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waggiedog · Jan 26, 2017, 05:28 AM

Hello everybody. I'm not sUre if I am supposed to join this thread/message board, please would someone kindly let me know if that's so. Don't want to upset anyone!

I had a long time friend and ex partner from some 25 years ago, I was with him for eight years back then. However I've been seeing him just as a friend here and there, most weeks. I'm sorry to say my reason for having to leave him back then was somewhat dire. He was drinking a litre and a half/3 pints, of neat vodka a day and beer besides. I knew all about his drinking when I met him, but he was funny, the life and soul of the party, as most alcoholics are ............until they get home or in the cold light of day. I was also drinking a great deal, having never been a drinker in my life. He diddnt encourage me to drink, I did that all by myself, hand up to that one.

Anyways long story short. He had realised I wanted to leave him and he wasn't having that, so it was death threats all around and bricks through windows ~ he meant business. I actually had to flee to France from England to get away and ended up with a lovely man there. We were there twelve years until Paul passed away. Then I returned to England. Right from the start my ex was glad to see me, had completely let go of all that happened in the past and I wanted that to, what's done is done.

So yes, seen him most weeks over the last eight years. The vodka had taken its toll, although he hasn't drank that for years (that I do know). This last two years has seen him suffer the nasty effects of chronic alcoholism, meaning cirrohsis of the liver, end stage. Terrible things start happening when the liver starts to die off, I never realised just how much life depends on the state of the liver. My friend has had yellow jaundice, massive fluid retention in legs and even worse, tummy. This is called Asities. Can't be "cured" but they put a wide tube into the tum and drain large amounts off. The fluid is back within weeks.

Well, he has been more in hospital than out this last two years. This time five weeks and over Christmas. Despite the Dr's doing absolutely everything, he passed away on Frieday 13th 2017 aged 55. The consultants cirtificate stated "end stage alcoholic liver disease". I must stress here that it's not only alcohol which causes damage to the liver and other organs, it's illegal drugs, and even prescription meds.

If this could help one of you see the reality of liver disease, he wouldn't have died in vein.

We all do things we shouldn't do and quite honestly, yes, we have to die of something. Doesn't mean we have to totally illiminate our particular want or need, it's helpful to cut right down. Yes EASIER said that done and don't I just know it.

If anybody has questions regarding the realities of liver disease, I will try and answer truthfully as I see (and saw) it.I do also understand that most alcoholics just can't cut down, it doesn't work like that, it has to be ilimenated altogether. Xxxxxxxx