question about esophageal varices

my dad was in the hospital (constantly) recently for about 2-3 months due to decompensated liver cirrhosis. we have known of the disease for a while (as he’s been sick since 2019). long story short, it got really bad to the point doctors didnt think he’d make it out of the hospital, and gave him a 6 month estimated survival period. my mom took him out of the country to get treatment and he’s home now, doing well… we’re optimistic that he’ll make it past 6 months.

while at the hospital, it was recorded that he has grade i and ii esophageal varices, and i had a few questions regarding that:

  1. how bad is grade i-ii? and how likely are these to rupture?
  2. if he no longer drinks and seems to be doing well now, can the varices still rupture whenever?
  3. how likely is a person to survive if it ruptures? does this likelihood change based on what grade the varices are?

he has liver cirrhosis, ulcerative colitis, and had hepatitis (c i believe) while at the hospital (i’m unsure if he still has it). his meld score was a 24 when he first reached the hospital, and last time it was checked (around a month ago) it was 15

do i need to be worried at all about anything? any info helps, even if it’s not exactly answering my questions! thank u!!

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u/Dapper-Computer7498 — 1 day ago

skeeter syndrome

I had, what i thought were, 4 normal bites 2-3 days ago. checked again today cause they were itching like crraaazyyyy

im just a little confused though, cause in the past week i’ve gotten mosquito bites on my arms, hands, and even face, but none of them are as bad as the ones on my legs.

skeeter syndrome? or just a different bug?

u/Dapper-Computer7498 — 1 month ago

fluid in lungs

my dad was told he has 6 months about 2 months ago. i believe his meld was around 21-24 at the time (his bilirubin levels at 400+)

he has since somewhat recovered. however, recently he had gone to the hospital and found out there is over 1L of fluid in his right lung, and some fluid in his left lung as well.

is fluid in the lungs an end-stage sign? is he going to be okay or do I have to start looking at a future without him…?

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u/Dapper-Computer7498 — 1 month ago

life expectancy?

my dad was told he has 6 months about 2 months ago. i believe his meld was around 21-24 at the time (his bilirubin levels at 400+)

he had gone to india for treatment, where they initially recommended a transplant, but his bilirubin and other abnormal levels began to appear normal after treatment, to the point where they said a transplant may not be necessary.

these past two months, he has not been drinking and seems to be taking better care of himself around his family.

im now confused about the 6 month estimated time… should i still be worried that he might potentially no longer be with us in the near future (despite being sober), or can i chill and ignore the 6 month period now that he seems to be doing better?

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u/Dapper-Computer7498 — 1 month ago

CAA vs RN vs NP in ontario

I live in Canada Ontario and recently completed my first year of nursing school… i’ve also started thinking about what i wanna do in the future as a job. initially, i wanted to become a CRNA but then realized that’s not an option in canada unfortunately.

i’m now looking at the difference in salary (in ontario) and work between a certified anesthesia assistant, a registered nurse, and a nurse practitioner.

if anyone who works or has any knowledge on the 3 could give me advice or insight that would be greatly appreciated!

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u/Dapper-Computer7498 — 1 month ago

transplant outside of canada ???

my dad travelled outside of canada (to india) to get treatment for his cirrhosis.

he looks a lot better than he did while he was here (though he still has high bilirubin and other abnormal levels + ascites); he’s talking normally and he’s less skinny. However, at this point of his disease, they are only managing what he’s already working with rather than actually treating it. I’m not actually there with him, but according to my mom the doctors are telling them to consider a transplant.

how likely is it for him to receive a transplant in india? is it even possible? how long does it take to get on the list and eventually receive a liver? potentially in mumbai or punjab? also, would it matter whether or not he has been sober for at least 6 months (since this is a rule in canada)?

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u/Dapper-Computer7498 — 3 months ago

prognosis of 6 months…?

my dad hasn’t been drinking ever since he was hospitalized (about 3 weeks ago). 

the doctors in my country had told us he was ineligible for a liver transplant and has approximately 6 months left. 

he travelled outside of the country to receive treatment, where he has so far visited 2 hospitals.

the first hospital had told our family that we should consider a transplant for him. the second hospital told us that a transplant wouldn’t be necessary and they would try to cure him without a new liver. 

He seems to be in better condition since going there (less weak, less jaundiced, more alert and oriented, better blood labs… i think?) though I’m not getting full updates as I didnt travel out of country with him.

I’m a little confused. does he still only have 6 months if he continues on this path without receiving a new liver? 

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u/Dapper-Computer7498 — 3 months ago

can a person still pass after being sober?

if someone’s diagnosed with liver cirrhosis and given 6 more months to live, but they stop drinking now and receive some treatment, could they still pass from cirrhosis within the next 6 months (give or take a few)

has anyone experienced this with a loved one?

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u/Dapper-Computer7498 — 3 months ago

transplant (?)

my dads treatment wasnt working at the hospital so they sent him home.

with his bilirubin levels continuing to rise, they have given him a prognosis of 6 months (ineligible to get a transplant in canada due to not being sober for 6 months prior)

He and my mom were planning on travelling outside of canada to seek better treatment and maybe even a transplant outside of our country.

would he be able to get a transplant in india, despite not being 6 months sober?

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u/Dapper-Computer7498 — 3 months ago

very beginning of test

just wondering if at the beginning of the test they make you locate and use certain parts of the car?

like obviously theyll ask about the breaks and signals (left and right) but do they also ask things like using the windshield wipers?

if yes then what exactly do i need to know?

(brampton location)

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u/Dapper-Computer7498 — 3 months ago

confused about prognosis

doctors said my dad can go home after 7 days of liver treatment. so far his bilirubin has not gone down (day 5), however they said when he’s feeling stronger and can walk he can go home… i’m confused? are they giving up on him?

he said prognosis is 6 months until his liver deteriorates. but what then?

his MELD score is 21

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u/Dapper-Computer7498 — 3 months ago

life expectancy

my dad has been in the hospital for about a week now. Long story short, the doctor is very concerned and i’m pretty sure he doesn’t think he’ll make it.

my dad is VERY weak (like he cannot get in and out of bed, or even sit up straight), has ascites, very jaundiced, very skinny, tired all the time, and it looks/sounds like he’s struggling to speak, however he does still speak and most of the times we can understand him. He’s not confused or anything

The doctor said his bilirubin levels continue to go up despite him being on treatment (his body isnt progressing?), and they said its life-threatening and they are concerned

can someone please give me a second opinion on this. i’m just confused cause it looks like he‘s getting better (not his jaundice), but apparently his bloodwork says otherwise ???

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u/Dapper-Computer7498 — 3 months ago

last/warning signs before death?

we finally got my dad to go to the hospital today after so much convincing. He seems the tiniest bit better (since he’s away from alcohol) but i feel like the situation is worse than I think.

He has ascites, jaundice, little confusion/short term memory issues (only sometimes) but he’s talking normally, very weak (can’t walk and uses a wheelchair), back pain, shortness of breath, random bruises, sleeps ALL the time/is CONSTANTLY tired/fatigued, weight loss, & loss of appetite

The doctor did some more blood tests and as of right now he’s admitted at the hospital in med-surg.

Im confused as to how serious it is (since he seems a tiny bit better at the hospital). If anyone has had a loved one pass from cirrhosis, what were some signs that they were near death?

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u/Dapper-Computer7498 — 3 months ago

my dad

Hi I've posted on here previously explaining my dads previous health conditions, but I thought I would come back (this time with an update) so that I could maybe get more advice or opinions from new people.

Long story short, my dad drinks (beer 10% instead of hard alc now), has ulcerative colitis, diagnosed with liver cirrhosis (i think end stage), jaundice *keep this in mind* (in the past), he's been experiencing (muscle) weakness for a while now, depression, doesn't really eat properly or much at all throughout the day, had ascites in the past (x2) *also keep this in mind*, has some memory issues (he'll retell me the same story like 4 times back to back in one sitting.. or if my mom tells him something, a few minutes later he'll forget and they'll have the same conversation again... but he has lowkey also always been kinda bad with his memory), sleeping ALL the time (he didnt get out of bed until 8pm today), and he isn't working a job as he is not in that physical and mental state.

obviously the doctors told him the first time he had jaundice and ascites that he had to completely stop drinking, but he never did.

As previously mentioned, he had jaundice around the same time that he had ascites for the first time, which went away after a few trips to the hospital. HOWEVER, recently whenever talking to him, I notice that his skin looks a little more yellow (though I can't ever tell if it's his normal skin, the lighting, or jaundice) but the whites of his eyes are definitely yellow again. I know the jaundice is back and my mom suspects the ascites is back too since he isnt eating anymore...

the problem is we've tried talking him into going to the hospital but he literally REFUSES and starts arguing whenever we bring it up (and trust me, if you think we haven't tried everything to get him help, we have). He also only tends to go to the hospital whenever things get really bad.

I don't really know how serious it is because he made it out alive the first time, and every time after that (context: stuff like this has been going on since 2019/2020). From my perspective, he doesn’t seem extremely ill, though I know he is.

I just want answers. I didn't know where else to go other than here. You can be brutally honest with me but also maybe some advice or like opinions would be nice.

reddit.com
u/Dapper-Computer7498 — 3 months ago

My dad.

Hi I've posted on here previously explaining my dads previous health conditions, but I thought I would come back (this time with an update) so that I could maybe get more advice or opinions from new people.

Long story short, my dad drinks (beer 10% instead of hard alc now), has ulcerative colitis, diagnosed with liver cirrhosis (i think end stage), jaundice *keep this in mind* (in the past), he's been experiencing (muscle) weakness for a while now, depression, doesn't really eat properly or much at all throughout the day, had ascites in the past (x2) *also keep this in mind*, has some memory issues (he'll retell me the same story like 4 times back to back in one sitting.. or if my mom tells him something, a few minutes later he'll forget and they'll have the same conversation again... but he has lowkey also always been kinda bad with his memory), and he isn't working a job as he is not in that physical and mental state.

obviously the doctors told him the first time he had jaundice and ascites that he had to completely stop drinking, but he never did.

As previously mentioned, he had jaundice around the same time that he had ascites for the first time, which went away after a few trips to the hospital. HOWEVER, recently whenever talking to him, I notice that his skin looks a little more yellow (though I can't ever tell if it's his normal skin, the lighting, or jaundice) but the whites of his eyes are definitely yellow again. I know the jaundice is back and my mom suspects the ascites is back too since he isnt eating anymore...

the problem is we've tried talking him into going to the hospital but he literally REFUSES and starts arguing whenever we bring it up (and trust me, if you think we haven't tried everything to get him help, we have). He also only tends to go to the hospital whenever things get really bad.

I don't really know how serious it is because he made it out alive the first time, and every time after that (context: stuff like this has been going on since 2019/2020). From my perspective, he doesn’t seem extremely ill. Though I know he is.

I just want answers. I didn't know where else to go other than here. You can be brutally honest with me but also maybe some advice or like opinions would be nice.

reddit.com
u/Dapper-Computer7498 — 3 months ago

Brampton g2 test question!

Do they make you reverse park at all?

I've heard some people say they do/might, and others say they don't.

Also, are we allowed to practice on the actual cones when the drivetest building is closed (since I want an accurate idea of what I'm working with, since I'm taking my jeep to do the test and its obviously a bigger car)

I've only had one lesson from an instructor about 2 days ago but she said I'm a pretty good driver and don't have much to worry about.

Also, any tips are tricks are greatly appreciated! I have my test in about 2/3 weeks!

edit: my test is also at 1:59PM... Is that time okay?

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u/Dapper-Computer7498 — 3 months ago