I'm new here & have benefited from your posts

[steckles]

Hello everyone. I've "lurked" on here since my husband was diagnosed with severe liver disease in March 2021. He gave up alcohol the day he was admitted to hospital and I'm so proud of him for sticking with it determinedly. We're 4 months on and he's been through several ascitic drains, feeling terrible, not doing much at all but now he's becoming active again, his doctors are pleased with his progress and we're adjusting to this new way of life.

Wanted to let you know that this forum has been so valuable to me as a partner. My husband couldn't take in information when he was diagnosed - it was frustrating I couldn't be with him at appts because of Covid but he had and continues to have really good care.

I've learned so much from other people's experiences on here, as well as the Trust's excellent information leaflets e.g. on cirrhosis, symptoms, diet and everything else. It's been hard for me as a parter and reading other people's experiences has been invaluable, I have so much respect for you all.

Sodium restriction on top of giving up alcohol has been really hard. We're only now looking strictly at how many grams or mg of salt is in everything - we thought we were doing well but salt is so pervasive!

Anyway, thank you to all the contributors here for their support and wise responses to questions, I'll continue to be here and learn more as we go.

[Hidden]

Hi Stella. Pleased you have found the forum supportive through your struggles along side your husbands illness. Delighted he has managed to kick the booze and hope his health improves. Good luck to you both.Laura xx

[steckles in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Laura xx

[Rockefeller20]

Hi been exactly where you are But don’t know how I’d of coped through covid restrictions

I had a full dbd liver transplant in March 2019 and feel so blessed that it wasn’t twelve months later as I don’t know if I’d of been transplanted as we were put in lockdown then

I also quit drinking but that was five years before my transplant, meaning my liver wasn’t going to repair itself, but stopping drinking is crucial and trust me it gets easier the longer you go without

It’s hard on the partner and I know I was hell to live with, but Karen my partner was my rock and don’t know how I’d of got through this without her, so stay strong and wish you both all the best and hope he can reverse this x paul

[steckles in reply to Rockefeller20]

Thank you Paul, Karen sounds amazing x

[Roots57]

Stella, initially changes are hard but the challenge eases. I was diagnosed with end stage liver disease in Jan 20 and was transplanted in November. My children and husband researched and learnt from this site and it gave them strength. Compliance is the key and your husband seems to be doing just that. You take it easy xx

[steckles in reply to Roots57]

Thank you, a massive learning curve has been made easier by this site x

[Pagraco]

Hi Stella..seems your husband was in same time as my son.... admitted end feb and was given TIPS op.. on ventilator for weeks then a tracheostomy. He got pneumonia twice and sepsis once.. nearly lost him. He also had as it’s drainage but now been alcohol free since then and been doing well. I find the diet hard to deal with and like you said the salt thing isn’t easy but so far so good ...Patricia

[steckles in reply to Pagraco]

Gosh, you have been through it - sending lots of love and strength and hoping the journey is a little easier now x

[Hidden]

Good to hear that you find the forum helpful and informative. Carry on 'lurking' !

regards

[steckles in reply to Hidden]

Thank you, knowing the helpline was there in case we needed it was so reassuring in the early days when we were floundering and didn't know whether to call the GP or go to A&E for every new twist and turn... it's a big diagnosis to be sent home with so it's good to know there are knowledgeable kind people to turn to.