Reality Therapy

I just read Hep C Woman's blog and she said the Hep C came back even though she had negative readings with the 3-drug therapy.  She started a few weeks b/4 DH.  So indeed we must be ever vigilant.  It CAN come back.  DH has only 2 more Inteferon shots to go.  But, just like with the last go-round, the last few shots seem to be the hardest.  He CARRIES ON that he doesn't want to take the shot.  I feel like "Coach" at the end, and not necessarily a nice coach.  I tell him he can't quit now.  And I know he won't.  We're letting ourselves think he's cured.   I think that's OK.  It feels hopeful.

Sleepy Sunday

Sunday afternoon.  DH is asleep.  So often, DH sleeps a lot on Sunday after giving himself the Inteferon shot on Saturday night.  Today he's been sleeping a little more than usual.  Can't wait for this all to be over.

Trudging along...

Here we are in the new year.  DH gave himself the Inteferon shot last night.  He has 4 more to go (only IF the doctor allows him to stop at 24 weeks).  He's still taking the Ribavarin daily, still feeling exhausted each week after the Inteferon.  I know he's not going to believe he's cured until he stays virus free for several months after the treatment is over.  Last night he said "I'm never going to be the same."  I agreed with him.  I observed that after the 1st round of treatment, he was not his "old self" even several months after the treatment stopped.  I imagine it will be many months, if not years, before he gets back to being "Mr. SuperFit" - if he ever does.  Guess we're going to have to learn to be grateful for what we DO have - as in, NOT having HepC if and when he gets to that point for sure (I believe he WILL).

Happy Anniversary!

Today is our 10th wedding anniversary.  In 2001, DH was a Category 4 racer on his cycling team.  He had almost no body fat:  the veins in his arms stuck out.  He bragged on himself when he got his blood chemistry tested at his company's health fair because his cholesterol was so low.  It was about a year later when he donated blood and then received the letter from the blood center with the news that he had antibodies to Hepatits C in his blood (can't help but wonder why he didn't find our earlier).  His family physician told him the blood center had about 50% false positives, but come back for more testing. He chose to believe he was in the 50% and did not go back.  Fast forward to 2009 and I've dragged DH to my family physician because he's having gout-like symptoms and he's past 50 so he ought to be getting physicals and, oh by the way, doc (coming from me) he had this test result 7 years ago.  I'll always remember the look on the doc's face when I mentioned the HCV.  So, doc sends DH's blood off for testing and the result comes back "active Hepatits C."  That's when this journey began.  Off to the gastroenterologist whose name we got from family doc.  52 weeks of treatment, happy, happy when he's negative.  HCV back within 2 months.  We had allowed ourselves to believe he was cured, so those results were a huge disappointment.   Switched docs to current docs (liver specialists - MUCH better).  New docs treat the hemachromotosis that may have affected response to first round of treatment.  Then, 3rd drug approved by FDA and - here we go again. 

This is the 10th anniversary present we want:  CURED!!   SVR (sustained virological response).  Looks like we'll be getting that.

Two sickos in the house...

I elected to have elective surgery on December 22nd because of hip pain from suspected torn cartilage.  Surgery 3 days b/4 Christmas is not such a great idea, but what I really didn't figure in was the fact that now we would be a house with 2 semi-invalids instead of just one.  DH is weak and tired and now he has to wait on me because there's a lot you can't do when you're on crutches!  Oh well...the crutches are temporary.  On Thursday, I get to start using just one crutch.  DH got the medicine for the anemia from the mail-it pharmacy, but they didn't send syringes!  So, he hasn't had the 2nd shot yet.  He was supposed to have it on Sunday - today is Tuesday.  We'll have to see about getting some syringes today.

Yet another drug...

DH got his prescription for the Neulasta - or something like the Neulasta.  It's going to be another shot.  Hoping for few side effects.  One of the listed possible side effects is a ruptured spleen!!  Certainly hoping that doesn't happen.

Fighting anemia

DH found out today that his white blood cell count is low.  He has to take a 2nd injection every week and cut his Interferon in 1/2.  He DOES get to quit after another 8 weeks, but the hope is that he makes it through the 8 weeks without becoming anemic and having to stop.  He will be getting his blood tests every week for the rest of the 8 weeks.