Is there a day off from knowing...

[Hank's mom]

Hi all -

I was talking to a friend the other day who also has hcv, been on tx and relapsed. We both were talking about feeling haunted in a way by knowing it is always there. For example - is it a cold or hep, am I tired or is it hep - am I sicker, less sick, able to forget it...

I think of myself as a pretty positive person, speak out instead of holding back, channel my joys and frustrations into my art and writing, but the dragon lurks like a swatch of burnt grass in the middle of a nice green lawn (the neighbor's cat peed again!).

I just wondered if anyone else feels the same way and maybe, fingers crossed, has a good way of dealing with it.

Susie

[DougV]

Susie,

Ya know, I'd have to say not me, at least not normally.  But I don't get sick.  Other than hep I mean.  Last time I go sick was four years ago before I quit smoking and it was a sore throat or something.  I'd get those and bronchitis pretty frequently, but since I quit smoking not even that.  I guess if I did I'd feel differently but at least so far hep really isn't much of a factor emotionally at all. 

Now I do have my one rather painful reminder I have hep, nasty lower leg cramps, but that happens only rarely, like maybe once a quarter and only for 15 minutes or so.  (15 really long minutes and yeah I ain't really happy with hep that night and that night only it bums me out.)

Disease I have that bums me out the most is the one that rears it's ugly head every time I look in the mirror and see my father.  Now that disease bums me out at least once every morning.

Doug

[MissyMouse]

I am reminded every day I have hep   It affects every aspect of my life from the food I eat to the soap I use.   How can it not?  I mean we can't even take a stinking tyelenol without wondering what we might do to our liver.

Mouse

[willy]

I got a biopsy 1.5 years ago.  I was given a stage 1/6 ishak.  By all means I have little to worry about.  I can wait to treat. I can wait for a better form of TX, the doctor said I may never have to TX.

Do I think about it every day?   Absolutely.

I should come back and add to this and I may but as Missy says, my whole existence is built around this.

From the moment I make coffee, eat my food, chose the food that I eat, worry about where my razor or tooth brush is is tied into mitigating damage, not transmitting, researching what I am doing or should be doing (lol; I should be working NOW  ), pr posting on HCV related stuff.  It totally has permeated my life, but not all for the bad.

gotta run...

Willy

[Jazzdenova]

I like to think it hopefully has made me aware that I need to take care of myself better physically.

[Hank's mom]

Hi All -

Just when I was getting somewhat cocky - I've been feeling really tired and breathless lately so on the suggestion of my Boston team, went to the local GP. For now I am on an inhaler (albuteral), my platelets are where they've always been - potty - and my albumen has taken a big hit. The xray showed my lungs are clean, but I do have some pressure on my heart and lungs from my liver and water retention - thought I had that one licked, and tomorrow in the middle of a snow/sleet/sh;+ from the sky woohoo to see what might be to blame.

Poor Hank, the romantic pooch, has mixed our long walks on the beach, but I plan on that being taken care of. Now, if I could do something about those 90 steps down and up from the beach...

Boohoo, woe-is-me,
Susie

P.S I may not make it to much of chat tomorrow, AHEM, when I get back to Boston a poet friend is a feature near by a venue struggling to grow and Id like to offer some support.

[DougV]

Dang Susie,

Sure hope you feel better.

Doug

[Betty W.]

Susie, so sorry that you are not up-to-par......send Hank down here and I will walk him on the beach.
better still you come dow and we will do what we can, to make you better.....I know,,,,in my dreams !!

Well know that you are in my heart with love and prayers...

Betty

[Hank's mom]

Thanks Betty and Doug -

Just more fun at the HCV Corral. I'll adjust and learn to deal with the new stuff. I haven't been stopped yet and don't plan on it anytime soon.

Betty - Hank and travel don't go together well - imagine a buffalo in a small space. Even marrow bones don't make for a quiet ride. Sure would like the warmer climate. Oh well...

Susie