On June 29, my mom died of advanced HCC triggered by a hepatitis c
infection we believe was contracted at a local hospital in the late
80's. She was such a loving and caring lady and I was honoured to be
her son. The doctors could offer no treatment options aside from
palliative care because of the condition of her liver. I only
discovered the seriousness of her condition at the beginning of
May when we went as a family to see her GP.
<>My father
and I did what we could but after researching the disease, we knew
there would be no positive outcome. We decided to look after her at
home for as long as possible. The disease progressively robbed her of
her vitality and mental capacity. It was heart-wrenching to see her
decline so rapidly from the strong energetic and intelligent woman I
once knew. In the final month she ate very little and her mental
confusion worsened substantially. Ascites and jaundice set in. We took
her to the hospital in mid-June in the hope that the doctors there
might be able to induce a temporary recovery. They gave her lactulose
and that seemed to improve things for about one week. In the last week,
she was barely aware of our presence and entered a delerious state
before passing. Her final AFP level was measured at 27000.
<> If
your loved one is in a similar situation, it is important not to assume
things will get better because that might make you complacent about
spending quality time with them from the onset. Assume the worst, hope
for the best even if the situation is hopeless. <>
<> a bereaved son