The loss of David Crosby, a liver transplant hero, is felt deeply in our community. I offer my own tribute here because for those who have lived with advanced cirrhosis, he became an icon we could look up to. He managed to live past the liver disease diagnosis and get a liver transplant. He personified the long fulfilling life that we all dream of. He is a rare person who lived for 29 years with a transplanted liver. He brought hope to all of us, especially those with Hepatitis C and liver disease of any type.
Hearing of his passing, I quickly opened my phone calculator while I scanned the article. He got his liver transplant at the age of 52, about the same age that I got mine. Then he went on to liver another 29 bonus years thanks to the generosity of a donor. As I approach my 7th year anniversary of my liver, that gives me even more hope. I put on “Suite Judy Blue Eyes” and rocked out while reading of his legacy in rock music history and his personal health problems. I feel as though life can be that long for me too, and maybe even longer. Hope.
David Crosby Beat Hep C
I remember tuning my transistor radio in to hear “Marakesh Express”. Like all my teenage friends, we loved the beat. When my dad came home with the “Deja Vu” album, it quickly became a favorite for the whole family. We loved the harmony. Teach Your Children was a childhood fave especially when my dad quit drinking and reversed his cirrhosis.
No one could have guessed at that time that I would grow up and be diagnosed with the Hepatitis C Virus.
David Crosby beat Hep C too. He was one of the celebrities that has been written about at this blog. While we waited for a cure from the virus, he, Naomi Judd, and Steven Tyler were our rockstars who shined the light to guide us while we got cured. Thankfully the cure is much easier now.
David also had a hard life physically. He drank and partied hard with a lot of drugs. Crosby Still Nash & Young played their second live concert at the famous Woodstock outdoor music festival. Later their song chronicled the historic event. “By the time we got to Woodstock, we were half a million strong. Everywhere was song and celebration.” I was too young to travel the event that defined a generation, but we all still hear about the legendary performances.
His life post liver transplant was long and prosperous
He battled diabetes and had some heart problems, but he is our living proof that there is always a chance that we can make it too. If he can make lifestyle and diet changes, we all can. If he can beat a virus, we can. I wrote about what will kill you with liver disease. He died of “old age.” I love that.
Just in case you are flipping through this website, I want you to grab some hope from a legendary rock superstar. As David would have said: We are stardust, we are golden. We are billion-year-old carbon, and we’ve got to get ourselves, back to the garden.”
David Crosby: A Liver Transplant Hero
Rest in Peace David. You helped us to rock out, sing in harmony, and rest our heads while hearing your lyrical and musical genius. XO Karen
4 thoughts on “David Crosby: A Liver Transplant Hero”
Hi Karen,
Awesome post. I’ve actually been a follower of yours since the Google+ days. I remember viewing your posts and pictures of you before/during/after your transplant. Anyways keep on doing what you do. Its incredible. Thank you
Good morning,
I Loved the G+ days and miss that community a lot. We are all scattered in different places now. I see some on IG and in Linkdn. You have touched my heart this morning. It really is a small world.
Caring people staying in touch is so vital. I’m thinking a lot about connection these days and how we need each other more than ever.
I hope YOU stay in touch and have a wonderful week.
xoKaren
Hi karen,
I am the mother of a 38 year old with cirrhosis. Diagnosed a couple years ago and she is having a rough time. My son (her brother jon and best friend) passed away unexpectedly in may of 2022, she is having focus problems and is struggling with the cirrhosis. Her doctor suggested she talk with a specialist, but I see your posts on facebook and thought maybe you could reach out to her.
Hello and Thank you for reaching out for your daughter.
I’m am so very sorry for your loss. It must be heartbreaking to have lost a child and the other one is sick. I’m sending love, prayers, and healing energy your way this morning.
I’m going to email your daughter a copy of my book. I hid her email for privacy. She needs to see a specialist and make some changes. Perhaps reading my story will help her gain some faith and confidence that she have a healthy future.
Will you stay in touch also? I don’t have time to answer every single email. I try to chat hear and am hoping that others may respond and chat also. This community got quiet when I went back to work. We’re opening up again. xo
Thank you again for supporting your daughter. Those with cirrhosis need a lot of love and kindness.
xo Karen
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