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Liver damage after chemo: What can be done?

Posted by justmonica @justmonica, Jun 9, 2020

My sister 69 years old had leukemia (ALL) she chose to go radical in her treatment. It cured of leukemia but left her with an almost non-functioning liver. Is this a death sentence? Can anything be done?

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jun 10, 2020

Hi @justmonica, welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I can imagine that you're concerned about your sister's future. While chemo radically improved the leukemia, the hepatoxicity has seriously damaged her liver. I'd like to bring fellow member @gaybinator @jeanne5009 and @rosemarya into this discussion as they may have information about liver repair to share.

Here's more information about liver damage due to chemotherapy:
* Liver Problems - Liver Dysfunction (Hepatotoxicity) Brought On By Chemotherapy http://chemocare.com/chemotherapy/side-effects/liver-problems-liver-dysfunction.aspx

The liver has the greatest regenerative capacity of any organ in the body. Have your sister's doctors told her more about the extent of the damage to her liver? What tests have been done? Is it injured beyond its ability to regenerate itself?

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2 replies
justmonica | @justmonica | Jun 11, 2020
In reply to @colleenyoung "Hi @justmonica, welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I can imagine that you're concerned about your sister's..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

Hi @justmonica, welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I can imagine that you're concerned about your sister's future. While chemo radically improved the leukemia, the hepatoxicity has seriously damaged her liver. I'd like to bring fellow member @gaybinator @jeanne5009 and @rosemarya into this discussion as they may have information about liver repair to share.

Here's more information about liver damage due to chemotherapy:
* Liver Problems - Liver Dysfunction (Hepatotoxicity) Brought On By Chemotherapy http://chemocare.com/chemotherapy/side-effects/liver-problems-liver-dysfunction.aspx

The liver has the greatest regenerative capacity of any organ in the body. Have your sister's doctors told her more about the extent of the damage to her liver? What tests have been done? Is it injured beyond its ability to regenerate itself?

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Yes, please bring them in any help I can get to try to help her is appreciated

REPLY
justmonica | @justmonica | Jun 12, 2020
In reply to @colleenyoung "Hi @justmonica, welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I can imagine that you're concerned about your sister's..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

Hi @justmonica, welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I can imagine that you're concerned about your sister's future. While chemo radically improved the leukemia, the hepatoxicity has seriously damaged her liver. I'd like to bring fellow member @gaybinator @jeanne5009 and @rosemarya into this discussion as they may have information about liver repair to share.

Here's more information about liver damage due to chemotherapy:
* Liver Problems - Liver Dysfunction (Hepatotoxicity) Brought On By Chemotherapy http://chemocare.com/chemotherapy/side-effects/liver-problems-liver-dysfunction.aspx

The liver has the greatest regenerative capacity of any organ in the body. Have your sister's doctors told her more about the extent of the damage to her liver? What tests have been done? Is it injured beyond its ability to regenerate itself?

Jump to this post

It is beyond repair. They've given her till Thanksgiving with a miracle Christmas. I was a 10 out of 10 for bone marrow transplant that she did not need. so I offered a piece of my liver as a living donor but her platelets are between 13 and 45 and she would bleed to death before she could have the operation.

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1 reply
justmonica | @justmonica | Jun 14, 2020

Hello is anyone out there

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Mentor
Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Jun 15, 2020
In reply to @justmonica "It is beyond repair. They've given her till Thanksgiving with a miracle Christmas. I was a..." + (show)
@justmonica

It is beyond repair. They've given her till Thanksgiving with a miracle Christmas. I was a 10 out of 10 for bone marrow transplant that she did not need. so I offered a piece of my liver as a living donor but her platelets are between 13 and 45 and she would bleed to death before she could have the operation.

Jump to this post

@justmonica, Welcome. I am sorry to read about what your sister is going thru. She is so fortunate that you are beside her and that you are supporting with your interest and your offer to donate a piece of your liver with her. You might not feel like it currently, but you are an inspiration and a blessing for her.
I am 71, and I had a transplant at age 60. Transplant surgery is a very complicated process and liver transplant is a difficult surgery. My liver disease developed to endstage, and the issues that you are experiencing were very real to me. Unfortunately, she has age and the bleeding working against her. It sounds to me that you have already consulted with liver experts about this. Is there any chance that a 2nd opinion is possible to determine whether the liver damage is, in fact, beyond repair?
How is she handling this prognosis? How about you?

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