Cirrhosis Changed Everything …Here’s Where My Story Begins

From sudden hospital stays to a whole new perspective on life, I’m learning what it really means to live with liver disease.

To Listen to the audio edition of this journal entry, click here.

It’s hard to know where to start. I’ve never faced this kind of journey before. Sure, life has handed me a few “near” experiences — scary, yes, but always with a light at the end of the tunnel.

This time, the only light is a transplant (if in fact, I’m eligible). That could be years away… or not. Predicting time when liver disease is at the podium is a crapshoot. Some people live for years in stage 4; others, not so long. Cirrhosis is a vice grip on one of the most vital organs we have.

Since November 2024, my life has been different. I don’t know the right words for it, but I can tell you two things. First, I’ve learned more about this in the past six months than I ever wanted to. And second, finding out you have very few options ahead gives you a whole new perspective on what’s important and what can wait. Your to-do list changes overnight. Your beliefs, fears, and goals get shuffled in ways you never imagined.

It changes everything.

Suddenly, life is doctors’ appointments, scans, tests, nasty preps (think colonoscopy), and endless needles, IVs, and blood draws. Suddenly, you’re aware of every bite you eat. Suddenly, you’re facing the possibility of dementia. And on and on.

It changes everything.

While your liver worsens, symptoms are minimal — almost sneaky. It’s not like a disease that shouts at you with pain or obvious signs. Meanwhile, this unassuming organ is one of the most vital and irreplaceable in our little meat factory bodies — cleansing, processing, directing traffic, and more.

Once the symptoms start, though, they can be numerous and dangerous.
Here’s how doctors figure out what’s going on inside your liver.

Being diabetic, I got concerned when I saw blood in the toilet. The pain at the time was so mild I didn’t even consider it important — until the blood. Thank the powers that be I’m not on blood thinners. No heart problems here. But it was scary, and it grew more painful.

That first time, I was kept for a week: portal hypertension was worrisome, with stents put in place to help, bleeding varices that had to be tied off, inflammation, and more. I’m glad I didn’t have to waste vacation time on it.

From there, it was three more nearly week-long hospital stays — December, February, and April. Scans, tests, and the never-ending procedures you have to deal with. I’m grateful for the care I get, but at times, the resentment bubbles up.

Two members of my family were alcoholics, and I end up with cirrhosis. I had wine at the holidays, that’s it. Here’s the kicker: I quit smoking in 2002 and packed on about 90 pounds, which I carried until 2023, when I finally lost most of it. By then, it was too late. My liver was already badly scarred.

Liver disease most often comes from three things: drinking, fatty liver, and certain rare conditions.

The normalization of obesity isn’t doing anyone any favours. I understand body acceptance and positivity, but when an organ as vital as your liver is involved, it’s worth considering the bigger health picture.

Be who and what you want to be — but get your doctor to check your liver function now and then. The earlier the better, as with everything.

I’ll be sharing more about my personal journey with cirrhosis and what I’ve been through so far. I’ll also add recipes, current news bits, and more.

This is the start of my story. The rest will come — one test, one appointment, one small victory at a time.

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