About Ricki

The following post was my first blog post ever! It is actually from rickisjourney.blogspot.com but I thought it describes me and sets the tone for the reasoning behind Larry the Liver... I am a 29 year old mother, wife, all around laid-back and somewhat of a strange gal. I was born with Hepatitis C, which has destroyed Larry to the point of liver failure. I have been around the block a few times and know my way around a hospital (5 surgeries down and one big one to go! Thanks to my live liver sliver giver, Nancy. AKA my HERO!) and I feel that I might have some useful information to share about what I have learned about the liver... things that have worked for me... and actually the beginning of River's story. Like his momma, he was born with the HCV virus, but we are going to keep his little liver healthy until they find a cure... He is the reason for Larry's kids and I plan on doing some fun stuff with that (Ummm, once I'm healthy hehe) So here it is... The beginning of my journey with my liver (Larry) and the reason I'm fighting.

"I have always thought of myself to be somewhat manic. Like a child - sometimes I get so excited about something that I cannot breathe.
Yesterday I was driving away from my MSI appointment at UCI Medical. It was a perfect 85 degrees, I had the window down and a great song came on the radio. I caught myself in the mirror -- I was smiling, bobbing my head to the music and yes, HAND-SURFING on the freeway. At that moment my eyes were wide open, mind clear, and I had no pain anywhere. My skin wasn't tinged yellow at all, but tanned brown from our river trip last week....and I was driving home to my son and husband. I couldn't breathe.
--Yet Wednesday I was told that it is in fact ESLD, and I have a 60% chance of not making it past 2 years, 100% after 5 years -- unless I get the new liver that I need. I'm scared, but happy for this moment...This is my inspiration, I have to make it, there is to much beauty out there for me to miss!

 

I have been sick for most of my life now....but I don't know anyone as blessed as I am for being able to appreciate how precious and fragile life is...and I would never have been able to appreciate it as much as I am starting to. So there is hope, and I am going to make it. So lets get ready to fight!!"
                                June, 2009