Lacey N.

Budd-Chiari Syndrome and Ascites

Growing up I never knew the importance of keeping your liver happy and making sure that proper diet was important. I never knew that I had this rare liver disorder called Budd Chiari, until I reached the age of 21. My whole life has changed not only for the better but I have met so many people facing these rare and common liver disorders. When I was 21, my stomach blew up with about 2 liters of fluid, and when it was drained, not only did it come back but I was being tested to figure out why this was happening. I was diagnosed with the stomach disease called Ascites, and following was a liver biopsy to then discover that I had a rare disorder that would change my life forever. Taking salt and sugar out of my diet was probably the hardest thing for me to do.

I have had 12 surgeries on my liver now, along with the placement of 4 stents that are keeping my main vein in my liver open for the blood to flow through to my heart. ALF has introduced me to many new friends and walking with a lot of people with liver diseases, survivors, people who have lost loved ones, and new friends I can call family. ALF has changed me for the better and help me all the time with wonderful stories and liver disease facts and importance’s tips keeping my liver as healthy as possible. I am not a candidate for liver replacement but I strive each and everyday to try and help my liver get better. I would love to meet people who have this rare disorder and help each other each and everyday making everyday a better day and fighting for our life to get better.

Lacey’s words of advice to the recently diagnosed and those struggling with liver disease?

Never give up, there’s always light at the end of the tunnel.