Blog
7 Ways to Reset and Recharge Before the Year Ends
7 Ways to Reset and Recharge Before the Year Ends
Karen Hoyt
December 19, 2024
Karen Hoyt
Take a break and read all about it
Mindful Merrymaking: Stress-Free and Healthy Christmas Tips
The holiday season is one of the most joyful times of the year, but it can also be one of the most stressful. Between shopping for gifts, attending social events, and preparing endless meals, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. My dear friend Katie has great ideas and is helping you think ahead and plan for Mindful Merrymaking: Stress-Free and Healthy Christmas Tips.
Karen Hoyt
October 27, 2024
Blog
MELD Score: Liver Cancer and Other Exception Points
If you are looking for your MELD Score: Liver Cancer and other exception points, you’ve come to the right place. I ended up getting the extra points for liver cancer. If you have a situation where there are Extra Circumstances,
Karen Hoyt
September 29, 2024
Blog
Healing Hip Pain and Sciatica after Transplant
I didn’t even know what to title this blog. Here I am nearly 10 years after my HCC diagnosis, still alive, but dealing with hip and lower back pain that prevents me from ever cycling or running again. Listen, I
Karen Hoyt
September 21, 2024
Blog
What are Normal Liver Lab Values?
What are Normal Liver Lab Values? So many times, you get your lab values delivered in your hospital portal and have no idea how to understand it. By all means, talk to your provider about any concerns. Then, read on
Karen Hoyt
September 8, 2024
Alcoholism liver disease cirrhosis
Fight, Flight or Freeze Response to Addiction Triggers
Fight, flight or freeze response to addition triggers is our basic response to stress. We will all go toward one of those when we get triggered. Think of trigger as representing danger. We were given these as part of our
Karen Hoyt
August 31, 2024
Blog
Liver Biopsy or Fibrosure and Fibroscan
The Fibrosure and Firbroscan can detect liver damage. i had the needle biopsy and many doctors still consider it the gold standard. Read more to see the pros and cons of all and go to your doctor with an idea of what your choices are.
Karen Hoyt
August 17, 2024
Blog
What Happens to Your Liver When: Find out here
Your liver is one of the most important organs in your body. When mine got sick, I made some changes . It is the largest organ and can weigh over 3 pounds in adults. After my diagnosis with Hepatitis C,
Karen Hoyt
August 17, 2024
Ascites Hepatic Encephalopathy
What are 4 Warning Signs of a Dying Liver
I heard the nurse outside the door. She was telling the physicians assistant that I looked pregnant. They ended up shipping me off to the hospital for an MRI. I was still lying on the MRI table when they handed
Karen Hoyt
August 11, 2024
Blog
What a MELD Score Means for Liver Transplant
I wasn’t sure about the details of what a MELD score for liver transplant meant until my doctor gave me one. It was right after my first draining of the yellow fluid called paracentesis. A lot of new words were
Karen Hoyt
August 4, 2024
Blog
Born with Hepatitis C
This is a guest blog by a fellow Hepatitis C patient. She’s a miracle, and I knew that her story of being born with Hepatitis C would give you encouragement. I wanted to share my story of having a liver
Karen Hoyt
July 26, 2024
Blog
How to Tell Difference in Muscle Bone and Nerve Pain
When we are talking about how to manage pain, it’s important to know how to tell difference in muscle, bone, and nerve pain. I should have known better, after being a work out addict for my whole life, but nope.
Karen Hoyt
July 24, 2024
Blog
You Can be Cured of Hepatitis C
It takes a leap of faith to go through Hepatitis C treatment. With the new fast acting medications, you can be cured of Hepatitis C. It still takes a lot of courage to start and take the drugs. You can
Karen Hoyt
July 21, 2024
Blog
The Hepatitis C Community Mourns the Loss of Randy Madera
I’m going to blindly type these words in an attempt to dry my tears. The Hepatitis C Community mourns the loss of Randy Madera, who was a much loved patient advocate. So many long time Hep C advocates from coast
Karen Hoyt
July 13, 2024
Blog
I Don’t Want a Liver Transplant
Sleep is kind of like a thought eraser that swipes the day clean. But I frequently wake up in the middle of the night and remember the tumor. One night last August I awoke with the image of big clamps all around my chest cavity. Eyes wide open now, I saw myself lying on a table surrounded by doctors and nurses, my face as white as the fish I had seen floating belly up on the pond last year. I could see my head arching back with a tube tunneling down my throat that clicked and whished while forcing air into my lungs.
Blinking hard, I stared at my chest as my breasts moved up and down. I wondered what it would be like to wake up in ICU with that machine on and my hands tied down. Shaking my head with an audible moan, I flung back the covers
Karen Hoyt
July 1, 2024
Ascites Hepatic Encephalopathy
Do I Have Hepatic Encephalopathy from Liver?
This is a topic that is the absolute hardest to understand. I asked my doctor, “Do I have hepatic encephalopathy from liver? He looked at me like I was crazy. He had just told me to take my lactulose as
Karen Hoyt
July 1, 2024
Blog
The Surprising Relationship Between Cannabis and Cardiovascular Health: Separating Fact from Fiction
The Surprising Relationship Between Cannabis and Cardiovascular Health: Separating Fact from Fiction : Katie Pierce is a new guest blog by my friend Katie. I had read about the relationship and was happy to see her compilation of evidence. I think it’s wise to look at the results and then talk to your doctor about your personal use. I’m not here to judge. So post transplant, I’m working on heart heath and am choosing not to use cannabis.
From a federal standpoint, cannabis remains an illegal substance in the USA. However, many US states have recognized its recreational and medicinal applications. Out of 50 states, 38 have legalized medical marijuana, while 24 have legalized its recreational use.
However, more research is needed to further understand the effects of cannabidiol (CBD) on human health. For example, a study suggests that CBD might aid with fatty liver, but some evidence indicates it could increase liver enzymes. More research is needed to conclude whether CBD is helpful or harmful to liver health.
Karen Hoyt
June 16, 2024
Blog
Who is on Liver Transplant Team?
This is a total list of everyone that will be your support before, during and after the liver transplant process. A liver transplant team consists of a diverse group of healthcare providers and professionals who work together to ensure the success of your transplant process. Together, they provide wrap around services and comprehensive care to every patient. You will come to know who is on liver transplant team. After all, you are placing your life in their hands, and will become close to some of them and at least be acquainted with others. I always wanted to be sure that they were impressed with my desire to live. For some reason, there was a threat of not “making the cut”, if that makes sense to you. Read on and see if you can match the titles with the people you know at your hospital.
I live in a rural area and had to travel to see my team. That meant a longer drive and also meant that not all of these people were easily accessible to me.
Karen Hoyt
June 8, 2024
