Pete’s Musings

Our livers are the multi-tasking workhorses of our bodies. It processes virtually everything you eat, drink, breathe in or rub on your skin and that’s just some of its over 500 different functions vital to life. Every day, your liver helps your body by providing it with energy, fighting off infections and toxins, helping clot the blood, regulating hormones and much, much more. When it becomes damaged, infected, and inflamed (hepatitis = liver inflammation) our bodies can no longer perform these vital functions to the same degree. Also, there are many innocent ways in which the liver can become inflamed: viral infection form ingesting contaminated water or food, cancer, genetic or congenital disorders, etc. So if someone tells you they have hepatitis, please do not assume they are a drunkard, drug user, sex addict, or just eat too much … and even if that turns out to be the case, display some compassion as we all participate in these activities to varying degrees!

American Liver Foundation
Canadian Liver Foundation
British Liver Trust
Australian Liver Foundation

Please spread the word if you have that capability. thanks!

oh man, it’s been a long difficult road to get here. About 2 years. 3 different courses of treatments (over 8000 pills … just for the liver!). And lots of little blips and headaches. but my doctor told me to day that for the first time … all my liver enzymes are normal! That means that we’ve finally been able to find the right mix of medications to stop this disease from attacking my liver. Normal amounts of the enzymes that are produced when liver cells die. Read More »

I really haven’t been updating this very much. Everything is going OK I guess. I had a small flare up of liver problems a few months ago, but that has cleared up now and have actually been able to lower my medication a bit. Back is still in pretty bad shape in terms of flexibility, but the pain is a lot more manageable. Read More »

I’ve been in the hospital (St-Jean-sur-Richelieu) now for a little over a month. That’s a really long time. Back in Nov 2005 when my liver was on the verge of failing, I was in the hospital for less than a month. I guess that puts things in perspective a bit, this is a serious injury. It’s hard to accept being in the hospital … just waiting for a place to open up in the rehab centre. But there’s not much I can do about it, I’m still lacking the ability to do a few vital things … climbing stairs and bending down low being the most significant. I have to be able to get in and out of the house/car in order to be home. Hopefully, I’ll be able to do those things soon. I’ve already tackled my first flight of stairs here with my physiotherapist. Read More »

Been in the hospital (St-Jean-sur-Richelieu) for a week now after 2 months of pain and worsening condition at home. I could no longer get out of my bed and to the bathroom on my own … so had no choice but to call the ambulance and have them bring me in to hospital. i’m looking at at least 2 more weeks here while i wait for a spot in a rehabilitation centre. I’ll have to go to one of those for at least 3-4 weeks from sound of it from the ortho doc. not only do i have one lumbar vertebrae fractured and compacted 50% .. but i also have about 4 others that are weakened and fracturing. gotta do everything possible to prevent hurting myself more or i could become completely immobile. Fell 3 times at home in the last week i was there. really bad situation.

things are gonna get really rough next couple months. as if I needed more hardship eh? emotions are pretty bad ATM. then i got the back pain. worries for what future will bring. and trying to figure out how i’m gonna pay for rehab and modifications to home so I can return there. going to need rails installed, purchase a height and head adjustable bed, etc. all on welfare! grrr. life sucks

I haven’t blogged in a while. Not really sure why. Guess there’s not a heck of a lot going on around here and I’m sick of writing depressing stuff. My back has started to feel better. I can more easily get up and down and walk around also. Haven’t had a back spasm for a couple days … probably due to the muscle relaxants I’ve been taking (albeit sparingly). Robax Platinum - pretty good stuff it seems. You might remember the TV commercials with the rounded wood figurines with pins stuck in their backs. That’s the one. Muscle relaxants aren’t really recommended for people like me with severely compromised liver function. But neither is tylenol or just about anything else these days. When I was in the ER back in late December, Read More »

Doesn’t seem like it’s been that long, but it’s been a year since my little furry buddy had to check out. Still miss him from time to time … was such a good cat! Found this pic of tiger and my nephew nick taken about 2 years ago in the upstairs bedroom of the little farm house my sister was renting. Note how he likes to be petted! lol. the subsequent shots are humourous. Next one is one of confusion. Following by one where he’s noticeably pissed off by the whole picture-taking thing. typical.

Yesterday i was feeling pretty blue, Read More »

One of the worst things about being very sick is the total loss of control you feel. At first you have to deal with the loss of being able to determine your future and even your ultimate fate. That, in of itself, is devastating. But you eventually accept that you can’t do much about your future until your health improves. Then you try and focus your efforts on getting well … if you are lucky, you start to see improvements and your efforts are bolstered by those improvements.

But when things continue to go sour, Read More »