Over sensitive ??

[Kimlescam]

Going on a 3 day cruise in October and just been asked on Facebook if I would like one of these!!

Is it silly to get upset - since my husband's illness (not alcohol related) and subsequent liver transplant I'm not sure if I'm being over sensitive or just stupid.

My husband intends to take his transplant t shirt on the cruise and wear that.

Are people still uneducated about the effects of binge drinking?

[AyrshireK]

It just goes to show how little folks care about the valuable organ that is their liver. If only they knew what exactly it does and what happens when it starts to go wrong - the many knock on effects on the rest of life and also what a toxin booze is to it. Someone on AIH page recently shared a picture of a similar cap they acquired in the the USA.

[Steven_]

I completely understand why you would be upset.

My mother and brother both have Hepatitis and still continue to drink. I was never a heavy drinker but stopped as soon as I was diagnosed.

Your cruise will have people from all generations and walks of live and those with other illnesses such as cancer. My sister is currently battling Breast cancer.

But you have to be thankful for the positives and concentrate on what your family needs and most of all not let it ruin your break away.

[Kimlescam in reply to Steven_]

I too am battling breast cancer so we haven't had a good few years but hopefully coming out of the woods now - probably why I'm a bit over sensitive at the moment but thanks for the reply x

[LAJ123]

Hi,

the shirt is simply a reflection of the world in which we live. Alcohol is such an integral part of our culture, this would normally go unnoticed by most people. Its a bit like if you buy a new car, suddenly every other car you see is the same as yours.

The world isn't going to change overnight and those attitudes and 'norms' will remain for a very long time, so its not worth wasting emotional energy on getting upset by the image. However, bit by bit we can change how people feel about the health of their liver, which as we now isn't all about alcohol. Making people feel guilty or uncomfortable about their own thinking and behaviour around alcohol is counterproductive.

The liver shirt is a start and could possibly start a discussion about lifestyle, alcohol and liver disease. Just enjoy the cruise and be a proud ambassador for liver health and organ donation in a quiet and gentle way.

Jim

[Hidden in reply to LAJ123]

Great reply Jim

[Kimlescam in reply to LAJ123]

Thanks - puts it into perspective and will try - thank you

[Mama41]

My liver cancer isn't alcohol related so I do drink occasionally..I've never been told by my Drs that I'm not allowed to.

I'm not out rolling in the gutters every weekend but if I fancy a drink I do have one..

I went to a liver cancer retreat in the States last year and there was lots of drinking going on 😊.

I probably wouldnt wear the shirt but I dont find it offensive.

Enjoy your cruise 😊

[Kimlescam in reply to Mama41]

Thanks - didn't find it offensive just sad really

[Hidden]

Kimlescam - Don't waste your feelings on this kind of thing. Be glad that you don't have to think twice about how precious life is. Look for beautiful things and you will see them and I hope you have the best holiday ever

[Kimlescam in reply to Hidden]

Thanks we will definitely try xx

[carllovatt]

i find all thing like this highly offensive

would a maternity one be available NO it would not even be thought of

offended of the south carl

[davianne]

Hi Kimlescam, I too would find that inappropriate.I just read in our village newsletter, that the local microbrewery is staging a School Disco. What on earth were they thinking, with all the issues of kids drinking cheap cider in parks, in the news. I just despair of people's attitudes towards alcohol. Try to forget it, and enjoy your cruise 😊😊😊

David

[Kimlescam in reply to davianne]

It's difficult sometimes - I have an 18 year old who has a very occasional cider (4%) but won't even try anything stronger which I'm pleased about. His Dad started with NASH Cirrhosis then Liver Cancer and I have breast cancer so he's seen enough of illnesses and luckily is very level headed. Thank you for your kind words xx

[davianne in reply to Kimlescam]

Your very welcome,

David

[Isabelle2 in reply to davianne]

Terrible I know. However one good statistic is that lots of young people don’t drink.

[davianne in reply to Isabelle2]

Yes Izzy, I read that too, but it needs a national campaign to bring awareness of the dangers of alcohol to the public's attention.

David

[Hidden]

Kimlescam - you raised a brilliant question. May I add to what I said earlier, 'don't waste your feelings', use them as you have already by posting here. Some people laugh at shocking slogans on t-shirts, some people are repulsed. Some people feel disgust and contempt and make negative judgments of the wearer. We can't change what someone else wears, but we can think about our gut-response. The shirt was made by someone to make a profit. The wearer, if he/she is a stranger, we know nothing about. And nothing we can do or say will make the situation better until we understand our own reaction and hold back on judgement. Maybe all slogan t-shirts actually mean the same thing. The wearer is saying " This is what I think! I don't care what you think!", and neither of those claims is true. The wearer is hurting somewhere. We don't have to make it worse is all we need to do. We can't make it better for everyone and we have a lot to do for ourselves. Thanks for making me think! Let us know how the cruise goes xx

[Hidden]

Hello, I stopped caring what other people think about me a long time ago.. if wearing the T-shirt makes your husband happy 👍🏻

You have each other and you are going on a cruise, how wonderful for you both

Hope you have a great time

Sudio

[Poobear69]

I'm a year post transplant because of alchohic liver disease. When I saw this picture it didn't upset me but simply thought how undecuated individuals still are around the damage that alcohol can really cause, liver and more. I must admit that I was always very arrogant and "gun ho" around liver disease through alcohol and was of the mind that it wouldn't happen to me. It did happen to me and unfortunately with all the good will in the world and even through education people will still continue to drink and abuse alcohol. I would never wish the disease on anyone but people choose their own paths. Some walk that path steadily, others faulter and, like me, some fall to the wayside. Don't be upset just ensure that your husband wears his LT t-shirt and that may raise s conversation that will educate others. Have a wonderful holiday I'm sure that you both deserve it. x

[Kimlescam in reply to Poobear69]

Thank you xx

[Isabelle2]

I just get frustrated will all this so called humour centred around drinking. The ‘wine o’clocks’ and silly cards and pressies for Mother’s and Fathers Day. Someone I know did a ladies fun run for cancer, might even have been breast. At the end everyone was given a glass of Prosecco. Don’t they know that alcohol increases your probability of getting cancer.

Any way you enjoy your cruise. Send us a photo of your hubby wearing that T-shirt!

Isabelle xx

[Kimlescam in reply to Isabelle2]

Will do and thank you xx