I’m In a HurryFri, November 15

There’s a country song by Alabama that includes this verse:

• “I hear a voice
• That says I’m running behind
• It’s a race
• And there ain’t no room
• For someone in second place
• I’m in a hurry to get things done”

This verse resonates with me because I’m also in a hurry to get things done. I’m 72 years and, at the risk of being melodramatic, who knows what is waiting for me around the corner. There are 100 million or so Americans with fatty liver disease, and most don’t know it. This qualifies as an epidemic in my book. But, while there are many exceptions, I don’t sense an overarching urgency to address this problem. Unfortunately, the healthcare system, in my experience, is no different. I want to reduce the number of people affected and I want to do it now. I don’t want a five-year plan, I want to do something now. And the first step is making the public aware of this problem. I’m going to get this done, at least at some level, with or without the help of the healthcare system. That’s what I think about every single morning when I wake up. My transplant gave me the gift of life. I plan on repaying that debt by helping others avoid my mistakes.