MachinistGuy

A friend sent me some photos from our visit to an air museum today and even though I asked him not to get me in the frame ( I hate having my photo taken ), I was in two of them.

At the time I was a month sober and my appearance is absolutely shocking.
I am ghostly white, hollow eyed and incredibly frail. My clothes are hanging off me. I look like death warmed up.
God knows how I appeared when I was drinking....

Liver disease notwithstanding ( all symptoms of which have gone, but I know that doesn't mean much ) I have definitely dodged a bullet.
This is the first time I have truly realised exactly how lucky I am.

I did get sober on my own, but the people on this forum have KEPT me sober. I can't thank you all enough.

2ndhandrose

Upstairs

Good for you! Your liver does have a great ability to repair itself. Keeping up with the forums has helped me stay on track as well.

Doug39

The liver does repair itself but some people aren't that lucky.

I have met so many people in AA with liver problems.

This one guy I made friends with is my age (54) and he looks 25 years older than me. He is on a list to get on a list for a liver transplant but first he has to prove he can stay sober one year before he gets on the donor list.

Another guy needed a liver med that cost $1,000 a day - it took him 6 months of paperwork and red tape to get his medical insurance to approve this treatment.

Glad I got off the sauce before it was too late - I have some medical issues due to my drinking but they are not as severe.

MachinistGuy

Little ray of sunshine, aren't you Doug ?

Dee74

We're glad you're here MachinstGuy

D

ScottFromWI

It is scary to look back at how things were in many areas of our lives. I think it's important to remember them as it helps in our recovery, but also not to the point of dwelling on them too long. Just like everything in life, balance is key I think.