The Light at the End of the Tunnel

[myself2]

I was diagnosed with HCV May 1, 1995.  Last November, while I was on my way to Myrtle Beach Fall Bike Rally, I received a call from my study coordinator at UNC Hospital, NC.  I was accepted into a trial study at UNC and we scheduled a liver biopsy. November 16, 2006, my liver biopsy showed Grade=1, Stage=0. I was relieved to hear my liver damage was limited to the outside surrounding portion and not severe.  I am Geno type = 1 with a beginning viral load = 22 million.

My healing journey began November 2006 and continues each day. After 4 weeks of treatment, my viral load dropped to negative 25 and has held a negative result. Each morning I dose consist of 3x200mg Ribavirin, 1x1,000mg fish oil, 1x65mg iron, Lexapro 10mg (mental), 1x20mg Prilosec OTC, and 1x600mg Ibuprofen. At 3:00pm, I dose regime is 1x600 Ibuprofen and 2x200mb Ribavirin. Each night I take 1x30mb Remeron (mental). Every Thursday I dose with an Interferon shot and Friday I dose with Progritt 40mg. The Procritt began this past July when my Hemoglobin dropped to 7.5 (11.5 is normal). The entire time I have had bouts of diareahea, lack of appitite, nausia, and fatigue (to mention a few symptoms). Even though I have felt very tired most of the time, I can really see the light at the end of the tunnel.

This Thursday will be my last Interferon dose and Friday will be my last Procritt shot. Thursday, November 1st will be my last Ribavirin dose. I have almost survived 48 weeks of treatment. I will have to return to UNC for bloodwork for the next 6 months. I am praying my viral load will hold a negative result. 

[MissyMouse]

Hey Myself,

GOOD FOR YOU!  Here's wishing you SVR!

Mouse

[rayc2001]

Best of wishes as you head for the finish!!!



Ray

[Hank's mom]

Hi My: Just wanted to chime in with best wishes and prayers for your positive.

momxfive

[ruthere]

Well Great Job Myself,

There are quite a few here that are at different stages of tx and post tx, I am almost 24 weeks post tx
 
welcome to the party 

Kim

[negative1]

Good for you. The journey has come to an end, or close to it. Hope you can hold out with any lingering sides as it does get better but not all at once. Thanks for dropping in. Earl

[19Dragon52]

(((myself2)))
Tonight's the NIGHT!...Last Shot!  Praying that you will stay in those negative counts all the way!

(((ruthere)))
Hope your 24 weeks post-TX pcr is a negative also!  Weeeeeeeee!

Best Wishes To Both of You.....

           

[Kira]

That's great, Myself, you've made it to the end.     That's quite an accomplishment!

Good luck with the 24 week pcr coming up, Kim! 

Cris

[Dude]

Hi My, I'm praying for the best results for you. Keep the faith, and always know we're behind you for positive healing here.

God bless.

[Squeaker1]

Good going and stay tuff......You are almost there.

Hugs, Squeak

[robin]

How grand...last shot and zero viral load. Be sure to let us know what your 6 month labs show. We are all rooting for you to acheive SVR...keep your spirits high...robin

[mindy]

Great job.  We will all be praying for you that when they test you 12 weeks after tx, you remain negative.  You made it. 

[nialla]

and what a way to start off the new year -- with a negative status!

best of luck on those results and be proud of a major accomplishment

[mindy]

Hi, it is totally great that you see the light at the end of the tunnel.  All the rounds to tx I have done, I felt like a dead woman walking, but I got through it, in my case my white cells and red cells go so low I had to do neuprogen shots for whites and procrit shots for reds, lexapro, all of it.  You are at the end of along 48 week journey my friend, just continue to take things one day at a time.  Congrats for travelling the road to the end.  mindy