Cirrhosis Support Group

My name is Dennis. I have used my “moniker” of dmanflan for years on multiple websites. I had to work on creating something I could remember, while still being somewhat anonymous. I am a father of 3, grandfather of 1 (so far), and husband for more than 38 years (1973) who will be eternally grateful to my family for sticking with me during my dark days!

I received a new liver in July of 2008. I contributed to the destruction of my native liver with alcohol. I had been completely sober for almost 2 years before my transplant and hold on to my sobriety very strongly to this day. During the course of my developing cirrhosis, I also experienced portal vein thrombosis (PVT) and eventually hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

I had a long journey thru very deep depths of cirrhosis. I spent a lot of time in the hospital or rehab due to extended periods of hepatic encephalopathy (HE), sky rocketing blood glucose levels (Type II Diabetes), e Coli from some unknown source and a variety of other problems. Only after the depths of negative health incidents did I really get serious about getting an organ transplant.

I'm here because I want to help people with all types of liver disease. I have had a liver transplant but I will always remember what it was like to go through end-stage liver disease. I really enjoy spreading the word about liver disease, it’s treatments and trying to shatter myths. I have such a spark in me to try to return as much effort that I can to support many transplant related areas: 1) donor registration; 2) fellow recipients and people waiting for transplants; 3) donor families; 4) organizations that contribute to our community such as NKF, ALF and Donate Life. I love to give my opinion on these topics! I do volunteer work for all of these organizations.

My advice: Always be brutally honest with your medical team-it is the only way they can help!!! One of my diary entries contains a “primer” for people waiting for liver transplants but may also help out people waiting for other organs

When the opportunity to be a group leader came up, I confess I was a little hesitant. While I like helping people, I was not sure that I could properly advise, discuss or emote with everyone in the group. As I participate in all of my groups, I’m finding new enjoyment and ease with my own position. I won't sugar coat anything, especially the causes of my own disease. I try to follow the old Cub Scout motto: “do your best”, which applies to so many different parts of life, even for us oldie/moldies!

Feel free to PM me anytime if there is something specific you want to know or discuss. I will try to offer love and support as well as laughter. I think that’s what’s so wonderful about this site. To quote a fellow traveler on this site: “We laugh, cry and rant and moan together. Sometimes all at once”! I think discovery is also very evident on MDJ!

Dennis

Hi Everyone,

I am a 62 year old retired RN, wife, mother and grandmother.

I found out that I had cirrhosis in 1999 following a cholecystectomy(gallbladder removal). My world changed forever! I probably had most of the complications that you can have related to cirrhosis, I want all of you to know, it is difficult living with cirrhosis but it can be done. I am living proof of that.

I had a liver and kidney transplant in 2011 and my life has changed for the good this time. There is nothing like it.

If any of you need to ask me anything, please feel free to PM me. I check MDJ several times a day and will try to provide you with a prompt response if I can.

Please take care of yourselves.

Vivian

My name is Mike. My moniker was chosen to indicate the condition that caused my cirrhosis, alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency. This is an hereditary disease with no treatment and the only cure is a transplant.

My first indications of liver problems were in 1989 when blood work showed high liver enzymes. Realizing that all anyone was going to do was check the numbers to monitor my condition, I didn't really worry about it. My diagnosis of alpha-1 finally came in 2006 with a biopsy. My doctor said I would eventually need a transplant when things got worse. Things got worse in April, 2009, and I eventually received my transplant in February, 2011.

I am here to provide encouragement, answers, and even a little humor. PM me anytime.