My husband had Hepatitis C for 20 years before we found it. By the time we did, his liver was 50% cirrhotic. He started treatment and takes milk thistle every day. At his last biopsy, his liver had regenerated some tissue and his liver function showed much improvement.
Do not lose hope! The human body is amazing and loves to prove people wrong.
Here are some websites to peruse and start the learning process. Knowing some of the terminology, and basic mechanics of what is going on will really help you feel empowered and also help you work with your doctors and nurses. The ultimate decision on how to treat your husband is up to both of you. You can do this best the more you know.
Make google your best friend. Don’t forget you can google ANYTHING!
Please let me know if I can help. I can help you find answers and send them to you if you feel overwhelmed.
First off, thanks for the many links. I’ll be doing some homework as soon as I’ve written this post.
Second of all, good news! The specialist that I trust, who has seen Jaceson the longest at like 4 or 5 years, doesn’t think the need for a transplant is anything immediately imminent. < does Snoopy Happy Dance > Yes, he’ll probably eventually need one, but that’s far down the road, somewhere in the distant future. He did say the other doctor was just basically giving out worst-case-scenarios.
After reading this thread, I’ll have to ask how we find out just how cirrhotic his liver is and when we can do that. It now doesn’t sound nearly as catastrophic as what the other doctor said. And after surrounded by literalists posted, that sounds very positive indeed.
Oh, and he’s staying for another night. They want to do an upper and lower GI so that they can be completely sure that the problem is just the portal hypertension and there’s no bleed elsewhere. They’re about 90 % sure at the moment.
I’m a little rattled now, so if I skipped around some (or don’t make much sense), I’m so sorry. I promise to update more when I can.
Finally, Jaceson also gives his love to all of you. He feels like he knows my “Doper” friends well. He, too, thinks we couldn’t be doing this if not for y’all’s help. Thank you all so much again for your outpouring of help and love. That’s why I’m crazy about this place… you guys are so special.
Excellent news, faithfool!
I’m so happy things are looking up. The uncertainty is almost always the worst. Once you know what’s happening, you can deal with it.
