2 years and counting…: I had supper with... - British Liver Trust

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2 years and counting…

Aotea2012 profile image
48 Replies

I had supper with my family yesterday evening. I’d cooked some fish for Good Friday and had opened a bottle of chilled Chablis for them and a sparkling elderflower soft drink for myself. (Belvoir Farm - delicious). We were chatting and my brother reminded me that it was 2 years ago since I’d been in hospital with acute on chronic liver failure. It was Easter 2021. He told me that after visiting me on Good Friday he drove home thinking he wasn’t likely to see me again. Well 2 years on I’m cooking him supper along with the rest of the clan! I kicked alcohol into touch on admission to hospital…both physically and mentally. I can remember being wheeled from the ambulance into A&E on a trolley. I felt terrible and told myself then that if they ever wheeled me out again then alcohol wasn’t going to be part of the equation. It hasn’t been. My health has improved immeasurably. I was diagnosed with cirrhosis in hospital and a deep rooted infection had triggered my liver into failure. They managed to get on top of the infection and I managed to recover. With a lot of amazing NHS care…I’m now feeling better than I have in years. No alcohol, good diet and exercise has meant normal bloods, no nasty suprises in my 6 monthly scan, no meds and no symptoms. I consider myself to be one of the luckiest people alive…and have used this last two years productively. I’m working in something I love and happens to be useful to society as well. I’m not saying all this to boast…far from it. I had got myself into an awful place with alcohol and deeply regret it. I’m saying it to encourage anyone who finds themselves where I was 2 years ago to keep plodding on. There is a life with cirrhosis….it’s not the death sentence Dr Google would have us believe!

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Aotea2012 profile image
Aotea2012
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48 Replies
Millie09 profile image
Millie09

What an amazing journey! And well done on 2 yrs sobriety .. I can relate to how you were , im now 15 years this June since end stage liver disease diagnosis.. Along with a good diet ( albeit not so good these days) abstinence from alcohol I find myself still here.

May you continue to live and very happy healthy life

Linda x

Aotea2012 profile image
Aotea2012 in reply toMillie09

Thank you. 15 years is amazing. Well done!

Millie09 profile image
Millie09 in reply toAotea2012

Thank you 😊.. Happy Easter 🐣 x

in reply toMillie09

Thank you for this Linda. Really need these uplifting posts. As we seen recently others are not so lucky. Inspiration taken when the narrative is so positive ☀️

Millie09 profile image
Millie09 in reply to

Thank you! .it wasn't an easy ride to start with but with determination and outside help ... Well I'm still thankfully doing well liver wise 😊.. My very best wishes happy easter 🐣

Linda x

pushthrough profile image
pushthrough in reply toMillie09

That’s amazing Millie. I ❤️ to hear success stories like yours!

Millie09 profile image
Millie09 in reply topushthrough

Thank you 😊

redpoint72 profile image
redpoint72

Well done love.Great achievement, its strange to look back sometimes isn't it? And see what a terrible situation we were in,but we couldn't actually see it!!!.

Sounds as though your doing really well health wise.

Better than myself,but keeping head above water, just about!!

Best wishes. Chris

Aotea2012 profile image
Aotea2012

Yes…I wonder how I got there. They say you need a wake-up call before things start to resolve….and given I nearly died, I certainly had mine. You are doing great Redpoint. Well done to you too

Justme1983 profile image
Justme1983

I agree. My three year anniversary is in September. When I came out of the hospital I never touched another drop. I love my new life, free from the control of alcohol. I hadn’t gone one day without alcohol in 6 yrs and now people drink around me as they did this Easter. The nasty addiction no longer has ahold of me. I was content with my coffee and orange juice. After quitting drinking Inwas able to quit smoking cold turkey as well. K had been smoking since I was 15. It was a year smoke free last February unfortunately I think I will think about those things for life but I haven’t caved once… Congratulations on completing two years. Honestly each year gets better….trust me

Aotea2012 profile image
Aotea2012 in reply toJustme1983

That’s great 3 years and counting then!

Millie09 profile image
Millie09 in reply toJustme1983

Well done on your 3 years sobriety! Happy 🐣 Easter Linda x

I am so pleased to hear that you are alcohol free, well done!

Aotea2012 profile image
Aotea2012 in reply to

Thankyou

Millie09 profile image
Millie09 in reply to

Hi 👋! How are you doing! Hope things are settling down now post transplant. My very best.. Linda

lipstick20 profile image
lipstick20

Well done keep up the good work

Aotea2012 profile image
Aotea2012 in reply tolipstick20

Thankyou

AthenaJason profile image
AthenaJason

Lovely news! I’m so pleased for you and your loved ones X

Aotea2012 profile image
Aotea2012 in reply toAthenaJason

Thankyou

Aotea2012 profile image
Aotea2012

Thankyou

well done to you and your family.

Aotea2012 profile image
Aotea2012 in reply to

Thankyou

NorthLad profile image
NorthLad

Wow !! You’re doing incredibly well and your story resonates with me so much as our journeys are so similar.You are definitely not boasting and should be rightly so proud of yourself and I know your family will be too.To have the courage to talk of your journey will inspire so many people! I wish you a very Happy Easter and a happy onward journey. Steve 💙

Aotea2012 profile image
Aotea2012 in reply toNorthLad

Thankyou. I’ve read many stories on here which are not dissimilar to mine. I’ve also had PMs from people who tell me that they have been through something similar. It goes to show that if we look after our livers and treat them with respect then they will look after us!

LemonMeringue15 profile image
LemonMeringue15

inspirational x

Aotea2012 profile image
Aotea2012 in reply toLemonMeringue15

Thankyou

teletonetapper profile image
teletonetapper

Your post has proven that it can be done to reverse the severity of liver disease. The strength you have along with your "wake up call" 2 years ago will give support to those members who read your story. Brilliant determination and I know you will have a bright and deserved future. Happy Easter and sincere congratulations.

Aotea2012 profile image
Aotea2012 in reply toteletonetapper

Thankyou

ThreeSmiles profile image
ThreeSmiles

Great job Aotea 👍👍.

Aotea2012 profile image
Aotea2012 in reply toThreeSmiles

Thanks 😄

Tizzwas profile image
Tizzwas

Wow!! Your story is almost identical to mine. I am on the transplant list but my last 3 lots of bloods are normal so I'm hoping I'll get taken off and I just have to live with symptoms now they're controlled. Mine was caused by sepsis and the drink. I've not touched a drop in 18 months like you since the day I was told to stop. Congratulations for clawing it back and all the best x

Aotea2012 profile image
Aotea2012 in reply toTizzwas

Thankyou…let’s hope things continue to improve for you too 🤞

MMaz profile image
MMaz

happy Easter- a wonderful turn around and a fabulous example. Thank you for sharing and the inspiration for this newbie. Xx

Aotea2012 profile image
Aotea2012 in reply toMMaz

Thankyou

kyia profile image
kyia

Thank you for such an uplifting post - Happy Easter to you and your family!

Aotea2012 profile image
Aotea2012 in reply tokyia

Thankyou

Kayseylou profile image
Kayseylou

I am so happy for you and wish you good health always.

God’s Blessings

Tess

🙏

Aotea2012 profile image
Aotea2012

Thankyou. Yes I think there was someone up there looking out for me 2 years ago. I’m making the very most of my second bite of life.

Chick_atee profile image
Chick_atee

Well done to you. Your story certainly gives hope to those of us who are still feeling unwell. Did you suffer from extreme fatigue and has that left you?

I’m also abstinent from alcohol, recovered alcoholic and reading through the replies to your message I take my hat off to all of you. Well done and keep going.

I’m not comfortable with people places or things associated with alcohol and had to explain clearly when diagnosed with decompensated cirrhosis that my home is alcohol free and I wouldn’t be meeting up socially where alcohol is involved. The reason I say this is because after many years of recovery I relapsed because I thought I could handle those situations but the voice inside my head never went away even though I thought it had and bang, relapse. I have great admiration for you and the other people who have said it doesn’t bother them. I wish I could be like that. It was such a disaster to get complacent which led to this tough road.

Thanks for sharing your story of strength, hope and determination. Go you.

Ann 😊

pushthrough profile image
pushthrough in reply toChick_atee

Ann good for you in setting boundaries and knowing your limits! I can’t stand the smell of alcohol after 2 years of not drinking. It smells like a wet mat that’s been in the basement. 😂

G.

Chick_atee profile image
Chick_atee in reply topushthrough

😂😂 yep!

Aotea2012 profile image
Aotea2012

Thankyou. I do get tired if I’ve overdone it. I’m careful to pace myself. As I’ve got better and more time has passed I’m less and less fatigued though.

Nip1 profile image
Nip1

Thanks for your post and Well done with your 2nd year of sobriety.I myself was diagnosed with cirrhosis in September 2021 and vowed never to touch alcohol or cigarettes again. I too am symptom free and 6 monthly scans show no features of concern. Like you say there is life with cirrhosis, but you must be prepared to listen to your doctors advice, eat healthy, exercise and stay away from that demon drink.

Again.. Well done and all the best for the future.

Robert1220 profile image
Robert1220

So very well done xx.

pushthrough profile image
pushthrough

What an incredible story Aotea. Congratulations on kicking alcohol to the curb and living a healthy lifestyle. :).

Readlots profile image
Readlots

Thank you for sharing your anniversary with us. People coming to the group are often scared , especially after consulting Dr Google,so it’s fantastic to hear a good news story! Congratulations!

Dogbot profile image
Dogbot

Aotea I have to say WELL DONE 🥳🥳this is fantastic news for you and everyone who knows you 👍. I love to hear about anyone who has kicked the alcohol because I know it’s hard work, keep up the good work. And don’t worry about anyone who thinks you’re boasting you deserve it . Once again well done from the wife and I 💕💕.

Stay safe All

Dogbot 🐶🌈Dave

Rbbooks profile image
Rbbooks

Congratulations on your success! I hope you continue to build on it!

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