I think that I should take a break from the boards...

[susan400]

I think that I need to leave the boards for awhile.  I apologize to everyone who I've been negative to lately.  I am not as selfish of a person as I may seem on here.  I do help others. My son, who is unable to reciprocate my love, who is seriously mentally ill, a friend with lung cancer, my cousin who has AML Leukemia, etc., etc.  I'm not all about me.  But, I feel that I am having trouble with being supportive with reguards to treatment and that makes it unfair to newbies.  I want to be supportive and everything that I say, if I'm truthful about it, does not seem supportive.  I'm having a hard time with it and need to quit coming on here for awhile.  I don't blame anyone for MY decision for treating all those times. I take full responsibility for my decisions and knowing the risks, I took them.  But, I can't stay on here and be honest about my experiences with lack of response to treatment and still sound encouraging.  When I can come back on here and be supportive without sounding so negative, I may be back.  But, I won't lie or sugar coat what happened to me.  That's not who I am.  I say the truth.  Finally, I think that treatment helps a lot of people and gives them SVR and protects their liver.  I still believe that. But, I do not think that it is best for everyone. I do not think that I made the right decision in doing the multiple treatments that I did.  In hindsight, I wish I had stopped at around the 3rd round.  Take care everyone.  I'll be thinking of you.

Susan

[Paris47]

I want to say something, and just don't know what to say
except ....I can relate only too well.
good luck, hope you get back here if you want, if you can..
as I said, I only know too well what you might be going
through, my thoughts and prayers are with you!

[Snookmiester]

Susan,
I truely understand you position..The thing you need to realize though, is nobody wants the sugar coating....The honesty is what is needed. There are different perspectives, different points of view, and everyone of them is warranted and needed to give the best "full" picture. HCV sucks, treatment is worse, but we grit our teeth and deal with it the best we can..I'm sure all of us wish we where dealt a better hand in life, but we can't look back. All we can do is move forward. I know that all those rounds of tx must have played their toll on you, and you question why? But Susan, you're a fighter!!!! Don't ever question why, because you did what you had to. We can't turn back time and make changes to the past, only learn from it.
I wish ya the best, and hope you stay around to keep dishing that "honesty"...

[amirtracy]

susan,
i just wanted to wish you the best. btw, your opinion is warranted and much needed. no need to sugar-coat. it's vital and people need to hear the truth. take care and don't stay away too long.   tracy

doug,
hello from orlando florida. I like you. alot.
There's many here from fla like beagle and flguy, snook, roaming, susan (who posted this thread), robbetz, many more...
So welcome to you!    tracy

[GoofyDad]

I too think it's important that your story is heard. There's a point for everyone at which tx is not worth the risks and degradation in QOL. We all draw that line in our own different places, but I personally would hope this discussion kindles folks to question whther tx is right for them at this pont in time. Doesn't matter whether it's a first tx, or 7th, it's a soul search that should have its fuse lit.

So please don't feel that your posts need to cross some imagined hurdle of positivity. This is a sucky situation, and it's senseless to pretend otherwise.

I think that's why the poop threads are so popular.... fecal matter is an uplifting breath of fresh air. Know any good fart jokes?

[Forseegood]

always good to see you! this thread is making me hungry, I say go all out if it's a holiday!!!! anyway, did you happen to see that shot of Tiger at the Masters on the 16th hole? YIKES!!!!

[DougV]

Sure come on by.

Let's see, this Friday, not sure yet, but start with Cheese or Chicken Tortellini in chicken broth.  Salad romaine and what every fresh stuff catches my fancy or sometimes simple Ceaser and I do make my own dressing.  Homemade rolls or I might do Italian in which case my son will also force Bruschetta.  Snow peas, carrots, onion, brocolli, zuchinni stir fry.  Probably a pasta, not sure which one yet that is a Friday decision, but most likely with either homemade alfredo sauce or perhaps a tomatoe double cream sauce.  Leaning towards a bone in prime rib roast with a mustard/pepper rub that I'll start marinating Thursday.  Not sure about dessert yet.  I let my son and his girlfriend make that decision but I may push creme brulee as I like the smooth cool creamy taste as a contrast to the spicy meat with dinner.  Every Friday is different, sometimes Italian, sometimes Spanish/Cuban, sometimes French, sometimes Cajun or Creole, sometimes old style Southern cooking, sometimes a mix like above, sometimes Mexican, etc.  Usually four course but nothing firm about that.

And I promise, only the freshest ingredients and not one single thing will come from a box.  Only have some Rosemary growing right now, but usually grow a half dozen fresh herbs to use.

I do most of the cooking (self defense) and Friday is my more elaborate day.

Thanksgiving and Christmas are open too.  Usually have 20-40 people show up (Most of the times I do know most of them) so seating is pretty random, inside, outside, bar counter, floor around coffee table, whatever.  Oh and starting Dec 1 I traditionally cook one different sweet each day, candy, cookie, cake, or pastry until Christmas day, oh which also always includes homemade cinammon rolls and pecan sticky buns.

Warning, I use sugar, butter, pork fat, ham bones, cheese, or whatever I think works and tastes best, oh but I use very little salt if that helps.  Rest of the week I'm careful, but Fridays and Holidays taste is my only consideration.  However FWIW fire rescue is close by.

Not a pro, just love to cook.  Instead of anti-d's or other meds cooking is my therapy.  Been doing it all my life and have traveled all around the world so I like a wide variety of foods.  Weak on pretty, pretty good on taste.

And believe it or not I even clean the kitchen and dishes as I use them.  Unfortunately due to hep I am otherwise extremely allergic to other household duties.

Doug