Grandma's ready to start

[GrandmaA]

Well I saw the liver specialist and I got my instructions for the peg-intron redipen the video and booklet. I get my shot instruction class next week. They are calling my insurance company ordering the meds to be delivered to my house. I had all my labs and ultrasound and ct scan. The doc could not believe how prepared I was. He was amazed. I told him I have been studying up on it (thanks to all of you). If I get them in time I can start on the 15th. My eye exam is on the 14th.

Grandma is ready for the roller coaster ride and she will slay the dragon!

[sfbaygirl]

Of course we wouldn't charge you, but we gotta eat and Jim likes that expensive sushi! Besides he's so good...

I think my hubby would be great in the "Psycho" stabbing video. He does a mean imitation of Saturday Night Fever and Marlon Brando too. LOL

You certainly will have to take my terrorist kittens if I come. They may eat your plants and sleep in your sinks and run across you all night long, but they are darling. John says they are much cuter than Osama and are too sweet to be terrorists. If only he felt them play all over him in the middle of the night, he might change his mind!

[Myown]

FlGuy..sounds like you't be the perfect person to match up the oldies with the newbies.
So you can work from home if you would rather do that. And Rocker would be good to watch over the nutrition, your right. It sounds like Merlino has first shot at him though, Merlino will be his first client.

SFbaygirl..the pcyho stab, thats a great name for the video. tell your husband we want him to be the model doing the demo.lol

You and Jim would charge us??But we're brethren in Hep. Okay your worth it. Let me know when there's a 2 for 1 sale. I'll have both, you can bring your kitties too.

[merlino]

How is the taste?

[GrandmaA]

Thanks for all your suggestions. Merlino you can get some Goatein for the protein shakes. It's the best. the cheapest is at Vitamin Shoppe. Get the address from the 800 no. or online. I will drink plenty of water.

[merlino]

I like that idea - FLGuy would keep me calm and informed - Rocker could help me eat right - and so on and so on - what more could a newbie ask for!!!

[sfbaygirl]

I told my husband about the jabbing and he started doing the "Pcyho" stabbing at his stomach, pretty funny!

Renting one of us, especially Jim, could be an expensive proposition. Room service, pay per view, maid service, spas could get really expensive! LOL

[FlGuy]

Depends on what you're looking for.  If you want healthy eating/living choose Rocker, if you want great bedtime stories choose Strator, if you want laughs - Goofy's your guy, if you smoke a joint once in a while - stay away from Rev.

[Myown]

No video? You have been ripped off, young lady.
Oh, good,your not a "jabber?"
I didn't want to be a jabber but if everybody does "The Jab",(reminds me of The tighten up," Archie Bell and the Drells) I was going to do it too. But, for real..I was hoping I didn't have to do that quick bam into my stomach.

Newbies should be able to rent one of you experienced people to come live with us for the treatment, do our injections, take us for the blood work, make sure the doctor is medicating us with the right meds etc. lol Life would be so much easier, definitely take the edge off of tx.

Imagine that,...  renting the forum people to come live with newbies. And you must be given a 30 day return policy, for instance if I got Jim and wanted to return him,lol(just kidding Jim) I could ask for NYgirl or Beagle, you or someone else. Coooool, that would take the stress out of it all. Probably wouldn't return Jim though, but I knew he's not sensitive and I could use him in the "return policy" explanation without him taking offense.

So, who's up to bat? Grandmas starting soon. lol

[FlGuy]

Jumping in with both feet on the same day is normal.  It takes time (a couple of weeks) for the concentration of riba to build up in your system.  Since many people have riba sleep impacts, it's a good idea to take the 3 in the am and the 2 in the pm as she suggested. Also a good idea to use a pill-box thingy.  Sometimes you can get forgetful and wonder if you had taken the riba or not.  I got in the habit of 8am and 8pm for the riba and 7ish for the peg Friday nights.  You'll get into a groove quickly.  If you take other non-hcv meds should ask doc about timing for those too.  Don't forget vitamins!

[merlino]

Dr.s office cld-confirming appt and had somne questions. She was very nice and started giving me instruction for 1st shot. She said the first shot and first riba's are to be taken together. I am to take 3 in am and 2 pm.I thought you take the first riba's next day after shot.

[FlGuy]

The tips and hints that you get here are invaluable and will help you get through tx.  Unfortunatley, the fear and the unknown that we have deep inside can only be overcome by getting into it.  Those days working up to day 1 can be nerve-wracking. The most you can hope for is to later say to yourself 'that wasn't a bad as I feared'.  You have the right motivations and that will help you through it too.

[Forseegood]

I wish you well on your journey, hope I have your spirit!!

[Lady E]

You go girl!!! I'm glad you made the right decision to do what you need to do for you!! Good luck and God Bless!!
E

[merlino]

Hi, looks like you, me Copyman and FLGuy are all starting around the same time. You have a great attitude! I am starting to get a little weak in the knees.

[merlino]

I have been trying so hard to put on weight but being stressed is making it impossible. As long as I can keep my appetite during tx maybe I won't lose too much. I have been using so much skin lotion I can slide out of my clothes. Starting to buy some organic products (per Rocker). I won't even think about the hair thing. My friend who is a nurse ( the 2nd person who knows about me) will be giving me my first shot. Kids will be away that weekend (made sure). I am a little scared to be alone but......

[FlGuy]

Soon, you'll be looking back at the good ol' days when your biggest complaint was 'weak in the knees'.  Over the weekend I pulled out 'tx-sized clothes' and moved them to the center of the closet.  I didn't quite get all my weight back so will be trying to bulk up a little over the next couple of weeks.  Getting ingredients for protein shakes together but need to do a little more reseach in that area.

[GrandmaA]

Thanks for all your comments and encouragement. I was trained as a Medical Assistant but I only shot oranges. That's when I had the titers and found out I had this HCV in 1997. Two of my friends did it last year and I can do it too. I have just enough Irish in me to give it HELL. That Irish gives me a lot of spunk. I come from very strong peasant stock. I'm doing it for Allison, my new grand baby, too. I'm taking next week off to prepare for it. I only have to work 3 days this week. My cane is ready!

[NYgirl]

Good luck!  I'm sure that you are going to make out just fine!

The redipen can be awkward but it's easy as pie...don't get nervous it hardly hurts at ALL ... just count to 3 and put it straight in and push that plunger!

Once you do it for yourself you are gonna laugh an think wow did I really need a video?  ;)

[sfbaygirl]

So who do you think should star in this injection video? The way it sounds, it needs to be someone who is good at horror movies! Maybe one of those devil posessed stars...

I know, I know, you guys want someone sexy to be the star like Britney or someone like that. LOL

[goldyn]

Good luck Grandma im proud of you, it sounds like you have a supportive family, just think by thanksgiving next year you could be SVR, and have this all behind you....

                          God Bless You on this ride

                                       Angie

[painterlady13]

Good Luck Grandma,  We will all be here for your questions and support when you need it.  So many have been here for me.  My Doc and also the Clinical coordinator that I talk to, are amazed that I am so aware and well read on this disease and it's TX.  I wouldn't be that well versed if it were not for this forum amd the support I have gotten from the members.  Just remember to drink your liquids!!!!

[Sweetie6852]

I know how you feel - when I made the decision it was no looking back - and it's a roller coaster - very applicable.

[Alady1620]

I must have missed some posts by you over the holiday bc I thought you decided not to treat.  I'm glad you changed your mind and I hope everything goes smoothly for you.

[sfbaygirl]

Congrats! You finally did it. It is a tough decision, but you can do it. Plus you are in great company around here!