My partner has end stage liver disease (alcoholic cirrhosis). Hepatic encephalopathy seems advanced. He is home, but because of his confusion and disorientation, he cant be left alone. He has been in and out of the hospital/ICU several times. His doctor told him he was dying, and when the doctor and I were alone he said it could be days, weeks, or months, but not likely a year. I feel lost and not sure what to expect. Financial and health POA are all set. How long does he have? Is it really so vague as days, weeks, months? How will I know when the end is imminent and I need to have someone here with me?
Hello, Sorry to hear about your partner. Advanced cirrhosis has a 20 survival at 5 years. But if he has required recurrent admissions for cirrhosis then the median survival is six months. This means that 50 percent do not live beyond six months. Sever Chest infections, fall in blood pressure sever GI bleed, and rising creatinine are signs of deterioration that might point to imminent end of life. Hope this answers your queryRegards Chat Doctor.