After experiencing pain that Tracy assumed was related to other health conditions, she was shocked to be diagnosed with MASLD, severe fibrosis and early cirrhosis. She is now eating more healthily and hopes it will make healthy changes to her body. Thank you for sharing your story, Tracy.
I’ve been a police officer for 28 years, but am no longer involved in frontline operations due to my health. The birth of my daughter 22 years ago was extremely traumatic. While she was healthy, I subsequently succumbed to a number of bladder/bowel prolapses, had 11 major surgeries, as well as a hysterectomy and a colostomy. The stoma then caused issues and I continued to be operated on over the years.
In January 2023, I developed a severe pain in my abdomen and was blue lit to hospital for emergency lifesaving surgery on my bowel. During one of the MRI/CT scans I was informed that my liver was enlarged and may be fatty. No alarms were sounded, my consultants didn’t really raise any issues and I was none the wiser.
After attending an unrelated clinic in February 2025 I was sent for more MRI/CT scans where it was again noted that my liver was enlarged. For a long time prior to this, I had been experiencing abdominal pressure, bloating, distension and a lot of pain. I put this down to my stoma, albeit it’s on my left side.
Liver specialist
I had a FibroScan in August/September and was told the results should take approximately four weeks. By October I still hadn’t heard anything so called the hospital and was told a specialist would be in touch. I knew then that something wasn’t right and when I saw the liver specialist in December, I was diagnosed with MASLD, severe fibrosis and early cirrhosis. The FibroScan result showed a liver stiffness of 13.8kPa (CAP score at 281).
It felt like a ton of bricks crashing on top of me and my world falling apart. The liver specialist said it was serious, there was no medication or specific treatment for MASLD and not much was known about it! I was dumbfounded by the diagnosis because I hardly drink alcohol, unless it’s a special occasion.
I needed information and support and found a wealth of information on the British Liver Trust’s website and Facebook page and I felt clearer about MASLD and how to treat it.
On Christmas Eve, I had an ultrasound scan on my liver and the specialist carrying out the procedure said there wasn’t anything to worry about but he wasn’t happy and advised that there may be tumours. I had another MRI on my liver in April and will see the specialist again in June. From this December I’ll be having a FibroScan every year. 
Although my weight is constantly fluctuating, I only need to lose a stone. I have already made changes to my diet, with healthy eating, cutting down on caffeine and drinking water instead of fizzy drinks. I hope it’s making healthy changes to my body – fingers crossed!
Since I nearly died three years ago I have been pushing myself to the limits with extreme sports and activities to prove anything is possible, including ziplining across the River Clyde, skydiving and also diving with tiger sharks – even though I’m scared of water and sharks! It’s a case of mind over matter.
Fundraising challenge
After the MASLD diagnosis and with more obstacles in my way, I knew I needed to turn this situation into a positive. A wing walk has been a life-long dream of mine so I decided to do it to raise money for the British Liver Trust because they are a fabulous charity and a lifelong support for people. I have spoken to a number of people within the Trust and the support has been amazing. 
I’m so excited about the wing walk in June 2026, even though I have a fear of heights because I’m determined to embrace life and have a positive outlook despite the many obstacles and health issues I have to deal with. The near-death experience with my bowel and emergency surgery made me realise that life is for living and it’s so short. At 1000ft and going at 120 miles an hour, I expect it will be breeze – literally!
