Lehi woman survives health scare after fatty liver disease diagnosis


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LEHI — Mike and Jennifer Hamilton adore their grandchildren, but six months ago, they were not sure if Jennifer would live for her eighth grandchild’s birth.

“But I kept thinking ‘I hope I’m here. I hope I’m alive to see this baby’,” Jennifer Hamilton cried.

Dr. Richard Gilroy, a transplant hepatologist at Intermountain Medical Center, diagnosed her with cirrhosis, the end stages of fatty liver disease. Her abdomen started filling up fluid, she felt fatigued, and she lost her appetite.

Gilroy said for many, the symptoms are silent.

Mike and Jennifer Hamilton talk with Dr. Richard Gilroy about fatty liver disease. (Photo: KSL TV)
Mike and Jennifer Hamilton talk with Dr. Richard Gilroy about fatty liver disease. (Photo: KSL TV)

“The big issue with fatty liver disease is that most people don’t know they have it and, more importantly, of those people who do have it, some of them are developing a problem that will require a transplant or will lead to their death,” he said.

Gilroy attributes the problem to a genetic predisposition to the disease and being overweight.

“Basically what happens is you’ve turned what used to be the most important processing plant into a plant that is overwhelmed by fat,” he explained.

Gilroy asked Jennifer Hamilton to lose weight in preparation for a liver transplant within three to five years.

Yet, after a scary episode of encephalopathy, Jennifer Hamilton lost consciousness and was given one week to live.

“I was petrified … I was worried about losing her,” Mike Hamilton, 62, said. “All your worst nightmares come true. It was hard … You never expect in your wildest dreams to be so sick you need a transplant.”

In total, Mike Hamilton spent nearly 50 days by his wife’s side in the hospital. “Because every moment is precious,” he explained.

Jennifer Hamilton kept a picture of her grandkids by her bed. “So that anytime I got discouraged, I thought 'okay, I’m fighting for these guys,'” she said.

The transplant was successful, and with a new liver, Jennifer Hamilton finally met her new grandson, Nolan.

Mike Hamilton also suffers from fatty liver disease. Today, the Hamiltons are making changes for a healthier lifestyle together.

Mike and Jennifer Hamilton play with their grandson, Nolan. (Photo: KSL TV)
Mike and Jennifer Hamilton play with their grandson, Nolan. (Photo: KSL TV)

“The heavier you are, the more likely you are to have fatty liver,” Gilroy explained. He encourages people to lose weight, eat a Mediterranean diet, exercise more and consider drinking coffee.

“Find a better lifestyle which includes activities with your families on weekends rather than eating with your families on weekends,” he said. “Most people don’t know they’re developing fatty liver disease because if they did they probably wouldn’t do what they do, which is eat too much.”

Jennifer Nolan said she is grateful for a second chance.

“To be able to be alive and see this little one grow — it’s just the biggest joy of my life,” she described.

Jennifer Nolan credits her life to her liver transplant.

“Organ transplantation saves many lives, but of all the people listed as a transplant one in three won’t get a transplant because there are some people who won’t donate or alternatively they just get too sick too quick,” Gilroy said.

Mike and Jennifer Hamilton try to stay active by going on walks behind their home. (Photo: KSL TV)
Mike and Jennifer Hamilton try to stay active by going on walks behind their home. (Photo: KSL TV)

According to a study by Intermountain Medical Center, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease costs the United States healthcare system nearly $32 billion dollars and affects about 100 million Americans every year.

Visit organdonor.gov to sign up as a donor today.

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