A Warning to Heavy Drinkers

I thought I'd give a warning of what your life could look like should you keep drinking. My son is in the hospital in the critical care unit on life support right now, due to alcoholism. He started drinking at 18 years old. He is now 42, but he's been sick a long time. These are his current ailments:

He has chronic bronchitis, possible congestive heart failure (we're not sure yet), his organs are failing, i.e. kidneys, liver. When he went in his red blood count was 4 -- the normal is 12-15; with a level 4 he should have been dead. His platelets were 13,000-platelets are what keeps your blood clotting. The normal is 200,000 to 400,000 -- it's a wonder he didnt bleed to death, as he WAS bleeding internally. His esophagus is eroded and has open sores from the alcohol so he can't eat and has to be fed with IV's. The air tube which keeps him breathing irritates the throat, and if it continues he will have to have a tracheotomy. That's where they slit your throat, and put the breathing tube directly in your throat. He can't urinate by himself so they had to put a catheter in him.

This is just PART of the picture. He has IV's coming out of both arms -- several of them. There are bags & bags of IV's going into him to medicate & feed him. He has turned yellow due to his liver not working properly.

This is your future if you continue to drink-- but only if you're LUCKY enough to LIVE long enough to make it to the hospital!!! Alcohol KILLS. My son MIGHT make is according to the doctor, but it's still "iffy." Trouble is, he HAS to stop drinking after this -- he will HAVE to go to REHAB afterwards, and if it doesn't work, the next time WILL kill him if he drinks again. So please LEARN FROM THIS. Read this thoroughly because this WILL happen to you if you continue drinking. It's not a pretty picture. And it tears your family's heart out. Please stop!!!

oh leed i am so sorry about what you are going thru. your message was so heartfelt. let's hope that is heard if only one person in active addiction. our children should be our future. i will pray for you and your son.

Thanks so much Madisgram. I just hope ONE PERSON is shocked enough by this to stop drinking now! I don't believe in sugar coating anything when it comes to drinking, and maybe this will open some eyes. I sure hope so.

Again, thanks Madisgram -- you've given everyone so much support! It's really appreciated! Hugs, Lee

...Hi Leed...

...That could easily have been me and still could be if I choose to pick up... thanks for the brutal reminder of what damage alcohol abuse can do...Sorry for your troubles...You and your family are in my prayers...

Dear Lee, you could be writing about my cousin.
He went thru this twice & third time he didn't make it.
He was 32yrs old.

Really do hope your son makes a recovery from this.
It's not too late for him to have a good life sober.

Him, you & family are in my prayers.

Similar story about my dad. He tried to quit cold turkey and got the DTs so bad he was in the hospital and very very nearly died. You have to stop drinking but you can't stop drinking. How horrible!

I am so sorry to here this Leed ((((((((Leed)))))))) I hope your son recovers. This is a very good message for anyone wanting to take that 1st drink. Thanks! You and your son are in my prayers. I will be thinking of you with a heavy heart, I am again so sorry this is what you are having to see right now. I don't care how old they get they are still our kids!

(((Leed)))) I'm so sorry for what you're going through. You and your son are in my prayers. That so easily could have been me, if I hadn't stopped.

Sometimes it's good to have a brutal reminder of where drinking can take you.

splitimage

(((Leed))) - so very sorry this is happening to your son, you and those who love him. Thank you for wanting to help others and warn them about the damaging effects of alcohol. This must be so hard, yet you're a strong person and you give great advice - I feel you'll get through this no matter how this turns out. If he survives I hope he'll stop.

Trigger: discussions of sexual abuse and suicide.





I was the youngest in my family and a 13/14 yr difference with my older brothers. I remember my 2nd oldest brother drinking when I was kid and he was still living at home. One time I got up early to get cereal in the kitchen and he was passed out on the kitchen floor with his underwear below his knees - I tip toed back to bed because it was so awkward. We lost our dad when I was 2 (cancer) and he was 15 - a crucial age. He also had low self esteem but he was smart and never realized his full potential. I found out in my 30's that both brothers were SA when they were boys by my uncle....so he had crosses to bare. His outlet was alcohol and he remained that way until he passed. A few times he quit but as he approached 60 he showed signs of alcohol related dementia.

His wife remained with him for her own dysfunctional reasons but they were having problems. One day she couldn't take it and went to stay in a hotel for a couple days. He also had a back injury from an fall at his job and was taking oxycontin - a killer IMO. He bought a large bottle of whiskey and drank himself to death. Alcohol destroyed his life and I know he was always trying to escape the demons. I loved him but no one could tell him what to do. You and your son are in my prayers ((Leed)).

Thank you so much Lynn --- and to ALL OTHERS for your prayers and thoughts.

My son is still hanging on -- how, I don't know. He has a will to live stronger than life itself. But we know that the end is near, as his liver still is not working, and will not. It is just too damaged.

Again, THANK YOU ALL -- you'll never know how much my daughter, granddaughter and I appreciate your prayers. We love you all. God bless. Hugs, Lee

((Leed)) - this may be a dumb question.....but do doctors do transplants for a person in your son's case?? I can't imagine how hard this is for you and your family. Is he awake and talking? So very sorry.

No Lynn ~ They will not, as they feel it would be a "waste" of a good liver by transplanting it in an alcoholic. They can't be sure that the alcoholic will quit drinking -- no one can. And why ruin another liver??? I can see their point. There are more people out there who are NOT alcoholics who need a liver badly -- and who will NOT drink.

He "wakes up" at times and once in awhile he knows where he is and makes some sense. And other times he talks nonsense. And then he just goes back to sleep.

I fed him yesterday -- he can't feed himself. He can only eat pureed food, as solids go right into his airway. He ate it all -- and then went to sleep. I can barely understand him when he talks. I don't know HOW he's holding on.

He's a miracle -- he beat leukemia in the 70's when it was unheard of. He was only 7 yrs old. He was in an experimental program, and they told us he was going to die -- but he beat it!!! Then when he was 18, he was in a horrible car wreck, and was almost decapitated. God saved him then too. Then years later, he had a HORRIBLE case of pneumonia and we almost lost him --- God saved him then too. I've been telling him that God is trying to tell him something and he NEEDED to stop drinking!!! But he wouldn't listen. He went to some AA meetings with me, but it didn't work. Seems like he would have taken the hint, huh? God is sure telling him NOW.

Thanks for caring so much Lynn. You don't know how I appreciate it. God bless. Love, Lee