That whole thing you hear about feeling like your body let’s you down with liver disease? Yeah…that’s an ugly truth. Here is the truth about liver disease – my story. I had a healthy dose of self-acceptance before my liver failed, but it was sorely tested. Every. Single. Day. I was nowhere near where I needed to be mentally or physically. My liver had suddenly failed. Before I could unpack my emotional baggage, I had to begin eating better. Whattamess. I threw the skunk on the table.
Most of us see a problem and start working on a solution. Except it didn’t happen. Not this time. The physical and emotional impact kept my brain foggy. I had hit a wall.
The Truth about Liver Disease – My Story
I am an upper kind of girl. Positive thinking is a good icing on a cake. Except in my case, the cake had fallen. I needed to find a bolder truth.
WOE IS ME
Brene Brown words grabbed me during liver cancer. She said this: “You can choose courage, or you can choose comfort. You can’t have both.” Ouch. That means telling your own truth about how you are taking care of your health. That single step can help you to overcome a lot of hurdles in your race to a healthier lifestyle.
You need to know, and tell, the truth about your body. It’s time to open your eyes and become aware of the daily habits that make up your lifestyle. Get honest about your symptoms. Don’t wallow in it, but don’t sugar coat it either. You can only begin a new shopping, cooking, and eating routine once you see your current routine and diagnosis for what it is.
Put the Skunk on the Table
Where I come from, we call it putting the skunk on the table. Sometimes, we try to ignore reality. Call it idealism or optimism – denial and stubbornness. Well, if you put a skunk on the kitchen table, it can get defensive. You will definitely smell the mess it makes. Really Do you want to call it a cat and spray perfume to cover the odor? Or would you rather call a skunk for what it is and get it outside? You can clear the air later.
Your family may help you tell the truth.
Simply saying positive affirmations don’t always help. If you are eating a rice cake with almond butter while your friends eat chocolate cherry cake, saying they are delicious does NOT make them taste better. No matter how many times you say, “This rice cake is the best desert I’ve ever had”, it is not true. So just stop it. Tell the truth. Eating a Liver Loving Diet hurts like hell sometimes. That’s cause it sucks. And it can be boring. Tell the truth and then you can feel what goes with it, and eat right.
There will be times when you are going to feel down, deprived, jealous, angry, embarrassed, and a whole lot of other things while beginning to eat healthy. I still get down. Then I cheer me up. An easy way to do that is to look at myself and think that if I were dead, there would not be any food going into my mouth. Yeah. That one will sober you up.
If you’ve been forced to face the truth about liver disease – My story may help you to feel less afraid, and more courageous. You’ve got this. XO Karen
4 thoughts on “The Truth About Liver Disease – My Story”
As always, Karen, your posts arrive in my in box at just the right time! Thanks for all you do. You are a gem!
Great to see you Dawn, I know you understand how hard it is to push through and get things done. I love this site and all the friends like you that have stayed together. Many many thanks, love, and hugs, Karen
PS. I kind of get weepy when I read after posting. It’s like a HUGE thing to still be here with you and seeing comments. xoxoxoxo to us all.
In 2012, my life changed forever. My mom had just been diagnosed with hepatitis C and advised me to get tested. When my doctor told me I also had it, the room went dark, all my thoughts stopped, and I didn’t hear anything else being said.
I worried that I’d given my kids a deadly disease. The next day, I scheduled my family to be tested. Everyone’s results were negative, but this didn’t end my personal nightmare with the disease.
I was witnessing hepatitis C ravage through my mom’s body. A liver transplant would only buy her time. She ultimately chose not to undergo a dual organ transplant, and passed away on May 6, 2013.
Stay positive, stay focused, and most of all, give yourself permission to rest and let the treatment and your body fight the fight of all fights. When one door closes on your treatment, knock on the next. Don’t settle for the word no. Fight for your cure! You can buy Generic Medicine online in Indian Pharmacy Medixo Centre at very cheap price & Quality Medicines… Keep it up
We all remember the sad day of diagnosis. I am so glad you got tested. Your babies were safe too! Please accept my sincere condolence on the loss of your mother. I know of others who did not transplant. It is a tough journey for sure. I’m sure you miss her very much. xo
“Stay positive, stay focused, and most of all, give yourself permission to rest and let the treatment and your body fight the fight of all fights. When one door closes on your treatment, knock on the next. Don’t settle for the word no. Fight for your cure!” and i want everyone to read your words of inspiration Your mother would be so proud of you dear one.
Keep in touch,
xo Karen
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