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Hi Lana, Thank you for sharing. It helps others to hear and know there are other Hep C patients who understand. Hep C Warriors fight on many fronts that's for sure. I am sorry to hear you had to go through so much in order to get assistance. You have great perseverance! Hang in there. I am thrilled to your good news with treatment results with Harvoni. Congratulations!!! Keep us posted on how you're doing. We're here for you. You are in my prayers daily as you continue. Blessings fellow warrior, Connie
Hi Angel, I thoroughly understand my friend and I relate. The best thing I found through my experience is not to take others comments personally. It's hard because I know it hurts, but someday they will understand, because no one in this life escapes difficulty or hardships one way or another. But focus on those things that you can do and one thing you can do is give her extra grace. Hopefully one day the kindness and grace you show her will speak deep into her heart. Know that you are loved completely and unconditionally by God no matter what. We are here for you too and we understand. Keep us posted on how you're doing. Prayers & Blessings, Connie
I was diagnosed with Hep C in 2000. I had Interferon treatments twice, 1st treatment Lasted 7 1/2 months ( I looked like a Walking Dead ), & the 2nd treatment 1year after a transplant for 3 weeks, that almost killed me. My "new" liver already had over 50% scarring, chirrious. 4 years after my transplant I was able to participate in a Research Study from Gilead. After just 3 mos I was 100% zero SVR. I PRAISE God for what he has brought me & my family through. Still others have no clue what we have gone thru & the constant fatigue, pain & all the other symptoms. Not even the Drs. have a clue what Hep C infected folks go thru. They only see you for 10 minutes or less every three months or so & if you are having a "good" day when they see you they still have no CLUE. I LOVE TO HEAR all the success stories that other Hep C folks have gone thru & their journeys. Give thanks unto The Lord....
I understand the whole "well-meaning," but unaware thing. I have a lot of people telling me how "good" I look. They have no idea what it takes to get there! I've aged 10 yrs over the past two years. Having HepC for 46 years, takes a toll. Luckily my family has good genes, and we normally live into our 90s or over 100. We have no cancer running through either side, so that's a biggie. Because my liver was in such bad shape, by the time I got Medicare, the new drugs just being released, were a blessing. The state I live in refused to help me for years, as I made about $200 over their limit. I couldn't afford medical insurance. When they found out I had liver disease, they gave me a quote so high that living in my car would've been the only option. I decided to try to hang in there. Due to an accident I had, after they refused me once, I finally got approved for the state assistance. Two weeks before I qualified for Medicare. At least they paid the bills for the broken knee and elbow from earlier that year. People never understood why I "just didn't get insurance." That really hurt. I couldn't work enough due to how I felt. No one had heard of HepC, and those who had, took a step back, looked at me again, re-evaluated me as a person, then asked if I was a needle user. Pretty caustic question for someone to ask, especially for an infection that started 46 years ago. I'm a totally different person now, than I was back in the Haight Ashbury days. Sometimes I just get so tired. Was on the 12-wk Solvaldi/Olysio tx, but my liver was so bad, that the virus came back in 3 mos. Now, I'm on Harvoni, the 24-wk regime, and the virus is gone, after 5-wks (same as last time). Hopefully the longer time, and that Harvoni is supposed to work better on those whose livers are very cirrhotic. Sorry this is so long. I'm tired. Tried to do too much today. Thanks for listening.
Just now my sister in law asked me why wasn't I ready for Xmas after all I'm home all day! She doesn't know how bad I hurt ot how scared I am. I just have to understand her ignorance when she asks me why was I napping during the day. Even her 10 yr old stopped taking naps. Today's just been rough fighting depression and fear.
Connie Welch
Hi James, Thank you for sharing your Hep C story with us. You are a courageous warrior! I totally agree, others normally do not have a clue what Hep C patients experience. It helps others so much to reach out with our voice and extend a hand up, even to those who "don't get it" will one day remember you giving grace and kindness which is the best gift of all. God will use it for good. Congratulations on your treatment results!!! Hip, Hip, Hooray!!! I love to hear the sound of the Hep C giant biting the dust. Praise God! Keep us posted on how you're doing. We are here for YOU! Praying for you my friend, Connie
December 16, 2014