The sad answer is probably that she is actively dying. Is she in Hospice? At this point you should be far more concerned with her comfort than a cure, because there isn't one.
My SIL is a GI. He loses a LOT of patients. One thing he says is that he wishes the families involved would ACCEPT the dx of liver failure and allow comfort care, yet most families push for some miraculous cure.
We aren't doctors, and here don't even have a diagnosis. The doctors in this particular case are the best ones to give diagnosis and prognosis, what to expect for the future. I know that you already understand that none of this sounds good. Do know that whether you are dealing with a cancer that has gone to the liver or with a cirrhosis, the overall health status and habits of the patient figure in as well as age factors. Any illness, and patient, is as individual as his or her own thumbprint. And even in predictable illnesses there are so many surprises on either end of the continuum for medical people that they learn not to predict. Anything that affects the liver, esp. those things that cause fluid retention, cuts the appetite, causes severe itching of the skin, yellowing of the sclera of the eyes and skin often. The treatments sometimes cause severe bouts of diarrhea. There is, worst of all, extreme exhaustion. Has your friend and client spoken with you about hospice care, end of life plans? You can be a great support to your friend. I am so sorry for all she is enduring. Do know that the fluid may need periodically to be removed. Geaton tells us that you have been caring for friend now for 8 years. This is a VERY long time to survive severe liver complications. Geaton's questions about who should be educating and informing you now are the crucial questions for you.
I'm posting this from your profile because it is helpful info:
"caregiver for Catherine [who] has end stage liver cancer I have cared for her for 8 yr. "
Are you privately hired by Catherine? Or by her PoA? Do you work for Catherine through agency? I am asking because it may determine who should be informing and educating you regarding her condition and care.
Perhaps she needs to be assessed for hospice. If so, who should be/can be making this decision? Her PoA or legal guardian? Are you communicating with this person? Does she have a legal representative? Does she have a Living Will (Advance Healthcare Directive)?
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My SIL is a GI. He loses a LOT of patients. One thing he says is that he wishes the families involved would ACCEPT the dx of liver failure and allow comfort care, yet most families push for some miraculous cure.
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Has your friend and client spoken with you about hospice care, end of life plans? You can be a great support to your friend. I am so sorry for all she is enduring. Do know that the fluid may need periodically to be removed. Geaton tells us that you have been caring for friend now for 8 years. This is a VERY long time to survive severe liver complications. Geaton's questions about who should be educating and informing you now are the crucial questions for you.
"caregiver for Catherine [who] has end stage liver cancer I have cared for her for 8 yr. "
Are you privately hired by Catherine? Or by her PoA? Do you work for Catherine through agency? I am asking because it may determine who should be informing and educating you regarding her condition and care.
Perhaps she needs to be assessed for hospice. If so, who should be/can be making this decision? Her PoA or legal guardian? Are you communicating with this person? Does she have a legal representative? Does she have a Living Will (Advance Healthcare Directive)?