Terri’s Journey

On Tuesday I got a call from my daughter. She said “Mom! I know what I want to give you for your Mother’s Day gift. Do you want to know now or wait till Sunday?” If you know me, waiting when I know someone knows something will drive me batty. So I said “Now, please!” I did say please.  Her reply was, “I’m sending you guilt free plant money. Go and buy you something you’ve been wanting.” I knew just the thing! I have been looking all over Houston for  a “Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow” bush. It’s a beautiful plant that has purple flowers that fade to lavender that fades to white. And the smell is heavenly. In truth, I’ve been looking for this plant for about ten years.  Recently, I found out the name of it. Now,every time I say this name, it’s a reminder to me of some important foundational sized beliefs.  A couple of weeks ago I was in the ER for a stomach bug. I was dehydrated and in a lot of pain.  Can you say “Miserable?” While there, the doctor ordered a CT ...

When Frozen came out, it took me almost a year to watch it. I had seen all the YouTube videos of people singing “Let it Go” and just couldn’t consider even jumping on that band wagon. But eventually I did watch it. And I actually enjoyed it. And got that song stuck in my head! But seriously.  There’s something truthful about the first words. Can’t remember any other part of the song but that’s okay. I can humm it.  Last week myself and 3 other friends were a part of a webinar who are patients living with NASH. We got to answer questions that were up close and personal. One of those questions was about how I felt when I got my diagnosis. My friend Wayne mentioned the grieving process of realizing who you were and the plans you once had. I identify with that.  Having a life changing illness really sucks. Just being very honest here. It was months after my diagnosis when I finally figured out I had to lay it all down. Every bit of what I planned. The way I viewed myself as a...

Two and a half years ago when I started this blog my intent was to journal and keep everyone updated on how living with NASH Cirrhosis was affecting me.  Can I say that life happened? And that most days I just didn’t feel like writing.  So, I start where I am. Today. Right now.  I’m on the transplant list now. As of today I’ve been on it for 7 months and 18 days. My MELD (Model for End Stage Liver Disease) is now at 26. My MELD is important because it puts me in a line of other people who need a liver. If a person has a MELD of 40, they are really sick. So I’m stable but the disease is progressing.  Some of the things I deal with on a daily basis are nose bleeds, mystery bruises, nausea, lack of hunger, and pain. Sometimes I have problems with my cognitive abilities and functions. Today is one of those. My hands shake a little and sometimes I can’t find the right words. Oh and the big one...no energy. Zip! Nada!  Naps are good! But there’s another thing that I d...