My Fatty Liver Scare and How I Turned Things Around

I didn’t even know I had a fatty liver until a few years ago. I wasn’t the healthiest person, sure, but I didn’t think it was anything to worry about. I’ve always loved food, and if I was stressed, which was pretty much all the time, I’d grab a bag of chips or a tub of ice cream and eat until I felt better. Cooking meals was just too much work for me after a long day. But then, my body started telling me something was wrong.

"My stomach pains wouldn’t stop, but I kept ignoring them."

For a long time, I felt pain in my stomach, but I brushed it off. I was too busy with life to pay attention. After a while, the pain got worse, and I started feeling really tired all the time. At that point, I figured it was probably time to see a doctor. They did a bunch of tests, and sure enough, they found fatty liver disease. I didn’t really understand it at first and thought, "How could this happen just because of my food?"

The doctor wasn’t super worried at first, so I wasn’t either. But then, things got serious. My ALT levels were high, and the doctor sent me for more tests. That’s when I got a letter right before Christmas saying my liver was already pretty damaged. I was in shock.

"I was scared and had no idea what was going to happen."

Reading that letter felt like a punch to the gut. They told me my liver was scarred, and I was at risk for cancer. They wanted me to come in for scans and cancer checks, and honestly, I was terrified. I had no idea that something as simple as the food I was eating could cause so much damage. I felt like I didn’t know where to turn.

I started looking things up online, and it just made me panic more. All I found were horror stories about liver disease. Then, by chance, I found the British Liver Trust website and decided to call their nurse helpline. I wasn’t expecting much, but the nurse I spoke to made a huge difference. She broke everything down in simple terms and said, "Yes, this can get serious, but there are things you can do."

"I knew I had to change my ways."

I threw out all the junk food I had at home and started focusing on eating better. I didn’t really know where to start, but the nurses gave me tips. I started eating foods like blueberries, broccoli, and whole grains. I even lost weight without really trying! It was strange because I had tried so many diets before, but this time, it didn’t even feel like I was on one. I wasn’t counting calories or starving myself; I was just eating better and enjoying it.

I also got myself a portion plate to help me with my meals. It really helped me understand how much I should be eating. For once, I wasn’t obsessing over food, but I was still losing weight, and it felt amazing.

"They told me my liver would never heal, but I didn’t give up."

The doctor said my liver damage was too far along to be reversed, but I wasn’t going to let that stop me. I kept eating right and getting my exercise. Eventually, I went for a private scan, and they told me my liver looked normal again. I couldn’t believe it! My ALT levels had gone from 275 down to 22. It was like a miracle.

The doctors were just as surprised as I was, and they even discharged me from their care. I felt like I had dodged a bullet. I lost nearly four stone, and I didn’t even have to count calories to do it.

"It’s not always easy, but it’s worth it."

Of course, there are days when I slip up and want to eat junk food again, but I always remind myself of what’s at stake. It’s crazy how processed food is everywhere, and I’m convinced they put something in it to make us crave it. But when I eat clean, I feel so much better, and that’s what keeps me going.

I’m so grateful to the nurses at the Liver Trust. Without their guidance, I don’t know where I’d be today. They were always there to listen, and they gave me hope when I didn’t have much. I know I’m one of the lucky ones, and I’ll never take that for granted.