Wayne Eskridge knew he was carrying a few extra pounds, but he still considered himself a pretty healthy guy. When the then-68-year-old electrical engineer underwent gallbladder surgery in 2010, though, his surgeon noticed that Eskridge’s liver didn’t look quite right.
That spurred blood tests — it turned out his liver numbers were a little high — and then a referral to a liver specialist and two biopsies. The diagnosis felt like a death sentence: He had cirrhosis. His liver had become shrunken, knobby, and scarred, and would never heal; ultimately, the only treatment would be a liver transplant.
“It was a shock,” said Eskridge, who lives in Boise, Idaho. “I was dumbfounded. I’d had no clue.”
I was just diagnosed this winter. First I was told there was nothing could be done for my liver, it was dead. Then I was told a transplant would likely be the only hope. Then I was told I was not a suitable candidate for transplant, as I have other comorbidities that may or may not kill me, making them decide it would be a waste of a good liver if they gave it to me, and then I died anyway from a non-related disease. In fact, they made this decision themselves, without referring to the transplant committee who is charged with making these decisions. It has been a complete roller coaster, and I’m definitely not winning.
I do so know what you mean about time of diagnosis being difficult. If there is a way, I would like to be put on a list to receive all of your blogs, it felt so nice to read about someone who understood what I’m going through. Thank you.
I have recently found out that I have NASH. I am trying to gather as much information that I can do that I can understand and help to go down the right path for wellness
I was just told that I have NASH today, never heard of this until today. I love your story Mr Eskridge and hopefully I could live a long time with this disease.
I have had weird off the wall symptoms for over 12 years. Always ending in scoping of both ends and then being told it’s just acid reflex or an ulcer. Finally in Boise a doctor recommended after a scoping last week a liver biopsy to find out why my numbers are high and I have fatty liver. I’m terrified but at the same time I would love some answers.
My sister has Hepatitis, apart of a kidney. She was given little time to live in 2006. She needs a kidney transplant. Is there anyway for her to volunteer in the transplant study of the kidney already with Hep C since she has that also. It would give her the option of overcoming both issues. Sincerely, Beth Cartwright P.S. Please contact me if possible
You seem a little confused Hepatitis is a liver disease that would not be treated by a kidney transplant. Your sister needs to see her doctor to explain things.
I have cirrhosis the none alcoholic kind. I always start there one of the charge nurses on an orthopaedic ward treated me like dirt because she thought I was an alcoholic.
I have also been told I can’t have a transplant because I have a host of other medical problems. But I am still here a little sick sometimes. I am 70 and was told I would die in 6 months when I was 65.
My brother(who does not drink) has been diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver. His understanding was that a medicine he had been taking might have caused it. Years ago I was diagnosed with a fatty liver. Should I be asking my dr. to check blood tests for NASH?
What were the symptoms that lead to the diagnosis?
Very interesting article. I was diagnosed with NASH, stage 4 fibrosis with a MELD score of 6 (which is very good). I also have gastric varices, portal hypertension and fundal polyps. I am overweight and need to lose around 80 pounds. I am on insulin three times per day and it is very hard to lose the weight. Thank you for keeping us informed. I wish you every good thoughts and prayers for your recovery.
There is innovation happening in this field. Yaqrit has some promising research for example: http://yaqrit.com/