Honolulu, Hawaii

Diagnosed with Hep C in 2002

     

I got hepatitis C in 1957 by way of two blood transfusions. In 2002, I was diagnosed with genotype 1b, and was referred to the nearby liver center. I never wanted hepatitis C treatment because it was too violent. However, I did follow my doctor’s advice and took good care of my liver. The hepatitis C blogs and forum kept me going. I would read for hours, and this was a lifesaver for me.

After repeated scans and blood work, my health seemed to be getting worse, and I knew I had to do something. My doctor prescribed Olysio and Sovaldi, and I started on June 23, 2014.  I live in Honolulu and could walk to the liver center. The sun was a major problem for me. Every Monday I would read the blogs and the forum. It helped me understand hep C and get through my treatment.

They tested my blood weekly. I was undetectable after a month but it came back again.  However, after three months I was undetectable again. I needed to wait another three months to be sure.

On Dec. 9, 2014, I got a text message from the lab saying that I was undetectable. I was crying with joy and my vision was blurred with tears, so I had to read the text many times to be sure.  I saw my doctor on Dec. 17, and I’m 100 percent cured. I placed a “cured Hep C sticker” on my post in the hep C forum in which I participate.

The treatment was not easy but I’m so happy to have done it. It was a Christmas gift to myself.  My energy was in dormant stage for a long time, and it is coming back. Thanks for the work you do to help people with hepatitis.