New member

Hi. I am new here and a little nervous, not only have i nevere been in a chat room , i'm really bad at typing.

Iam 51 yrs old and have been diagnosed with esld. On Jan,1,2009 my life changed for ever. I knew I was sick,but my doctor shrugged of my complaints of pain in my middle back, right side swelling and vision problems. I was self employeed with my husband and blamed alot on stress and lack of sleep. My dr blamed it on my moderate drinking( 2-3) a nite for a number of years. Iended up in the ER in unbearable pain, jaundice and almost in a coma. It took a week to stabliize my blood and asisties. My meld score was 18 and I was put on a transplant list and given my options as to what to do with remaining 5 years I have left. The Mayo dr. says that with so many people needing livers,moderate drinkers like me rarely get a liver without completeing aa and physocological test, etc.I have not had a drink since and don't mind aa, have been told they pretty much thro people like me under the bus. Iam pretty sure that I'm not interested in a transplant anyway. I'm down to 80lbs. and can't seem to gain any weight. The muscle loss is unreal and being a business woman in town, public appearances are not my favorite thigs to do . My husband and kids are my rock. It pains me thatthey have to see what is happenig to me. Maybe if it could have been found sooner .............

Anyway I am lost and feel alone even with the support I get from my loved ones. Can anyone one guide me thru this?

Post Edited (hep93) : 1/18/2010 9:26:08 PM (GMT-7)

Hello and welcome

I think most people at first hang about here a while, reading through the threads until they see something that makes them write in. I Know I did. You will find a lot of knowledge and understanding from carers and people who really have been going through the same as you. I am sure it will help.

You already have done so well by not drinking,that is half the battle.I wish that for my mum but sadly it has not happened yet. Your vision problems have you seen the doctor about that.I know my mum had cataracts on both eyes, she only managed to get one operated on, she is still waiting to get the other seen to.doctors said her alcoholism attributed to this, she can see clearly out one eye, but the other is very cloudy.

There is so much information on this site that will be able to help you educate yourself, Dont give up hope of a transplant.......go for a second opinion if you are not sure on the advice you are receiving.

Take care