Welcome to ihelpc
This Blog is dedicated to helping those who have Hepatitis C or Cirrhosis. I'm not a doctor, but I'll be your Best Friend.
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.
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
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
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 for just the facts about labs. Remember that every person, and every liver is different. Liver labs refer to a group of blood tests that evaluate the function and health of the liver. If you are wondering what are normal liver lab values read on. As
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 physical biology to protect us. If we have a threat, our body secrets chemicals to help us respond appropriately. We can also get caught in a cycle of needing a chemical to help us escape from a trauma situation like illness, pain, or a dysfunctional relationship.
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.
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, I was surprised to find out how much it was responsible for. This may sound silly, but I didn’t even know what all it did to keep me alive. I promise, when your liver fails, it is hurry up and learn time. It’s no joke how
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 me a phone. My doctor was on the other end. It was bad news. She wanted to get me a bed for more tests. If I had known the 4 warning signs of a dying liver, I could have gotten help months or years before. Instead,
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 being hurled at me left and right. I had a surprise diagnosis of hepatitis at the same time that I was hospitalized for liver failure. Whattamess! If you are there, here are some details to help you understand the MELD score. With a MELD Score of
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 transplant. It was not something that I ever dreamed that I would live through. The reason that I needed one is because I was dying from decompensated cirrhosis. I was born with Hepatitis C, but didn’t know it and had gone on living my life.
Organ Failure: Hepatic Encephalopathy
My personal experience with hepatic encephalopathy or HE began a few years before I was even diagnosed. It was easy to see that I slept
How Do I Stay Joyful? I’m Heavily Meditated
Being joyful does not mean the absence of struggles or hardships. I’ve had my share of physical, mental, financial, and relationship struggles. Even in childhood, my parents struggled with alcoholism and mental stress. I learned to find joy through my spiritual practices, and they still work for me – no matter what comes my way.
Sometimes I have used the word meditation as a synonym for prayer. They are actually different, but complimentary. I enter into prayer as a way of relating with my Creator. One benefit of being in that relationship is that I can create space in my mind, body, and spirit to enter a still and quiet place. I aim to stay heavily meditated all the time.
Unforgiveness and Your Health
Unforgiveness and Your Health I’ve had the chance to think about unforgiveness and health. Yes, a relationship was bumpy, and I found myself harboring hurt feelings.
