Nadia

What is your age and gender?

15, female

What is your liver condition?

I have polycystic kidneys, hepatic fibrosis of the liver and portal hypertension.

How old were you when you was diagnosed?

I was about 2 months old when i was diagnosed.

How did you feel?

As i was only 2 months i don't think it really bothered me!

How were you told?

Well a liver doctor told my mum at the hospital. At first they just thought i had jaundice.

How does it affect you?

I don't let my liver condition affect me or let it hold me back in life or make me feel any different to anyone else.
I'm not supposed to drink alcohol.

Are you on any medicines?

Yeah i have been since i was diagnosed, but now and then the doctors find new things wrong with me and put me on some more medication!

How often do you go to appointments?

It depends but at the moment every 5 or 6 months.

How are you treated there?

I feel the team treat me very well there and are always reasuring me, and as for the nurses at the hospital they are absolutley amazing and i would never have a bad word to say about the nurses or doctors + I really appreciate all of their help.

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

I don't see any negative things to be honest as i would never let it hold me back and i try not to let it affect me emotionally either.

Does anything worry you about having a liver condition?

I used to worry about the future as i will need a liver transplant but I think i have got used to operations and needles etc now, (like most people with liver disease would have).

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

To not let anyone tell you that you're different because of your liver disease and to never let it hold you back in life, always look on the bright side and stay positive.

Any other comments...

I would like to thank CLDF and everyone including doctors and nurses and surgeons that have helped me.