Hadley

What is your age and gender?

16

What is your liver condition?

Biliary Atresia

How old were you when you was diagnosed?

1 week old and a kasai at 3 wks

How did you feel?

I don’t remember I was too young

How were you told?

I don’t remember being told but I think I started to know a bit at about 8. I started asking ‘why me’ at about age 11-12 as I noticed that my tummy looked different to my friends. In the last 4 years though, I really started to understand about my liver and what it does

How does it affect you?

I try not to let it affect me, but I hate waiting rooms, and talking to the Drs but I know I have to do it- it’s my life

Are you on any medicines?

Yes lots

How often do you go to appointments?

I go yearly now

How are you treated there?

Good they talk to me and my mum in appointments

What are the good and bad things about having a liver condition?

I don’t like having to explain what is wrong with me to people, oh and I hate blood tests- they make me absolutely freak out- I hate needles! I don’t care that I can’t drink alcohol- I hate the taste anyway!!
The really good thing that has come out of me having a liver problem is that I have made a really great friend – she has a liver condition too so she really understands what I am going through. She is the best thing that has ever happened to me!!

Does anything worry you about having a liver condition?

I try not to think about my problems, I just feel normal and focus on the here and now!
I do think negatively sometimes though!

Have you got any messages for other young people with a liver condition?

Think positive and be positive and if ever you are worried about anything- always talk about it