Liver Failure

[phleb]

my cousin was diagnosed with liver failure, put on a transplant list. His daughter was tested and was a match. We have been told he cannot have the transplant now, as he is too weak and its a risky procedure. They have stopped all treatment and made him comfortable. Its heart breaking, he is young. Why did they give up on him? I cannot understand why they are letting him die. He is saying his goodbyes in very subtle ways, i feel angry. I feel so angry, i want to sob my heart out. I saw him yesterday, and couldn't face it today, i will see him tomorrow, if he is still with us.He is too young to be given up on. Sorry, i needed to vent a bit, and maybe get some advice to understand why the NHS is letting a young man with a family and small children just die like that. x

[Jackdaw33]

I fully understand your feelings, but there must be sound clinical reasons why they are unable to carry out further treatment. When you say young, what age is he?

[Mamyalynne]

I know nothing of this condition but there must be clear reasons why at this stage they can't continue.

Your anger and grief are totally understandable and all I can do is send you and all his family strength to somehow cope.x

[pixie374]

I'm so sorry and I don't blame you for feeling that way. Their reasons look sound, but that probably isn't going to make you feel much better xx

[NoMercy]

Im sorry but how can his (presumably living) young daughter give away her liver?

[Mamyalynne]

Living donor transplants are usually only a portion of the liver.

[bednobs]

if he is too ill to benefit, it does not make sense to put the daughter thru a major op - she could die too. What caused his liver failure?

[johnk]

When you go to see him try to stay cheerful, it will help him.
If you don't go he might think you've given up on him.
Keep hoping, miracles have happened before.

[ummmm]

The NHS wouldn't just let a young man die. There must be reasons.

I'm sorry for how you're feeling. Very sad.

[anneasquith]

Such a tragic situation for all concerned , no medical staff will " just let him die" obviously surgery is not in his best interest .

[roopower]

I have a little experience of this with the wife of a friend. She had liver failure but by the time they found a suitable donor she was too weak to stand the operation. It is a very big operation with risks to patient and live donor. Doctors don't take decisions like these lightly. Maybe it is better to let the patient fade away than to put him/her through the trauma of an operation that the medics know they won't survive. The liver is a wonderful organ and can regenerate from a donor piece but the patient has to be healthy enough to receive it for this to happen. I am so sorry.

[rowanwitch]

I used to be an ITU nurse in a specialist liver unit. Sadly this happened far too often, Liver patients can deteriorate very quickly to the point where they are too unstable to survive the procedure and the long recovery process. Live partial donation as was suggested is far riskier than a donor transplant too . It is not a case of giving up as his body had already effectively done that.

The underlying disease is also a factor as in some cases it reduces the chance of success as well.
If there had been any reasonable hope they would have taken the chance so I can only say the decision made would be to avoid further pain, suffering and distress.
My thoughts are with you all as I have worked alongside many families in this position and I know how hard it is.

[phleb]

Thank you all for your answers and replies. My cousin passed away peacefully this morning. Heartbroken. I wish i could keep him here. It will never be the same again. x

[Eleena]

So sorry phleb x

[NoMercy]

I'm very sorry for your loss x

[waterboatman]

So sorry to see that phleb. But as has been said, the risks in such a procedure are immense, especially for someone so ill. I understand your feeling the way you do, it's natural. He would not have survived the trauma involved, also a huge risk for the donor.

My condolences to you and your family.

[murraymints]

Very sorry to read your sad news xx

[Tilly2]

I am sorry.

[Old_Geezer]

It's difficult to come to terms with a situation when the medical profession you trust to fix everything tells you that they can't do more. But one knows deep down that if they could do something they would have. My sympathy to you and your family. May you find the strength you need at this difficult time.

[Mamyalynne]

My condolences to you and your family Phleb.x

[chelle7272]

So sorry for your loss phleb xx