Hi Happy Man - Before I ask you yet another question, I want to thank you in advance for always taking the time to help out! You are an angel ! Hope all is well with you & that you are happy & healthy!
Remember when you helped me try to get my brother to get his liver tested? Well, he still hasn't done it, but there is some good news. He confided to me that he has been drinking everyday for several years and he is more afraid of dependence at this point than liver injury, so he is going to try to as he says "give his liver a break" and not drink at all for several months, and then he will get his liver tested and go from there. So far, sounds like good news if he can stick with it! So far, it has only been two days, but that is a start.
Here is my question, he has also asked me to take him to church with me everyday when I go. I am thrilled, because I personally believe he will find strength there. However, we are offered wine as part of our Communion and I am wondering what you think about him receiving that? It would be anywhere from a sip to at most two ounces of red wine a day. Do you think that would hinder regeneration of his liver and/or his ability to stop drinking otherwise? I know it has to at least be better for him than drinking 4-5 beers a day, but I don't want anything to mess this up for him!
I would be so grateful for your opinion, as always! I think he might start taking the milk thistle too, but at least for now it's a start! Thanks so much for helping us out! Marirose
Hi Happy Man - Before I ask you yet another question, I want to thank you in advance for always taking the time to help out! You are an angel ! Hope all is well with you & that you are happy & healthy!
Remember when you helped me try to get my brother to get his liver tested? Well, he still hasn't done it, but there is some good news. He confided to me that he has been drinking everyday for several years and he is more afraid of dependence at this point than liver injury, so he is going to try to as he says "give his liver a break" and not drink at all for several months, and then he will get his liver tested and go from there. So far, sounds like good news if he can stick with it! So far, it has only been two days, but that is a start.
Here is my question, he has also asked me to take him to church with me everyday when I go. I am thrilled, because I personally believe he will find strength there. However, we are offered wine as part of our Communion and I am wondering what you think about him receiving that? It would be anywhere from a sip to at most two ounces of red wine a day. Do you think that would hinder regeneration of his liver and/or his ability to stop drinking otherwise? I know it has to at least be better for him than drinking 4-5 beers a day, but I don't want anything to mess this up for him!
I would be so grateful for your opinion, as always! I think he might start taking the milk thistle too, but at least for now it's a start! Thanks so much for helping us out! Marirose
Good to hear from you Marirose , it has been a while. O f course I remember your posts about your Brother. I am glad to hear the good news.
Well, this is a bit complicated.... Of course his going to Church with you would be great, and it might help him too, but I fear you could be right, that it might be detremental during the beginning of a period of abstinence. One thing I am puzzled about.... how could a person get 2 ounces of wine at Church ??? Isnt it usually just a "sip"?
Now you have a problem... how do you gracefully tell him thats the reason you dont want him to go to Church with you ...... thats not going to be an easy one....
Two days already, thats Great !!! Actually, the first few days are the hardest..... I like to drink a little too but several times a year I like to stop for a month or more, just to prove that I am in control, not the drink. Do you know if he was ever drinking during the day ???? When a person fears dependence then its a good time for a "break".......
Anyway, thats great news to hear. After even a month or so his liver enzymes should be back to normal (and they may not be abnormal now) and a blood test woud be good for him as reassurance. Taking the Milk Thistle would certinly not hurt, so many sources suggest it's beneficial effects for the liver. I dont go a day without it.
And, You are most welcome for my opinion, as usual. Hope all goes well... Let me know.....
HI Happy Man - Thanks for the response! I am a little nervous about my brother going to church too, but I guess we could try it ( by the way, the only way I know that you could get 2 oz. of wine at church is if you are the last person in line - we believe that the wine is really the Blood of Christ, not a symbol, so none may be wasted, poured down the drain, etc. Because we have such a large parish, we have lay people distributing the wine, and if they choose, they may completely drink what is left in the vessel after everyone has received, or they may ask the last person in line to do so. I am one of the lay people who distributes, so I know there have been times when it seems like maybe up to 2 ounces may be left in the vessel)
Anyhow, I don't think my brother drinks during the day, but either way, if he is ready for a "break" I am all for it. If I can manuever behind him to never let him be last in the Communion line, do you think a sip would hurt him physically in terms of his recovery? I am soooooo scared to let this chance slip by.... I wonder if his liver will recover (if it needs to) if he just takes that sip a day. I would really appreciate your thoughts!
HI Happy Man - Thanks for the response! I am a little nervous about my brother going to church too, but I guess we could try it ( by the way, the only way I know that you could get 2 oz. of wine at church is if you are the last person in line - we believe that the wine is really the Blood of Christ, not a symbol, so none may be wasted, poured down the drain, etc. Because we have such a large parish, we have lay people distributing the wine, and if they choose, they may completely drink what is left in the vessel after everyone has received, or they may ask the last person in line to do so. I am one of the lay people who distributes, so I know there have been times when it seems like maybe up to 2 ounces may be left in the vessel)
Anyhow, I don't think my brother drinks during the day, but either way, if he is ready for a "break" I am all for it. If I can manuever behind him to never let him be last in the Communion line, do you think a sip would hurt him physically in terms of his recovery? I am soooooo scared to let this chance slip by.... I wonder if his liver will recover (if it needs to) if he just takes that sip a day. I would really appreciate your thoughts!
THANKS SO MUCH FOR CARING! Marirose
Hi Marirose, Now I understand how somebody could get more than a "sip"...... No I dont think a "sip" of wine will deter your brother from abstinence if thats what he wants. Whenever I stop for a while there is always alcohol in the house because my Wife loves wine but I dont let that bother or deter me from my mindset.
And I am certin an occasional "sip" of wine would be physically harmless.
The thing is, if for some reason your Brother does start drinking again, you cannot blame Yourself or the Church....
I am so happy that your communication with your Brother seems to have improved. He is lucky to have such a caring Sister !!!!!
Hi Happy Man - Thanks so much for the advice, AGAIN! You may not realize how much you help other people, but you do! It is very difficult to be juggling my own family, my brother's kids, and my brother (sometimes a big kid ) and not lose faith or get frazzled. I know nothing about what my brother is going through with drinking, and it is such a relief to know that sensible informed advice is just a post away. You are really, if I may say so without offending anyone, doing the Lord's work for Him by putting so many people's minds at rest. Thanks again, I'll keep you posted - Marirose
! Hope all is well with you & that you are happy & healthy!
, it has been a while. O f course I remember your posts about your Brother. I am glad to hear the good news.
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