Liz Hiles
Liz has struggled with being overweight her entire life but was generally healthy until she was diagnosed with Stage III-B bladder cancer with a T4 Tumor in August 2016, just 3 months short of turning 41. Single, childfree, and without parent or sibling support, she learned to navigate treatment and survivorship with the love and support of friends, extended family, and even coworkers.
Since her cancer treatment, Liz has experienced a number of residual health issues, including being diagnosed with fatty liver disease – something she only discovered by accessing her operative report following a colonoscopy she underwent as part of regular cancer screening/monitoring and her bariatric surgery process. The gastroenterologist who did the procedure never mentioned the diagnosis to her.
After having a conversation with her PCP, Liz is currently not experiencing active symptoms of this disease and is in the early stages. Therefore she is taking her time to research and find the right physician to collaboratively work with her to monitor and treat this condition while doing what she can to educate herself about the realities that lie ahead with fatty liver disease while also managing her other conditions and supporting herself.
When Liz is not raising awareness for health issues she personally experiences, she enjoys volunteering with her high school alma mater’s student-athletes, doing anything creative, traveling, and spending time in nature with friends and family.
Liz has never had an easy life. Her health challenges have complicated how she moves through the world, but those journeys also have many gifts, including some of the incredible people she’s met and the opportunities she has had.
In September 2020, Liz transitioned to writing and advocacy work full-time after being the administrative assistant to an exceptional team of medical professionals at a pediatric hospital in her area. There, she also assisted in advocating for her team’s patients’ ostomy needs. She has found this transition to be rewarding and beneficial on several levels. Liz looks forward to continuing her healthcare journey while advocating for others.
Click here to read all of Liz's articles on NASHDisease.net.