Read time: 2 minutes. You have so many questions about drinking with liver disease. I’ve shared pieces of my story, and this is Part 1 in a series about how my dad quit drinking with stage 4 and reversed his cirrhosis. I learned a lot after his liver failed from drinking in 1980. Later, I used the knowledge to write the Liver Loving Diet and help myself and others heal from any type of liver disease. We learned how to keep dad alive, but I’m getting ahead of myself.
Beer Drinking and Hell Raising
My daddy drank from his youth, and spent evenings at the pool hall, especially around payday. He was on the road a lot and drank at his hotel to relax. At home, he was a shade tree, football watching, dancing to the record player kind of guy. We had a lot of fun.
Trying to Quit
I was in my teens when he was hospitalized and had to have a varices banding. We thought it was ulcers, and he went dry for about 2 years only to start drinking even harder later. I would say that most of his life he usually averaged 3 or 4 drinks a day, but could also put away a case of beer with friends on the weekend.
When dad was 44, I was living in a nearby city. Mom took him to ER and they admitted him to ICU. His liver had totally failed. This time, he lost a lot of blood and was incoherent with hepatic encephalopathy. It was unreal how I ended up with the same thing 30 years later. Within hours, dad slipped into a hepatic coma. Within a few days, he was moved him from ICU to a regular room. I visited many times just to watch him sleep.
A Wake up Call
About a month into his hospital stay, mom got a call in the middle of the night. Dad had gotten out of bed, removed his IVs, and left the hospital. She called all of us kids. I remember having to work the next day and wondering how soon I could get there. Within a couple of hours, they called back. The Tulsa Police picked him up wandering the streets near St John’s Medical Center. They dismissed him to mom’s care.
My Dad Quit Drinking and Reversed Cirrhosis
Daddy came home weighing about 120 lbs. He was still yellow, swollen, and weak as a kitten. Mom had told me over the phone that he was on lactulose, diuretics, and was changing his diet. When I walked in, he was sitting in his chair listening to the stereo. He looked so sick that it was shocking. I decided to stay a couple of nights. We stayed up late talking, and spoke honestly about end of life matters. He told me that his drinking days were over. There was no crying, just a dad and daughter pouring our hearts out about missed opportunities and second chances.
Healing His Liver
After about 4 weeks of IV fluids and no alcohol, he was actually more sober than I’d seen him in a long time. He wasn’t able to go back to work for several months, but he slowly began to get stronger. There is a whole book inside this story about how he did it, and how we supported him. It’s not easy to talk about because I miss him so.
A New Future
If he hadn’t made the decision to quit, we wouldn’t have had many healing years together as a family. My dad quit drinking and reversed cirrhosis and also became my hero for life.
There’s bound to be a part two, but it’s not easy to write about. Gosh, it’s easy to see what a looker my dad was, and I’m so thankful for all the years we had together. Because of this experience I never drank, but my liver failed because of Hep C and I write about it here. I hope this opens some discussion in your family about how the liver can heal. Chime in and let’s chat.
The Takeaway
My dad was a lot of fun when he was drinking, but there were many many hardships and struggles (physical, mental, and emotional) that took place behind the scenes. I loved my dad, and after he quit drinking and reversed cirrhosis, he raised 4 great kids, took care of my mom, and was an amazing man. This website is full of everything you need to know about how to liver longer stronger with liver disease. Let me know if I can help. xo Karen
8 thoughts on “My Dad Quit Drinking and Reversed Cirrhosis”
Wow. This hit home. I also have cirrhosis and other medical problems. Tried to talk to my family about the end but are in denial. Any advice ?
Hello!! and thanks for stopping by to chat. I was kind of worried that I put my whole life out here on this one and no one would get it.
Your family is blessed to have your heart open and willing to talk. Everyone is different, and it depends on where they are in their own life.
How is your health honey? Are there concerns that need to be talked about? Sometimes it’s hard to talk about liver disease if there is still addictions in the picture. But really, aren’t we all addicted to something? Anyway, my point is that if there is something specific you want to talk about?
I’d love to help. Thanks!!
Xoxo Karen
Yup! Now you have to hear my story of liver chirosis,twice varices bleeding. Gall blade removed’ thrombocytopenia,large gastric varices. Abstained of alcohal 10 yrs, now age 43.chirosis daignosised when I was 33. Hep c treated ‘ genotype 3a, 2014. Regular swim,walking, light gym’.. note: chirrhosi not reversed But life is okey. Thankfully I can sustain the more damage. Life is beautiful and it should go on. I had never lived in fear and not even now. Life goes on..( it’s the tatoo on my shoulder)
My Dear One,
You’ve been through a lot!! And Hep C too. I’m so proud of you for being free for 10 years. That my Dear One is something to be so very happy about.
I’ve had some of those same things, as did my father. His tattoo had my name, but I love yours also. Life goes on when you’re making strong choices! All my best to you!
Love
Xoxo Karen
Amazing I came across this story. My brother in law has been in the ICU for over a week. He started throwing up blood and passing blood severely from his rectum. He has been diagnosed with cirrhosis. He has severe bleeds, kidney failure and his liver is not working very well but his kidneys have now started working. The 2nd day at the hospital we were told prognosis very grim and should call in the family. A little ove a week and he is showing signs of slight improvement. Pray it continues. Thank you for the post of this topic. I felt like it was meant for me to read and understand.
I’m SO happy you came across this too. I remember the ER grim news for myself and my dad. Even though our cirrhosis was from different causes, it doesn’t matter much with the liver. I had kidney and liver failure and all that bleeding too. It’s rough and he may not even remember much of it later.
I’m so thankful his kidneys are working. It sounds like he has a good team. I know that loving support means everything during this time. Thank you for standing by him and researching. Its why I tell my stories, so that others can see it IS possible.
You were definitely meant to find the right words. Please keep us posted on his progress.
Much love, XO Karen
Boy your dad sure WAS a looker!
This is yet another page in our journey through life that has seemed to mirror each other!
My bio father, a fabulous looking German blond drank and partied as well as smoked like nobody I’ve ever seen before or since. It was the cancer from it all that took him. But in those last desperate 8 months of his life God blessed me with his care and we formed a relationship I so desperately needed all my life ( yet didn’t know it until I visited him to say goodbye).
God is so good to us and I am blessed to call you friend.
Much love 💕
Dearest one,
It truly is amazing how much we have in common. I’m so glad to hear how close you and your dad were, especially in the end. Thankful for healing goodbye times with our dads.
I personally think that forgiving and allowing love to flow between us and our dads is what helps us to form stronger relationships for the rest of our lives. You and your dad’s love is tender to hear about. I’m so sorry you lost him to cancer.
My daddy was a sweetheart and I loved him so so much. I think mama had the flashbulb going in her eyes. haha. We always joked that she was in a state of shock after getting 4 kids dressed for church. She played the organ.
In faith for you on your transplant. Your turn is coming dear one. Healing peace…
I love you so much and am blessed to call you friend.
xo Karen
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