My friend is probably dying

[Clodfobble]

Difficult situation Sam. My guess is that the doctor won't be inclined to discuss the details of his patient's condition with you in private. But, it's worth a try.

I'm pretty sure HIPAA makes it completely illegal, in fact. But realistically, your friend is going to hear bad news from the doctor either way, and he will probably appreciate having someone there to ask questions that he surely wants to know the answer to but may not be clear-headed enough to think about yet.

[SamIam]

Originally Posted by Clodfobble

I'm pretty sure HIPAA makes it completely illegal, in fact. But realistically, your friend is going to hear bad news from the doctor either way, and he will probably appreciate having someone there to ask questions that he surely wants to know the answer to but may not be clear-headed enough to think about yet.

You're right about HIPAA, Clod. I hadn't thought about that. The thing is, unless some member of his family steps in, I'm his main source of emotional support, at the moment. I also go over and cook and clean for him when he's too sick to do for himself.

So, I'd like to know what kind of a ride I'm in for. My friend is experiencing alot of confusion and memory problems right now which makes it hard for him to ask the doctor questions himself.

I think this confusion may be due to a condition called encephalopathy in the med articles. Apparently the brain becomes damaged by the high amount of toxins in the blood of someone with severe liver disease. The condition only worsens from what I can tell from my reading.

My friend is really going to need someone to be his advocate. He seems to think his family won't be very helpful and told me that he wants me to be the one there when he undergoes all the testing, so I hope HIPPA won't prevent the doctor from at least talking to us together. And, yes, B. Serpent, I think he is beginning to go thru the stages Kubler-Ross described.

Thank you, everyone for giving me a sounding board. This is very hard.

[Cicero]

Originally Posted by SamIam

I think this confusion may be due to a condition called encephalopathy in the med articles. Apparently the brain becomes damaged by the high amount of toxins in the blood of someone with severe liver disease. The condition only worsens from what I can tell from my reading.

Or maybe it's hard to think after someone says you have a terminal illness and you aren't going to make it. Instant confusion. You don't even have to add water.

And while you are seeing the doctors the confusion and stress increases and they start jabbing you with things etc. etc...and you leave the office and you are sure, the old up is the new down or something. It helps to have someone there with their head on at least halfway if not straight- is my only point. I did this for my husband because he gets stressed out, confused, and can't remember everything that was said or what happened, or could even remember what questions he wanted to ask, and ask them.

They never asked me if we were related by the way. They assumed.

[TheMercenary]

Originally Posted by Clodfobble

I'm pretty sure HIPAA makes it completely illegal, in fact.

HIPAA will in fact allow it. But the release of info needs to be in writing to his health care provider.

http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/hipaa/