My Life with Fatty Liver - A Tough but Hopeful Journey

My name is Lorna. I’m 42, and I’ve been living with fatty liver for some time now. This is my story of how I discovered it and what it’s been like dealing with it day by day.

I never thought much about my liver before. I wasn’t a heavy drinker or anything like that, but I’ve always been on the heavy side, and my diet wasn’t the best. Fast food, lots of sugary stuff, and very little exercise. I also worked long hours at a local grocery store, always tired and never really feeling "right." But, like a lot of people, I ignored it. I was always busy with life—family, work, bills—and didn’t take time for myself.

"I felt something was wrong, but I kept ignoring it."

For a couple of years, I’d been having these strange pains on my right side, just below my ribs. It wasn’t constant, but it was there. I also felt tired all the time, but I thought it was just because of my busy life. One day, the pain got worse, and I felt more drained than ever. I finally went to see my doctor. They did some blood tests, and a few weeks later, I was told I had fatty liver disease.

I had never heard of it before. I thought it was only something people who drank a lot of alcohol got, but the doctor explained that wasn’t always the case. I didn’t fully understand what it meant, but I was scared. I went home and Googled everything I could find about it. That’s when it hit me—this was serious.

"I didn’t realize how much my lifestyle was affecting my health."

The doctor told me I needed to lose weight, change my diet, and start exercising. Easier said than done. I had tried to diet before, but like most, I gave up after a week or two. Now, I didn’t have a choice. It was either change or get worse. I was at risk of my liver getting so bad that it would stop working properly. And the worst part? There’s no real treatment for it. Just diet and exercise.

I started walking around the neighborhood. At first, I could barely go two blocks without feeling out of breath, but slowly, it got better. I also stopped eating so much junk food and tried to cook healthier meals at home. It wasn’t easy, but I had to do it.

"Changing my habits has been hard, but I’m fighting for my life."

The changes I’ve made haven’t been perfect. I still have days where I slip back into old habits—especially when I’m stressed—but I’m trying. I’ve lost some weight, and the pain in my side doesn’t happen as much anymore. It’s a small win, but it’s something.

I also joined a support group for people with fatty liver. It’s been helpful to talk to others who are going through the same thing. We share tips, and it’s comforting to know I’m not alone in this. One thing I’ve learned is that fatty liver is more common than I thought. So many people have it and don’t even know.

"My family’s support has made all the difference."

My husband has been a huge support. He’s been eating healthier with me and walks with me in the evenings when he can. My kids even joined in sometimes, and it’s become a family thing to take a walk after dinner. I never thought something like fatty liver would bring us closer, but it has.

The hardest part is the fear. I worry about what could happen if I don’t stay on track. But I remind myself every day that I’m doing this not just for me, but for my family. I want to be around for them as long as possible.

"Fatty liver is a wake-up call, not the end of the road."

If you’re reading this and have fatty liver or think you might, don’t wait. Go see a doctor. Start making changes now. It’s not too late. I wish I had paid attention to the signs earlier, but I’m grateful I caught it before things got worse. I’m not where I want to be yet, but I’m working on it. And that’s what matters.

I hope my story helps someone else out there realize they can make a change, too. This isn’t the end. It’s just a new beginning.