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[gyco]

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hi bridget,happy new year to you and keep up the great work, geico

[SAUSAGE]

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Bridget

Thank you for sharing your story - I can SO relate to it - it was like reading about my own life - I too am a health care professional - and only started to really drink when I hit my 30's after my first child was born (even though there was a heavy drinking culture at university when I did my training and in my early years working in hosp) - After my first child was born my drinking steadily increased, I stopped exercising - became withdrawn - just drinking every evening was the only thing I wanted to do, yet in my "outside "life I hid it well and no-one knew I had a problem. I barely drank if I went out socially - only at home alone. People assumed I was almost teetotal. After my children were born (only 15 months apart) I couldn't run / exercise like I used to, partly because of childcare problems and partly due to physical problems from emergency childbirth, eventually leading to a hysterectomy. Whilst recovering from my surgery earlier this year, I too discovered this website - went AF for 107 days - then thought moderation was easy and surprise surprise was back to square one within days. In the 3 yrs I drank heavily I gained about 24lbs in weight (but since stopping drinking again in Sept i've lost 17lbs.)

We' re in this together. I'm 37 not 47 - but otherwise our lives sound so similar. my youngest child is only 3 but I want to be a good mother and not destroy my life and theirs by alcohol.

Good luck on your journey. This is a fantastic site and there's always someone there to help / support you any time of the day or night

Take care

sausage x

[Beaches]

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Bridget,
Your story really touched me. I can relate so much to the getting home and drinking and not being able to stop, the broken promised made to ourselves over and over. That is what made me stop as well. I don't have as many days as you but your story certainly inspires me to achieve more. Thank you

[lushy]

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Bridget, your story really hit home with me as my dear stepfather, who I adored, died of cirrhosis caused by hep C but ultimately exacerbated by excessive drinking. My prayers go out to that poor woman. What a blessing you could be there for her and she could be so open with you.

You sound very strong in your resolve. Congratulations on the 17 days!

[Accountable for Me]

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Bridget, thanks for sharing your story with us. You are an inspiration and congrats on your AF time! xoxoxo

[debruce]

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Thanks Bridget for sharing your story. Very inspirational.
:thanks:

[sweetpea]

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Thanks Bridget for sharing your story one I shall remember for a very long time:l

Sweetpea xx

[Sunbeam]

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Bridget,
Welcome, and thanks for sharing your story. Glad to hear you are off to a great start for 2009.

[johnnyh]

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Hey Bridget. Sorry. Only read your post now. Thank you very much for sharing your story. It is really inspirational. I definately think the alcoholism/addiction is a gene think. It makes a lot of sense though what you said about your parents and your husbands parents.

It is really tragic what you are writing about the old lady but what a blessing to have found you as a physician. I hope that she will constantly remind you why you want to beat the beast.

Luv.

[BridgetJones1998]

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Thank you to each and every one of you for your support these past 26 days. I am still AF and feeling better than ever. I have lost almost 7 lbs (yeh!!), sleeping well but requiring much less, spending more quality time with the family, more interactive and "witty" (if I do say so myself) with friends, colleagues, and patients, and overall, just much happier. The depression, self loathing, and low self esteem issues have not gone away overnight, but I see them gradually starting to lift from my weighin down my spirit and person I was 20 years ago, before AL, is starting to emerge... a little at a time.

Thanks again.

Much love to each of you and I wish everyone success in reaching their goals and living their best life. As I get older and approach 50 in a couple of years, I am reminded of how quickly time passes... "once you're over the hill, you begin to pick up speed".... I don't want to waste another minute!

[startingover]

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Hey Bridget, this is great to hear!
It does get better and better as time goes on too. Yes, we still have problems but dealing with them sober is SO much easier...
I suffered with depression for a long time, now I dont.
Its so good to hear how living sober is working...thanks for sharing it..

[SAUSAGE]

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Bridget

So glad to hear things are going well - keep going . Hadn't "seen" you around for a few days and I was getting worried.

Keep going and keep posting when you feel you want to. It's great to hear you're getting on OK and well done with the weight loss - i've barely drank since Sept ( escept for when I drank for a few days on holiday in Oct) and i've now lost 17lbs

Take care

Sausage x

[kaponium]

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Hi BridgetJ - GREAT to see your progress - and thank you so much for sharing your story...not the easiest thing to do ay. How did the AA meeting go? I often attend and find them quite helpful...thinking of you and hoping and praying all is continuing to go well for you x x

[swans]

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HI Bridget,

Thanks for sharing your story, I am sure we can all identify at some level. I work in healthcare and see people with cirrhosis everyday, and it scares me enough to want to change. We have a patient who is 44 with liver damage in hospice care now.
It takes courage to share your story, my prayers are with all of us struggling with this.
All the best to you......