Written by a member of (Liver Cirrhosis Support) encouraging

[Guest guest]

Subject: [Liver Cirrhosis Support] Sometimes I thank God...

Yes, I thought at first that I had a death sentence. Then my mind

kicked in.

I knew I could beat this thing. Yes, I got mad but this madness

sent me into action.

I am now a pacifist but once I was a soldier. In combat we learned

that when being attacked we couldn't just sit there and let them

have their way. We are at war and we are warriors. Like Churchill

said " We shall never surrender. " And like some other general

said " Knowledge is our first line of defence. " Let me add it is also

our first line of offense.

The firefight began...3 against a thousand. The enemy fought hard,

the toughest 3 we ever faced. Lesson learned? Today we are the 3 and

we seem to be against enormous odds. Let us be the toughest 3 this

dis-ease ever faced.

>>>>Before the dis-ease I was a workaholic and liked spending more

time with friends then family. My family didn't even know who I was,

they knew nothing about me.

I was also still practicing self destructive habits (drugs,

alcohol, chasing skirts, eating at Burger King). I forgot birthdays

and never talked with my mother or sister or brother.

After a month in a coma and a couple of monthes to recuperate I

decided not to let this dis-ease control my life...or my childrens

and loved ones.

I started spending alot more time with them. Going to the beach,

wading in the creek catching crayfish(that's a crawfish or crawdaddy

to you southerners)and even playing ice hockey.

I still worked hard but it didn't consume me. I started excersing

more and eating better. I worked Hospice, I talked and read with

older people, I tutored math and science and history. I became a

conversationalist.

I found the more I gave the more I got, and helping others made me

forget lifes woes.

My life is so much better today. Much more rewarding.

I gave up the pity parties because no one wanted to attend. If I

live only another month or another century, it is gonna be the best

time of my life.

Live this moment. Forget yesterday, don't worry about tommorrow.

Live in this moment. BE HERE NOW. One day at a time.

Sorry if I lost my train of thought. My 4 year old just had a bowel

movement in his pants. Does it bother me? Upset me? Heck no, at

least I am here to see him do it.

I did find time to finish a degree in Horticulture. I was a

Landscape Management Technician but I retired. I can now tend my

garden, work with my bonzai trees, do some Ikebana and watch my son

get dirty.

Yesterday he was rolling in a dirt pile. He got filthy. The old me

might of yelled at him. The new me rolled in the pile with him.

Yes, this dis-ease has really improved my life for the better.

>>>>Abijann mentioned how most people don't even know they have

cirrhosis. This is very true. I never suspected it until it nearly

killed me.

The liver is an amazing organ. It never complains until it can't

take it anymore. If only we were nicer to it.

I was once on the liver transplant list but at first I was too sick

to survive the procedure.But, you know, I have grown fond of my

liver and want to keep it as long as I can. I have now been on the

inactive list for nearly 10 years.

Eat right, excercise and keep an optimistic attitude.

Beware that others may not be as optimistic as you but don't listen

to them. What do they know other than what they think they know.

Gotta run, take care, stay optimistic.

Fuzzy of Sunnybrook Farm