Amanda Husk Facing Death After Liver Transplant Denied
A 36-year-old woman's hopes for a life-saving partial liver transplant from her partner have been dashed due to a relapse of alcohol dependency while awaiting the procedure.
Amanda Husk, who has spent the past three months on life support, was deemed ineligible for the transplant upon admission to the hospital after medical professionals discovered evidence of her renewed struggle with alcohol.
Despite Husk's willingness to enter an addiction treatment program post-transplant, her family has now received the devastating news that she has mere weeks left to live.
Her partner, Nathan Allen, expressed Husk's determination to seize this opportunity to overcome her addiction and embrace a fresh start.
'This served as a wakeup call for her,' Allen shared with CTV News. 'She was eager to leverage every advantage and every opportunity to secure this transplant and transform her life.'
In a desperate bid to save Husk's life, Allen, who shares the same blood type as Husk, volunteered as a living donor. However, the transplant request was declined by University Health Network in Ontario, citing 'minimal abstinence outside of hospital' as the reason. Undeterred, Allen is now exploring the possibility of transporting Husk to Europe for the procedure, but worries about whether she has enough time.
'We were informed last week that she has maybe a couple of weeks left, possibly a month if she's extremely fortunate,' Allen revealed, adding that the treatment could cost $300,000.
'I'll do whatever it takes to save her life, just as the medical profession should be doing here,' he asserted.
Husk's battle with alcohol addiction began in her adolescence and has proven challenging to overcome. This poignant case has sparked ethical discussions surrounding the treatment of addiction within the medical field.
Currently, approximately 600 individuals are on the waiting list for a liver transplant due to various reasons. It's estimated that roughly 10% of those who receive a transplant for alcoholic liver disease resume drinking afterwards.
Debra Selkirk, whose husband Mark passed away in 2010 after being denied a liver transplant due to alcohol consumption, expressed strong disapproval of the decision in Husk's case.
'A life-saving procedure is being determined based on perceived poor behavior,' she criticized.
'People aren't rejected because they didn't exercise, worked too much, didn't get enough sleep, or didn't follow doctor's orders.'
'Yet, in Nathan and Amanda's situation, someone is being told, 'You didn't follow doctor's orders, so we won't help you. We'll let you die,'' she lamented.
Selkirk is a vocal advocate for greater compassion towards those suffering from liver failure caused by alcohol abuse.
Dr. Saumya Jayakumar, an Edmonton-based liver transplant surgeon not involved in Husk's case, explained that transplant criteria are generally consistent across Canada.
'It's a precious gift, a limited resource,' she emphasized. 'As you can imagine, these decisions can cause significant moral distress among the team.'
'We can provide a brand new liver, but if we can't change all the factors that led to liver failure, have we truly helped?' she questioned.
Dr. Jayakumar also highlighted the challenges faced by transplant centers across Canada in accessing mental health funding and practitioners for their programs.
In 2022, the United States witnessed over 45,000 liver disease deaths attributed to alcohol, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Among these, around 29,000 were men, and the remaining 16,000 were women.
Historically, alcoholic liver disease has predominantly affected men, but a shift in drinking patterns has led to an increase in cases among women. This disease, characterized by symptoms such as abdominal pain, fatigue, and jaundice, poses a greater mortality risk for women compared to men.
Research from the Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai reveals that women with alcohol-related steatotic liver disease face nearly double the risk of death within a given timeframe compared to men with the same condition.
Medical professionals attribute this disparity to factors like women producing lower amounts of an alcohol-metabolizing enzyme and generally having less body mass and water content.
Regarding Husk's specific case, UHN officials stated: 'We are unable to discuss specific cases due to patient privacy, but can confirm that living donor eligibility involves multiple criteria, only two of which are blood type compatibility and willingness to donate. Recipient criteria are jointly determined by transplant centers and Trillium Gift of Life Network.'
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How does alcohol affect the liver?
The liver, often dubbed the body's unsung hero, plays a pivotal role in detoxification, metabolism, and nutrient storage. However, this resilient organ faces a formidable foe in excessive alcohol consumption. While the occasional drink may seem harmless, chronic alcohol abuse can trigger a cascade of devastating consequences for the liver.
The Liver's Herculean Task
Imagine your liver as a diligent filter, tirelessly working to remove toxins from your bloodstream. Alcohol, unfortunately, is one such toxin. When you indulge in alcoholic beverages, your liver prioritizes its breakdown, diverting resources from other essential functions. This can lead to a buildup of fat in the liver, a condition known as fatty liver disease, which is often the first sign of trouble.
The Inflammatory Response
As alcohol continues to assault the liver, it can trigger inflammation, a process aptly named alcoholic hepatitis. This inflammation can range from mild to severe, causing symptoms like jaundice, abdominal pain, and nausea. In its most severe form, alcoholic hepatitis can be life-threatening, requiring immediate medical intervention.
The Scars of Battle: Cirrhosis
With prolonged and excessive alcohol abuse, the liver's ability to regenerate is compromised. Scar tissue begins to replace healthy liver tissue, leading to cirrhosis. This irreversible condition impairs the liver's ability to perform its vital functions, leading to a host of complications, including fluid buildup in the abdomen, bleeding disorders, and even liver failure.
The Ripple Effect
The liver's compromised state doesn't just affect the organ itself. It can have a ripple effect throughout the body. Individuals with advanced liver disease may experience fatigue, confusion, and muscle wasting. Additionally, they face a heightened risk of developing liver cancer, a grim reminder of the toll that alcohol can take.
Breaking the Cycle
The good news is that the liver is remarkably resilient. In the early stages of alcohol-related liver disease, abstaining from alcohol can allow the liver to heal and regenerate. However, the damage inflicted by cirrhosis is often irreversible, making early intervention crucial.
If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol abuse, seeking help is paramount. A healthcare professional can assess the extent of liver damage and recommend appropriate treatment options. Remember, the liver is a vital organ, and protecting it from the harmful effects of alcohol is an investment in your overall health and well-being.
The Bottom Line
While enjoying a drink in moderation may be part of a balanced lifestyle, it's essential to be mindful of the potential consequences of excessive alcohol consumption. By understanding the insidious ways in which alcohol affects the liver, we can make informed choices that prioritise our long-term health. Your liver will thank you for it.
How fast can you die from liver failure?
Liver failure, a devastating consequence of chronic liver disease, is a race against time. The speed at which it progresses and ultimately claims a life varies significantly, influenced by several factors, including the underlying cause, the extent of damage, and the individual's overall health.
Acute vs. Chronic: A Crucial Distinction
In acute liver failure, the liver's function deteriorates rapidly, sometimes within days or weeks. This often occurs in individuals with no prior history of liver disease and can be triggered by viral infections, drug overdoses, or toxins. In such cases, the progression can be alarmingly swift, requiring immediate medical intervention to prevent a fatal outcome.
Chronic liver failure, on the other hand, develops gradually over months or even years. This is usually the result of long-term damage caused by conditions like chronic hepatitis B or C, alcohol abuse, or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. While the decline may be slower, it is no less insidious, leading to a progressive loss of liver function and ultimately, if left untreated, death.
The Stages of Decline
Liver failure unfolds in stages, each marked by worsening symptoms and a decline in the liver's ability to perform its vital functions. Early on, individuals may experience fatigue, jaundice, and abdominal swelling. As the disease progresses, complications like fluid buildup, bleeding disorders, and confusion can arise. In the final stages, the liver may shut down completely, leading to coma and death.
The Survival Odds
The prognosis for liver failure depends on various factors. Individuals with acute liver failure may have a survival rate of 50% or less, depending on the cause and the availability of a liver transplant. Those with chronic liver failure may have a longer timeline, but their survival ultimately hinges on the underlying cause, the stage of the disease, and the effectiveness of treatment.
Seeking Timely Intervention
Given the unpredictable nature of liver failure, early detection and intervention are paramount. Regular check-ups, especially for those with risk factors like chronic hepatitis or alcohol abuse, can help identify liver damage early on. Prompt treatment can slow the progression of the disease and potentially prevent a fatal outcome.
In summary
While the speed at which liver failure progresses can vary, it is a serious condition with potentially dire consequences. By understanding the factors that influence its timeline and seeking timely medical care, individuals can improve their chances of survival and potentially extend their lives. Amanda Husk liver story is a sad story of how alcohol abuse can be devastating.
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