One year ago

[RugbyMama]

Sharing here because I can't share open in "real life" and need a bit of an outlet. Also hoping that maybe this will help someone else. One year ago today, I came home from an evening out to discover my husband bent double with excruciating pain. At that time he had drunk heavily most nights for 20 years and certainly every night for the previous 6 months following the death of his father. 2 bottles of wine a night was normal, get up, work all day, do it all again. Addiction runs in his family - parents, grandparents, brother and uncle all have some sort of addiction.That night it took all my strength to get him upstairs and into bed where he passed out from pain. He refused at that point to seek medical help until the Monday morning where I persuaded him to see GP. GP thought gallstones, ultrasound said no. Over the next 6 months he lost almost 7 stone (44kgs or 98lbs). More pain in January, no obvious cause, T2 diabetes diagnosed in February, MRCP and CT in March showed liver changes, gastroscopy in April said no varices but blood work said maybe haemochromotosis, fibroscan in May said cirrhosis and maybe not haemochromotosis, in July T2 diabetes diagnosis replaced with late onset T1 diagnosis. October confirmed he had gained back a third of the weight he lost, (thanks insulin!) but also genetic haemochromotosis causing most of his issues including liver inflammation, compensated cirrhosis (with alcohol as a contributing factor) pancreatitis, T1 diabetes, fatigue, joint pain and the brain fog I was worried was HE. He will be monitored every 6 months for his liver and will start venesection for the HC shortly.

A year ago today our journey began but that journey has not included alcohol; he is 1 year sober today. It has not been easy, we have 2 teenagers and high pressure full time jobs and lets face it sometimes just living life is stressful, but he is here, alive and alcohol free.

For those lurking here worried about their health or concerned about their alcohol use but thinking they can't do it; you absolutely can. He is living proof of that and we will celebrate that today with cake and sparkling water!

[Inthegame]

Absolutely brilliant, well done all of you, as we all know it's such a rollercoaster of a ride, but it definitely isn't all downhill, have a great celebration, you all deserve it 🙌🙌

[Aotea2012]

Well done to him. That’s amazing news. It’s very easy to let alcohol dominate our lives…not so easy to wave it goodbye…so congratulations. 🥳

[Rshc]

well done to him, my partner was hospitalised on the 23rd Dec 2021 with decompensated cirrhosis and has not drunk since. He is now compensated so for anyone thinking it’s not worth giving up, the damage is done. It absolutely is worth stopping as soon as you can as each day with our drink is a day you allow your body to heal just a little

[Lantana100]

Fantastic news. I’m so pleased for all of you.

[KazKat]

CONGRATULATIONS 😊👍I too had a scare earlier this year.

It meant giving up alcohol, which I did (something I also thought I could never do!)

I am so much healthier and happier than I have EVER been in my life!!

I look forward to every day, do things I never thought I'd do.... diagnosis was a blessing in disguise.

It's not easy, but to anyone out there facing 'giving up' I would like to say (without sounding glib) It can be hard but SO, SO WORTH IT!!

Sending lots of love to all who are struggling

Best wishes

Kaz🐈‍⬛❤️

[MissS_Zebra9]

Can I just say a Huge well done to your husband on being 1 year sober and to you and the rest of your family as the supporters.

I have a husband who has been hospitalised a couple of times in the last 2 years due to his alcohol consumption and turning yellow, most recent admission they weren't sure his levels would come down and there was a mention of transplant but luckily the meds kicked in and he was allowed home. My husband unfortunately doesn't seem to understand the severity of his condition and therefore continues to drink (even after kids have wrote letters, begged and pleaded with him etc). We also think he may have haemochromotosis as his mother has it so it could be hereditary. I just hope and pray that there will be an epiphany moment very soon.

Wishing you all the best ❤️

[LittleShrew]

Amazing news 👏👏👏👏 Such an achievement for all of you ❤️