I WAS KNOWN AS SPONGEBOB GRANNY BECAUSE MY SKIN WAS SO YELLOW
When routine blood tests in 2005 showed that Isobel Walter’s liver function was “abnormal”, the then 49-year-old didn’t think anything of it – she wasn’t a drinker after all.
And with no further advice or comment from her doctor, she carried on as usual until early 2007, when a liver biopsy showed things had progressed and it had developed into non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
As someone who barely touched alcohol, the now 67-year-old was baffled by the results and upset by comments such as: “Are you a boozer then?” from a nurse who was taking a blood test.
“My diet, lack of exercise and undiagnosed diabetes caused my liver disease,” says the retired college administrator from East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire.
“I often snacked at home at night, at work in the morning and during afternoon tea breaks – it didn’t help that my boss was a brilliant baker.
“I was given no advice on diet or exercise, and certainly didn’t know what lay ahead for me,” she says.
Unbeknown to her, she also had diabetes (which was later diagnosed), adding to the cocktail of factors that can lead to fatty liver disease.
By 2008, the mother of three had developed cirrhosis and was seriously ill, in and out of hospital with complications caused by her scarred and hardened liver.
“My grandchildren were calling me Spongebob Granny because my skin was so yellow from jaundice.”
In April 2017, a scan found a shadow on her liver and four months later she had her transplant operation.
“I was told the cancer wouldn’t have killed me but the cirrhosis would, and I wouldn’t have seen Christmas.
“Instead I can now spend time with my four grandchildren. The youngest is only five – I wouldn’t have met him without my transplant.”
Today, Isobel keeps her blood pressure and diabetes under control, eats a healthy diet and is careful about portion sizes. She goes to dance and exercise classes each week and has competed in the British Transplant Games.
“It’s amazing what my life is like now,” she says.