Today has been a day for the ages.
To recap a short history: gt-1a, cirrhotic, 57yo, originally infected 40 years ago in boot camp. I've failed txt five times in the past, including last year sovaldi, ribavirin, and peg-interferon. I relapsed after achieving UND.
I've been experiencing two complications from cirrhosis. G.A.V.E. (gastric antral vascular ectasia), associated with cirrhosis although the exact causal mechanism remains unclear, requires periodic upper endoscopy during which oozing vessels in the stomach are cauterized.
I've also been diagnosed this week with hepatopulminary syndrome.
So, just before today's endoscopy, my hepatologist decided to put me on the transplant list. This way the adminiatrivia is out of the way and we can move quickly if I begin to decompensate.
My Blue Shield PPO denied the prior auth request for Harvoni, and denied my appeal. Their reason was the sovaldi relapse. So...we applied directly to Gilead Support Path for financial assistance.
I came from the endoscopy today, mulling over my new status on the transplant list, to hear a voicemail left by Gilead.
They've approved 24 weeks of Harvoni for me, and I am forever humbled by their generosity. In a very real sense, they may have saved my life today.
It will take a few days to get meds in hand, we're going to add ribavirin and procrit, and it will be sometime before that arrives.
But, I'm looking forward to starting tx #6, and I'm hopeful for the future.