Don't blame the booze!

Day 7 (April 7) – Sensationalize!

Say WHAT!? What’s the most ridiculous thing you've heard about health or your condition? Where did you hear it and what did you think?

For the most part I am pretty thick skinned.  I learned real quick not to let what others thought or said about me hurt me. Growing up in an alcohol fueled family, I am was no stranger to the bottle myself.  There were many nights that I can't even recall.  Places I have no memory of.  And a lot of guilt and regret about it all.  But guess what people...

My liver Disease is not the result of drinking alcohol!!

My liver disease was brought on my a blood disorder that causes my blood to clot. My love of Jack and Coke...not at fault!  I once had a friend joke when I told her that my liver was failing about how she didn't know I was still hitting the bottle and I better put it down.  She laughed and I laughed but truth is, its no joke.  As much as I try not to, I do get upset at all the memes floating around joking about how someone is going to need a transplant because they are going to party hard.  I see my friends update their status on Facebook about how they feel sorry for their livers.  And while I am not one to judge them or expect them to see the new look on it that I have, it still makes me sad.  So no, drinking did not cause my liver disease, but it could harm one of them.  

I am not saying that having a drink is going to kill you.  Every now and then even I miss having a few drinks with my friends.  There is another thing that drives me nuts.  Even though I don't drink, I can still have fun.  I can go to a bar and to a party.  I've even played beer pong, with a partner who was brave enough to drink for me.  Poor guy!  Moderation is key people!  

For some, memes like these may be funny.  But for the 15,735 people who are on the liver transplant waiting list, its not so funny.   Liver Disease and transplant is no joke.