I really believe that my energy is returning. I’m not so licked at the end of most days. The skin problems that were very evident during and following tx are all but a memory. It took a long time for my eyelids to stop flaring up with an itchy red looking rash. It was weird. My lids looked as if they were scalded. It flared up for the longest time following tx.
My hair is starting to thicken and I have many spiky hairs sticking up on the top of my head. It is a relief to see some volume to my hair. Debating on colouring it.
I am back to my “fighting weight” and look much healthier than I did at the end of tx.
Mentally, I’m doing very well. I have reduced my anti-d a tad and I intend to start taking it every other night starting next week. I have a forward attitude and my brain fog is lifting. I do have some moments, but I get through it.
The joint pain is an issue with me these days and I did get to my MD to get my blood work done. I’m waiting on the results and in the meantime I have started taking vitamins that I could be possibly lacking. I am happy to report that they seem to be helping.
It’s slow going to recovery and I’m starting to get near to the date when I can have my long awaited six month post treatment PCR. I intend to go the last week of July.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Completed Week 16 post treatment
Something very significant happened this week when I had an appointment with my dermatologist. He has seen me four times since I was diagnosed and went on treatment. He was the most knowledgeable and supportive and in my heart I believe that someone he knows very well has been diagnosed and has gone through treatment for Hep C. He was uncanny regarding his knowledge and he was always extremely interested in my progress throughout my tx.
Of course, he knew that I would be completed my tx by the time I went for this appointment and he made a comment that really helped me with my uncertainty at this time about treating.
He indicated that I made the right decision to treat this virus. I was shocked he said that and I thanked him for saying that as it helped me reinforce my decision to treat when that support comes from a doctor. He added...”If I had Hep C I would have made the exact same decision as you (to treat)”.
You cannot even imagine the relief I had when he said that to me. At 48 weeks into treatment I did have my days that I doubted as it was so exhausting and gruelling for me. At the end of tx and these last few weeks I also had some wavering doubt because I felt as if I had the cr@p kicked out of me and I were left on the side of the road isolated and alone with my uncertainties. I figure it’s the survival stage of tx causing these worries.
I always use my famous quote ...”I accept I have Hep C, but I cannot accept that my lifestyle contributed to it...” He indicated that I probably picked it up through medical endoscopic procedures or dental.” I don’t want to come off as a snob when I refer to this lifestyle issue I have, because I’m not. I just resent the health department/medical profession being so anxious to pigeon hole me into a reason for having Hep C. They want to make it something I did to myself. It does NOT matter how you or me were infected with Hep C. We have it why try to put us into a lifestyle slot. It just pisses me off!
A friend of mine casually said to me one day that her doctor shockingly admitted that it’s a wonder we all aren’t walking around with Hepatitis C. Interesting comment from a doc, don’t you think?
The joint pain can be restrictive on some days so I pop a Tylenol. It’s a strange thing this joint pain. I like to think that it’s the heinous drugs purging from my body. I wonder if it’s a withdrawal thing.
Energy is slowly returning, but some days are on and many days are off. I push myself to get myself back to where I was prior to tx.
Of course, he knew that I would be completed my tx by the time I went for this appointment and he made a comment that really helped me with my uncertainty at this time about treating.
He indicated that I made the right decision to treat this virus. I was shocked he said that and I thanked him for saying that as it helped me reinforce my decision to treat when that support comes from a doctor. He added...”If I had Hep C I would have made the exact same decision as you (to treat)”.
You cannot even imagine the relief I had when he said that to me. At 48 weeks into treatment I did have my days that I doubted as it was so exhausting and gruelling for me. At the end of tx and these last few weeks I also had some wavering doubt because I felt as if I had the cr@p kicked out of me and I were left on the side of the road isolated and alone with my uncertainties. I figure it’s the survival stage of tx causing these worries.
I always use my famous quote ...”I accept I have Hep C, but I cannot accept that my lifestyle contributed to it...” He indicated that I probably picked it up through medical endoscopic procedures or dental.” I don’t want to come off as a snob when I refer to this lifestyle issue I have, because I’m not. I just resent the health department/medical profession being so anxious to pigeon hole me into a reason for having Hep C. They want to make it something I did to myself. It does NOT matter how you or me were infected with Hep C. We have it why try to put us into a lifestyle slot. It just pisses me off!
A friend of mine casually said to me one day that her doctor shockingly admitted that it’s a wonder we all aren’t walking around with Hepatitis C. Interesting comment from a doc, don’t you think?
The joint pain can be restrictive on some days so I pop a Tylenol. It’s a strange thing this joint pain. I like to think that it’s the heinous drugs purging from my body. I wonder if it’s a withdrawal thing.
Energy is slowly returning, but some days are on and many days are off. I push myself to get myself back to where I was prior to tx.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Completed Week 13/Working On week 14 Post Tx
Doing pretty well now that I am 13/14 weeks past treatment. I still have issues with sore joints, espeically my hips and knees to a point of hobbling around when I get up from a sitting position or going upstairs. OUCH! YELP! All my joints ache and I do have a struggle opening things (jars, cookie bags :), treats :) as my wrists and hands are weak.
Some days I am filled with "pi$$ and vinegar" doing housework only to crash by the late afternoon to spend my evenings like a blob watching television. Other days I do moderate normal stuff, but I have done this long enough and I know I need a more structured rehabilitaiton after being dormant so long.
Exercise isn't even an option for me as I find that I'm doing so much trying to get the house back to a cleaner environment that it exhausts me. I am unsure if I should seek physiotherapy, however, knowing my doc he'd have to tell them I just completed 72 weeks of anti-viral treatment for Hepatitis. Living in Smallville that is not an option for me.
Thursday, May 7, was the first day I had an enlightenment that my memory was improving. I did a two step thing by taking stuff to the laundry out back and wanted tin foil from the pantry on the way back. I actually stopped by the pantry door and remembered the tin foil on the way back to the kitchen. Prior to this I'd go do the laundry job and not remember the tin foil at all for a while. I actually stayed on task and completed what I was doing. It was a hopeful feeling that I was actually going to get my memory back. It might not sound like a huge thing, but it is...as I was hopeless. This tells me that the riba I was taking is starting to really purge from my system. The interferon is supposed to be gone in eight weeks following the ending of tx, but the riba stays in the systems for months. I believe this to be true as many sides are still lingering to a degree. They aren't as intense, but some days the fatigue hits me as if I ran into a brick wall.
I think my hair is improving.
Some days I am filled with "pi$$ and vinegar" doing housework only to crash by the late afternoon to spend my evenings like a blob watching television. Other days I do moderate normal stuff, but I have done this long enough and I know I need a more structured rehabilitaiton after being dormant so long.
Exercise isn't even an option for me as I find that I'm doing so much trying to get the house back to a cleaner environment that it exhausts me. I am unsure if I should seek physiotherapy, however, knowing my doc he'd have to tell them I just completed 72 weeks of anti-viral treatment for Hepatitis. Living in Smallville that is not an option for me.
Thursday, May 7, was the first day I had an enlightenment that my memory was improving. I did a two step thing by taking stuff to the laundry out back and wanted tin foil from the pantry on the way back. I actually stopped by the pantry door and remembered the tin foil on the way back to the kitchen. Prior to this I'd go do the laundry job and not remember the tin foil at all for a while. I actually stayed on task and completed what I was doing. It was a hopeful feeling that I was actually going to get my memory back. It might not sound like a huge thing, but it is...as I was hopeless. This tells me that the riba I was taking is starting to really purge from my system. The interferon is supposed to be gone in eight weeks following the ending of tx, but the riba stays in the systems for months. I believe this to be true as many sides are still lingering to a degree. They aren't as intense, but some days the fatigue hits me as if I ran into a brick wall.
I think my hair is improving.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Week 13 Post Treatment
I am having so much trouble with this blog these days. I cannot copy and paste.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Week 11 Post Treatment
Completed Week 11 post treatment
This morning I am sitting here absolutely exhausted. I had a huge day trip yesterday shopping a viewing a show in the big city. I didn’t get home until 1:00 a.m. and didn’t go to sleep immediately. I was going to try to do it without a sleeping pill, but I decided not to try as I didn’t want to put myself into major exhaustion today.
I want my strength back and even though it’s coming back, my joints are screaming in pain. I’ll have to break out the Tylenol this morning.
The changes in me have been subtle since returning from the “dark side”. My skin has improved even more since the last time I mentioned it here. I still have the speckled scars of the aftermath of the rash.
My hair is starting to return. Little sprigs and sprites popping up here and there and I have figured out how to fluff it so I look like my old self.
I probably look OK in appearance, but the inside is struggling to feel normal. Stomach problems are not gone, but improving. Eyelids are still giving me itching flare ups. Joints and muscles are giving me grievous agony.
I exhaust easily.
I want to do more, but cannot push it.
However, at the end of all this moaning life is much better for me these days.
This morning I am sitting here absolutely exhausted. I had a huge day trip yesterday shopping a viewing a show in the big city. I didn’t get home until 1:00 a.m. and didn’t go to sleep immediately. I was going to try to do it without a sleeping pill, but I decided not to try as I didn’t want to put myself into major exhaustion today.
I want my strength back and even though it’s coming back, my joints are screaming in pain. I’ll have to break out the Tylenol this morning.
The changes in me have been subtle since returning from the “dark side”. My skin has improved even more since the last time I mentioned it here. I still have the speckled scars of the aftermath of the rash.
My hair is starting to return. Little sprigs and sprites popping up here and there and I have figured out how to fluff it so I look like my old self.
I probably look OK in appearance, but the inside is struggling to feel normal. Stomach problems are not gone, but improving. Eyelids are still giving me itching flare ups. Joints and muscles are giving me grievous agony.
I exhaust easily.
I want to do more, but cannot push it.
However, at the end of all this moaning life is much better for me these days.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Week 10 Post Treatment
Two words...acid reflux. I visited my regular doc over a week ago and he scribed me pills for acid reflux. I take two a day and I was dubious at the first as I didn’t have the obvious symptoms for acid reflux. However, I am pleased to say that after seven days of full meds I think they are doing the trick. It’s not gone, but the pain has subsided to a dull roar. I must have had it all through tx as I had that constant pain to one side. Interesting that I managed to get through 72 weeks of treatment and then once I stopped treatment it hit like a sledgehammer.
I still have the liver ache here and there. It is a different pain and the infamous “non-existent” liver ache is to be expected.
Still struggling with some skin issues. Mainly on my eyelids and lips. My eyelids are almost scalded looking on some days and itchy as heck. My doc agreed to let me use (sparingly) .05% cortisone cream on the lids. I must reinforce that I do use it sparingly as it is not supposed to be used close to the eyes and it can thin the skin. I am hopeful that this will go away soon.
Joint pain is hovering and has become worse as I purge the drugs from my system. I keep active by running up and down stairs and doing more things around the house. I intend to do minor light weight exercises this week. I cannot put it off as I can hardly open a jar and I need the strength building. That throb in the joints is there and those muscles scream from inactivity for 72 weeks of existing as two feet and a heartbeat.
I drive the car now and on Thursday I was driving to an appointment and I actually caught myself smiling. I am starting to have good days. The energy is zapped by the evening most days, but there are days I just want to do absolutely nothing.
By doing stuff around the house and being able to go and do what I want I am getting a sense of control of my life. While I was on treatment I had no control over anything that was important to me. I couldn’t be a Mom, Wife, Daughter, Sister, Friend as my whole life was consumed with treatment. I can do that now. The issue isn’t about me anymore.
I still have the liver ache here and there. It is a different pain and the infamous “non-existent” liver ache is to be expected.
Still struggling with some skin issues. Mainly on my eyelids and lips. My eyelids are almost scalded looking on some days and itchy as heck. My doc agreed to let me use (sparingly) .05% cortisone cream on the lids. I must reinforce that I do use it sparingly as it is not supposed to be used close to the eyes and it can thin the skin. I am hopeful that this will go away soon.
Joint pain is hovering and has become worse as I purge the drugs from my system. I keep active by running up and down stairs and doing more things around the house. I intend to do minor light weight exercises this week. I cannot put it off as I can hardly open a jar and I need the strength building. That throb in the joints is there and those muscles scream from inactivity for 72 weeks of existing as two feet and a heartbeat.
I drive the car now and on Thursday I was driving to an appointment and I actually caught myself smiling. I am starting to have good days. The energy is zapped by the evening most days, but there are days I just want to do absolutely nothing.
By doing stuff around the house and being able to go and do what I want I am getting a sense of control of my life. While I was on treatment I had no control over anything that was important to me. I couldn’t be a Mom, Wife, Daughter, Sister, Friend as my whole life was consumed with treatment. I can do that now. The issue isn’t about me anymore.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Eight Weeks Post-Treatment
Completed Week 8 post treatment
Visited the clinic this week and received the results of my ultra sound I had the week before. Everything checked out and I was so relieved. I expected my liver or some other organ in there to be swollen, inflamed or diseased. It has been somewhat resolved and my treating doctor (who I met for the first time this week) indicated that it is stomach acid. Also, my right side pain is from a pulled muscle as in my weakened state I probably pushed myself a little too hard. He indicated that reaching up to get something out of the cupboard would cause this agony for someone like me who was inactive for so long. I accept that. However, I did have it to a lesser degree for two years so I must have had a low grade inflammation there.
Two days of a dissolving stomach pill and things are better.
I had my eight week post treatment blood tests done while I was there. PCR to be done end of July 2009.
I just want to feel like my old self and I am impatient. However, all those sides that were such huge issues during treatment have slowly subsided except for the fatigue. I have more energy and I want to keep going, but I get hauled back to my weakened state continually.
Minor stuff and as I said, I am so glad that the ultra sound came back OK. Phew! I dodged that bullet.
I think I saw a hair, yesterday. LOL
One thing I’m even more thankful for these last few days is that my younger boy walked away from a serious vehicle accident unhurt. It happened last Saturday morning. A van caused the accident and fled the scene to leave my son and his friend to struggle out of the crumpled vehicle. It was pretty serious and both boys were taken by ambulance and checked out at the hospital. They were both OK (tumbled and turned), extremely lucky, but my young fella’s car was written off. I hardly care, they are still both unscathed and healthy young boys.
Interestingly, the jerk that caused the accident and fled the scene has been caught on video camera that is a part of the security system of a business located in the area. The tape has been turned over to the police.
Visited the clinic this week and received the results of my ultra sound I had the week before. Everything checked out and I was so relieved. I expected my liver or some other organ in there to be swollen, inflamed or diseased. It has been somewhat resolved and my treating doctor (who I met for the first time this week) indicated that it is stomach acid. Also, my right side pain is from a pulled muscle as in my weakened state I probably pushed myself a little too hard. He indicated that reaching up to get something out of the cupboard would cause this agony for someone like me who was inactive for so long. I accept that. However, I did have it to a lesser degree for two years so I must have had a low grade inflammation there.
Two days of a dissolving stomach pill and things are better.
I had my eight week post treatment blood tests done while I was there. PCR to be done end of July 2009.
I just want to feel like my old self and I am impatient. However, all those sides that were such huge issues during treatment have slowly subsided except for the fatigue. I have more energy and I want to keep going, but I get hauled back to my weakened state continually.
Minor stuff and as I said, I am so glad that the ultra sound came back OK. Phew! I dodged that bullet.
I think I saw a hair, yesterday. LOL
One thing I’m even more thankful for these last few days is that my younger boy walked away from a serious vehicle accident unhurt. It happened last Saturday morning. A van caused the accident and fled the scene to leave my son and his friend to struggle out of the crumpled vehicle. It was pretty serious and both boys were taken by ambulance and checked out at the hospital. They were both OK (tumbled and turned), extremely lucky, but my young fella’s car was written off. I hardly care, they are still both unscathed and healthy young boys.
Interestingly, the jerk that caused the accident and fled the scene has been caught on video camera that is a part of the security system of a business located in the area. The tape has been turned over to the police.
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