Every time I try to post, I do not save properly, and my post goes away...but just in case this might encourage someone else, I am trying again. In October 2010 an abdominal CT scan for a different issue revealed that I had overall steatosis in my liver (no surprise, due to my fondness for WAY too many daily gin martinis...) and thanks to MWO and by dint of a lot of HARD "self-brain-washing," I was able to reduce my AL use enough so that an ultrasound at the same diagnostic lab on July 7, 2011 showed "Normal Liver Ultrasound."
Two physicians said, "No alcohol whatsoever," but one PA actually LOOKED at my liver stats and said I COULD continue to drink, as they were in the safe range, according to healthy guidelines, ONE drink per day. (Me drinking one drink per day was about as likely as me going to the moon...)
However, her recommendation helped me to adjust gradually to the necessity of changing my own identity as well as my actions. Little by little, using the MWO cds, reading MWO for at least an hour a day, using the MWO toolbox ideas, I was able to accomplish little goals such as an AF day here and there, then 4 or 5 in a row. One fine day I was brave enough to decide " NO AL use at home" (where I mostly drank my "cocktails," to "unwind") ...now we eat dinner at 5 pm instead! Until, one fine day I realized I am mostly Free At Last.
I cannot thank MWO and Roberta Jewell enough...the support, information and encouragement has been literally life-saving. I felt, (oddly), that I could not LIVE without my "daily double," and in addition to MWO and the hypnosis cds, the tools presented in The Work of Byron Katie helped immensely. In addition to Allen Carr's book, Jason Vale's, Carolyn Knapp's, and others, a book called "The Craving Brain" by, I believe, David Rudzin, was useful. I have also used ALL the supplements, at one time or another, which have helped, too.
An additional motivating factor has been the almost total disappearance of the "rosy glow" I have had for the last few years. I just figured my rosacea was simply worsening with age, but, SURPRISE! I was pushing it right along. In fact, vanity continues to be a big help in this struggle.
I am not totally free yet, as AL is still an "issue" for me, but my liver seems to be fine and I am able join my husband and others in "social" drinking. Although now that I know - and accept - the REAL truth about the health effects of AL on the human body, including mine, I am looking forward to eventually dropping it altogether, (lest it come around and bite me when I am not looking!)
It would take all day to list all the names of the generous people whose kindness has helped me in this struggle...so please, all of you, consider yourselves thanked!
Gratefully, F :thanks::new:
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