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[Guest guest]

I have been trying to catch up on some of the emalis. I have been

going through one thing after another unrelated to the liver for the

last two months. To those of you new ones, sorry you find you need a

group like this, but you are in the right place, not only to find out

about your or a loved ones condition, but also to join some of the

most compassionate people in the world. I can't pray for everybody

here individually all the time, just too many, but as a group you are

always on my list along with people from other health support groups.

someone was looking for a support group, and I know you meant one you

could go to in person, but this has to be very close. The knowledge

of the group and especially some members is amazing. We are a family,

so don't worry about your bio family if they can't understand, we do.

When we are hit by things like this, we do need support and it is best

to take it where we can find it, and not to expend energy on wishing

things were more like they should be with family. Agonizing over

unsupportive family members depletes our strength to cope with

everything we do need to cope with health wise, and keeping a good

attitude is strengthening.

Let me introduce myself to the new ones. I am a 68 year old

greatgrandmother of one, 2 in Sept, 14 grandchildren, 4 children who I

must say have been pretty supportive but live at a distance and of

course are involved with their own lives. I have moved away from my

roots in Minnesota to a small town in Arizona which I love. I have a

church family here which is great. I play for church when I can and

usually all summer, about 1/2 the year and sometimes otherwise. We

are a weird town where in the winter our population is transitory,

nobody stays for more than 6 months and some for 6 weeks, 6 days, 6

hours. (except of course for the small population of permanent

residents like me) So, I just sort of back off and let them do it

their way.

I was diagnosed about 13 years ago with end stage non alcoholic

cirrhosis, obviously compensated since I am still around. Diagnosing

dr. told me I had 2 to 3 years to live. Don't see him any more. I

have also had 9 artery and cardio stents placed, 7 in my heart, a

triple bypass, carotid artery surgery. In last few years, my kidneys

are rebelling and on a roller coaster of functioning level. Most

immediate serious medical problem now is anemia. Been taking EPO

shots for about 2 years but while they may be keeping the anemia at a

level I still can function to a limited degree, they aren't fixing the

problem as they can in other circumstances. My hemo thinks it is

related to chronic illness, the kidneys, and also getting my gastro to

give me at least an endoscopy in the near future to see if I have

minor esophogeal bleeds on a regular basis, depleting my blood supply.

I moved into my own apartment in October and still love it even though

it seems it has been one thing after another attacking my respiratory

system since shortly after I moved in here. I lived here for a few

weeks and realized I really needed to get some bedroom furniture, so

ordered a dresser, chest and night stand. It was full of formaldahyde

which made me sick, had to try to air out the apartmemt. Then about

the time that had settled down, I had a bad fall which really shocked

my whole body. My pcp is sending me to an Ortho to see if it is time

to think knee replacement as I have fallen and hurt them so many times

besides the arthritis I have had for close to 40 years.

Then, the senior appts where I live decided it needed to spray my

building and another one inside and out for bug infestations in at

least one appt in each building. Don't know what you know about that,

but if they just treat the infected unit, the bugs move into one not

treated. Made me sick, they of course needed to do again to get the

babies a couple of weeks later, used something different in mine since

I am so sensitive but still got sick, not as bad. Then they realized

the buildings hadn't been treated for termites since they were built 7

years ago. Termites are a bad problem here. A nest was discovered in

the corner of two walls and the ceiling in my bedroom, so of course

that meant more treatment. They are doing everything they can to cut

down on the problems this causes me, but my lungs finally just said

enough. about 10 days ago, I knew I had to get to a dr. He diagnosed

me with a sinus infection, prescribed augmentin, bronchitis,

prescribed a short term massive dose of prednisone which turned me

into a different person than the me I knew. Loved some of it, but

don't like feeling like someone I don't know. Have never taken

illegal drugs or overdosed on legal ones to get high, so a new

experience, believe me. Coming down off of it now. Also, having

increased asthma problems. Went back yesterday, have bronchial

pneumonia so the prednisone didn't work very well, and from this dose

of antibiotics and others for utis, I have a systemic yeast infection.

Won't be able to get the prescriptions filled until at least Monday

as even WalMart couldn't fill one yesterday. Pharmacy closed here by

the time I remembered to ask some one to pick them up for me. Didn't

dare drive myself, head in a fog from neck up. I did get some meds

from a Dollar store so hopefully that will hold it off so it doesn't

get massively worse before Monday. Still on the augmentin for another

week.

Guess that is the highlights or lowlights of my medical condition,

although I also have other things which are more controlled by meds

and aren't usually too much of a problem. If they do cause problems,

seem to love to do it when it is bedtime. I also had my nights and

days reversed when first starting on this ride, but now have gotten on

a more regular schedule although I have trouble going to bed at what

most people consider a reasonable bed time, like 10. Mine is more

like midnight or 1 AM. that reversal is more of a problem than most

people would think since we do need to go to dr. appts. and some

people are working, and the rest of the world thinks we should fall in

with the majority. Guess they think we can just sleep when we decide

to, not when our body decides to. For me, realizing there were some

things I couldn't control was helpful, and when people would say

otherwise, " Just stay up so you are tired and you will go to bed at a

decent time " for instance, just let it go in one ear and out another.

Or would tell them to do some research on the problem online.

I find humor where I can find it and it helps to keep my spirits up.

Some people get crabby on the prednisone treatment, I got very happy.

This might be a little too subtle for someone not expecting it, but

yesterday and today I am having a good laugh at a sticker on a tray of

glazed donut holes I bought yesterday. Seem to have to eat a lot to

help to keep the fog away some and not feel so weak. It said " Use

By: 03/11/12 " I figured I could do that, so bought them and have been

working on making sure I get the job done. lol Probably the biggest

problem will be making sure they don't dry out before I finish. It

wasn't a small tray. And of course I shouldn't be eating them at all

with the calories not helping me lose weight and the sugar

contributing to the yeast infections. So, if you figure that isn't

funny, you aren't the only one. Many of my friends think I have no

sense of humor or a weird one.

Again, to the newbies, sorry you have a need for us, but we will do

all we can to help you through this. And for the caretakers, you are

marvels. God Bless You each and every one. Jan