Wanna Peek at my Labs?

Doc said yesterday it could be as early as five years that I would need a transplant. I was really hoping to dodge that one.

I feel pretty good most of the time but I think you'll understand more when you see the GGT and Platelet counts. These numbers use to be much worse so recovery has been going very well for me. Being 38 at the time of diagnosis 03-23-10 has helped. This is alcoholic cirrhosis. More than 500 days of sobriety trying to keep this thing going. Imagine if I only considered this 3 years ago I would've been a lot better off.


I think theres a lesson here for anyone abusing alcohol. Stop it!

Randy

[ibizan]

hey maybe u won't need it in 5 years if u continue to stay away from the NOT joy juice!i know a lady who was on the list and her liver enzymes stabilized within 3 years and no need for a new liver!whew!i thought u were gonna ask us 2 take a peek at ur abs!:)

[Punkinhead75]

Glad to hear you are doing well.  Keep it up.  Sometimes its pretty cool to see the impact of sobriety in our life.  Have a Good One!!

[Cici_xo]

I'm glad to hear that you're doing well. Hopefully you won't need to have that transplant!

[dominosarah]

I didnt know you had labs but i will peek anyways!!!  lol

[rpooo]

Labs are such great dogs! I'm gonna get one someday. For now we have our angry kitty that refuses to share the house with any other animal! She's a brat! ha ha

It's funny cause our bed is pretty tall and she like to jump up there at night to sleep for an hour or two. Well lately she been packing on some weight and can barely make the jump! I tease her and say "c'mon you call yourself a cat!"  Maybe I'll have to but some steps for her fat a** eventually. ha ha

Thank you very much everyone for your positive input. This really is a terrific group! Unlike any other. I've been to many other forums and many other sites and this kind of unity is not found.

Unfortunately due to the amount of scaring from cirrhosis I now have portal hypertension. As a result many of my platelets end up in the bottom of my spleen causing splenomegaly (enlarged spleen) and a low platelet count. The scaring is permanent just as the cirrhosis that causes the elevated GGT level. (dying of liver cells) The only work around is too have a procedure done they call TIPS. This will reroute some of the blood around the liver and allow it to flow back through my system unfiltered. This worsens a problem that I already deal with on a daily basis called Hepatic Encephalopathy (HE).

This allows more blood toxins such as ammonia and mangenese to go through out my body causing damage to include the brain also. Side effects such as loss of balance, confusion, lack of concentration and memory loss. There are many more to list but screw that! ha ha you get the point. For example this post has already taken an hour to write because sometimes I find myself just gazing out the window! ha ha  

Anyways my over all point is that the transplant will be necessary since the TIPS procedure from what I know would increase the toxins to very  dangerous levels.

Randy

[Punkinhead75]

Hmmmmmm,   loss of balance, confusion, lack of concentration and memory loss.  I used to pay to feel that way.  Ironic I guess.  Anyway,  glad yer here and sharing with us.  You got a lot of stuff going on and you seem too take it in stride.  Very inspiring!!!  Thanks!!!

[mopeymonique]

I'm glad your lab results are improving with your recovery.  If in 5 years you do need a transplant it's amazing what modern medicine can do.  The love of my life had a heart transplant and it was his miracle.  Wishing you continued health and sorbriety you are amazing!

[rod44]

Your story is inspiring and people who continue to abuse alcohol should take note.

Continued good & sober health to you :)

[dominosarah]

Hi Rod!  I couldnt of said it better~~