Any opportunity to raise awareness of liver disease should be grasped with both hands, as you never always know where this advice and support will one day lead.
For the past few years, I have been helping my 21-year old next-door neighbour with her studies to become a psychiatric, mental health nurse.
For the past twelve months, Fatama has been using my liver journey experience to write her dissertation. I have been explaining to her the mental aspects involved when having a liver transplant and of the highs and lows. I have explained how some people (like myself) can end up suffering from survivors' guilt, and PTSD, post-transplant. I have helped her where I can, and have helped her research this subject over many months.
Fatama sat her exams about two months ago and has received her results. She not only passed but has been awarded a first-class honour for her dissertation. I am very proud of this young lady, for all the work she has put in. I’m now going to be nagging her to raise her sights and become a doctor.
She has now become very knowledgeable about liver disease and now has far greater respect for this magical organ.
As we all go on this liver journey, we learn so much about life and of our medical condition. What better way to use this knowledge than to share, and pass it on to others.
Written by
Richard-Allen
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Thanks Laura, Fatama (this is the way she spells her name) is currently working at two hospitals. Up here in Stoke-on-Trent she is working on the Cancer palliative care ward. And then goes down to the QE Birmingham to work for a few days on the job experience. I really admire her work ethic.
Fatama sent me a word of thanks in an email. "Thank you so much. I couldn’t have done it without your support or the inspiration to write it". But this isn't about me, she's worked so hard. I wanted to share this to hopefully inspire others. and even when the going gets tuff, not to give up.
Wow that's brilliant, well done to you Fatama, Richard you have guided and shown her how good things can come out often sad and serious illness, She will carry that greater knowledge throughout her career, credit where due to yourself for raising awareness and mentoring Fatama. x
Thank you, Richard, for your ongoing commitment to raising awareness about liver issues. Fatama's exposure to your personal experience will influence her positively throughout her career. Well done, my friend.
A very well done to the both of you snd much deserved praise it is to. I wish I had had more awareness about the liver such a pity it is only now that I can understand what was happening.
Catamaran will use and pass on what she has learned to others x
Well done to both of you. Richard you have done amazingly to support this young girl. It is not very easy to share and speak about oneself. It must’ve been very draining for you to go through everything but at the same time helpful to be able to let it all out. You both seem to be wonderful ppl. 😊
What a positive post, well done to Fatama and its super to know that more people are becoming educated about liver disease.
Well done to both you and Fatama. I certainly suffered survivors guilt but I don't think I was pre-warned of the possibility, nor of PTSD. My performance at work suffered. I had some counselling at work but unless the counsellor is aware of the medical issues, they cannot tackle the problem. My counsellor just heaped more pressure on me and possibly because of this I still feel guilt about things outside of my control.
This is important work that Fatama is doing. I hope she is able to influence proactive checking, better intervention and monitoring of all transplant patients mental health.
Many congratulations to your neighbour ,Fatama. Well done you for being an amazing friend and helping her I'm sure it wasn't easy going over your journey. I think you are right in saying she should be a doctor, they are badly needed. God bless and take care. 🙏💕🙏
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