For those that have not been reading my interminable whinging in the HEP forums: I have a broken arm. This delightful souvenir of Cuba was the results of tourists having no idea what they were doing behind the wheel of a car. Anyway.

I went to see my GP on my return to Australia. She referred me on to the Fracture Clinic at the local hopsital here. On my referral was written the following:

  • Hepatitis C
  • ascites
  • portal hypertension
  • white coat hypertension (so very true)
  • treatment for hepatitis C unsuccessful (inf/RBV/Boceprovir 2013)
  • currently undertaking treatment via St Vincents Dr Doyle (not quite right)

Here’s my question: When do these things stop being an issue? When do you stop seeing them on referrals?

I no longer have hepatitis C. I no longer have ascites. I am no longer on treatment. Is my failed treatment now relevant? How much of that is relevant for a broken arm?

When do things drop off the chart? When can we let go of past illnesses? I had bronchitis last year.  Should that be on there? How far back do we go?

Do we ever stop being an HCV patient?

I’m tired of it bewing the one thing that identifies me as a patient. I’m ready to move on.

Am I the only one who feels this way?