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Hi there Hep C Tribe
This is my first time on this board, so excuse any mistakes I made (double posts, picture posts, whatever). I'm a 50 year old woman who recently found out I have HepC-1b VL+1Million, Stage 1 liver disease (fibrosis). For a month I cried hysterically and couldn't get a grip. I wouldn't even take the Pegasis Information Kit out of the doctor's office. I have a supportive husband (usually) a grown son and a grandson. The rest of my family lives in Florida. The doctor determined (after some very truthful discussion) I aquired this some 30 years ago. How paradoxical: For the past 20 years, I've been professionally and academically pushing myself beyond limits to make up for all the wasted, distructive youthful years. Well, they caught up anyway. I begin TX today and have already called in sick. I'm a School Library Media Specialist (formally called librarian;) and I adore my job. I'm terrified the SX wil negatively effect my performance. I will have July and August off to get used to the TX. I was going to wait until then, but after reading a lot and speaking to people, I decided to jump right in. No time is better than now. I hope to make some genuine friends on this board and maybe even meet up with some New Yorkers (city) Upstate is too far as I barely drive as it is. Well that's my story and I'd like to be an active member of your board.
Fondly,
Bev
This is my first time on this board, so excuse any mistakes I made (double posts, picture posts, whatever). I'm a 50 year old woman who recently found out I have HepC-1b VL+1Million, Stage 1 liver disease (fibrosis). For a month I cried hysterically and couldn't get a grip. I wouldn't even take the Pegasis Information Kit out of the doctor's office. I have a supportive husband (usually) a grown son and a grandson. The rest of my family lives in Florida. The doctor determined (after some very truthful discussion) I aquired this some 30 years ago. How paradoxical: For the past 20 years, I've been professionally and academically pushing myself beyond limits to make up for all the wasted, distructive youthful years. Well, they caught up anyway. I begin TX today and have already called in sick. I'm a School Library Media Specialist (formally called librarian;) and I adore my job. I'm terrified the SX wil negatively effect my performance. I will have July and August off to get used to the TX. I was going to wait until then, but after reading a lot and speaking to people, I decided to jump right in. No time is better than now. I hope to make some genuine friends on this board and maybe even meet up with some New Yorkers (city) Upstate is too far as I barely drive as it is. Well that's my story and I'd like to be an active member of your board.
Fondly,
Bev
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Re: New to this Board
Tue, May 30, 2006 - 9:07 AMIt is always so bitter sweet to welcome a new member to this tribe. This virus can be a tough one... at least now you are among friends who understand what you are going through.
Now, don't beat yourself up over how you came to have this virus... you are among friends who don't judge such things... and many who also had a mis-spent youth... hey, we all thought we were having fun at the time.... LOL
Welcome Bev... this is a great group of people on this tribe, you will find the friendship and support you need.
Hugs,
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Re: New to this Board
Tue, May 30, 2006 - 11:27 AMThank you Tonija for such a quick response. It's very touching. I do hope to meet some people I can connect with. So far no effects, although I just had shot 1 and pill 1 a couple of three hours ago.
Fondly
Bev
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Re: New to this Board
Tue, May 30, 2006 - 9:24 AMWelcome!! Like Tonjia said it is bittersweet to get new members but we are all here for eachother!! I joined a few months ago when I started tx in Feb. I have unknowingly had this disease for 30years and am in stage 2. When I started PegIntron and Ribavirin in Feb. my VL was 3.6 million I am also a geno 1. Treatment is difficult I am not going to sugercoat it BUT it can be done!! I worked through my first 12 weeks, not easily, I also called in a few days, best time to do your shots is on Fridays so you have the weekend to slightly recover.
And also ALWAYS remeber to drink lots of WATER!!!!! It helps- trust me!!
Unfortunatly I had to be taken off tx at 12 weeks due to several severe viral infections, I may have some other immune deficiancy going on so we are investigating that now. Good news was though I went to 0 in 12 weeks which is amazing for geno 1's so like you said, just jump in there and go for it!! We are all here to share and listen, keep posting!! -
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Re: New to this Board
Tue, May 30, 2006 - 9:32 AMHi Bev....I only joined this little tribe about a week ago. I have finished treatment for geno 2 (six months) I'm from the UK so not much chance of driving to meet me but it would be great to talk to you online and perhaps as I've just been through it all could help in some way.
Great that you've got a bit of time off, perhaps any sides that you do have will die down before you go back to work. This virus affects everyone differently.
Love your picture, very natural and cute and don't forget I'm here to help you if you have any questions or just want a bit of support.
Speak to you again soon
Tracey -
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Re: New to this Board
Tue, May 30, 2006 - 11:01 AMI looked at your picture first and thought it was Bev P. Who has been a long time poster here. She says she looks like Liza Minnelli so I should have known it wasnt her. Anyway, welcome to the tribe Bev. -
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Re: New to this Board
Tue, May 30, 2006 - 11:40 AMThanks Brock and yes I did notice another Beverly member. These seems like a very nice board with very genuine people. I will definately be around. Thank you all so much for responding (while I was out getting my first TX)
Fondly
Bev -
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Re: New to this Board
Tue, May 30, 2006 - 6:27 PMWelcome Bev, well wait till you meet our original Bev, she's a fabulous goddess with a heart of gold, you will love her.
Dittos on the bittersweet, but the whole Hep C community is sadly growing by leaps and bounds. Glad you found us though, a support group is important and this group is supportive on the mega level.
I am in week 20 of treatment now, I think, hard to keep track anymore, all squishy as such. We are all here for you, my prayers to you and yours.
The grand baby is precious, what a blessing for you...
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Hi new friend Sher
Thu, June 1, 2006 - 12:26 AMHi Sher
Sorry it took so long to reply. I got the shot Tues and went to work Wed and CRASHED when I got home. Well if you said you've done 20 week so far, that is great. I'm kinda foggy too but have always chalked it off to menapause, dizzitness, or early alz (G-d forbid) because that runs in the family. I'll stick to the ditzy dx. Everyone on this board sounds so upbeat. I can't wait to read Beverly's message - she sounds wonderful for anyone's spirits. Hope to catch up later if not sleeping by then. Only 20+ ays of work left. Are you on the 48 week tx?
Fondly
Bev
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Re: New to this Board
Tue, May 30, 2006 - 11:37 AMHi Tracey
Thanks for the welcome. My sister spent 7-8 in England (Cornwall) and her husband is from Wales (the midlands) ?? but according to her, the place to be. Maybe I will visit ;)
So glad your TX is finished. Did you get a SVR (gee my vocabulary is growing)?
Glad to meet you and everyone
Fondly,
Bev -
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Re: New to this Board
Wed, May 31, 2006 - 12:01 AMHi Bev
My three month pcr was negative and I'm now waiting for my six month (svr) in June.
I live near Cornwall and Wales, Wales is beautiful by the way.
Here's hoping tx treats you kindly.
I used to wonder what the hell all these SVRs, PCRs, PCTs, viral loads ect all were, funny how quickly you learn .
Take care........Tracey -
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Tracy
Thu, June 1, 2006 - 12:29 AMToo much
An entire new vocabulary (and one I wish I didn't have to know)
Corwall is my sister's favorite place - she describes it as an artist colony (which she is an artist) but had to return for high risk pregnancy better health-care. Congrats on the negative read so soon
Fondly
Bev
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Re: New to this Board
Tue, May 30, 2006 - 6:54 PMDontcha just love us already Bev? Ok, maybe not, but you can't blame a girl for trying.
I'm from Queens but I am not officially a diva having lived so long in SF where only men get to be queens.
I have all kinds of good news for you Bev. You are past that spin out you had when you were diagnosed, and you are past making a decision if to treat or not to treat or with what yada yada. If it took you 30 years to reach stage 1, congratulations. All your hard work did pay off. Having a husband who is supportive at all makes you a lucky lucky woman. You already have two months scheduled to be off so that you can rest. The symptoms in the beginning can be daunting, but once you know what to expect, alot of the fear and uncertainty will disappear. You are not alone, you have us! There is alot of wisdom and lots of diverse experiences and ideas here. hcvadvocate.org is a good site and the liver site at NIH is good too and Pegasys has one for people like you on their treatment.
From one Bev to another, I encourage you to participate as much as you care to. Everyone here was great to me while I was on treatment, and, as I mentioned, I can be quite the diva.
B -
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Dearest Beverly
Thu, June 1, 2006 - 12:37 AMThanks for the quick reply. Yesterday after work, I never touched the computer, just layed there and read. I was really tired and ansty at work but no other sx to speak of. I've always hated my name. Wanted to be a stacy or something pretty. Oh no, I am from Queens too and got stuck with Beverly Eleen. It sounds like something off the farm. Beverly-Ellen milk the cows and Beverly-Ellen, give some slop to the pigs. Yikes, where did they come up with it. Hopefully it works better for you. You can have my name and become Bev-Beverly the Diva
Thanks for such great resources. After I was done crying for a month, I did do a lot of reading and I'm sure I have much more to go. I'm not sure who'se post, but I think Tiffany's is upsetting because after all of this, it can cause more viral infections to attack. That's a scary thought. Well to Bev and everyone, have a wonderful day. I'm going to work and will be just as lazy as yesterday. Love - Bev -
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Re: Dearest Beverly
Thu, June 1, 2006 - 6:31 AM>>because after all of this, it can cause more viral infections to attack. <<
It can also make you immune to viral infections. My son had virus after virus after virus all winter and I never had so much as a sniffle. I ate and drank after him and picked up his snot rags, and I never got sick the whole time that Ive been on treatment. -
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To Tiffany, Tracy (UK), Tonija, Sher, Brock, and Beverly
Fri, June 2, 2006 - 1:51 PMYou have all been so sweet. Maybe that's why I haven't had any sx to speak of. I shouldn't jink myself by saying that. Have any of you heard of the sx coming on at a later date, after several weeks of tx? Tiffany, I'm so sorry you're having the viral problems. Is this everyone's first time? You may have posted about that, but it takes me a long time to process anything. Well I hope you all have a sx free weekend and some rest. I'll have the little one here. At work today, me and the library para buit him a car garage out of a very cool box. We made a lift using a floppy disk and plastic ties, ramps, painted Andrew's Garage. Actually, the para did most of it. She's the crafty talented one. But it sure came out cute. Is there a way for us to chat?
Love
Bev -
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Re: To Tiffany, Tracy (UK), Tonija, Sher, Brock, and Beverly
Fri, June 2, 2006 - 3:19 PMThe sx's like everything else are pretty individual. Some get them all up front and it evens out, some breeze by for awhile and then they pile up later on. Some are pretty consistant all the way through and others have a lot of ups/downs. Try not to anticipate too far in the future and just take it one day at a time. If your having good days, exhale and celebrate and save up some energy for the bomb out days.
I coasted along pretty good until about week 10 and its been a fairly consistant squishy since then. No major slump events just a general slide into fatigue and blah. The drugs have an accumulitive effect and once you reach the saturation point its a pretty consistant ride.
My latest event is a bacterial infection on my face, and given my bald head now look very troll like, woo, hoo. Not as if I have the energy or tolerance for a date anyway, and for the first time in my life it, in and of itself , keeps the dogs at bay, lol.
And honey if you think it takes a long time to process things now, give it a couple of months, your processor is going on vacation and spelling your name will become a challenge.
Keep your sense of humor, kiss that baby often, sleep when you need to, find a place to scream when you need to, eat well, stay hydrated, find something to laugh at and you will be just fine, we are all cheering for you.
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Re: Dearest Beverly
Thu, June 1, 2006 - 8:03 AMSorry to upset anyone, but please don't be discouraged because of what went on with me. My doc feels that I may have some other deficiancy that is also complicating things, possibly aggrivated by the treatment. I know it can be scary to hear of people's reactions, side efects, and unresponsivness to treatment.... But we are all different and respond in different ways. We all get discouraged and talk about it to support each other but at the same time we try to think positive too, that's why I don't want my story to be upsetting!!Remember we are all DRAGON SLAYER'S and will kick this things a**!!! -
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Tiffany How Are You Doing
Fri, June 2, 2006 - 1:35 PMHi Tiffany
Was wondering how you're feeling and if the dr. has any magic tricks up his sleeve. It's day 4 and I'm still feeling no sx except tired at night and difficulty sleeping (which has been the case for years.) Is there anyway to chat on this board? Feel Good
Love
Bev -
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Re: Tiffany How Are You Doing
Tue, June 6, 2006 - 11:15 AMGlad to hear no bad sx so far... besides the infections mine weren't too bad either, livable I guess. They do creep up one you though, I didn't realize how bad till taken off the meds!! 4 weeks off and my hair is still falling out!! Anyways the new Doc was very nice and calm, unlike my current doc who is like a big rough football player acting like he needs me to tackle a huge 300lbs beast before it gets me, the other doc is very low key explaining that fighting hep c is like a chess game with different moves and strategies. That we have plenty of time to fight it, we'll try first getting my immune system back up and train my body to sleep properly. Once we do that THEN we'll try the tx again, and if my body gets too stressed and worn down again we'll either lower the doses or stop again. He also said there are many other tx's out there that are less evasive ready to be approved. No big rush, we're running a marathon, not a sprint.................................... -
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Re: Tiffany How Are You Doing
Tue, June 6, 2006 - 1:59 PMHi Tiffany
You sound like you have a sensible doctor there, how on earth did you find him? My hair was still falling out at six weeks post tx but slowed up after that. It's nowhere near as thick as it was in my pic! I've heard there is quite a few new treatments in the pipeline that are easier than combo therapy.
Good luck with it all.
Tracey
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Re: Tiffany How Are You Doing
Wed, June 7, 2006 - 8:02 AMTiffany,
Stick with the new doc. I've been HCV+ for something like 35 to 45 years. During that time there were periods of high liver enzymes and symptoms. In the last 15 years, tests showed high viral counts and live damage some of the time. There were also lots of time with no symptoms and a healing liver. Two 24-month combo treatments may have helped but the virus came back. What really works for ME (maybe not everyone) is a no stress healthy life style. If I stress out and get sick again, I'll do what I have to do - be a gunea pig. Hopefully that won't happen and if it does there will be better treatments. For now it's waltz, rumba, tango, . . .
Stan -
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Re: Tiffany How Are You Doing
Wed, June 7, 2006 - 10:49 AMKeeping my mind off of stress is really helping me.
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Re: Tiffany How Are You Doing
Thu, June 8, 2006 - 12:11 PMI'm a natural worrier so I like stress out about everything. I have to plan, don't like surprises, etc..... Even with the zanex I still can't chill out. I'm learning though just to take it all in stride......baby steps I guess. Stan thanx for the encouragement, I need to start dancing again..we are moving soon and there are alot of dance studio's in the new area, I think it'll help me relax and have fun again, or there's the yoga too...... -
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Re: Tiffany How Are You Doing
Thu, June 8, 2006 - 4:29 PMI used to be a veeery uptight person, short fused, door slammin, dish breaking, snap any minute, volitile vixen from hell. After 3 divorces, 1 teenager from hell, and 22 yrs with this disease I am officially an exhale girl now, nothing ruffles my feathers.
At one point some yrs ago they had me doing alt's every week for 6 months and I got to see on paper the effects of stress on my liver, it was quite the revelation. Since, I have studied extensively on the effects of negative emotions overall on the immune and metabolic systems.
I was never good at the decipline of yoga, medatating and the such, but have developed over time my own methods of staying calm at all costs. I don't sweat any of the little shit and put all of the big shit is God's hands. I eat well, excercise often, no olympics but get in a daily dose of physical activity. Surround myself with only people that feed my soul, the rest got the short list.
No doubt my primary hurdles are still coffee and ciggs, both nasty addictions, down to 2 cups and 5 cigggs a day, but am putting them on next yrs agenda, too worn out on tx to battle purging those beasts at the moment.
Tiffaney try to find something that sooths your spirit, and do it early and often, you will notice right away how much better you feel both physically and emotionally..... -
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Re: Tiffany How Are You Doing
Thu, June 8, 2006 - 5:29 PMoh its Tiffany, sorry, not Tiffaney, thats my daughters name, don't ask where the extra "e" came from its a long convoluted story, ex husband no 2, lol....
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Re: Tiffany How Are You Doing
Thu, June 8, 2006 - 7:09 PMSounds like a good doc to me. Confidence in my doc was pivotal in my attitude during treatment.
Does anyone on this list live in Memphis?
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Re: New to this Board
Wed, June 14, 2006 - 7:10 AMWelcome Bev 2 (belatedly I know) I don't seem to post here very much anymore but I am still very much around.
Bev P. I knew you were from NYC but I didn't realize you were from Queens, that's where my dad grew up (having moved there from the Bronx at about 4) I spent I lot of time visting my Papou (Greek for Grandfather) in the Queens when I was a child.
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Re: New to this Board
Tue, May 30, 2006 - 11:32 AMHi Tiffany
So sorry you had to be taken off due to viral infections. Esp viral can be so scary, they have to look for everything. It must be nervewracking for you. I decided not to get the shots on Fridays because that's when I see the little one (weekends). Plus I only have a few more weeks of work then I'll be off the summer to try to get used to it all. The doctor wrote a fanstastic note that didn't mention Hep C, but did mention me being under his care and getting a shot a week that may have some serious SX. I know my principal will just be chomping at the bit to find out. I must, I must, get these mean thoughts out of my head, but principal, teacher (librarian) relationships can be a little complicated and sick ;) Hope you're able to retreat or finds what ails ya and treat that.
Fondly,
Bev -
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Re: New to this Board
Wed, May 31, 2006 - 8:07 AMI hope things go well on the work thing. I was asked what was 'wrong' with me so many times, even after I said, it's private in my most ny direct way. You are seriously lucky to have two months off.
Having a supportive md changes everything, doesn't it?
Btw, not to be *too* bitter but the accounting department asked me to bring in more Lourdes water and even asked that *the next time you go bring the oil back also*. I said yes then I got home and realized what an idiot I am. Not one, not a single one, asked me how I was doing for the full year I was on treatment and not one, not a single one has asked me if it worked. My job on the planet, according to this logic, is that I am there to listen to all every detail of their medical complaints and then give them my precious (and heavy) water that I carried in my backpack all the way across and home from France, because after all, why would I need it for myself? Bitter, bitter Bev.
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Re: New to this Board
Thu, June 1, 2006 - 8:16 AMThere is the potential for bad sides from the meds but here is also the chance of being hit by a bus. The md insisted that I do my first shot at the hospital with a friend who would support me and drive and stay with me if I had terrible sides immediately. I grabbed some plastic bags from the three boxes I bought to throw up into, got Bobby and went. Did shot, on the way home kicked Bobby out of the car at his house, went home and waited for the nightmare to begin. It that never happened. I've been symptomatic so long that being tired was not a change, feeling vaguely ill was not a change, brain fog wasn't a change. What affected me the most was the ribaviron mind f@#k. I lost my emotional filtering system and had some pretty intense mood stuff that was challenging for the last six weeks. I worked the whole time and being a spinster I was maid/chauffeur (sp?)/chef/grocery shopper/dog walker etc. But here is the really amazing part, my experience was not unusual. I did acupuncture x1 week and believe that this kept problems at bay. Sorry for the rant but I was so stressed about sides before I started and didn't believe it when people said that we all handle the meds differently. Now I believe it.
I like the name Beverly. I don't know why but I picture someone with that name as being gentle, sweet and kind. If you don't fit that picture, don't tell me, I want to keep that picture! BeverlyPenn is a character in a book. She always had a fever, just like me. But I can relate. I have a first name that fits into alot of one liners and a last name that is unpronouncable and unspellable. -
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Re: New to this Board
Thu, June 1, 2006 - 12:25 PMI was just given my meds by the nurse who gave me a two minute lesson on injecting into my belly and sent off with the words "You'll be fine" I was fine but I was expecting worse. I just felt like I used to feel when the so called symptomless virus was playing me up, only worse. It is absolutely true that everyone reacts differently. Like Beverly, it really messed my emotions up and I just felt really tired all the time. I never had any infections all through tx but I did get shingles just as I finished. I had visions of throwing up everywhere, shaking with fever and going insane, when not much happened I started to wonder if it was working? Obviously was!
I've heard of people with no sides at all and others with unbearable sides and an awful lot in the middle. -
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Re: New to this Board
Thu, June 1, 2006 - 12:57 PMYeah- I expected the worst too, but everyone reacts different. I think it helped a little to expect terrible things, cause then I was surprised when it wasn't has dreadful as I imagined. It's bad but my mind made it worse....................I don't like suprises -
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Re: New to this Board
Thu, June 1, 2006 - 10:36 PMI'm with you Tiffany, I tried to cover every base before I started. The illusion of control, I'm searching for it all the time. -
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Re: New to this Board
Fri, June 2, 2006 - 7:51 AMThat's exactly what I told my doctor when I asked him for all my blood work copies. He asked why I wanted them and I said to do my own research, it gives me the illusion that I have some sort of control when I know I really don't -
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Re: New to this Board
Fri, June 2, 2006 - 9:28 AMBev & Tiffany,
There are a lot of things you can and are controlling. You can live healthier lives in general. For some, like me, that seems to be the ticket.
Stan -
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To Stanton and ALL
Fri, June 2, 2006 - 1:39 PMHello and how do you do?
I agree if anything good comes out of this, it's that I know not to drink, now I'm TRYING to drink the magic water, and eat much healthier foods. Also my husband bugs me to exercise but I run around at work like a maniac. He doesn't consider that exercise. In the summer we kyack. Well Stan, nice to meet you.
Fondly,
Bev
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Hi BEVERLY
Fri, June 2, 2006 - 1:31 PMHi ya
Your posts are too funny. First you mentioned taking your friend Bobby just in case of side effects. My sister is Bobbie-Sue and I'm Beverly-Ellen from Tex-Arzona. No really from Queens NY. But don't those names just evoke images of sitting on the pouch and asking ma and pa for some lemonaide? Truth is, this little Bev got in big time trouble at a very early age. Just acting out like a little maniac (always looking for those parameters that were never there). So after having my son (30 yrs ago) then I started turning things around. Always worked one 40 hr week job and went first for a BS in teaching, then MS in Reading, then another MS in School Library Media Spacialst (mouthful). Married a real nice guy (rough around the edges and could be loud and racous (spelling?) but inside the nicest guy going (that's inside I remind you ;) He retired from the FDNY about a year before 9/11 and we got married a few days before 9/11. Well he built us a the most charming house on the water. He's extremely talented with his hands - with regard to finishing wood work ;) Seriously, he made this wonderful house with an office for me, wooden ceiling with all kinds of cuts and diagnals, a three level deck with stairs to the water. This little area is so far off the map, no one believes it exists in the Bronx. He's a good guy. So here we both were full stream ahead, me with a very prominent position within the board of ed, and him working away on the house when bam!!! But like you, I was never feeling good either. Mostly muscle, fatigue, nonspecific and running from dr. to dr. Well one finally did a hep test and that's the story. Today is my 4th day and I really haven't had much side effects. I hope this continues because my grandson will be here soon and through the weekend. Now that I
ve poured that out, will you please tell me your name. You made me curious. Is there anyway to chat on this board??
Regards
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Re: Hi BEVERLY
Fri, June 2, 2006 - 1:46 PMHi Bev
Reading your post remined me of how hep c just leapt out of the past and went straight for my jugular. I had a very mis-spent youth, then married and had three great kids and a job I enjoy and life was pretty near perfect then, 'WHAM' along came hep c and a lot of worry, medication and absoloute surprise at how little is known about it and how much stigma is attached.
One day it will be all over and you will get your life back.
The house sounds dreamy by the way and glad to hear your still not getting any nasty sides.
Tracey -
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Re: Hi BEVERLY
Fri, June 2, 2006 - 5:06 PMMe too! Me too! ~Bev throws her hands up in the air~ I had a mis-spent youth. And then a little bit more but have been a friend of bill's since I was in my 20s.
Sadly the beverly/bobby, bev/bobbie coincidences have ended. All that living happily ever after. You too Tracey. Good for you both for getting a good guy and knowing it. And I'm sure you are great wives to them.
I am jealous of your house and intend to visit the next time I'm in NY. If you invite me, of course. We go to the Bronx Botanical Gardens every time I'm out. The Bronx is like most of NY, parts of it are great and parts of it aren't. I'm in a flat in a neighborhood filled with Victorians (not the people, the houses silly) in SF. Just walking the dogs around the block is like taking a path in the botanical gardens. That is the great thing about the bay area, it is really gorgeous and so diverse in geography and weather and vibe. Don't you think so Stan?
Within the context of taking care of myself by knowledge, exercise, food, whatever, that is something we have 'control' over but if the interferon works that is not up to me, although I respect the belief that we have some power over our insides by our mind.
The word stigma is so close to the word stigmata for a reason. -
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Hi everyone
Sat, June 3, 2006 - 3:26 AMStigma and stigmata. I wonder what the latin root it. Wel with this stigma, I do feel like I have red (tainted) blood pouring out of my forehead and palms of my hand & footsies.
For the whole wide world to see. I do have my boss thinking something along the blood disease, anemia, some form of leukemia (G-d forbid). I will not tell her the truth because she is the biggest BLABBERM MOUTH in the school.
dishonest Bev -
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Re: Hi everyone
Sat, June 3, 2006 - 7:21 AMHi Bev
I wasn't going to tell my boss, I did tell him I had a liver problem and that I was having a biopsy. Little did I know his sister had been through tx and he put 2x2 together and asked me straight out. He was great! He never asked how I got it and it worked out fine. His sister had the worst time on tx and I think that made him understand. I don't think I would have told him? dunno? Most of my old friends know. Funny, once I'd told a few people, I found it got easier to tell.
You sort of get to know who to tell and who not too. I see nothing wrong with keeping it to yourself or telling all, just have to play it the way you feel is best for you.
It was quite difficult telling three teenage kids that Their Mom had hep c and there was a chance that they might too! (all clear, thankfully)
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Re: Hi BEVERLY
Sat, June 3, 2006 - 7:44 AMBev,
How did you know I'm reading every post? Well I am. Anyhow, diversity of all kinds is definitely alive and well in the Bay Area. I'm going to start spending more time there again. Soon, I hope. Right now I'm doing total immersion dance in Sacramento. That would be five hours a day, seven days a week. The big downer is dealing with my feelings about my gorgeous 31-year-old teacher. Could it be she's not romantically interested in me? Could it be she's just predator who preys on lonely dysfunctional people? Could it be that HCV et al. can lead to loneliness and dysfuntionality? Yes, yes and YES! So, although I don't contribute that much these days, it's nice to know there's a place for us lepers that's free of judgment, full of support and no frigging predators.
Stan -
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Re: Hi BEVERLY
Sat, June 3, 2006 - 8:09 AM>> Have any of you heard of the sx coming on at a later date, after several weeks of tx? <<
At first I only had some mild flue symptoms a few hours after I took my shot. I thought,"Well this aint so bad". The longer I was on Tx, the more sides I noticed and some times I didnt realize things were so bad until I was in a crisis situation. This stuff creeps up on you slowly and things slowely get worse.
The good news is, after 30 weeks, my red blood cell count went up and I started having more energy (just wish I had my breath- cant breathe good when I over do it). The brain fog is pretty much gone too, except when I try to sound smart I can still come out sounding like an idiot. Ive been taking fish oil the whole time Ive been on Tx, thats suposed to be good brain food and I think its working. -
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Re: Hi BEVERLY
Sun, June 4, 2006 - 2:02 PMExactly the same for me Brock. I just had a fuzzy, heady feeling and then got heavier and heavier with fatigue. I really noticed it on day when I went to the beach and had to climb about a thousand steps to get back up, I just could not do it! I had no breath and my legs tuned to jelly.
I think your lucky feeling better after 30 weeks, maybe it is the fish oil? I should keep taking it! -
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Re: Hi BEVERLY
Mon, June 5, 2006 - 9:08 PMI'm sure she adores you Stan. How could she not?
I heard once that Ginger Rogers didn't know how to dance and had to learn for that famous movie with Fred Astaire. I don't remember what it is called. Anyway, she said afterwards that she did all her dancing with bloody feet. Now that was acting.
I'm glad to hear you are feeling better Brock. Who cares why, just enjoy!
Today I took Bisou to the internist vet ($563)(but who is counting) and had to come up with an explanation why bisou was so fat and so out of shape. I finally just said, I did interferon for a year, we spent it in bed, one dog on each side, now all three of us are panting when we reach the top of one (typically hilly sf) street. Bisou was so cute, like you care, but humor me, while we were waiting, he jumped up onto the examining area, examined all of the implements, computer, sink, and then went and sat down on the towel covering the examining table.
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Hi Tracy
Fri, June 16, 2006 - 3:05 AMTracy and everyone
Sorry I've been off this board for awhile. I'm on week 3 and yes now I am having sx, esp the day after the shot. A lot of crying for no reason and difficulty getting it under control. I was already on Zoloft so they doubled it. I'm still feeling so blue that my former life caught up with me after years and years of making up for it. I also feel dirty, tainted and I don't want people to know. I had to take a day off this week because I was too exhausted. Well I hope everyone in this tribe is doing well. I have to get ready for work and I will be back.
All my love
Bev -
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Re: Hi Tracy
Fri, June 16, 2006 - 6:10 AMBev you are neither dirty nor tainted, it is quite normal to get very emotional when on interferon...do yourself a favor and go easy on yourself.... -
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Re: Hi Tracy
Fri, June 16, 2006 - 12:09 PMHi Bev
You will probably find you go through bad patches like this. I could cry just by thinking about anything sad. It's like your emotions are more intense, I always thought it was like PMT only 10 times worse.
I found I looked at my past life more than I'd ever done. I felt it was a sort of punishment in a way. Karma's gonna get you..... but it's just one of those things really. You are not a tainted person Bev.
I hope you feel better soon. I can remember struggling at work, getting home tired and then having to cook. You really do have to be kind to yourself and put yourself first when your going through all this.
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Re: Hi Tracy
Fri, June 16, 2006 - 7:58 PMClose your eyes Bev...that feeling...warm fuzzies sent from San Francisco.
I'm a tough cookie kiddo and I cried if the bread got mold. It isn't you, it's the medication. Zoloft kicks in pretty fast so that should help. For me, this was the hardest part of tx, the emotional/mental stuff. It really sucks and I'm sorry it's started happening to you. Hopefully it will settle down after this, it might, it does for alot of people.
Bev, eye on the prize, it is for a limited time and for a most good reason.
Tracey, when I had pms I was so insane. I hear you on that!
Bev
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Re: New to this Board
Sat, July 15, 2006 - 3:47 AMNYCLibrian,
Don't give up the hope! I am in the same boat, I found out about a month ago and had my first shot (to immuniaze vs type a&b hep) and last week discovered my geno is as well 1-b. Look somewhat like we will both be going down the same road for a while.
Looks like your 'ahead' of me in that you've got some numbers. I've not heard anything as of yet. I see your name on andther site every morning and an happy to see it consistantly - it helps to make my day just a little brighter - thanx for the lifts :).
I believe I got mine in the 60's-early 70's from drug abuse. Am clean today and have been for quite a while.
I MUST go for now as I've got a lot of 'work' to do today.
Oh yes, I'm from Worcester, MA, and have a great woman that is reading like a madwoman to learn about this disease. Pam is her name & she has no problem with 'talking' to "my people" (under my name - smile smile she's so cool!)
I hope we can talk again.
Take care & God Bless You and all you love!
chip
