My grampa has...?
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Answers:
The fluid building up in the abdomen is because the liver
is no longer able to make enough protein known as
Albumin. This albumin is what keeps the fluid in the
vessels. When there isn't enough, then it seeps out into
the abdominal area. They have a special name for this
fluid, it is known as "Ascites". When the doctor takes this fluid from a patient, that doesn't mean it won't start to
build up again...it does come back. Removing the fluid
is just to make the patient more comfortable. Too much
fluid can press on other organs of the body and may cause
it to be difficult to breathe.
If you want to learn more about Cirrhosis, which is death
of the liver cells, here is an easy to understand link:
http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases...
Your grandpa may be able to be placed on the
transplant list if he goes through an evaluation process
and he is able to withstand a long surgery. He should
be with a Hepatologist now, this is a doctor who specializes
in the liver.
Being with him and showing him that you truly want to be with
him is the best things for him right now. It will give him the
will to face what he is going through and the will to live longer.
This is a very difficult disease. This disease is not only hard on him, it is very hard for the family also. They may feel helpless to do anything to help him. So, in essence, the whole family needs support and understanding. The one thing that I can suggest, is not to let him and the family become the disease. This may seem like an odd statement. Usually, when someone is so sick, people have a tendency to dwell so much on the illness, so much on finding a miracle, so much on talking only about it and forget that they need to spend more time on drawing alot closer to each other and saying the things they need to say and just cherishing the moment they have with someone. There needs to be a balance set, so he is not waiting to die, but "living" what life he has left. I hope that makes sense.
No one knows how long a person will live with this disease...
the doctors can only make an educated guess, depending
on test results and his medical history and his conditions
now.
Love goes to you, your family, and your wonderful grandpa.
He is fortunate to have a granddaughter who cares so much.
i feel your pain my mother died so I can relate to losing a loved one. the best you can do for now is spend as much time possible with him and make sure he knows that you love him. Let yourself say goodbye. But, there is always hope, don;t give up yet. Your luck will turn around!
my prayer will be with your grandpa,its hard to see them suffer like that,but just be there for him and live him while he is here.
Sorry to hear about your grand father.
Hope things work out for the best.
God Bless you & your family & your grandpa
You and your Grampa are in my thoughts and prayers.
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