Perspective... Which mountain are you sitting on???

Hi Everyone...

Isn't nice to know that we have a serious disease? I mean just think of it.. there are a million people out there today who are going to die today. Some unlucky man is about to cross the street and doesn't that it will be the last street he crosses. I hope he said goodbye to his family before he left. A few thousand children will pass quietly from malnutrition.. they probably aren't even aware that they are going today. There will be a few car accidents.. fatal ones, a plane will crash somewhere, a train will derail, floods, earthquakes, snakebites, poison, and a whole myriad of other natural and 'unnatural' causes.. Cancer, bad hearts, homocide, et al.

The reason I post this is just to remind us that we are on the same train, same destination.. some just get off sooner than others.. BUT for crying out loud it's a ride, a journey, a place where we can all help the one sitting across us who is terrified of getting off the train.

I want to be fully aware that this is not a merry-go-round. There is a destination. I only hope that I have prepared for the last stop.. beyond it, regardless of you one believes, is SOMETHING.. I happen to believe that LIFE begins at death.. Death began at BIRTH.. Paradox? Yea, you better believe it. But that's the way it is.

My final word - honest!  IF Hep doesn't get us...SOMETHING else will. <----- (that's a period).. No one is gets off the planet alive (oxymoron)SO..I pray that your death will be a peaceful one, one in which you will be able to help others become more at peace with the finality..

[cuteus]

Why did you have to make me think about the "end"?
I know that what you say is an awareness we should carry with us every moment of our lives, but It is depressing to do so some days.
"There is time, there is always tomorrow" we tell ourselves...just so that we can remain in our fantasy land.
And what starry sky were you staring at when these thoughts enveloped you?
Maybe it was the mare's milk?
live long and prosper

[nolee]

Glad to hear you are doing well. I can't believe it but this Friday is #24 for me and I can hardly wait. It has to be great 'cause I hit a blood vessel Friday nite and #23 kicked my $%#@!! Bought me a farm (closing today) and will be building a house on it soon. I was a developer/builder in my earlier life so I will build this with my own 2 hands and feel extremely lucky to be able to do it. Life as I used to know it may never be the same but I will do everything in my power to get back to normal. Been displaced from my 3 kids during most of tx and really miss them. 10-12 &14 years old and they really need their Daddy back. My x-wife has also been extremely supportative by bringing them out to see me a few times and to tell you the truth, she and I get along better now than every before. To all of you post tx'ers, I wish you well and to the currents and newbies, jeez if I could do it, anybody can! Positive thinking, rest and healthy lifestyle will get you far into this battle. Always read our posts but depend on your doctors before trying to sway from the given path. I'll be lurking in the shadows (here) and will jump in as needed but I really feel that I will be leaving this tx trip in great hands from many others in this forum. Luv ya all! ~Neal~

[Amerabrit]

You sound great!  best of luck with the farm:).

[Califia]

I feel like I just reached the mountaintop, so this is a perfect thread to burst in on.  My 6-week PCR finally came back after a month of nail-biting:  there's been a 3-log drop down to VL of 1,911.    As I'm a geno 1b and in this for the long haul, this is pretty encouraging news.  I definitely expect to be clear at 12 weeks.   Buying my bus ticket in advance!

[mikesimon]

Very nice. Congratulations to you. Mike

[Califia]

Thanks, y'all.   It's good to celebrate with you.

[honey1616]

Woooo Hoooo!! Great News!! We got a seat saved for ya!!  All the way,,,,,SVR's!!!

[honey1616]

Chuck,,,you are right,,,We can live in fear or look forward to our adventure and relax,,,Just go with the flow!!  Good to see ya Chuck!

Nolee,,,Wow,,,I remember when you started this,,,seems like just a month ago! Glad you are through!!  The farm,,,Well sounds awesome,,,Something I would love to do one day also! Its weird but this disease and tx can turn things around in a positive way and make you so darn happy that you have all the little things and family means so much!!  Take Care and Keep In Touch!!

[Sam Hall]

Yes i tried to say something like that in my clumsy way the other day. There is a parts of this i celebrate, the way this has put the brakes on my ego and brought some humlity. And communicated with some excellant people. This plus my life so far what an adventure.
Sam Hall
ps Funny i'm doing a seminar tommorow about life as a person with a personality disorder,beeen told to tone it down a bit we want people to return. The second half of the programme is a progressive pharmacist talking Mnetal Health drugs. I've a few questions for her on ADs.

[Califia]

Ain't that the truth about getting back to basics.  What a simple joy it is!   Anyone remember this great campfire song from summer camp back in the day?

Peace I ask of thee, O river, peace, peace, peace.
When I learn to live serenely, cares will cease.
From the hills I gather courage, vision of the day to be,
Strength to lead and faith to follow, all are given unto me.
Peace I ask of thee, O river, peace, peace, peace.

[Docsgold]

Congratulations on your 3 log drop.  It took my pcr exactly 10 days to return.  I don't like waiting on results so I ask my nurse to write on the lab order, "give copy of lab to pt" so I can get my labs sooner than having to wait on the doctor.

I too am a 1b, VL 4.5 mill, just got my 12 week pcr and it is clear! I was waiting for the 2 log drop, so it was really a surprise.  I will not get another pcr until after tx is over.  I now have 34 weeks to go.  

I have found it strange how pcr's are ordered so differently, some at 6 or 8 or 12 weeks, then seems like every 12 weeks thereafter.  I was expecting to get another pcr at least at week 24, but now am not really worried about it--and was too astounded with my good news to argue with the doc.

I usually just come here to find solutions for side effects and read up on how people are doing (or arguing, so sorry for that).  Rarely post, but felt like telling you congratulations.

[Califia]

Glad my good news drew you out of lurking.  It's great to meet you, and keep up that good work.  I have to agree that a 6 week test is a bit strange.  I wanted to ask for it at 4 weeks but was uncharacteristically shy.   When I DID ask, I was pleasantly surprised to get the green light.  Heck, we should all be testing after the first 24 hours -- that's when the crucial first response takes place.

I'm a Kaiser Permanente patient, btw -- everything goes through the doctor's office.   The last PCR only took 10 days to process.... ????!

[silvermoon]

I am so excited for you! you must be dancing on air!!!,,this news should help to brighten the dark days!!!   Love ya.. Carol

[derail]

Asmall comment of religous nature A poem I wrote when undergoing chemo back in 95 hope it doesn't offend anyone
Accept in your faith
The path God has paved
Be still and listen
To others on their way
Rejoice together, His honour
Be as one and love

DARYL

[snook_man]

Congratulations!!!!! I know the relief of knowing it is working will put a smile on your face for days!!! This will definately be the end to hep c, and now you'll have all this extra money that you used to spend on herbs, and tx, to spend on better things... I wish you the best, and again, congrats!!!!!!!!!!!

[LvdByGod]

CONGRADULATIONS AND PRAYERS CALIFIA!!!

sandi

[Kyrgyzstan_Kat]

In the mountains of the Philipine Jungles, monkeys are caught using a very simple and effective method..

An unbreakable container (for the monkey) is fixed to a tree or some other immovable object. A hole is drilled into the container and a cheap gadget (bell, mirror, or some other novelty)is placed in there. The monkey comes by and wants the object, reaches in and grabs hold. Problem is: The fist will not go back out with the object. Solution: Let GO OF THE OBJECT!!!

No, instead, my buddie Mr. Monkey wants it so bad that it will cost him his life.

There's a moral to this story... somewhere!!

KyrgyzKat
aka Chuck

[Amerabrit]

great news!

[Amerabrit]

You probably know by now that I am not religious.  I do respect that others embrace religion and their faith serves them well,   How could I, or anyone else possibly be offended by that?  You too, have overcome so much with cancer, diabetes and now HCV and are another of our true heroes, you too get the platinum medal!  Have a great day, Daryl:).

[Sam Hall]

Yeah i think your right about Mr monkey .....and maybe more than one moral.
Sam Hall

[Showboat]

I am very happy for you......this news sure does make the journey to SVR easier.

[Califia]

Thanks, everyone, for your lovely good wishes.  I haven't had such a big grin on my face since Lady Showboat called me a ho the other night!  A charge I took very seriously, Sho' Nuff, so I've been working on that SVR strut  a little bit every day,  left shoulder left hip dropped,  lead with the liver, kind of pivot with the left foot,  keep that right flank at an in-your-face diagonal,  lead with the liver...  Okay, looks good, now let's add a little music to that....

[Showboat]

That is funny.......You sure do know your "stuff" LOL....
I got the "vision" of that in my head now.......(are you a dancer?)
We need to start the HepC School of Dance.......LOL

[Califia]

Yes, indeed,  I  have put in my time on those hard wooden studio floors.   So altogether now--I'm thinking a little of Marvin's "Ain't No Mountain High Enough"  will start us off slow and liver-rollin' easy...

[fsplink]

I'm sooooo happy to hear the great news. By the way, do we have to wear a tutu to the Hepc School of Dance or would our tattered robes be more appropriate? And I keep doing left shoulder right hip drop!! I just can't get it right!!! Brain frogs!!!

[Califia]

Easy, let  the whole left side slump, hip, shoulder, let it down easy--there you go!    Well, back in my modern dance days you weren't serious unless your old tights and leotards were darned a million times.  The more raggedyass, the more serious you were.   I never did get that whole aerobics class / brand new spandex thing.  Pure frou frou.   So, yeah, I'd say there should be a few holes these robes and stockings.  These ho's been around a bit, baby.   They the hardworkingest ho's in show business!

[Califia]

Hep C Caring Ambassadors has an amazing web site with a full range of  detailed information.  Excellent section on nutritional supplements for HCV:   http://www.hepcchallenge.org/Manual/supplements_final.htm