Tag Archives: chronic illness

CAUTION: Homeopathic rant ahead

I’m ticked off. Pissed actually. I don’t like rants and I am not a fan of drama but, for the love of Pete, could we maybe tone down the homeopathic aggression maybe a notch or ten? Yeah, I’m biased on … Continue reading

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What??? My doctor visit was not perfect???

    I’ve had three years of follow-up visits since my transplant. That means three years of blood lab visits and three years of the 108 mile drive from my door to Lahey Hospital in Burlington, Massachusetts. And, except for … Continue reading

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My Christmas gift made me cry 5 months later.

According to my family, I am a tough buy. I don’t understand it at all but I have heard it for almost thirty years. I think I’m an easy person to get gifts for. I mean, I like a lot of things. … Continue reading

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Reliving my transplant nightmare

Remember that book I was working on writing? I let it sit, untouched, from September 2013 until December 2014 when I gave it to my friend Jan Perry to read and clean up. She was my second reader. It’s about 60,000 … Continue reading

Posted in Liver disease, Organ transplant, pain | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Facing burnout. Moving from surviving to thriving.

My last post was January 1. That’s not a good sign for me. You know how that scratchy throat or that slight pressure behind your eyes sometimes is a symptom of a bigger problem, a virus? When I stop writing it’s … Continue reading

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May I sit next to you, forever? These seats are spectacular!

Seats. Good seats are expensive. Cheaper seats don’t provide as good an experience. Some seats are soft and comfortable and others are rock hard and a pain to sit on. Some seats are narrow and constricting and others are roomy enough for … Continue reading

Posted in discouragement, facing death, recovery | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

PUSHing through and checking off goals in my liver transplant recovery. Donate Life cycling team.

I never want to go through what I endured again on my transplant journey. It was a hell I would not wish on my worst enemy. But now, 28 months out, I see the good that has come. Continue reading

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Holy Freak-out, Batman! What just happened?

Sheesh, that was out of control. It felt like I was a combat veteran in one of the thriller movies I like to watch. You know the scene? A car backfires and the loud bang sends the vet into a … Continue reading

Posted in burnout, change, Liver disease, recovery | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Is life after liver transplant “normal?” Not exactly.

“So, ah, are you, um, like, normal now?” The question came from a friend I hadn’t seen since before my liver transplant. It’s a fair, yet somewhat awkward, question. Am I normal now that I am approaching the 21st month … Continue reading

Posted in chronic illness, End Stage Liver Disease, handicapped, Liver disease, Organ transplant | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

What do you do when grasshoppers devour your life?

I will post our family Christmas letter tomorrow. It is a run-of-the-mill, holiday brag letter extolling all of the good things of 2013. Yeah, it’s one of those look-how-wonderful-we-are pieces that comedians joke about and some people hate. Know what? … Continue reading

Posted in Liver disease | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Flashback to Oct. 31, 2011 and my biggest fear

At the end of October 2011, I posted the following blog entry about my biggest fear. I am reposting it now, after accepting a position as Interim Pastor at First Baptist Church here in Westbrook. Last week was spent preparing … Continue reading

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Liver biopsies ain’t no fun

Slogans. Mottos. Most businesses have them. It’s stuff like, “Service with a smile” or “We don’t spit in your tacos.” I could probably quiz you on famous and well-known slogans and you would do well. Try some. Just do it … Continue reading

Posted in Liver disease | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 15 Comments

Is it time to put it all behind me? Forget it?

I can’t help but be amazed by the passing of time and how it changes things. Last summer I attended two weddings and left both early. Both were major accomplishments for me since I was just weeks post transplant. Everyone … Continue reading

Posted in Liver disease | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Why I am so sure God is there for you

I’m not sure I can communicate how I’m feeling about a milestone I hit today but I’ll give it a shot. It feels kind of like I’m bragging or saying, “Look at me! I’m a big deal” but that’s not … Continue reading

Posted in Liver disease | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

In sickness and in health. Robin had no idea how bad it would get.

For richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health… The following is an excerpt from my book manuscript. When Robin and I looked at each other more than 29 years ago and said those words, we had no idea just … Continue reading

Posted in Liver disease | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments