombocytopenia (low platelet count) is common with advanced liver disease because the platelets are sequestered in the enlarge spleen the is a complication of cirrhosis of the liver. If she has ITP also then that is an additional issue to deal with.

"She doesn't talk"

Either your mother is too weak to talk or she could be in a stupor cause by her hepatic encephalopathy.

If it were my mother I would find the nearest transplant center on Monday! Your mother is suffering and dying. If she does not get the medical care she needs her prognosis is very poor. She needs a life-saving transplant very soon to continue living. Assuming she is eligible for a transplant, she will be evaluated at the transplant center and listed for transplant. Meanwhile they will stabilize her to whatever extent is possible. Depending on where you live your mother could be very close to the top of the transplant list and not have to wait long.

The only option for your mother to continue living is a liver transplant. Get her the help she needs before it is too late.

Best of luck to your mother and family.
Hector

[orphanedhawk]

Your mother has ESLD and need to be seen at a transplant center asap.
The swollen belly is from ascites, fluid build up, a side effect of her advanced cirrhosis.
She should be on a strict no salt, no red meat diet.

She needs a liver transplant and should be seeing a hepatologist, a liver specialist, experienced with liver disease and transplantation.
Do not delay in getting her the help she needs.

Good luck

[rivll]

I am so sorry. I know Hector and others who can really give you the important info. will chime in soon.
But honey, from that description, it looks real bad. I don't know if she is in touch with a transplant team, but she should be as far as I can tell, it is her only chance.
My sister died of ESLD and liver cancer-hospice helped a lot at the end with the pain and the grief. I would get hospice involved, if you cannot get her involved with a transplant team
All the best to you and may you and your mother find comfort in the love you share.

[Shaynakerz]

So i guess what i am asking is if anyone has gone through this and how much time we are looking at.And we have not involved hospice yet just a visiting nurse. Any suggestions or if anyone knows what i can expect or about how long she has i would like to know so be truthful and honest please