Friday's w/ Dan #13

This week’s episode comes from Methodist Hospital in Omaha, where I’m recovering after years of alcohol abuse finally caught up with me. I talk honestly about facing the reality of my condition, beginning sobriety, and reconciling with God, my family, and myself.

I also share real gratitude for the doctors, nurses, techs, and staff who are helping keep me alive. It’s a raw, unpolished episode about hitting a turning point and choosing to fight for your life one day at a time.

www.youtube.com/@DanBackes-Omaha

https://open.spotify.com/show/2ZHWgVJf5Dadq6c1jHFrNC?si=52dc31cb1abe4ace

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2546228

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:00

Welcome back everyone. Friday's with Dan. Today I'm coming to you from Methodist Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska. It's not where I expected to be recording this week, but it's where I need to be right now. I've been dealing with some serious health effects from long-term alcohol abuse. And my body finally let me know it couldn't keep going the way it was. My hemoglobin dropped to less than half of what it should be. And I'm extremely low in several essential vitamins and minerals, as well as essential proteins. So here I am, getting the care you need and taking this seriously. And I want to be clear about something. I'm not sharing this for pity. I'm sharing it to teach. I did this to myself, and I don't want to see anyone else, a family member, a close friend, even the random guy you pass on the street pushing a shopping cart, end up here. If you're struggling with alcohol, this part is for you. There are resources out there. There are people who want to help. Use them. This one's for anyone fighting that battle, quietly or loudly. You are not alone. And you don't have to wait until your body forces the issue like mine did. We finally reached a point where I kept going the way I was going. My liver and gallbladder were going to be permanently damaged. My sister noticed something was really wrong. She told my parents, and my dad didn't hesitate. He said, Son, we're going to the hospital. I was scared, embarrassed, nervous, humiliated, and felt like I had let everyone I loved down. But I thank the Lord every morning that I'm here and that I have a chance to turn this around. I saw the long road ahead, a couple stones, more tests, and a lot of rebuilding. But I have help, I have medication, and more than anything, I have prayer and love carrying me through this. After today, I'll be six days sober. I'm taking it one day at a time, one hour at a time, one minute at a time. I'm planning on joining a recovery group, and I'm learning that asking for help isn't weakness, it's survival. I know I can get through this. And if you're listening and you're struggling to, I want you to know you can get through it as well. I'm taking it one day at a time, one hour at a time, one minute at a time. I'm planning on joining a recovery group and learning that asking for help is not weakness, it's survival. I know I can get through this. And if you're listening and you're struggling to, I want you to know you can get through it as well. I usually like to leave something positive uh into a segment this week, uh, but it was funny when you're getting folks and plotted and tested and streamed and abstract and ultrasound, and I've got more blood pins on my arms than you can imagine. But that help me, the bright spot is right in front of me. It's the hundreds of people who are helping me get here. From the janitors making sure everything is clean, to the cafeteria workers making sure we're fed, to the nurses who check my vitals way more times a day than I can count, the cats running the machines I don't even know how to pronounce, the doctors making the hard calls, and the surgeons who will eventually be the ones doing the procedures that help me put me back together. That's something to be thankful for, truly. There are so many places in the world where this level of care would not be possible, but here at Methodist in Omaha, I'm surrounded by people who show up every day to keep strangers alive. And I want to thank them from the bottom of my heart, excuse me, peacefully nursed Harley, Nurse Ange, and Dr. Milanu. So next we will read from Scripture. It's from 2 Corinthians chapter 5, verse 18. All this is from God who reconciled us to himself through Christ. So here's a prayer on reconciliation. Lord, today I come to you with honesty. I'm reconciling myself, admitting the truth I've avoided for too long, that I am an alcoholic and I need help. Thank you for meeting me here, not with shame, but with love. Thank you for a family that didn't give up on me, even when I was giving up on myself. Thank you for Jesus who forgives me, restores me, who calls me back when I wander. Help me walk the new path with humility, courage, and a heart that stays open to your healing. Amen. So here's another short verse. This is Psalm chapter 118, verse one. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever. Father, in a week like this, I have so much to be thankful for. Thank you for the doctors, nurses, techs, cafeteria workers, janitors, every person here at Methodist who is helping keeping me alive. Thank you for the care I'm receiving, for the chance to heal, for another morning to wake up and try again. Thank you for the love around me, the prayers holding me up, and the strength to take this one. One day, one hour, one minute at a time. And I am so gracious for the texts I've received, from the thoughts that I've heard about through my dad who are supporting me. It means the world. Amen. To close it out, I'm not going to speak to you. I'm not here to lecture you or scare anyone, but I am going to tell you the truth. Alcoholism is scary, and if it's not addressed, it can and will lead to death. I'm one of the lucky ones who got the wake-up call before it was too late. I know I've got a long road ahead. That first time I walked through the grocery store sober, all those bottles staring at me. That's going to be a test. Because for me, it's never just one. One becomes two, two becomes four, four becomes six, and everything I've worked for gets shattered. So if you're listening and you pick up that beer or that lemon coke or that fancy Chardonnay, just pause for a second. Ask yourself, is it worth it? Is this drink worth the risk? The spiral? The damage it can do? I'm choosing to fight for my life now. And if you're struggling, I hope you choose to fight for yours. This has been Three Days with Dan. Again, I appreciate your prayers. I'm in good hands. The Lord is watching over me. We'll see you next time. Testing. One, two, three. Testing, testing, one, two, three. After today, I'll be six days sober. I'm taking it one day at a time, one hour at a time, one minute at a time. I'm planning on joining a recovery group, and I'm learning that asking for help isn't weakness, it's survival. I know I can get through this. And if you're listening and you're struggling to, I want you to know you can get through it as well.