Karen Hoyt is a blogger who has a story about hepatitis C, cirrhosis, end-stage liver disease, liver cancer, and liver transplantation. This excerpt first appeared on Karen’s I Help C blog.

Some people think I’ve got it all the answers – that everything goes perfect for me. There is this blog thingy that I have somehow managed to keep alive (and award winning) through liver failure, treatments, chemo stuff, and – ta-da – a liver transplant. I was a sick person with questions. Then I learned to be a patient who got answers. They came from online sites, doctors, nurses, fb and other internet forums. Some of my most incredible insights I gained were in spite of brain fog from hepatic encephalopathy. Still, I’m no better than you.

We are all searching for happiness. We think it’s elusive or outside of ourselves: in money, health, or other people. Experiencing pleasure is kind of “at the top” of our list every day. When we’re sick, it’s plain ole Not Fun. One thing I can say though, is that I have fun every day. If not, I would have quit fighting for this fatigued, Hep C Virus, achey, pill popping life that I’m living. I can hear you saying, “Same! Me too!” and this blog is for you, sweetie.

You’ve got everything it takes to make your life what you want it to be.

Click here to see what Karen looks like with a watermelon on her head, and to read the rest of this blog, including Karen’s thoughts on money, health, and connections.