Interesting..

[rpooo]

An estimated three and a half million Americans have liver cirrhosis - a progressive disease that develops as a long-term consequence of chronic alcoholism or viral hepatitis and produces scarring and eventual loss of liver function. Cirrhosis is second only to traffic crashes as the leading cause of alcohol-related deaths. At present, the only definitive treatment is transplantation.

This is just a statistic I found yet I see they failed to mention that obesity(fatty liver disease) and auto-immune disorder are also causes of the disease but not leading causes. None the less I hope you don't find yourself there. Once your diagnosed there is NO undoing it.

Randy

[Twosandbits]

Hi Randy

I don't know when I will be having surgery yet, I will have an appointment with my consultant within 2-3 weeks to discuss the options of what kind of surgery I need. At the moment I do not feel anxious about surgery as I am just so happy that I don't have to worry about the possibility of cancer anymore. However when I do get a date for surgery I will probably turn into a bit of a wimp as I have a real phobia about General Anasthetics, it's the control freak in me haha.

I have lots of support though and can have acupuncture and hypnotherapy to keep me calm leading up to the surgery date.

Thank you for all your lovely comments about how well I am doing. I have really got it this time and accepted that me and drink don't work together. I have done the grieving and it's not fair bit and now my mind is calm and at peace as I don't have all that turmoil to deal with anymore : )

I like to help others who are in need of advice, someone to talk to or just an acknowledgement that they have a problem but it can be fixed. I am a little cautious as to who I reply too as I would hate to try and give advice or pass comment on something that I'm not sure about myself.

I will keep you posted about my condition.

You take care Randy

Best wishes

Rachel

[rpooo]

That is wonderful news Rachel! How soon will you have the surgery? Are you anxious to have the procedure to get rid of the pain?

I have been reading your postings in the group and you should be very proud of your sobriety and for sharing what you have learned to help others. Your a good person and a perfect example of what everyone in this group is capable of. Stay strong, you really got it this time! I hope you will keep me posted about your condition and that your surgery will go well. No worries! Hospitals always have ice cream ya know! ha ha :)

Randy

[Twosandbits]

Oops was supposed to say "the thought of surgery feels like a walk in the park COMPARED to what it could have been"!

Silly me : )

[Twosandbits]

Hello Randy

Just wanted to let you know that my health problem, a complex mass on my right ovary is not malignant! I'm so so relieved as I have been scared stiff for the last three weeks!!! However I am so proud of myself as I have not turned to alcohol and high anxiety is a big trigger for me.

I will need surgery as I suffer from Endometriosis which has caused the mass. The thought of surgery feels like a walk in the park coated to what it could have been!!!

I hope you are well and happy.

Best wishes

Rachel

[Twosandbits]

Oh haha Randy, maybe a bit far for me to travel seeing how I live in the UK. Would be a nice treat though but have decided to get my hair done instead
; ) Hope you have a lovely weekend and your weather is better than ours (cold, wet and windy) tipically British poo poo!!!

Best wishes

Rachel

[rpooo]

Oh sorry, it's a famous place to go for and ice cream! lol

[Twosandbits]

Good evening Randy

Going to keep this post short and sweet as it is 01:15 for me and I'm just starting to feel sleepy. Yes waking up with out a hang over is amazing, I can actually get up at 07:00 and feel wonderful and ready to embrace my day!!!

Will talk more about your post sometime tomorrow if that's ok with you.

What is a Dairy Queen?

Take care and best wishes.

Rachel

[rpooo]

Good morning Rachel!

Today is a wonderful day for you! No hangover, isn't that already a good start! ha ha You should be very proud of yourself since at a time like this dealing with your medical condition yet still maintaining your sobriety. It is the best way to deal with anything so I finally learned. I still have those thoughts the moment some drasticly bad happens. It has been over two years and there's no real temptation at all but more of the way i trained my mind to think. Always an excuse to get really plowed instead of just the normal plowed! Going through life not really dealing with anything isn't really living at all. It is just existing and as I found out can lead to a shorter existance.

No reason to apologize for your question, I have had to come to terms with everything and im okay with it. It's just part of life ya know. My Gastrologist told me nearly a year ago that in approx. 5 years I will need a transplant. I dont know if he's right or not, I have done a lot of reading since my diagnosis in an attempt to learn as much as I can about cirrhosis and how to better help myself. Everything I ingest will go through my live so im pretty careful most of the time. I won't even take headache medication since I know it will metabolize in my liver causing irritation. I know others that are a lot worse off than me with not only dealing with transplant but dealing with it alone or without the support. For some these groups are all people have where they can find compassion and understanding. Life is what you make it and you and I can sure do a lot better job at it sober!

Hang in there Rachel, try not to be scared. Stay strong and you will come through everything fine.. then you can go celebrate with a Dairy Queen! Yummy! he he

Randy

[Twosandbits]

Hi Randy

Thank you for your wish for my continued sobriety, I am proud of myself as I am facing a potentially serious medical condition which will involve surgery. I am a little scared and anxious but have not even thought of picking up a drink, in fact just the thought of alcohol makes me feel ill.

I am pleased to hear that your liver function tests are remaining the same and you are taking enjoyment out of each day and fulfilling your life as much as possible. I have learnt to find happiness out of each day and live in the moment, i still have to plan for the future of corse : )

I'm sorry if this question is hard for you, but would you be a candidate for liver transplantation if your condition gets worse?

Keep well and happy Randy.

Rachel

[rpooo]

Hi Rachel!
Congratulations on your sobriety. Life really is better isn't it. Funny with our dependency we are willing to compromise and accept mediocrity. Self-confidence was the first thing I gained when I put down the drink and that gave me the strength to do so many good things in my life. I had no idea what I was missing. Thus far you have a great success story and have set a terrific example for others going through the same things. Again congratulations.
Thanks for reading some of my postings and also for asking about how I’m doing. Most days I feel real good, most of the time I even forget I have these problems. I stay very active all the time and it helps, it's in the evenings when I slow down to relax that I feel the effects of this disease. My liver function tests have remained pretty consistently the same and in my world that’s a good thing to not see these levels getting worse. So I just keep doing what I have been and enjoy life to its fullest. Life can feel really short when a time frame is taken into consideration so making every day the best it can be is important.
I wish you continued success with your sobriety, if your ever considering having a drink just wait until the next day and I bet you will be so proud you did! One day at time seems to work well in both of our situations. I'm very glad you found us here at MedHelp, Ibizan and Sarah are two of the best hearted ladies you will ever meet :)
Randy

[Twosandbits]

Hello Randy

Your post is interesting and I agree that most information about liver cirrhosis is focused on alcohol abuse, whilst this is very true, obesity is a huge problem in the USA and the UK and to my limited knowledge liver cirrhosis is under published for obesity.

I have read your posts and am of your condition, how are you doing?

Rachel