Question for nurses

My brother has been sick for two weeks and was put into the hospital last Friday. The doctor says he has an infected liver full of pus. (sorry gross) They are treating him with antibiotics and IV's. Tomorrow they will put a drain in to try to get rid of the gunk. The doctor said they will biopsy this. They think this was a cyst and diverticulitus that went nutty. He is so sick and so weak. I asked about cancer and he said not out of the question. He could not give me any idea of how long to get well, etc. Any thoughts -looking for truths. All my thanks A lurker Pat Cairnes

Pat - It's really hard to say without more information. Is he on a ventilator, in an ICU setting? It's my experience that an infection in the liver is very serious. The liver filters blood through it, it's likely that the infection is systemic...(meaning throughout his body). Antibiotics, surgery, and IV fluids will help to clear the infection, but there are many factors that play into your brother's recovery. For example...what was his health like before this event? If he was fairly healthy that's a point in his favor. If not, it may take him longer to get through this. Also, there are common complications of surgery such as blood clots, and pneumonia from not being very mobile. Antibiotics or the infection itself could cause his kidneys to not function as well temporarily. I hope this is the kind of answer you were looking for. I may have overshot a little, your brothers infection may not be severe enough to have any of these problems, hopefully not. In any case I will kepp you both in my prayers, and if you have anymore questions, I'd be happy to help. Jen