I started having pains in an area next to my stomach and due to this I had to go to the doctor and get help. Fortunately, it was not as bad as I first thought. There were some problems with my liver, but not enough to require hospitalization. Actually, I could go back home the same night. I had to take medication for a couple of weeks, and when I finished it, I was instructed to go through a detox program. To be honest I must admit that I was not thrilled about it, but having escaped surgery, I decided not to take any chances, so I followed the detox program.
At the beginning of a detox
The first few days of the detox program were actually the hardest. That I could not eat red meat affected me most. I used to eat meat almost everyday, and having it taken away so suddenly was very hard for me. Almost as bad was the prohibition of alcohol. More than once I was tempted to drink, but then I forced myself to remember the pain I had felt just a few weeks before. In order to reduce temptation I stopped hanging out with my friends for a bit.
Having fun doing physical exercise
On the other hand, having to do physical exercise was the most fun part, for me personally, of the detox program. At beginning it was a bit difficult, but when I joined a group that played basketball, I really got into it. The first games I could not hold more than a quarter without having to call it quits. However, I liked the competitive part of the sport and I kept trying harder and harder. I never became a great player and will never but I started to look forward to each game, just for the fun of it. Today, I can outrun anyone else at the office, although it is not a skill that my boss values very much.
Getting enough sleep
One of the parts of the detox program that I had trouble complying with was getting enough sleep. I had to continue working and catch up with my tasks since the detox program did not include taking sick leave. When I arrived home I always felt like going to bed early was a waste of time that could have been used on reading a book or watching TV or spending time with my children. Luckily, my husband was very supportive and took care of the children while I got some extra sleep.
Keeping the good habits
At the end of the detox program, I felt like a completely different person. Actually, I kept some of the habits that I picked up with the detox program, like playing basketball but now I am only playing with my children on weekends. I keep drinking water, and although I started drinking alcohol and eating red meat again, the quantities I consume now are much more moderate than what I used to consume in the past.
Last but not least the most important thing is that I feel better knowing that my liver is much less likely to fail and suffer a severe disease. I really recommend the experience to everyone who wants to feel healthier and live longer for the sake of his or her family.