They Were Preparing for My Death | Alcohol, Sepsis & a Liver Transplant Story
They Were Preparing for My Death | Alcohol, Sepsis & a Liver Transplant Story  
Podcast: TheWillpowerPodcast with Will Gordon
Rating: Explicit Published On: Fri Oct 16 2026
Description: 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.“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.IN THIS EPISODEWhen alcohol stopped being fun and became a daily routineDay drinking during COVID, and what was going on in her life at the timeThe day her eyes turned yellow (May 3, 2025) and her hospital stay (May 22 to July 1, 2025)Kidney failure, dialysis, hepatic encephalopathy, ascites and paracentesisGoing septic, and the moment doctors told her family to preparePEth tests, getting listed, and a transplant in June 2025Waking up after transplant and relearning to walk and talkYear one: a feeding tube, anti-rejection medications and nauseaThe shame, telling friends, and her partner getting soberWhat it’s been like for her kidsDreams about drinking, and “Why do I deserve this?”CHAPTERS00:00 They Were Preparing for My Death | Meet Scarlett Larkley05:52 Yellow Eyes, Dialysis & Going Septic17:11 Waking Up After the Liver Transplant22:46 When Her Partner Quit Drinking & Learning to Walk Again28:09 Year One After a Liver Transplant: Feeding Tube & Meds35:55 Her Kids, Sobriety & the Shame44:55 “Why Do I Deserve This?” Donor Guilt & PurposeI edit and produce everything myself; so if you found value in this please consider supporting Donate here 👈 🙏IF YOU’RE STRUGGLINGUS: SAMHSA National Helpline, 1-800-662-4357 (free, 24/7)Call or text 988 if you’re in crisisOutside the US: findahelpline.comDon’t stop heavy drinking suddenly without medical help. Withdrawal can be dangerous.BECOME AN ORGAN DONORIt takes one checkbox: registerme.orgCONNECTScarlett: instagram.com/scarlettlarkleyThe Willpower Podcast: instagram.com/thewillpowerpodcastSubscribe for new episodes: [https://youtube.com/@thewillpowerpodcast]This podcast shares personal experiences and isn’t medical advice. Please talk to your own care team about your health.#LiverTransplant #AlcoholRecovery #Sobriety