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In 2003 I was diagnosed with Hepatitis C. When I got the news I was absolutely devastated. I was to start a course of drugs, however before I was able to start this treatment I unfortunately was rushed into the Royal Victoria hospital with massive internal bleeding.
After emergency surgery and a long stay in hospital I was diagnosed with chronic liver disease.
Due to my condition I became very tired very quickly and I noticed that I had very little energy and I constantly felt ill. Because of my condition I was forced to give up my job which I loved. In 2005 I was then referred to Kings College Hospital by my consultant Dr Mc Dougall to be assessed and was placed on the liver transplant list.
As time went on I felt myself getting weaker and weaker. I had very little appetite and found simple things like walking very difficult, in general my quality of life was poor.
This continued on for almost 18 months during this time I thought I would never get a new liver. But after months and months of appointments at the RVH, constant blood tests and feeling gradually worse I received a call in the early hours of the 10th of August 2007 from Kings College Hospital informing me that they had a new liver for me.
I arrived in Kings College on the 10th and had my transplant on the same day. After 2 weeks in Kings I was returned to ward 6D of the RVH, where my treatment continued for another 10 days. Since having received my transplant my quality of life has improved 100% and I feel I have got my life back; I am now able to enjoy the company of my family and friends and look forward to seeing in a new year with my family and enjoying life again.
I will be forever indebted to the Royal Victoria Hospital and Kings College Hospital staff for all the care and attention shown to me.
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