SO WHAT MOTIVATES YOU TO DO TX???? (...and other post)

[shebee]

There are so many on tx.  


I was wondering what motivates you?



Why are you on tx or going to tx?








I realize that this seems like a silly question, but I would like to know.

(Forgive me for taking up space, but please feel free to post other topics here.  

However, I believe that your answer is important.  
Sometimes, during a crisis situation, it helps others to have a reason to keep going on.  Tx is tough, but not impossible.

There are many lurkers out there, (COME ON YOU GUYS, POST!  lol!) and who knows...your answer might be the very one that will help someone else make it through.

Do something  good for mankind,  

Shebee

[jg2001]

This is a good question and one that I would like to read other responses to.  For me, the reason I will start tx is for several reasons.  I am 41 and newly married, my first marriage (4 months, 19 days new!), I have a 12 year old son, I take care of my disabled mother, I have 2 cats and one puppy (who just turned two, pomeranian) and my husband and I just bought a home in October.  I'm tired.  I have no energy. It's a chore to make my bed in the mornings.  I would rather go through a year of hell, if that is what it takes to get rid of this disease, than to live the rest of my life feeling like this.  I am hoping that the sx are manageable.  But even if they are not, it's a small price to pay to feel better in the end.  To me, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel and I haven't even started the journey yet.  'm scared, but I'm ready for the battle.

Jamie

[jonihs]

For me it was a choice of maybe livivg a couple of years or another 10 or 15. And the qol couldn't be an better now. I had no energy, no appetite and no interest in things I used to do, including my sex drive. I've only been on 9/24 and I can tell the difference, even if it's just a little.Given the choice again, I'd make the same one. Joni

[dheana]

I need your help.
I'm four weeks after tx and feeling emotionally unwell. I've discussed with my doctors, the GI says it's from depression, The psychiatrist says that I still have the Riba and Interf in my blood. Don't know what to belive. I ask you because only people who went through this nightmare could say if this are still tx sx or is something wrong with my mind.
I had't  never have trouble with depression and anxiety, the level seems to become unbearable, I just can't work, I can't watch tv or see people on the street without crying and feeling like my body is shaking and chills or flushes are going through my body.

[Revenire]

I have family that needs me: from my wife and children to an aging and sick mother.

Most in the world are less fortunate than I am (and I am just a middle class -- you know that vanishing breed -- American): I mean they don't get enough food, they don't have running water, they die from things we in the US take for granted. I have a contribution to make to the world before I go.

I love life and I'm scared if I don't treat I will die from complications of HCV. You know? Being diagnosed with this has made me realize just what a gift life is.

If I don't get a SVR I am treating again, and again, and again. This disease won't take me without the fight of my life. I'm going to kill it or it is going to kill me.

[BD146]

I CHOSE TX  (2ND TIME AROUND) BECAUSE THE CHANCE OF A LONGER LIFE WITH TREATMENT IS A BIG REWARD...  I HAVE 3 DAUGHTERS...ONE RECENTLY MARRIED...AND TWINS WHO REACHED THE AGE OF 21 ON X/MAS DAY.... THEY ALL NEED ME... AND I NEED THEM...MY WIFE ...WHO IS MY BEST FRIEND... HAS ALWAY'S COUNTED ON ME FOR EVERYTHING...SHE TELL'S ME THAT SHE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO CONTINUE WITHOUT ME... SHE TELL'S ME THAT THE GIRLS COULD NEVER FILL MY SHOES...THIS IS THE LEAST I COULD DO FOR THEM...WHAT AN ADDED BLESSING IT WOULD BE TO BE GIVEN THE CHANCE TO SOME DAY MEET AND HOLD A GRANDCHILD...THERE ARE MANY REASONS....WHY NOT GO THROUGH TX AND ALL IT'S SIDE EFFECTS..MY HEART GOES OUT TO ALL WHO WISH THEY COULD GO THROUGH TX AND CAN'T.... BLESSED ARE WE....GOD BLESS AND STRENGTH TO ALL IN OUR QUEST TO SLAY THE DRAGON....EDGAR

P.S.   I ALSO OWN 3 DOGS WHO NEED DAILY WALKING AND 2 PARROTS WHO NEED THEIR CAGES CLEANED OUT EVERY DAY...LOL

[Revenire]

I am 4 weeks post-tx. Most here know I went from full tx to maintenance interferon alone. I've recovered some energy but feel depressed and anxious, although not as bad as you I believe. I firmly believe it is the drugs leaving our bodies, coupled with the anxiety of whether or not they actually did their job.

My understanding is that it takes 3-6 months for the ribavarin to leave our system (someone please correct me on that). As far as the peginterferon I am not sure and not at home so don't have my handy links available.

I've read of patients rebounding quickly but also read of some of us taking 6 months to 1 year to recover from the medications.

I would try another AD or get some Valium or Xanax -- I don't see any need to suffer like you are when there are drugs to help. I am not sure if you are already on a AD or something else but I'd try that.

I know how you're feeling though. I felt better during the last few weeks of tx than now.  

[cindee]

I did tx. to get my liver well. And to have the productive life back, that I once had. Prayers to all and much love, Cindee

[dheana]

I'm taking desipramine for depression and clonazepam for anxiety.
I really can't trust my mind? This treatment took my confidence...I lost my patience and want my life back. Fortunately I have SVR at 50/48 but thinking that I could relapse at 6 month after drives me crazy

[dheana]

PS My motivation for finishing tx was to see my kids and my grandchildren and to be happy. Is this possible after 48 weeks of trauma?

[mrBenny]

I finished tx in mid-September, and I only took SAM-e for the depression.  I don't know if it worked at all (no way to do a controlled study), but I got quite depressed anyway during tx.  Now it's a few months post tx, and the depression is still awful (I have a history of it, but it's been fairly mild -- worthy of 50mg of Zoloft for a while).  I feel strong and healthy again, but can't shake the sadness.  I recently started taking Zoloft again, and I'm experiencing a lot of relief so far, and hope I'll join the contented mainstream again soon.

Anyway, you're not the only one, and maybe, as posted above, a different AD might be worth a try.

[Commdude]

All of my levels were quite low when I started TX.  The doctor even remommended against doing tx because of the side effects.

But I weighed a couple of factors.

1.) The idea of living with a contagious disease and having that "cloud" hanging over me.   Though I was at an age where I would most likely die of something else, If I ever was in a position to transmit it, and did, that is something that I would not want to live with.

2.) The lack of timeframe for lesser intrusive treatments.  The idea of waiting on them while trying to change a lifestyle completely because of it was not very appealing.

3.) My general health and well being.

Having said that, the six months of hell was worth it, in my personal opinion....

There are alot of other issues, very real which may make people decide not to want to do TX....financial, social, job reltated, etc..etc...and any decision you make is totally your own, and should not be judged.

But those were my reasons...

[MajNeni]

I did tx to get rid of the virus, stop being contagious, and stop any further damage to my liver.  I've had HCV for a very long time, since I was a child.  
When I was first diagnosed (1991), the treatments were very ineffective, so I waited and was monitored.  Also doctors thought that only about one in five people with chronic HCV will progress, and I didn't look like I was a progressor... Several years ago the monitoring indicated that things had picked up the pace; the VL, the stage, the grade had all advanced from my previous benign state.  Being over 50, and with the pegylated combo tx offering ~50% odds for my genotype, it was now or never.  Also, for now, I had good insurance coverage.
My first tries in 2002 had to end quickly because of drastic side effects.  Starting in Feb.2003, I started again with a very highly experienced Hepdoc, and he controlled the side effects; I also tolerated Pegasys better than PegIntron.  Third time's the charm; just finished 48 weeks this weekend.  Waiting for test results...
Once you start a major task, you've got to stick to it and give it your best shot.  That's all there is to it.  Maj Neni

[jonihs]

I think you not only need a stronger AD but possibly a bi-polar one. I realize thae the meds can take along time to get out of your system, but I believe your problems started way before tx. If your Dr. won't make you an appt w/ a psyco or psych., then make one yourself. I really believe you need long time care.  This isn't going away on it's wn.   Luvs&((())))Joni

[CARUU]

When I learned last July that I have geno type 2a, vl 140,000 and a greater than 80% SVR rate, I didn't have to think twice.  With good chance of SVR and of stopping current/future health problems, I decided to go for it.  I also thought, at the time, that I now had an answer for a bunch of unexplained symptoms that were steadily getting worse.  Of course, the prospect of reducing those symptoms was very persuading for doing tx.  I'm now finding that many of the symptoms may have been hyperthyroid related and that tx is making that more evident.  There is still a question of which came first, the hepc or the thyrotoxicosis.  In any event, I'm still very hopeful that I will be SVR at my 9/04 6 month post tx check-up AND that the hyperthyroid condition will be controlled.  Nine more interferon injections to go, 10 more weeks of riba and a new thyroid medical challenge.  From the time I learned about the hepc I was determined that the sooner I started tx, the sooner it would be done and overwith.  I could go back and question that decision now, and wonder if the tx caused the thyroid problems, but I prefer to look at it as an event that is uncovering a bigger picture. With knowledge of the big picture, I can make more powerful decisions.  This experience is teaching me to take a more active part in managing that bigger picture (with the docs as my consultants).  caruu

[Ambush]

I just couldn't stand knowing the virus was there doing its damage.  My mind was made up pretty early on ~ especially once I found this forum and heard the real deal on how tx was.  I just needed to know the truth and that's exactly what I got here (thank you all so much).  I saw the 50% odds as great ~ way better than some folks get.  I haven't regretted my decision for one minute.....and if need be, I'll go for it again until I win.
ambush :)

[jg2001]

I have hpothyriod and take a pill once a day FOREVER.  I've seen posts that the tx may cause hyperthyriod, as it sounds, is your case.  Maybe this will level me out!

Jamie

[Indiana]

To Be...Or Not To Be.   What a question this is. We all have our own reasons that motivate us. Some of us work it out in our heads. Others need to have some physical problems to put enough fear in them to take "The Plunge".
  I had NO symptoms or problems before I started.
I used all that I read about Hcv and the fact that the medical community finally came out with something that could give me a reasonable shot at beating this(Peg/Intron). The odds went from less than 10% for type 1's to about 50% then.....a reasonable gamble to me.
My thinking went something like this.....I have Hcv. It's eating my liver....EVERY minute of EVERY day of EVERY year....24/7. Sure, my body "might" hold it at bay for awhile, but there's no reason to believe that it won't eventually start to overcome me. Then I'll be sick. Then the odds are worse that I will ever be able to kill it. Then, even if I do, I'll probably be stuck with whatever problems I have at that point....FOREVER. Given enough time, it WILL kill me. It's the leading cause of liver transplants for gods sake.
I want to live AND feel good too.
I also don't want to live in fear that I may infect anyone else and always feel like a "lepper" around others.
I don't want to go to bed each night knowing that something is eating my liver as I sleep.
I want to dance at my daughters wedding.
I want to have a beer while watching the Super Bowl....every year.
I don't want to be afraid to kiss my family.
I want to play with my cat and not worry when she scratches me.
I want to play with my WIFE and not worry when she scratches me.
AND.....I JUST HATE THAT DAMN DRAGON!!

Those were my thoughts as I decided to do my tx. I am almost a year post tx now after 50 weeks of Peg/Intron. I have NO regrets. We should find out this week if I win this game.

Either way....I am a winner. This whole experience has had a profound effect on my character and thought processes. I am just a better person for even attempting tx to save myself. I have shown many around me how to be winners at this game of life and that to win you have to at least try. Many people around me have benefited from my experience and seeing how I pushed myself through all this. It inspired them to push themselves through whatever their own personal problems were. We are ALL winners just for trying.

You just have to find that "thing" inside yourself that makes life worth living. Whatever trips your trigger. Find that "thing"...and then realize that if you don't fight for it with all you have, Hcv will take it away. Sooner or later.

   SLAY THE DRAGON!  NEVER GIVE UP!  FOLLOW MEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!

[harley dude]

I didn't read any of the replies from your questions yet(I will but it's 10:00 here and I'd probably fall asleep so I'll just answer the ? first. No matter what disease I would have been diagnosed with I would have gone through and done anything to try and cure it because I want to Live. Now the reasons I want to live is - to grow old with my wife and enjoy our senior moments together, watch my son grow up, go to college, get a job, hopefully get married and have children (My grandkids), I have alot of good ole stories I could tell them, and take them fishing, Mainly I just Love Life and want to live for a long time and enjoy my later years(especcially the retirement ones). In my eyes you would have to be totally CRAZY not to want to do tx, because HCV is only going to do you lots of harm and will eventually make you ill in some sort of way or could actually lead you to DEATH. I'd do 5 shots a day if that's what it would have taken to cure this ****. Also I paid way to much money for my Harley to only have it for a couple of years, I want to at least get a good 10-20 years out of that ole HOG.- See Ya'll and try to have a Good Week. - HD

[CARUU]

God, I wish I could express myself with even 1/2 the passion you do!  I can relate to your reasons for doing tx...from beginning to end. Thanks, caruu

[jonihs]

Once agin, I wish I had your gift of words,. You are absolutely marvelous and please stick around as much as possible after your husband is cured,  Thank You and much love,   Joni

[lackalustre]

ditto for all of the above. i treated because i want to  enjoy my family. hold a grandchild etc,. and because my family needs me around.  and my QOL has been poor for the past several years  i felt i didnt' have too much to lose by doing it.  i was especially scared of the psychological side effects.  and i have had to deal with them.
   dheana have you had your thyroid tested?  can you sleep at night?  sometimes the zanax can actually cause depression.( do you use it daily?? )it did for me if i used it very much so i tried to rotate it.  sometimes i used/still do use phenergan(for nausea)  for sleep, or ambien.  the lowest doses possible to do the job.  also small amounts of the anti depressant.  you may need a different anti depressant.  some of the older ones can be better as far as stopping them when your ready.  trazadone works for me at a low dose.  many anti depressants make me weird.  someone here mentioned bi polar.  in some cases treatment can trigger bi polar.  what does your psychiatrist say??    about the chills and flushes are you still drinking a ton of water???  im finding i still need to post tx.  im still getting the cold/hot flushes in my head.
   what about stress? are you expecting too much of yourself??  you need time to heal.  working may have to be put on hold for a while.  theres sure no way i could have held down a job on treatment.  we have a home business so i am fortunate and could rest when i needed.

[AK - Hepper]

I don't think Indiana is gonna appreciate you asking him to stick around after his husband is cured, maybe you were addressing Shebee too or did I miss something around here??? :-}

I decided to try tx cause things have been going downhill the last few years. Doc said I could wait cause my bx was relatively ok 3 years ago, but I got to where I couldn't work more than 60 hours a week anymore and that was causing friction, feast or famine up here for welders. Plus I wanted to see if I could get some relief from this RUQ pain I've had for the last 7 years, had to turn myself into a vegetarian because of it and I just can't get used to not being able to eat meat anymore. I sure would like to be able to go out and have a beer again too, but I guess that'll have to wait a while. Sure don't miss all the dumb stuff I used to do when I was drinking, though. I guess I just wanted to take a shot at getting some semblance of a normal life back again, being sick just plain sucks!

[cindyazure]

I found out last year as a routine blood test.  Never felt sick but always lived a risky lifestyle and old buddies have been after me for years to get tested.  When I found out I felt contaminated, diseased & contagious.  I was in tx before it even really sunk in & now at 33 shots I'm seeing the light at the end , now worried about the result.  I'll tx forever if that's what it takes.  I'll never let it just take me.

[relentless]

Fight or Flight.....very simple.....FIGHT  Put on the cup and chest protector and kick some viral intruder butt.  If you can't get up for this fight....what can you get up for?????  One life my friends.....limited edition.....will possibly come to a nasty end sooner rather than later without a successful fight....and the fight can't be successful with starting the fight.  Without the fight you are just a victim.....everyone has a choice....get pissed and fight the fight....you will be a better person for the effort regardless of the outcome.  The sides are the black eye and broken nose of the fight.  Thats what happens in a fight.  Be France and be occupied or be the USA and kick some butt.  Anyway....thanks for asking.

[Tony-z]

I have been off of TX for almost 2 years and getting my sanity back was a very slow process. The first 4-6 months after my last shot was a very slow return to the sort of mental outlook that I had had before starting TX. My sleep pattern has still not fully returned, I have almost recovered in that area. Interferion is a very potiant drug with all sorts of sides. In my case it enhanced some old problems I had and caused some new ones. It can take some time, but you will recover.

            keep the faith,  God Bless.

                               Tony Z

[ellissg]

Indiana, you are great. What a profound and humoreous post. For myself, it wasn't very complicated. Test should 2b, 5.7 VL. My doctor said that treatment was in order due to the VL especially, and since he has the training and experience, dumb old me just did what he told me. WHAT A CONCEPT!!

[shebee]

Oh, blueskies...daily infergen into your eyeballs?????  I am still laughing!!!!  How about under your fingernails, too????
YIKES!  I almost pass out when the nurse draws blood!



Ah...it sounds like others motivate us all in some way.



All of us touch so many others, don't we?  When I read your post, I realized that we all seem to put others before ourselves.  We all have so much to contribute to the world.  I have learned to have great patience and compassion.  I have learned that it could happen to anyone.  Hubby just went in for a routine check-up.  (What a blessing, eh?)

When hubby is clear, I plan on working for at least another 6 months.  We have never had "your money" or "my money", but once he is back to work, things will change.  I will be saving all of "my money."  You see, hubby has dreams also, and I plan to make them come true.  Someday, he will find himself sitting on a beautiful beach with the ocean spread out before him.  He can sit there as long as he likes...hours, days, or months.  (ok...not years!)  This will give his mind time to heal.

I hope each of you will do something really special for yourself once TX is over.  Perhaps you will plan on meeting us on a beach?
(Of course, you do realize that I will not be there much of the time, don't you?  I will be doing everything that is available & more!!!!  LOL!)


My heart goes out to each and every one of you...
I don't think that I would handle TX very well at all.
I feel that all of you have made significant changes in my own life.  I am a better person because I have met you.  (You see, you have touched my life, too.)

Your,
Shebee

[Steve']

What motivates me is this ~~> For years I listened to street gossip about Hep-C until one day I had a chance meeting with a stranger in a shopping cue one day ... How strange was it that this guy ended up talking to me about Hep-C, he didn't know me from Adam, anyway he single handedly turned my thoughts around ... I always thought once you had Hep-C that was that, but this guy "Marty" his name had finished 48 weeks Interferon Riba Tx he was a 1a & now is <b>"Cured"</b> I was so stunned by his revelation to me, a perfect stranger that I booked in to see my Liver specialist & pleaded to him "When can I start this thing called Interferon + Ribavirin" ..... Here we are I'm on week 25 of 27 (I got a few extra shots instead of 24 I do 27 I'm a 3a) ... only 2 to go fellow heppers... I'm feeling very nervous & anxious because I've just returned from the hospital where I had my 1st ever PCR Quantitive blood test ... I'm pretty nervous because most people get a bit of a hint on how there Tx is going by having a 12 week PCR test but I didn't have that one.  I've only had the normal Liver Function Test etc. each fortnight or monthly..... at least my ALT has gone from 76 at start of Tx to 33 at last blood work 4 weeks ago...it is now normal range yippee ... Now I wait for the results of the "Biggy" :-) Fingers are all well & truly crossed ... next week I see the big doctor & his assistant etc ..... Keep focused on the "Goal" <b>...Steve...</b>

[Honey15637]

Way to go...You are looking at the finish line and doesn't it look sweet!!  haha Will be thinking of you and let us know about your next appt!

[DownThisRoad]

What motivated me to do treatment?

I decided to treatment my illness and get on treatment and start the medication and finish the medication because I was afraid of getting worse.  I was scared that without giving the present treatment a try that my condition would NOT get better and then someday I would be faced with the alternative to the hepC meds, transplant or worse yet, early death due to liver failure.

I am 45 female, 2 wonderful beautiful grandchildren with one son and one daughter-in-law.  Wonderful husband who I enjoy life with and just couldn't gamble with my condition and condition of my liver.

I am on week 38 of treatment heading towards week 48 with a possible 6 - 8 week extension.

Being on treatment and having the whole year of 2003 be somewhat a blur, well, YES, I am glad that I started treatment.  YES, I am.  I'm glad that it is almost coming to an end and YES I am thrilled that the medicine worked for me and I am clear (undectable) of the virus.  That is the bonus to working so very hard to stay on treatment.  Undetectable................, makes it all worth it. And if this virus should come back on me after my treatment is over, well I gave it the best effort possible.  I will know in my heart and soul that I finished my recommended treatment, beat it down to undetectable and DID save my tissue from further, agressive damage.

And remember, you told me to put on my glasses on and keep my glasses on (around my week 12 or treatment) well my dear, thank you again.  I've had my glasses on every day now and I can see  OH SO clearly now.

I wish you and hubby all the best.................always SheBEE.

~dtr.

[harley dude]

After reading your beautiful touching post something clicked in my head, you can call it a brain storm (I think I've had about 2 of them in my life)O.K. here goes you seem to be a very gentle warm caring and understanding human being, now if you remember the world just lost someone that fits the exact features of you, If you can't think of this person, he had his own television program, he is now looking down waiting for someone to fill his shoes- Right you are, the one and only Mr. Rogers, I can see you now walking in with your hard shoes on, putting on your red cardigan sweater and taking your hard shoes off and putting on your little white slip on tennies, I can see your name in lights now "Mr. Indiana's Neighborhood", now remember if you make it to the big times don't forget about Harley Dude, it was my idea,. You would be the perfect one to fill his tennies, you are a "Great Story Teller, the kids would love you (you might want to leave out the stories about the gay badgers, that might be a little bit much for the kiddies, good luck to you with this "Great Idea"- you should try and get in touch with PBS soon, who knows who else may be thinking of this same idea. Good Luck with this Mr. Indiana - see ya hopefully soon on the tube-- HD

[Revenire]

Yeah, your story has touched my life too. You and your husband are really sweet people.

[Sujo]

Well, I did it.  I did my  1st shot tonight at 6:45  So far so good.  I have been warning my family about the "riba rage"  and to please bare with me....it was kindof funny...my 9 yr old was being very annoying and I reminded him that the medicine I'm taking will make me very angry at times and to try  to be nice....he said..."oh, did you take your mean pill"...well, I guess you had to be there!  
I also just wanted to thank you all for being there.  I have learned so much about this disease and treatment from you.  It's very reassuring to know that I can come here for support.
Thank you very much.
Sue

[Ambush]

Sue, congratulations on getting that first one out of the way! Cute analogy from your 9 year old :)  Remember, not everyone has to deal with the rage.  I maybe just feel a little short wicked sometimes, but doesn't even get close to rage.  I wish you the best with your tx......don't forget lots of water.....and as many positive thoughts you can muster.
ambush :)

[MKAndrew]

Addiction:  I'm an interferon junkie.

Moving my Pegasys shots closer together gave me a huge freakin drop in VL. I was going by the way I felt. I started feeling my worst a day or two before my shot day. My best day was the day after my shot. I kept moving my shots closer together in 12-hour increments until I felt pretty much the same all the time. I figured that meant I was at a more constant dose. So now, I gotta make sure I say that nobody should ever do this without a doctor's supervision. I started off with a slow response so I figured, what the hell. Why not give it a try? It ain't working like it's supposed to, so maybe I should listen to what my body is telling me about dosage. Of course, I've similarly experimented with illegal drugs in the past, so this was no big deal. I became an interferon junkie. I felt better during Pegasys treatment than I've ever felt in my life, but a lot of that may have been Zadaxin. I got this great rush from shooting Pegasys. It wasn't like Intron-A at all.
By the time I got to 227 mcg, twice a week, I was nearly blind. I once shot 240 mcg. The reason - 240 mcg was the highest dose ever used in a clinical trial, so humans had done it. When I shot the 240 mikes, I knew immediately why 240 mcg group had the lowest success rate. Within fifteen minutes, I could taste the stuff. Then, I started rushing, like the beginning of an allergic reaction. Then, my brains leaked out of my ears. I don't know how - but I swear I laughed through the whole thing - I knew I'd be okay in a few days. I kept laughing and saying, "Wow, that was really stupid." My wife wouldn't let me drive for a few days because I couldn't see a damn thing.

The day after that big shot, I suffered a retinal hemhorrage. I didn't tell my doctor. I figured it would go away. So whenever I tell about my retinal hemhorrage, I always show it to everyone - I had my wife take a picture. So here's the link to the picture of my retinal hemhorrage.

http://www.mkandrew.com/eyes/image1.jpg

See what self-medicating can do to you? It didn't hurt - it just looks painful. So I guess my motivation for treatment is the opportunity to indulge in drug abuse for a good cause.

Hope all of you are doing well.

Miles

[GALLIUM]

geno type 4, found out last november stage 3 with cirosis.
will start 48 week treatment week of feb. 16.
why am i doing treatment?
BEACUSE I AM WORTH IT! ! ! !
I'M NOT DOING IT BECAUSE I LOVE MY WIFE, CHILDREN, GRANCHILD,
FRIENDS OR WHAT EVER. THE MAIN REASON IS VERY SIMPLE, I'M NOT
READY TO DIE(liver failure death is a very bad way to die, i have seen many people over the years die that way and its a slow nasty way to go) I WANT TO LIVE AND HAVE QUALITY IN MY LIFE.
I AM WORTH IT.
I AM WORTH THE SIDES.
I AM WORTH THE COST .
I AM WORTH THE PROBLEMS IT WILL CAUSE IN MY LIFE AND THE LIVES OF THOSE AROUND ME.
I AM WORTH IT.
I AM DOING IT FOR SELFISH REASONS IF YOU WANT TO SAY, BUT I DONT MIND BECAUSE.
I AM WORTH IT.
how many of you rember "I AM SOMEBODY"
well we heppers need to rember " I AM WORTH IT"
we are worth the pain, sides, cost, and problems we will experience with treatment.
as a health care professional i have alway looked down on hep-c pt's, shame on me! ! ! ! i always figured they brought the disease on them selves. i did give them the best care i could and never let my feelings effect how i treated them, but in
the back of my mind the thought always remained they brought it on them selves ( funny thing is i didnt feel this way about the aids pt's i have taken care of) well the gods have a way of waking us up sometimes, and they sure gave me one.
i do have a new attitude about the heppers i see in the er now.
they are my extended family now, and it doesnt matter how they got the dragon, just that they have the dragon.
they to ARE WORTH IT.
I AM WORTH IT.
YOU ARE WORTH IT.
WE ARE WORTH IT.
GET TREATED BEAT THE DRAGON, HAVE A NEW AND WONDERFUL LIFE.

[Indiana]

Mister Indys Neighborhood?  Hahahahahaha  Now THAT isn't something I have really thought about. I thought you were gonna say Captain Kangaroo! I DID talk to all the animals(all the little bastards like the Badger, Woodpeckers, my cat, my kids, and all the Riba Ragers here). I could see myself adding a Bunny Rabbit and Mr. Moose in there too. I liked to dress in baggy clothes on tx to stay all warm and cozy. I could have had MAJOR fun with all those pockets he had "stuff" in. "Hey kids...watch me pull a carrot outa my pants"......."Oh Gross dad, Thats NOT a carrot"! Yep....I just may have to investigate this line of work.

But first I have to figure this whole "Husband" thing out. I wonder if my wife knows about this? I bet she's been keepin this a secret. The only thing I can figure out is that this must've happened while I was in my tx "Fog" days. So...I guess I'll have to start plannin a move to Utah...or wherever the Mormons live. This whole thing should be accepted there. Ya know....I bet that BADGER had something to do with this! Dam his Hide!

[St. Georgie-Girl]

Interesting question . . . silly me!  You see I've been worried that if my biopsy comes back showing little damage (I hope I hope I hope), my doctor will not advise treatment - or at least will advise against it at present - since I am Type 1 and have a relatively low (2.2 million) viral load.  But all I can think of is something I saw on the Janis site - that talks about one particle of virus becomes two, then 2 becomes 4 becomes 8 becomes 16 becomes 32 becomes 64 and on and on, so how long before 2.2 million becomes 4.4 million then 8.8 million, and my poor liver is "pate de fois Georgie" . . . No - I want the medications and I want to fight.

I may be crazy to want to take a medication that may cause for me some of the same problems I've heard described here, but I can't stand the idea of that damn dragon inside me eating away at my entrails and stealing my vitality, health, and future.  Nope - I am going to insist we fight and fight with every available weapon until either I or that damn dragon lies dead in the dust.

To paraphrase the great Winston Chruchill

"We shall defend our bodies and our future, whatever the cost may be.  We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender."

And another beauty of Winston's:

"Victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory however long and hard the road may be; for without victory, there is no survival."

God and St. George defend us - Peace and Strength to All!

[St. Georgie-Girl]

Didn't I hear you say once that you are in Oak Ridge and work in the environmental field?  Coincidentally, I am from a small town very near you although a bit closer to the Smokies, and am now an environmental regulator in a neighboring state.  I will always think of those sweet hills as home.  You are lucky to be up there - I like to say that while God rested on the seventh day he had a dream, and when He awoke, there was East Tennessee (I may be a bit biased, mind you).

How cool is it that your church is St. George - I take that as a good sign!!

Gods power to you, and thank you for your words of encouragement.

Ephesians 6:13-19 (NIV)

[shebee]

Ok...relapse is the very worst that could happen to you.  If this happens, then you get up and try again.  


When we dwell on negatives, they grow and grow and grow.


Your thought life is can be controlled, but it is a battle.
For each and every negative thought, you will have to force yourself to have two positive ones.  Depression is easy to tumble into, but hard to climb back out.

Most of the time you'll find that you will not have any help.
That is just the way it is...

Life is wonderful and you have much to give to others.  Please don't waste days, month, or even years.

Your,
Shebee

[shebee]

Keep those glasses on!  You are goin' make it!  

Glad you keep going down the road...Don't stop!  LOL!

My heart and prayers go out to you,
Shebee

[shebee]

By the way, my friend...Your quote was not exactly right.

It should have read as follows:

"Shebee or not to Bee."

LOL!