They Were Preparing for My Death | Alcohol, Sepsis & a Liver Transplant Story

<p>Scarlett Larkley’s alcohol-related liver failure led to sepsis, dialysis and a liver transplant in 2025. This is her honest story of recovery, shame and sobriety.</p><p>“Everyone was kind of like preparing for my death.” In this episode of The Willpower Podcast, I sit down with Scarlett Larkley, a mom of two and liver transplant recipient, to talk about the parts of a transplant story that rarely get told: how daily drinking took over, how fast it fell apart, and what the first year afterward is really like. I’m a liver and kidney transplant recipient myself, so this one hit close to home.</p><p>IN THIS EPISODE</p><ul><li>When alcohol stopped being fun and became a daily routine</li><li>Day drinking during COVID, and what was going on in her life at the time</li><li>The day her eyes turned yellow (May 3, 2025) and her hospital stay (May 22 to July 1, 2025)</li><li>Kidney failure, dialysis, hepatic encephalopathy, ascites and paracentesis</li><li>Going septic, and the moment doctors told her family to prepare</li><li>PEth tests, getting listed, and a transplant in June 2025</li><li>Waking up after transplant and relearning to walk and talk</li><li>Year one: a feeding tube, anti-rejection medications and nausea</li><li>The shame, telling friends, and her partner getting sober</li><li>What it’s been like for her kids</li><li>Dreams about drinking, and “Why do I deserve this?”</li></ul><p>CHAPTERS<br />00:00 They Were Preparing for My Death | Meet Scarlett Larkley<br />05:52 Yellow Eyes, Dialysis &amp; Going Septic<br />17:11 Waking Up After the Liver Transplant<br />22:46 When Her Partner Quit Drinking &amp; Learning to Walk Again<br />28:09 Year One After a Liver Transplant: Feeding Tube &amp; Meds<br />35:55 Her Kids, Sobriety &amp; the Shame<br />44:55 “Why Do I Deserve This?” Donor Guilt &amp; Purpose</p><p>I edit and produce everything myself; so if you found value in this please consider supporting <a href="https://buymeacoffee.com/thewillpowerpodcast" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Donate here 👈 🙏</a></p><p>IF YOU’RE STRUGGLING</p><ul><li>US: SAMHSA National Helpline, 1-800-662-4357 (free, 24/7)</li><li>Call or text 988 if you’re in crisis</li><li>Outside the US: findahelpline.com</li><li>Don’t stop heavy drinking suddenly without medical help. Withdrawal can be dangerous.</li></ul><p>BECOME AN ORGAN DONOR<br />It takes one checkbox: <a href="https://www.registerme.org" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">registerme.org</a></p><p>CONNECT<br />S