A year and a half after alcohol-induced necrotizing pancreatitis and sobriety.
Hello all,
I want to give you people an update, while updating myself. It has been a year and a half (give or take) since my ICU experience with sepsis caused by necrotizing pancreatitis. Alcoholism > pancreatitis > sepsis shock > flatlined > resurrected > neuropathy > sobriety : r/pancreatitis
I want to tell you people that I am doing great. Sobriety and regular exercise changed my life.
Here is an image of myself before pancreatitis: https://imgur.com/a/80E16YQ It was a year ago before the incident. I was drinking a liter of vodka a day. Basically, a coward's suicide. A slow death. My face is like that because i have fallen on ice the night before. It was infront of a train station, icy, i fell on my face. blood all over, I was quite drunk. Ppl called ambulance, freaked out, compressed the wound with snow to stop bleeding and ran home. Because I wanted to continue drinking, ambulance would not let me.
I took this today: https://imgur.com/3oUQhEH
I walk at least 12.000 steps a day, 5 times a week weightlifting, at least 12 stations each time.
I saved my ass from sepsis, neuropathy, and probably EPI, no flares up since the hospital. Tests are good. Apparently enough cells left there to support my digestion.
BUT, I did everything to support it. Of course i did not drink ever again. 3 months ago I stopped smoking as well, I was smoking 1,5 package a day. I work remotely, try to keep my clearity and staying away from any short term, quick dopamine tricks.
I try to support other alcoholics when I can, everyone deserves another chance. None of us wanted to become alcoholics. It was not what was promised to us.
Looking back, I cant find a reason to justify my alcoholism. Not a childhood trauma, no big troubles going on in life, I mean, It was basically a wrong way to have fun since 14-15 years old. That's it. At some point I became an alcoholic. I mean it feels like somehow : this was not what was promised to me. I didnt make choices, life happened to me.
But today I take full responsibility. I am trying to be a good man, first to myself, then to others.
Anyway, wanted to vent and also tell you people that there can be hope. I hope I make sense.
All the best, y.
Edit: These will not be possible without my source of motivation, my wife. My wife who found me when I was half dead. A person who loves you and supports you is priceless in any condition but especially more important when you really hit the bottom.