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Avatar universal

help for my husband

My husband has end stage liver disease, due to hep C.  He also has ascides, 2 hernias (umbillical, inguinal), hepatic encephalopathy, esophageal verices (had them banded), and like many of the postings I have read, needs a liver now.  My hope is for a miracle, but as I read, my husband is just one of thousands that need a miracle.  My heart goes out to all of you, and to the spouses and caretakers, when your loved one has another dementia episode because his (or her) ammonia levels are out of whack, and you are left with the clean-up from the doses of Lactulose (wow  what horrible stuff!) please know, that I am there doing the same thing, I feel for you.  Now back to my question.  I am hoping someone might have some information about my husband hopefully getting on a liver transplant list.  He lost his medical insurance one year ago, although he is on disability, his amount he receives monthly just covers our bills, but our state says we make too much money to qualify for aide.  We cannot get any hospital in the Northern California area (we live in Northern Nevada) to help us.   I was told we need insurance, aide, or a whole lot of money.  We have neither.  Does any one know if there is a facility anywhere in our country that might be willing to take on my husbands case?  I know this is a longshot, but I am willing to try anything.  I saved him from dying 4 days ago, he is in ICU at our hospital.  The hospital doctor says that without a liver now, he will not be alive to see our son graduate from high school this June.
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Avatar universal
I read your story and I felt I was reading our own life.My husband is also waitng for a transplant(liver) but I continually get the feeling he is not a prority because of his similar condition to your husbands(although he hasnt hit the ICU yet).It breaks myheart and sometimes I feel so alone,that all of this will never end,I dread the days to come when his dementia may progress and I have our three small kids to look after as well.I know people have it worse but sometimes I get so tired and depressed.I feel for you so much-I truly hope thigs will get better for you and thankyou for posting your story-it helps me to know I am not so alone as I sometimes feel.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
HCA
It is not your responsibility to save a potential donor liver for a possible younger recipient.
The selection and evaluation is done by professionals who take all factors into account.
In any event livers need to be the right size and blood type and by not getting yourself on the list you could actually allow a potential live saving liver to be unused.
Do try and have yourself evaluated if possible.
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296025 tn?1233256719
Have you tried Tulane in Louisianna??? I am in the same stages and was informed that Tulane may be a possible site.However with my age at 55 I was trying to avoid as it would help a younger patient than me.I don't have thier number but it is in New Orleans and also may check Texas sites...... GOD BE WITH YA'LL
Helpful - 0
726103 tn?1233009786
i am so sorry about what you are going through, there are a lot of caregivers and spouses here if he is on disability dosent he have medicaid? they can help with all of that in the expense part from what i hear a lot of people on medicaid get help with a transplant
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Avatar universal
I hope some of these resources will be helpful:
http://www.doctorndtv.com/FAQ/detailfaq.asp?id=8531

we also you have a well respected liver specialist here who answers questions for a small fee. You might want to post your question to him as well:

http://www.medhelp.org/forums/show/272
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
HCA
Sorry to hear of your situation.
Can't help myself as I am not in USA so just bumping your post to the top in the hope that someone else can advise you.
Helpful - 0
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