There are dates in my journey with Hepatitis C that will always stand out as mile marker dates. Each one unique. Each one is special for their own reasons. But each one represents a declaration, a stake in the battleground of fighting Hepatitis C. You have these dates too I imagine.

Special Mile Marker Date
One very special mile marker day is April 9th, 2012. 7 years ago I began my third treatment for Hepatitis C. My treatment lasted 24 weeks (6 months!), and God used it to bring me the cure. After a long 20 year battle with Hep C, the Hep C giant was dead and never to return.

My recovery was a slow start but I gradually picked up speed, found my turbo tennis shoes and got the wind in my sails. It took me a good 6 months to a year to fully recover. While in recovery, I’d look over my shoulder and wonder would the Hep C giant rear its ugly head again. It didn’t. Defeated once and for all. Praise God!

April 9th, 2012 was also the very same day Life Beyond Hepatitis C was launched. God laid it on my heart in 2011 to form an organization to help Hepatitis C patients and their families through the journey of Hep C and show them God’s hope and light through the darkness with liver disease.

Never Give Up Hope
I didn’t know what my future was. I had done two prior treatments that didn’t work and now I was fighting the third round. But I trusted the one who held my future in His hands. I did an online treatment journal that first year. I experienced good, bad, and ugly days. I was immensely transparent. (See my online treatment journal beginning April 9th, 2012 through treatment ending September 23rd, 2012 and into recovery)

During my 20-year battle, I learned we can live beyond our circumstances. Hep C does not define us, nor does it control the number of our days. Only God does that. I said for a long time, “I don’t live with Hep C, it lives with me.” Now, “Hep C doesn’t live with me anymore.”

God’s Restoration
This is a special week. A time of celebrating and to remember, despite the odds, God took a simple Texas shepherd girl and transformed her into a Giant Killer and overcomer. God did that. The long wait finally ended and the healing came. Folks, God is in the restoration business for everyone.

You may be on the battleground right now fighting Hep C, or fighting complications with liver disease, but no matter where you are, there is no place without God’s hope, and help. He’s there to help you get beyond where you’re at my friend.

The Importance of Thankful Focus
We all have something to celebrate really. Every day, every week, are made up of things to be thankful for, gratitude for life, victories great and small. So today, will you join me in taking a side step from focusing on the battle and focus on all you have to be thankful for?

I’m thankful for life. I’m thankful for second, third and many chances to start over- I’m thankful for new beginnings. I’m thankful in spite of the long hard journey and the wait, it was worth every step to get here. God’s plans, His way is good. I’m thankful for His strength and picking me up countless times. I’m thankful for God’s amazing unconditional love, forgiveness and sacrifice. I’m thankful for His perfect plan. I’m thankful for His healing in His way and His timing. And I’m thankful for the amazing team God has put together here at Life Beyond Hep C, you guys Rock!

And I’m thankful for YOU my friends!

Please join me in Celebrating today. Shout out something you are thankful for in your life. What are you thankful for today?

This entry was originally published in Life Beyond Hep C, and is reprinted with permission.