Another reminder

[Impurrfect]

My cousin, Gary, is younger than I am, and is in the hospital with liver problems. When he was younger, he used to shoot up heroin and developed hepatitis. Despite treatment, he has had a lot of problems, hasn't been able to work for years because of fatigue/exhaustion.

I haven't heard the "official prognosis" of this hospitalization, but my years of being a nurse tells me his liver is failing. I haven't seen him in about 25 years, and he wasn't even in high school yet.

The doctors told my aunt and uncle that Gary "would not live to be an old man", and this was a long time ago. Years ago, we buried another uncle who's liver failed after surgery..he was 50, and had been a heroin addict.

If Gary dies, I can't even go to the funeral to support my family because of financial consequences I'm dealing with from MY addiction.

I hate this disease, but I'm grateful, today, that I have almost 18 months clean and so far, no long-term health effects from the years of my abuse.

Hugs and prayers!

Amy

[whiskerkissed]

(((Amy))) - thanks for the reminder. This disease is certainly an unforgiving one. My thoughts are with you...and him.

[chiynita]

HUGS Amy

[LadyTenn422]

((((((((((Amy))))))))))) My prayers are with you and your Uncle Gary! Is there anyone in your family that "might" be able to kick in so you could go, or is it that you cannot miss work, (that i REALLY get, Im paycheck to paycheck) I pray he recovers, you give so much here AMy, we all love you and are behind you!!

[Impurrfect]

I talked to my uncle last night. Gary is still in the hospital, but IS doing better.

The sad thing is, the whole family thinks he got the hepatitis from a tattoo. Yes, I know that's possible, but I also heard enough of his ACTIONS in the past to know he was doing drugs.

I'm keeping my mouth shut and am not going to say a word about the drugs. He lived the lifestyle that set him up to get hepatitis (heck, so did I) and he's been clean for a long time.

Becky - it's the money AND missing work, that would keep me from going out there. It would be a very time-consuming and costly drive, and plane tickets are outrageous. Hopefully, now that he's doing better, I won't have to worry about it.

Thanks for the hugs and prayers!

Amy