Aa
SVR in Los Angeles
I had almost everything going against me. I'm HIV+. Both viruses have had eighteen years to get a foothold when I started chemo last June. I already had chronic thrombocytopenia (low platelets) either because of the HIV or the HIV meds. I'm in my mid-40s. At least I was only facing HCV Type 3. I had to stop the RIBA and go to a 1/2 dose of Interferon at 22 weeks because I couldn't tolerate it. A year ago my doctor wanted to hospitalize me the day after Thanksgiving due to severe anemia and neutropenia, not to mention I was covered with thrombocytopenia bruises. I also got suicidal in month three and needed to start Celexa which I took until a month after my last shot in early May.
...
I was all prepared for the bad news tonight, my first viral load since May. I was going to tell myself that, if nothing else, Tx had restored my LFTs to normal and that if I ever got seriously ill, I could always go on Tx and and gain some more time. So when I asked my doctor if my viral load result was in, I was half-expecting that look that I've seen from doctors ever since I tested HIV positive. Instead my doctor handed over the page from Unilab. He'd drawn a happy face on it. It's been seven months and I AM SVR!
...
Those 48 weeks of chemo were some of the most miserable of my life, and there were times I thought I just couldn't go through with it. Yet I persevered, partly with the encouragement of the people here, and I have not only survived -- I have WON! I am so grateful to my doctor, to God and to all of you. I wish you all the best and to keep the faith!
XOXOXO
Christine
...
I was all prepared for the bad news tonight, my first viral load since May. I was going to tell myself that, if nothing else, Tx had restored my LFTs to normal and that if I ever got seriously ill, I could always go on Tx and and gain some more time. So when I asked my doctor if my viral load result was in, I was half-expecting that look that I've seen from doctors ever since I tested HIV positive. Instead my doctor handed over the page from Unilab. He'd drawn a happy face on it. It's been seven months and I AM SVR!
...
Those 48 weeks of chemo were some of the most miserable of my life, and there were times I thought I just couldn't go through with it. Yet I persevered, partly with the encouragement of the people here, and I have not only survived -- I have WON! I am so grateful to my doctor, to God and to all of you. I wish you all the best and to keep the faith!
XOXOXO
Christine
To all, thanks for your congrats and well-wishes. I have managed to keep writing, even during Tx. I have completed four screenplay since last June, and I've amassed 18 units at UCLA Extension in screenwriting clases since this spring. Plus I finished writing a book I began over ten years ago; it's an autobiography, so I thought that finishing Tx was a suitable coda to the tale, especially since earlier in the book catalogs the desperate living that got me in this pickle in the first place. I've the sent book off to my published friend in NY, so hopefully it will soon find a home. If anyone is interested in following that story, or *my* story, feel free to surf my website at www.glamazon.net. I promise you will not be bored!
Hugs and kisses,
Christine
Hugs and kisses,
Christine
That's fabulous news! I was just thinking about you the other day and noticing you hadn't posted in a while. So glad to know it worked.
I don't have a lot of experience with Hep C yet but I was heartened by your statements. Congratulations!! What is the name of your doctor? I am also in L.A. and am not happy with the doc I have. I want a more proactive situation. But, please know, that your update has not only brought joy to you but to all. Good for you!
Samantha
Samantha
Congratulations Christine,
You did it. All of that perseverance paid off. Good Luck to you!
You did it. All of that perseverance paid off. Good Luck to you!
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