World Hepatitis Day

Yesterday was officially designated as World Hepatitis Day. I don’t think this attracted as much press as the World Cup, but it did have its moments. A concert held in New York featured the Allman Brothers. Natalie Cole, Phil Lesh, David Crosby and Graham Nash also sang. Gregg Allman, Lesh and Crosby received transplanted livers because of hepatitis C; Cole has hep C and received a kidney transplant. It was an all-star line-up of donated organs.

Given that the greatest prevalence of hepatitis C is among Baby Boomers, I imagine that there were a lot of people at the concert wearing jeans and tie-dye shirts. If I had attended, I think I would have worn liver colors—red and yellow. I would have worn a big hat, like the kind you see at Green Bay Packers games, although instead of cheese, the hat would be a giant liver. We had better wipe out this disease soon before I go off the deep end and start looking ridiculous.  

Cirrhotic Humor

This is my 91^st post to The Hepatitis Comics and it is time to stir the bile a bit. Jokes about the liver are harder to come by—you might say my hepatic humor is getting cirrhotic. I am a little tired of using medical humor when I can’t come up with a good, or at least a jaundiced, joke.  

So, I decided to look at other blogs and websites that feature humorous articles written by people who are struggling with illness or disabilities. The first one that caught my eye is a blog called Smart Ass Cripple - expressing pain through sarcasm since 2010.

It is sarcastic; it is also brilliant, edgy, and funny. Clearly, the blogger is not wallowing in self-pity, although there is nothing wrong with a little unrestrained hopelessness from time-to-time. Anyway, although this is not liver-related, it gives me an idea of what a disease-oriented blog can do if one is clever. Check it out:  http://smartasscripple.blogspot.com/

Humor for the Liver

I may have a lot of gall using these vignettes from True Doctor Stories, but these are too funny to not use…

I was caring for a woman from Kentucky and asked, “So, how's your breakfast this morning?” “It's very good, except for the Kentucky Jelly. I can't seem to get used to the taste,” the patient replied. I then asked to see the jelly and the woman produced a foil packet labeled "KY Jelly." ~ Dr. Leonard Kransdorf, Detroit, MI

Growing a Liver

Scientists are trying to grow a human liver in a British laboratory. I can’t even grow flowers very well, so this is amazing. As worthy as growing a new liver is, I sure wish they’d also work on growing straight teeth, hair that doesn’t frizz, and breasts that don’t sag.

Celebrating the 4th of July

It’s a typical Independence Day weekend here in Northern California. It’s hot and sunny. The watermelon and corn on the cob are in the fridge. There are plans to attend the parade, visit with friends and see the fireworks display.

My liver wants it’s own holiday—Liveration Day—a day to celebrate the liver’s independence from the gall bladder. It’ll be an alcohol-free event. Do you think this’ll catch on?