Glad you're home and ok :) Awesome pics and blogging hon:)

One quick thought: whilst you're getting back to low fat high fibre, probably best to also avoid low / zero calorie soft drinks. The sweetners they use instead of ordinary sugar are apparently really harsh on the old liver.

Yeah, WSH. Juice is always good. Does any fruit grow around you? Springtime berries are just around the corner.

The canula I had when I had Eva hurt like buggery. I was so glad when they took it out finally. I'm sure you'll feel the same level of relief when yours is gone Sundae. Looks like they're taking good care of you anyway. I hope there's some good news soon. :)

Glad thats over & you're feeling better.

Had a call from SMART today, the agency that originally referred me to Oasis (where I was counselled by the lovely Seb.)
They are good at keeping records and following up; they called me the week before last and I explained that I was headed into hospital for my TJB (my own abbreviation, but I think it works) and they agreed to call me back this week.

I have an appointment booked for next week, and if I haven't heard back re results or acamprosate, the lady I spoke to - Jenny - will follow it up in my appointment, while I am there to give consent to her being my advocate.

Sad that these things have to reach crisis point before real help is offered.
I can't criticise anyone I've dealt with recently, just my GPs, who satisfied themselves with saying "You need to stop drinking, thanks, good-bye" back when I contacted them in October, extrememly worried.

Now it does seem I am getting real help for real problems.

I have it from a reliable source, the Royal Standard was for you. ;)

So. Update.
I went back to SMART, the referral centre which originally sent me to Oasis and the lovely Seb.
I couldn't go back to Oasis directly as too much time had lapsed since my previous appointment.
But Oasis is the only agency that can refer me to SCAS, who are the only people who can administer detox/ acamprosate.

Saw a wonderful lady at SMART called Jenny, and walked home euphoric.
I also envied her fuschia toenails so much I was moved to paint mine too. Except mine are too short and I only had burgundy (colour, not wine.)
She's booked me back in with Oasis, but she will come along as an advocate this time and help me press for medical help. Oasis can't provide me medical help, but they can refer me.

We take the long path round the country estate, but at least I appear to be inside the walls again.

It took ages to be assigned a key worker at Oasis last time, just because of their workload. A diagnosis of cirrhosis bumps you up the list.

Of course this is all a race against time because I have a potential job offer out there which potentially starts 22 July. I know my health is more important. Of course. Can't work if I've drunk myself to death. But emotional and mental issues are part of life, and Mum cannot cope with me out of work, or understand addiction issues. Not a criticism, just the way it is. If I can't keep the peace at home I'll end up dead one way or another anyway.

I have the appointment with Oasis next Tuesday.
Hepatology Clinic next Thursday.
Hope to get some answers there at least, regarding auto-immune issues, Hep C and severity of scarring.

My GPs are being rubbish as usual.
Got a letter requesting me to make a routine appointment.
No doubt it's about my only current healthcare concern.
But no appointment available until after I actually go to the hospital. Sod it, I'll get what I need there.
And the various alcohol support groups have now kicked in to help me source help elsewhere.

So tonight is pizza and beer night!
No, of course not.
Tonight is tinned mackerel, quinoa and fizzy water.
And you know what? I am actually looking forward to it. With some Tabasco.
SlimFast and goji berries today. Happy but no real appetite again.

I'm so glad you've got an advocate to support you. I hope you can keep her for a long time.
I like tinned mackerel, I eat it about once a week (the steamed stuff, usually). :yum:

I'm glad you have access to a place, and people, who will make referrals and advocate for you. And that Hepatology Clinic is following up. Please keep us posted!

note to self, that's hepatology, not herpetology.

CONGRATS to you Sundae, they keep settin' them up and you keep knockin' them down. good work!

sounds like you're headed down the right road, glad you're getting the support you need

Glad to hear things are moving along for you. Btw, gorgeous flowers! I like those lilies too. :)

I hesitated to post this here, but then I thought you should know it's not just you, Sundae ... http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-22889149.
Get that advocate workin' for ya!
x

It's what I've said all along.
I have made my own problems, but getting help with them has been so tricky.
If you're a smoker trying to give up, you practically get a goody-bag of products, weekly support meetings, tests, advice, the lot. But since last September the main treatment I've received from my GPs was "Okay, stop drinking. Close the door on your way out please."

It was only when my health started deteriorating, and I had made multiple appointments (one for each new symptom) that I started getting referred.

Oh, both the meeting with my advocate at SMART and my hospital appointment at Addenbrooke's didn't happen last week. But I've had a letter from Luton hospital (only 1.5 hours away, woohoo!) and am actually waiting for Jenny to call me back re Oasis as I type.

There is a lickle bit of me that hopes the Addenbrooke's cancellation and the Luton appointment are linked. Maybe the cirrhosis isn't as bad as they thought, or the auto-immune issue isn't actually an issue, so I don't need the specialist help from Cambridge after all... See, hope still survives somewhere in this knackered body.

When I'm earning again (soon, please) I am going to get an anchor tattoo. Small, simple - a line drawing really - and hidden. Because hope is what anchors you to life. It will be for Brianna, for sobriety - which I am still chasing - and against despair and the temptation of suicide. And for my Christmateers and everyone here who helps anchor me, too.

I love the idea of the anchor tattoo. Beautiful and in a way practical.