Pegasys in December

[Hank's mom]

Hi All -

It's been a year of ups and downs, births and deaths, good health and bad, and though Thanksgiving doesn't mark the end of the calendar year, it does mark a time to look back and reflect on all we do have with appreciation.

My warmest wishes that you can count your joys to heal the heartaches tempered by all you have.

With love and gratitude that you all are a part of my life,
Susie

[dusty567]

Hey all,
I got good news at the doc last week==white counts at 3.7 just below low end normal, platelets normal, and TSH normal.  AST & ALT also normal.  No VL til the end of the 72 weeks--maybe just to be sure of no interference by insurance, I don't know, but it is ok with me.  Only the red count went down a bit to 10.0 from 10.1, so I still run down easily, but I ain't complaining!  I am thankful.
Hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving!
God Bless,
Cathy

[dusty567]

Just went back to read posts and felt I needed to respond to your questions.  No further progress on painiting.  We baby sit on Fridays for hubby's 2 granddaughters (2, & 5).  We take the 5 year to kindergarten and then only have the 2 year old all day (6:30am til about 8 pm).  Their mom is an RN so she works 12 hour shifts F,S,S (sat & sun older daughter keeps them).  Lately she has been picking up an extra day or two per week, so we have had those added to us.  They are good girls, so it isn't really a problem.

Siatic nerve problems caused by a really bad sprain when I was 18.  Turned my foot completely under and pulled everything up to my hip.  Never went to a doc.  So hip has been out of place for all these years.  Had the shots back last year and some physical therapy before starting tx--helped a lot, so I am hoping it will again.  I also have a bulging disc and a herniated disc, spurs in my neck from 3 cases of whiplash and arthritis (osteo) all over.  Getting old is hard--I will be 59 next month, but I am feeling pretty good for someone on tx.  44 weeks down and 28 to go on 72 total if my math is right.  Hopefully this time will work and the svr will last.

No referral for siatic nerve problem yet, but I do have one for a neurologist for my migraines and an ear, nose, throat speciality for my allergies.  Been on Zomig, Allegra 180, and Flonase for years--may need a change.
Thanks so much for caring!  Sometimes it is hard to feel like anyone at home does, but you all know how that goes.  It is hard for them to relate.

God Bless you all!

[Snowflake]

HELLO,

CATHY, I AM PLEASED TO READ YOUR TEST RESULTS, SOUNDS LIKE YOUR BODY IS HANGING IN THERE, HOLDING IT'S OWN...
I FORGOT YOU ARE DOING THE 72 WEEKS, FINGERS CROSSED FOR A LASTING SVR...
YOUR POOR BACK, I SURELY HOPE YOU ARE ABLE TO FIND SOME RELIEF, SOON...I WISH YOU WELL ON YOUR APPT WITH THE NEUROLOGIST FOR YOUR MIGRAINS AND ALLERGIES. MY MIGRAIN MED MAXALT HAS STOPPED WORKING FOR ME, JUST LIKE THE IMITREX DID . I NEED TO GO BACK AND SEE WHAT CAN BE DONE..I REALLY FEEL FOR YOU....
I ALSO WATCH TWO OF MY GRANDKIDS, TWO BOYS AGES 7 AND 5. I HAVE THEM AFTER SCHOOL ON WEDS THUR FRIDAY. IT HELPS KEEP MY MIND OFF MY OWN STRUGGLES.. I APPLAUD YOU FOR GOING THE EXTRA MILES OF WATCHING THE GIRLS WHILE ON TX. THAT REALLY HAS TO BE TOUGH EVEN IF THEY ARE GOOD... BLESS YOUR HEART, YOU ARE A VERY GIVING PERSON...
YES, IT IS HARD FOR OUR LOVED ONES TO UNDERSTAND ALL WE ARE GOING THOUGH..IT'S ONE DAY AT A TIME FOR SURE...
THE PAINTING WILL PROGRESS IN TIME, WHEN IT IS RIGHT...

JAN, THANK YOU FOR YOUR KIND WORDS, I AM FEELING BETTER, I THINK THE ANTIBIOTIC IS FINALLY KICKING IN. I SHOULD GET A CALL ABOUT SOME TESTS RESULTS TODAY ON THE INFECTION. THEY CALLED YESTERDAY WITH MY APPT. TO THE UROLOGIST FOR THE CYSTOSCOPY. THEY MADE IT FOR JAN. 4TH...
LOOKS LIKE I WILL BE ABLE TO ATTEND THANKSGIVING WITH MY DAUGHTER AND HER FAMILY AT HER INLAWS IF I KEEP FEELING BETTER...THANKGOODNESS!!!
I SURE HOPE YOUR PRODUCTS ARE COMING ALONG AND YOU ARE NOT STRESSED OUT... WILL YOU HAVE HELP FRIDAY?

SUSIE, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR REFLECTIONS AND KIND WORDS. WISHING ALL THE BEST, FOR A WARM AND HAPPY THANKSGIVING WITH LOVED ONES AND FRIENDS...

TAKE CARE
WINONA

[Hank's mom]

Hi All -

I just wanted to make a few comments...

I know I'm not here too often, trying of making a go of something in the "Real World" and all. But, the thing is, I never have any of you far from my thought. Often I reflect on your stories and your coping mechanisms through all sorts of mean stuff, not including HCV which is mean enough.

I am so thankful for meeting you in October 05. Can it be that long? Oh well, I felt I'd found a home with this tightly knit group - almost as if I had joined an old-fashioned, not that we are, quilting bee, where everyone can speak of matters personal and meaningful.

You're the best!
Susie

[jan]

HI everyone!
My Pc has been down, I tried to fix it but I really runined it so I am on my daughter now and I have to take it to get fixed.
I am doing my last show this weekend.
Its snowing here. a bad wet snow.
Hate to see it but it was due.
Glad to see all your post.
Hope alis well with everyone.
I miss seing Kentucky post I miss everyone post.
After my shows i'll be on more.
I hope to get a job but none are to be found rightnow.
its going to be atough winter for us if I don't find some sort of work.
Everything goes up and the money doesn't.
Our insurance went up where Paul works, I am scared we over extened ourselves by insuring Holly.
But she is in school and needs her medical insurance.
My son who is in NC can't come home for xmas, he can't get the time off and doesn't have enough money.
Well I am off to get more work done,
love to you all take care, Jan

[Hank's mom]

Oh man Jan!

You musta had the same lovely evening with your internet as I did - thinking we share storms so often. What a pain! Sometimes you don't want to hop on, but when you can't...

I keep hearing the economy is making small and few steps toward the + sign again, but I think the trickle down is going to take a long time. I hear you about the kids' insurance. Such a pain and even more for them if we're having trouble with ours, if you catch my drift. It is just SO important.

I'm posting this elsewhere on the board - I gave up my license yesterday at last. Hate it, cried, tried to trouble shoot but kept getting more upset as I went, so took a Adavan (being prescribed again for this panic attacks) and went t bed early. I know I can't really be threatened about the driving, but the doc made a couple of good points that I have been working too hard to letting out - if I get in a crash no insurance will carry the costs because I am aware of my ammonia - if I do or don't hurt someone, I will be charged by the police - killing someone, albeit accidently, would be nothing short of vehicular homicide, and the doc, though he respects doctor/patient priviledge, will have to try and if he fails, really should report me for being a danger to myself and others. I get it, especially because I won't necessarily happen to me that way. A friend just got slammed by his ammonia so bad, he thought it was politics -1964, which is weird, he was born in 64. Other than that he was totally lost. Oh well, I reason that if my friend was drunk, I would take their car keys, and ammonia is pretty much the same.

Boohoo, ENOUGH!

I hope everyone is doing well and your xmas plans, though economically altered, are coming together.

Susie

[jan]

Merry Christmas week!!!!
Its coming upon us for sure, another year.
My shows are over for now.
I haven't found any temp work.
everytime I apply online it turns up to be a dead end.
One that I applied for was just trying to get info so they could sell stuff.
I juist sent a box of xmas cheer to my son in NC.
I will miss him for sure. this will be the first Christmas with out him.
It sucks getting older.
This ecomony sucks, something I nevered experinced before. takes the joy out of it.
But I am still trying to keep the sprit high.
Take one day at a time.
Susie, sorry to hear you had to give your license up. That must of been hard. but as long as you can get around, what the heck.
Glad you don't live in a isolated area. Another sign of  things changing.
Other then that how are you now?
Its been awhile since that last post of yours.
I love yor post. you have a way with words, thats for sure. Have you been doing any art work?
Have you ventured to do any craft shows this season?
How many kids do you have in college?
Yes this recession will take a while to trickle down to me.
I feel like taking off to somewhere warm. but I'd run out of money fast.
I did get my pc fixed but haven't set it up yet.
I have to set it up as new. lost everything.
I will never open up fowards again. I feel bad becasue some are so funny and enjoyable.
I get some from Joyce from time to time. She has good ones. but the one that crashed didn't come from her or anyone here.
Winona, how are you doing? Feeling beter??.
Did you have a happy thanksgiving??
I hope everyone did.
I have to go clean now, Love, Jan

[Snowflake]

Hello Jan, So sorry your son will not be home for Christmas. I know that has to be tough not sharing the Holidays with him. We will not be seeing two of our kids this year as well as 4 grandkids. But we did finally get their gifts off in the mail to them. Our son is on a misson right now and we don't know where. So our prayers will be with him...
How did your shows go, did you do ok?
Our Thanksgiving was good here, we had several invitations, but only made one. Then came home and relaxed with full bellies...
My mom and brother will get here this evening from Washington. We have a storm brewing, so I hope their trip goes ok..

Susie, How are you doing, sorry about your license...
Cathy, I hope TX is moving along for you and you are doing ok...

TTYL
TAKE CARE
 Winona

[jan]

Hi everyone!
its been a while since I last posted.
Seem like our poor thread is dying.  :'(Well i do miss everyone.
I hope all is well with everyone..
Thank you everyone for dropping by from time to time.
I had a OK Christmas, lots of fun with little Trey, kind of took up the sadness for not seeing my son.
Life was so much fun when the kids were younger and times were more fruitful.
I guess thoese memories will be tucked away in the memory bank of joy.
I am truly thankful for them.
I always have a way of thinking things will work out but each year it gets harder and harder.
I am a bit nervous this year.
my shows are done for now, there are no jobs to be had.
 I am fortunate that my husband is working. too bad things are so expensive.
Kentucky how are you? havent heard from you in awhile.
Winona, my prayers are with you and your family for your son. i hope your feeling fine.
mom and Joyce and Betty. take care ok
I know the winter is no fun.
Love , Jan

[dusty567]

Hey Jan,
I know it was hard for you this Christmas.  We decided to go to FL this Christmas--just hubby, me , and the two fur kids.  I know my siblings were kinda miffed at me for not wanting to do Christmas one last time at mom's, but I just couldn't.  She died in March.  It was hard enough at Dad died 6 years ago. And never quite the same ever since my oldest son died just after his last Christmas there in 1989.  To me that house has become a house of sad memories.  They finally got an appraisal on it and hopefully, we will be selling it to the couple from whom my parents originally bought the propery.  It is acutally the back side of their property so they have a vested interest in buying it.  The lady and I went to college together and she really became like another daughter to our mom.

I did shot 51 last night.  Only 21 more to go.  It has been a long, long road with lots of emotional and physical ups and downs, but I know I will make it.

The neurologist I went to about possibly changing my migraine meds put me through a brain MRI which was weird, then and EMG which was horribly painful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  and left my poor aching back in more of a mess than ever!!!  If I had known that, I would have waited until I got back from our trip to do that one, but I had no idea what he was going to do with electrodes and needles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I think he likes to torture people!!!  I won't know any of his results or conclusions until I go back to him on the 21st.  He did give me some pain meds. and muscle relaxers.

Meanwhile, the BACK doctor I went to see, is sending me for an MRI on my lower back.  He said based on my MRI from 2005 I was a candidate for surgery, but that should always be the last options.  I just want some pain relief.

[Hank's mom]

Hi All -

Haven't posted in awhile - again. We really lose internet for almost a week - storm country. And, since I can only walk to the road where I can stick out my frozen little thumb... cyber bars were out too.

Truth is, maybe it's the losing the license thing, but all I want to do is sleep. It's just like I was pre-dx when I asked the doc to find out what was wrong.

Hank the dog and I go for walks when we can - got these really cool "yak traks" - they're like chains for your boots so you don't slide on the ice. Hockey docs wear them so they can run out on the ice and help the injured without making fools of themselves.  Otherwise, I've been using my snowshoes Tried with hank, but he went off on all kinds of adventures and then pop up out of nowhere - had me all stressed out since the neighbors have a couple of new calves and Mr. Curious just had to check it out.

Anyway, I can see and hear from here and other spots on the board that things are tough all over. One good thing about tx is that it made us pretty hard to keep down.

Love you all,
Susie

[jan]

Hi everyone,
Cathy you more then half way there.Sorry about the Dr. torturing you. I hate when that happens.
Did you have fun in Florida anyways? Good thing you went then and not now,  I have seen the weather there isn't very warm.
I hope you can get relife for your back. mine goes out a lot and I have to take meds, take it easy then hopefully it doesn't last too long.
I am going to try to exersice every day now. it will help with stress and my health in general. Its really been too cold for me to walk out side. I hate the cold cold wind. I'll do something inside, get out the old ball and move.
Mom, I am gald to hear your walking with your dog. Our dog  while walking her got lose off the chain and horrified someones chickens, we got her away from them with out any damage... it was embarrising.
I have been wanting to sleep a lot too, it think its like wanting to hibernate this winter.
I do have a couple of orders to do, so i'd better get a move on.
maybe tomorrow. Winona, Kentucky how are ya? Joyce?
have good one, love, Jan

[Snowflake]

Hello Ladies,

Looks like everyone is getting hit with storms, we have rain with 25 to 35 mile an hour winds. It is suppose to continue thoughout the week. We can sure use the rain and snow pack, we have been in a drought for several years now. But it doesn't look good for some where they had the fires. Talking about mudd slides...
We have had quite a few earthquakes lately as well, one at 6.5.. It seems they are picking up all over the world.
My heart goes out to the Haitians, it is such an impoverished country and now this. It seems every where in the world they are getting hit by something... I feel very fortunate to live where I do...

I go for a Renal Ultrasound Wednesday, I won't know anything until February 2nd. I need to do my PCR in February as well to see where I am at... Jan, did you ever do yours yet?

I don't remember if I metioned Bill got me a puppy. Her name is Sophie, she is a Silky Terrier. I have had her acouple of months now. She is a hand full with a mind of her own. I am really going to have to start working with her alot more. Buddy has warmed up to her and they play all the time now...

My mom has been here for over 5 weeks now, she is going home on the first of Feb. She is doing better, came down alot, still up enough to be able to visit. We had a party for her Saturday, it was her 81st Birthday. I think she had a wonderful time, everyone showed up...

Mariah has been passing out at school, she has some appts. coming up with the cardio and nuroligist (sp)..
She has been having alot of problems, chest and stomach pain as well as some other things. We are wondering what the heck is going on and are really worried about her. She went to Winter Formal the other night with her boyfriend Ricky. They are getting way to serious, talking about marriage. He signed up for 6 years in the Air Force and will be going in Feb. She is talking about joining him after training, putting college second... Needless to say her parents are not to happy...

Well, I should get off here and get some things done...

TAKE CARE
 Winona

[jan]

Hi Everyone.
looks like our site is not well traveled anymore.
Winona has eanyone find out what is wrong with Mariah? How is she doing?
Kids grow so fast and have a mind of their own. I hope its nothing serious.
Things with your mother sound good. i am happy for you there.
Did you get your test result back yet.?
what did it show?
So the new puppy is wokring out. That will keep you busy. We found a new home for Annie.. she is getting more attention and is happier. She wasn't getting what she needed here and I felt so sorry for her. sad to see her leave but I knew it was for the better.
I don't like seeing dog lonley and tied up and she wasn't a good house dog. Hated to be in.
Tracy had a baby boy feb 2, named him fin.
Now one of these days maybe one will call me lala. so far its nana.
I go in march to for my yearly test if they even test every year now. I think she said it may be longer.
but its only a blood test so no biggie.
Has your mother left yet?
We haven't had alot of snow this year so far. I hope it stays this way.
south have gotten more then ever.
Well I hope to hear from Tracy today
Baby and mom are doing very well. hopefully we will go friday to see them
tty later, love jan