Sorry to hear about David

I'm checking in after a long absence. HE was bad, better controlled now. My marriage ended, he couldn't deal with me being ill - I've been able to heal from that considerably.

So sorry to hear about David. He was a source of knowledge, humor and good advice.

Just received the news that there are more tumors although the cancer has not spread elsewhere. Transplant coordinator says transplants have slowed down a bit lately.

Trying to be patient - had a "dry run" a couple months back (the liver wasn't viable).

Some days I can do this. Other days I don't cope. As often as possible I stay busy.

The good news is my brother stepped up to be my caregiver. He has to travel to the prairies from the coast so he's hoping the call comes in summer. Alberta winters are why he moved there.

The other good news is I'm in a small town with great people and have a tremendous support group through my church.

Hello Deb, David is one of many brave souls who told their life stories and made myself and others reflect on what it means to be alive while facing uncertainty. Speaking your mind (In a Public forum) when factoring in with so much negativity surrounding you is a area where angels fear to tread. We as humans always do forget how fragile a thread we hang by. Some of us walk through the fire with a hair strand left of the thread with a fight in our guts that consumes fear. David and I had laughs and serious banter. We never met personally but spoke over phone many times. I respected him, We had the fight in our guts. Hell I still do.
Personally, I am still under my hepatologist watchful eye myself. My meld fluctuates but has consistently stayed below 12 for the last 3 years. I recently had MRI's done every 6 months but the doc has been eyeballing a small nodule on the (what's left of) liver. Every three months for last year Imaging now done in fear of cancer. Last result came back as not growing and appeared to be just scar tissue. Still have HE episodes but (or butt, See: Lactulose humor) I keep up medication regiments with wifes help. Life aint been perfect but I'm alive and as David said "nobody gets outta here alive". Huh, not sure if he meant the forum or life in general. Bad news is doc told me that transplant list has been raised to 38 here (10 points higher than previous years. Should I die, Well.... Waiting on deaths door? Nah, Death didnt detour many of the people I've known over the past 10 plus years of being on this forum (under one name or another). Beautiful people. All of us faults and all.
Finishing up on a positive note. I'll be a grandad hopefully come December. My daughter who just turned thirty just sent 3D images of a chubby little boy. Ain't life grand!!!! So much turmoil an this thing called life just keeps rollin. David was always after my tasty tender vidal's. Me of course being a humble pig I did alot him a rack of ribs should I pass before him. He being jewish and all, I never figured him serious. Guess that saga will have to play out elsewhere.

A.Ziffle

David never mentioned his preference for genitalia. I just figured he'd take anything as long as it was tasty and free. Me being a Southern Baptist swine kinda removes the threat of you chomping on me. At the least I'd think that would put you at risk of a couple oyve's from the rabbi. Gotta say you delivered a classic David rim shot on the response. Yeah, Not to hijack Debs thread but things are kinda leveling out and porky is back on trek. UNC sent results and no growth in nodule!!!! Concluded scar tissue. Back to yearly MRI's. Wonder if I light up like a glow stick (Radiation) this winter. Hope not. open season on us this year hunting. Can't catch a break. I like to have fell out when he broke that 38 business on me. Ups the ante a bit in this game of life. It'll be alright, Little challenge to keep things lively.

Ziff

Thanks, Deb. Seems everything is designed to leak, fall off or fail as we get older. Liver Disease or not. I'd just like to go peaceful like if I gotta go. I don't bother with the technical stuff anymore. Heck of alot less stress. I just keep my head down into the wind and trudge along. Had a chunk of skin cancer removed from my arm last week. I never heard such a long name for a diagnosis, I just sat there and quietly asked " Please break that down into redneck". Skin cancer, Who's he trying to impress with them big words? I swear they try to frighten you to death with monstrous terms or words. I been through the wringer and found the human spirit can overcome any of the scary stuff.
I watch birds in a large feeder we have in the backyard. They are beautiful and seem to calm me when I feel anxious. Waiting for the annual migration of Geese from a huge pond nearby, They fly directly over my house honking every year. Nice to hear from ya.

Ziff

PPM, I never thought about that. Guess I was more concerned about them landing and nipping at me. Dated a chick from Boston and she'd never been bank fishing. I decided to take her to a park when I lived in FL., Beautiful lake full of Peacock Bass and home to Geese. I told her as she fawned over the sight of those beautiful Sweet birds "Don't feed em and keep a distance, Those things will bite H!@# outta ya". I went on fishing and she provoked those geese with my picnic sandwich. Sure nuff the big mamma Goose stepped forward and promptly bit her on the inner thigh. Last time we went fishing together needless to say. Poop never has been a problem so far, although I'll bring a umbrella out while watching them this year. Thanks for the heads-up. By the way, We only like our own poop cause it don't stink.

Ziff