Fatty liver disease is rising, and the risk of the third leading cause of death is tripling
In advanced liver illness, eyes and skin take on a yellow cast, and the whiteness of the eyes may deepen as the body struggles. The narrative follows a young woman who faced a diagnosis that pushed her toward the transplant waiting list. Her story unfolds around a hospital corridor where experts spoke plainly about the stakes and the fragile balance between hope and fear. The tale unfolds in Alicante as the protagonist narrates her experience from a distant, reflective lens, revealing a life bracketed by illness from a young age and a search for healing in a distant city with a renowned center for liver disease treatment.
The journey began when a new liver was deemed essential. In November 2020, a life was saved at a major Barcelona clinic after years of mysterious illness and a diagnosis described as idiopathic portal hypertension. The patient had endured a long battle, with the condition first appearing in youth and leading to a dramatic turn toward transplant necessity. The culmination involved a complex path that began in Alicante General Hospital and led toward the Catalan metropolis, home to specialists who manage the rare syndrome with no identified cause. The diagnosis later solidified as cryptogenic cirrhosis, a liver failing beyond recovery and pushing the threshold for a transplant.
The transplant was performed amid the height of a public health crisis, a moment of urgency when emergency surgery was the only option. A donor, whose identity remains anonymous, provided the organ that altered the course of life, sparing the patient from the abyss. The narrative traces a voyage through emotional terrain toward acceptance, as the patient confronts a profound transformation and the daunting pathway of long-term recovery. The first pages of the novel, sometimes described as Yellow Eyes, chart a young woman in her thirties who collapses under the weight of systemic illness and faces the hurdles of a life post-transplant. The story blends autobiographical fragments with broader reflections on resilience and medical uncertainty.
change the ego
The writer, trained in journalism and literature, guides readers deep into the narrative with Ari as a fictional alter ego sharing the emotional landscape. The work is largely autobiographical with a touch of fiction, moving away from the hospital rooms and doctors and toward a broader audience consisting of family and friends. A foreword by a renowned writer and cartoonist accompanies the book, and the project has sessions in Alicante and Barcelona with plans to reach Madrid. Readers are invited to feel, empathize, and learn from this account.
Discussing the challenges of self-publishing, the creator notes positive reception and availability online, with physical copies also found at a local bookstore in Alicante.
Alicante Hospital Liver Transplant Program marks its eighth anniversary with hundreds of procedures completed. The writer reflects on the transformation that transplantation brought, noting how fragile health had defined earlier years and how recovery reshaped daily life, energy, and perspective. A pivotal moment came at age 37 when the transplant occurred, and the body finally began to reclaim strength and vigor that had seemed elusive before—giving a renewed sense of vitality and capability.
“Life brought me face to face with an incredible situation like organ transplantation and I felt the need to tell about it”
The illness had forced a halt on many activities, leaving the person exhausted and often unable to work after long hours away from home. The gift of a donor liver restored ordinary life, allowing engagement in sports and personal projects once more. The belief persists that the generosity of organ donors can give others continued life, a message that resonates across Spain where donation is strongly supported, yet still faces family taboos and cultural barriers. Stories of transplantation become powerful testimonies for those awaiting a second chance at health.
Spain is recognized for progress in organ donation and transplantation, though the ultimate outcome still hinges on the consent of relatives and the eventual decision regarding organ donation after death. Patient associations continue to advocate for openness and understanding, helping families navigate conversations that can save lives. The narrative emphasizes that many people benefit from organ transplants and that sharing these experiences can encourage broader awareness and participation.