Moving into Autumn - My First Anniversary
October 15, 2009 2:05am
It is Autumn, normally one of my favorite times of year but his Autumn has started as Summer ended, cold and wet. October sees me celebrating 10 …
craigchome
4:14am, October 16, 2009
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About Me
craigchome
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About Me
My MELD has gone from a horrible 19 in December 08 down to a wonderful 6 in September 09. There is hope for all of us. i'm a 53 year old British guy who is happily married to a great girl from Long Island and we live north of Atlanta. I'm in my 10th year of living in the US. I was diagnosed with end stage cirrhosis at the end of October 2008. I had no warning of it and needless to say it was a huge 'wake up' call. Ascites followed quickly and at xmas I really thought I was dying and in many ways I'm afraid I wished to. I suffered from terrible pain, vomiting, diarrhea (I had to wear diapers if I went out!!!) But gradually the nasty symptoms passed and by mid january I was left with fatigue, poor sleeping and ascites. After having been drained several times, some as an out patient, other times requiring a hospital stay, I was put on Lasix (diuretic) which was a miracle for me, this was then followed up with Tramadol (for pain) and Prozac (to make me happy!!) Today, I am as well as can be expected, The last month or so has been like night and day compared to how (awful) I felt before. I read a lot of posts on this site and have learnt how lucky I am just now compared to some who contribute here. That said, I still live from day to day but can never be sure what tomorrow will bring as a result of this awful disease. I am further blessed with being married to the most amazing girl who helps and supports me in any way she can. We are each others best buddies!!! In my former life I was an IT consultant who specialized in IT security and advanced network forensics. I have 2 daughters (18 and 20) who live with their Mum in England. I try to bring them over here as much as possible, but just now we have to rely on SKYPE for communicating.
My MELD has gone from a horrible 19 in December 08 down to a wonderful 6 in September 09. There is hope for all of us. i'm a 53 year old British guy who is happily married to a great girl from Long Island and we live north of Atlanta. I'm in my 10th year of living in the US. I was diagnosed with end stage cirrhosis at the end of October 2008. I had no warning of it and needless to say it was a huge 'wake up' call. Ascites followed quickly and at xmas I really thought I was dying and in many ways
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Website
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Interests
Reading, music (all sorts), messing with computers (I have 4 windows boxes but Linda and myself both use MACs as they are just the best!!) :-) I designed, built and now maintain a number of web sites for friends who have small businesses. I used to be a glider pilot (solo) and have sailed/raced extensively. Until recently I used to race go-karts and I love our cars (Mustang and a Miata). I love traveling and have been lucky to see much of the world and most of the US. I used to rate drinking as pretty high on my list of interests, but unfortunately that particular pleasure disappeared the day it was suspected I had liver problems.
Reading, music (all sorts), messing with computers (I have 4 windows boxes but Linda and myself both
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Recent Activity
Recently:
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9 journal comments, 4 hugs given, 4 hugs received, 2 photo comments, 1 discussion post
Yesterday
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craigchome commented on their journal entry Moving into Autumn - My First Anniversary 4:57am
You will find it in two parts on my web site.…
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craigchome commented on their journal entry Moving into Autumn - My First Anniversary 2:59am
If you read down, you will find the links to Alcoholic Cirrhosis as a Syndrome. The docs are on my web…
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craigchome commented on lostepic’s journal entry Wake up!! 12:14am
You are absolutely right!!!!!…
Saturday
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craigchome gave klga a hug 6:39pm
Sounds like you need some hugs!!!!!…
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craigchome gave wontquit a celebration 5:25pm
Working out as well?? - wow, I'm impressed!!!!!! :-)…
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Journal
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Articles on my web site
October 2, 2009 2:22am
- The Following Articles are now Available in the Discussion Forum …
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It's all over now.
September 25, 2009 9:13pm
I went to see my GI today.
He remarked on my weight - back to normal now at 155 pounds.
We discussed my latest blood work - completely …
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A little Thursday Update
July 24, 2009 9:11am
I wrote a post about a month ago I mentioned that I was changing my diet based on a medical paper I had found about Cirrhosis not being a disease.At …
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One door closes, another one opens.
July 18, 2009 2:00am
Oh well, today is big move day. We leave our house which we've been in for nearly eight years and head back to apartment living.
We are …
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Hugbook
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Thanks
So am I, let's hope the doc doesn't taketh way what he giveth!
Hug
I always find you so knowledgeable and it's comforting. Glad to have you as a friend. Any new words?
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Thanks
Forgot to thank you for the word of the day. Never heard of "awesomely" before - I like it. BGPG
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I’m With You
First off, I read your "message" every time I come on here, which is quite often. I am stage 4 compensated and hope I never reach the stage of having to have a transplant.
Your input always seems to hold hope. Thanks and keep writing. 
Celebration
That is wonderful. Sorry I have not posted in so long - but I have been keeping up with you guys!!!!
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Photos
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Support Groups
Close Cirrhosis
End stage cirrhosis, diagnosed in Nov 2008. It took me about 5 months of hell before finally I was given drugs which actually work for me. Cirrhosis is the most awful disease and has so many dimensions. Without a transplant it is a death sentence but nobody can tell you how long you have got.
Treatments
- Lasix Working / Worked
- Lasix is one of my saviours! I have to monitor my weight carefully though as I can lose a lot very quickly. So I vary the dose to try and maintain an acceptable weight.
- Prozac Working / Worked
- Prozac keeps me happy! It lifts my mood without putting me in a mental fog. I take one in the morning and one just before bed and I think that one helps me sleep.
- Tramadol Working / Worked
- Wonderful. Tramadol got rid of the constant pains I was having.
- Aldactone Working / Worked
- Good goes hand in hand with Lasix and helps to reduce loss of Vitamin K.Not brilliant as a diuretic for me I take it for the Vit. K benefits
Close Alcoholism
Alcohol has been a part of my life since my early teens. I had a tremendous tolerance/capacity for the stuff. Never considering myself as a drunk, cos I rarely if ever got drunk. Although I had traveled extensively, I suppose it was coming to work in America that was my downfall. I met Linda, we got on like you wouldn't believe and we started on a nine year party. She survived it thank God, I'm the one whose body eventually said enough is enough. So here I am.
Treatments
- 12 Step Program Somewhat Helpful
- I think AA is a wonderful thing for those who take benefit from it. I could never really get into it. My Higher Power was my brain and 'religion' of any sort has never really featured in my life.
- Campral Working / Worked
- Campral was ok when I first quit 4 years ago.
- Cold Turkey Working / Worked
- stopped drinking on diagnosis of cirrhosis, haven't touched a drop since.
- Detox Working / Worked
- Locked up for 5 days with a bunch of other people! Hmmm, it was ok, met some great people and we could have a laugh. We could walk inside the 'compound', got well fed, stuffed with drugs to ward off withdrawal etc.
- Outpatient Treatment Program Somewhat Helpful
- On 'day release' for about a month. So I could go home at night, but had to attend lectures, group therapy during the day. Required to do AA meetings several times a week. Met some awesome people with all sorts of addictions.
- Willpower Working / Worked
- I was smart enough to realize that alcohol had damaged me almost beyond repair. Unless I get lucky, it will be the death of me. I didn't need much willpower to stop drinking this time.
Open Insomnia
craigchome hasn’t entered any details for this support group.
