When I first heard “cirrhosis,” my mind went straight to the liver. The labs, the scans, the scary words about portal hypertension and varices. What no one mentioned? The way my muscles and joints would start to ache like they’d joined the party uninvited. Neck and shoulder pain crept in first for me. I chalked … Continue reading Cirrhosis & Musculoskeletal Pain: The Ache No One Warned Me About
Tag: cirrhosis
Talking About Liver Disease Without Killing the Mood
(or How to Tell People Without Getting the “Sad Eyes”) Conversations about health can get awkward fast. People either overreact (“Oh my gosh, are you dying?!”) or brush it off (“You look fine to me!”). Decide What You Want to ShareYou don’t have to give everyone your medical file. A simple, “I have a liver … Continue reading Talking About Liver Disease Without Killing the Mood
Beyond the Plate: Everyday Lifestyle Tweaks
When most people think about liver health, they jump straight to diet. And yes, what you eat matters - a lot. But your liver’s well-being also depends on what you do outside the kitchen. Sleep Like Your Liver Depends On It (Because It Does)Your liver works hardest at night, especially during deep sleep, when it … Continue reading Beyond the Plate: Everyday Lifestyle Tweaks
Stage 4 Decompensated Cirrhosis
Not the Death Knell People Imagine. When you hear the words “stage 4 decompensated cirrhosis,” it can feel like the ground falls out from under you. The word cirrhosis itself sounds final. Add stage 4 and decompensated on top, and your brain jumps to the worst conclusion: “This is it. I don’t have long.” But … Continue reading Stage 4 Decompensated Cirrhosis
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 … Continue reading Cirrhosis Changed Everything …Here’s Where My Story Begins
Speaking Fluent Doctor Without a Medical Degree
(a.k.a. How to Decode “Doctor-Speak” Without a Secret Decoder Ring)Ever walked out of an appointment and thought, “I caught maybe every third word in there”? Medical jargon can make you feel like you’re reading the subtitles to a foreign film you didn’t sign up for. Here’s your cheat sheet for the most common liver-related terms, … Continue reading Speaking Fluent Doctor Without a Medical Degree
Your Liver: The Hardest-Working Roommate You’ve Ever Had
Picture this... you share your home with a roommate who never sleeps, never complains, and quietly takes care of hundreds of chores every single day. They clean up your messes, manage your deliveries, process your groceries, and handle your recycling. And they do it without asking for rent, applause, or even a thank-you. That roommate … Continue reading Your Liver: The Hardest-Working Roommate You’ve Ever Had
