Aa
I am interested in those birds! how COOL - that you know this guy and have seen him and his falconry! I remember the story on those falcons from Mary Tyler Moore's Building - people were complaining about the bird droppings on the side walk (rolling eyes here lmao), and the city was moving to try to take the pair away, and all he** broke loose from bird-friendly people :) And their names are Pale Male and Lola, eh? hahaha - that's wonderful. I feel like I've met the falcons I was cheering so loudly for! Never know where Hep C is going to take you or who it'll introduce you to, eh? Huge bird fan here. Back yard birding and birds of prey and ID are my bag of tea. And photography of those birds. I live for it. Yesterday I went to the bald eagles nest - colder than a witches tit on that river yesterday, but it was invigorating and SO good to see them again :) Sorry - I know this isn't Hep C related, but tis my therapy for Hep C - truly is (well...for the time at least.) I saw a note somewhere where someone was saying something about staying away from birds if you're on treatment?? hmmm...it'll never happen here. I guess if I go on tx and my ANC drops and I get some kind of disease from birds, then someone will just have to find me dead at one of the many feeding stations I tend each day. The red-tailed came in a few days ago to stake out and try to nab a bird. He/she didn't get a hit this time, but I've seen him/her tote some of our little song birds off who never knew it was coming. Oh well, tis nature at its best. Hope to get down to Osprey land soon (further down the river). OK - I'll shut up about birds now :)
Sun's up again! I hope you're doing good today! Keep hanging in there. Big thumbs up to you and your friend!
Sun's up again! I hope you're doing good today! Keep hanging in there. Big thumbs up to you and your friend!
Glad your back but sorry to hear about your "new job" - pretty stressfull stuff.
I really hope you sides get better.
I really hope you sides get better.
Thanks compulsive.
I appreciate the advice, Rev.
Ch - what a story! You poor thing. And you always sound so cheerful.
Sfgirl,
no problem about response time. i understand completely. So you're Not working. Sorry, i misunderstood. But teaching Middle School is like being sentenced to Hell. What did you teach?
You have a workers comp case coz of a student assault? Oh, what a shock. (Not). Did you hear about the videotape of three Long Island 9th grade girls beating up a fourth girl over a boy that got posted on Myspace, Youtube and Photobucket? Not that you need to be reminded of how the little sh--s act, but it's pretty amazing footage. I'll send you a link if you wanna see it.
We definitely have to compare notes.
BTW - if you're a budding bird lover, not only do I have 6 parrots, but I have a friend who's a master falconer and runs the Round Top raptor center in the Catskills. I'll send you the link to that as well, if you like. He has Gyrfalcons, Arizona Hawks, Peregrines, Snowy Owls, Great Horned owls, Peregrines, Red-tails, Coopers Hawks, etc. I usually visit him in the summer.
He does free flying falcon demonstrations and is also involved in the Central Park falconry demonstrations as well as in the recent campaign to save Pale Male and Lola, two of NYC's most famous residents, from being evicted from Mary Tyler Moore's Building on 57th Street overlooking Central Park.
Wyntre
I appreciate the advice, Rev.
Ch - what a story! You poor thing. And you always sound so cheerful.
Sfgirl,
no problem about response time. i understand completely. So you're Not working. Sorry, i misunderstood. But teaching Middle School is like being sentenced to Hell. What did you teach?
You have a workers comp case coz of a student assault? Oh, what a shock. (Not). Did you hear about the videotape of three Long Island 9th grade girls beating up a fourth girl over a boy that got posted on Myspace, Youtube and Photobucket? Not that you need to be reminded of how the little sh--s act, but it's pretty amazing footage. I'll send you a link if you wanna see it.
We definitely have to compare notes.
BTW - if you're a budding bird lover, not only do I have 6 parrots, but I have a friend who's a master falconer and runs the Round Top raptor center in the Catskills. I'll send you the link to that as well, if you like. He has Gyrfalcons, Arizona Hawks, Peregrines, Snowy Owls, Great Horned owls, Peregrines, Red-tails, Coopers Hawks, etc. I usually visit him in the summer.
He does free flying falcon demonstrations and is also involved in the Central Park falconry demonstrations as well as in the recent campaign to save Pale Male and Lola, two of NYC's most famous residents, from being evicted from Mary Tyler Moore's Building on 57th Street overlooking Central Park.
Wyntre
Long story, (ready :) I had a peridontal infection (underlying) that I didn't know was brewing before I started treatment (in 2003.) Once I started and those wbcs dropped, that infection took off like a rocket - in that first week. I didn't know what was wrong - I only knew I was bleeding from my nose and gums (constantly from my gums - spitting in a cup all the time - it was gross). My upper and lower jaw bones were killing me, and my teeth were getting loose (like over night!) Worst pain I'd ever had in my life. Doc didn't know what was wrong. He pulled labs that first week. I thought maybe it was "side effects" of treatment (that's how dumb I was lol.) GI doc said it was not a side he had ever seen. I walked into a dentists office that third week, and the dentist said "DAYum". Did x-rays. He told me I was in trouble. He called my GI doc. They pulled me - I had infection to the bony structure. Because the dental procedure would be a bloody one, they were afraid of hemorrhage and worsening infection (had low platelets and low ANC). I also had heart valve prolapse making it a bigger risk for them to get inside my mouth. They socked the antibiotics to me, pulled me from treatment, let my wbcs and platelets come up, and then they got inside my mouth. It cost a little over 2000.00 just to take care of the infection. Right after they pulled me from treatment, my ankles swelled up to about 3+ pitting edema. Had HUGE ankles. GI doc told me to go the ER because my protein S was "low" (whatever that meant). He thought I might have a blood clot in my legs, or that I might be a hemophiliac and might need to go on Coumadin. I said DAYum! ER ruled out DVT and sent me to hematology for the questionable hemophilia. Thank God I wasn't a hemophiliac. The Protein S started coming back up in a few weeks, and so hematologist thought it might be related to the treatment.
So, three weeks of treatment was pure H*** -- I'll not say it was anything else but PURE H*** :) I lived in specialists office back then. Cardiac doc, peridontist, dentist, GI doc, hematologist, ER, regular doc, shrink, lab lab lab. Everytime I got home, it was time for another appointment somewhere. When the GI doc asked me (4 months after they had pulled me and I was OK again) if I wanted to give it another try, my answer was H*** NO :) He didn't want to either, really, and talked about wanting to start me out at lower doses of Peg and Rib or just waiting for better treatments. We decided to do a watch and wait approach. Then in Sept 2005, GI doc referred me to Duke (research facility). I had heard about VX-950 and wanted to get in that trial - and Duke was the best in the state. They also put me in watch and wait mode and waited for VX to start enrolling. I didn't get in the VX 950 trial because of the two weeks of prior treatment. DUke has now offered me a trial with the HCV 796 (polymerase inhibitor) that I can get in, to be given with the 48 weeks of SOC, but it's not nearly as potent as the VX950, but doc says it is looking good. The trial might not allow rescue drugs, though. I've been told if they don't allow them they will just reduce the dose of Peg and Riba if I get into trouble again. hmmm. I'd rather have access to the rescue drugs, ya know? They said if I agree to the trial I will be on treatment by mid-Feb. I'm waiting on a call from the research coordinator. I am supposed to ask all my questions then - specifically if they will let me use rescue drugs. If they don't, I won't be agreeing to do it.
:) gotta go - sun is up and my doggie is ready to go play, and I know you're tired of reading this :) You hang in there. You're gonna be fine! If you get too low on your blood counts, ask about the neuopogen and procrit. From all I've read, it has been rescue drugs that has literally "rescued" some treating. The cost, though, is horrendous if your insurance won't cover. But hopefully it would cover IF you needed either. Many have done OK without the rescue drugs and reduced dosing. Granted, it's not desirable to reduce, but some have no choice. And I've seen many get their SVRs and had to reduce (vs. getting rescue drugs.) Best of luck.
Bye for now.
So, three weeks of treatment was pure H*** -- I'll not say it was anything else but PURE H*** :) I lived in specialists office back then. Cardiac doc, peridontist, dentist, GI doc, hematologist, ER, regular doc, shrink, lab lab lab. Everytime I got home, it was time for another appointment somewhere. When the GI doc asked me (4 months after they had pulled me and I was OK again) if I wanted to give it another try, my answer was H*** NO :) He didn't want to either, really, and talked about wanting to start me out at lower doses of Peg and Rib or just waiting for better treatments. We decided to do a watch and wait approach. Then in Sept 2005, GI doc referred me to Duke (research facility). I had heard about VX-950 and wanted to get in that trial - and Duke was the best in the state. They also put me in watch and wait mode and waited for VX to start enrolling. I didn't get in the VX 950 trial because of the two weeks of prior treatment. DUke has now offered me a trial with the HCV 796 (polymerase inhibitor) that I can get in, to be given with the 48 weeks of SOC, but it's not nearly as potent as the VX950, but doc says it is looking good. The trial might not allow rescue drugs, though. I've been told if they don't allow them they will just reduce the dose of Peg and Riba if I get into trouble again. hmmm. I'd rather have access to the rescue drugs, ya know? They said if I agree to the trial I will be on treatment by mid-Feb. I'm waiting on a call from the research coordinator. I am supposed to ask all my questions then - specifically if they will let me use rescue drugs. If they don't, I won't be agreeing to do it.
:) gotta go - sun is up and my doggie is ready to go play, and I know you're tired of reading this :) You hang in there. You're gonna be fine! If you get too low on your blood counts, ask about the neuopogen and procrit. From all I've read, it has been rescue drugs that has literally "rescued" some treating. The cost, though, is horrendous if your insurance won't cover. But hopefully it would cover IF you needed either. Many have done OK without the rescue drugs and reduced dosing. Granted, it's not desirable to reduce, but some have no choice. And I've seen many get their SVRs and had to reduce (vs. getting rescue drugs.) Best of luck.
Bye for now.
Yeah, it's been a real roller coaster over here. He hasn't felt well since New Years day. He went in for more labs and also a chest x-ray. His cough was so bad we thought he might have pneumonia. I had a touch of the flu, and I think he caught it from me, but it really knocked him down in his already weakened state. He's just started feeling better, but it's been pretty rough. I've been pushing food on him (soup, fruit, etc.) stuff he can tolerate. His appetite is now coming back, but seriously, this month has been the hardest. I'm sorry about your WBC...I know that will make you SOOOOOOOOO tired! I'm really glad you applied for FMLA, you need to be able to take care of yourself right now! I hope things start looking up for you! Hopefully your sides are going to decrease. Keep us posted and let us know how it's going!
Take care!
Take care!
Oh - it's good to see you and to know you're OK and just ... that you just have a new full time job :) (What a job, eh?)
On the sides - I can't give any personal experience because I've not treated (well, stopped one day short of that third injection and spent the entire time in doc's offices and... yeah - "appointment city" - i.e. new, full time job). Anyhow, my doc recently told me (when we were talking about tx again) that most people he has treated (100s) have said their worst sides were in the first few months and then leveled out some, but he also said some were just the opposite (but he did emphasize that for most it gets better as time goes on). I guess it's just all so individual - yeah it is. I hope it gets better for you as time goes on.
Best of luck on making the decisions on the FMLA, too. I have a feeling you'll time it "just right":)
On the sides - I can't give any personal experience because I've not treated (well, stopped one day short of that third injection and spent the entire time in doc's offices and... yeah - "appointment city" - i.e. new, full time job). Anyhow, my doc recently told me (when we were talking about tx again) that most people he has treated (100s) have said their worst sides were in the first few months and then leveled out some, but he also said some were just the opposite (but he did emphasize that for most it gets better as time goes on). I guess it's just all so individual - yeah it is. I hope it gets better for you as time goes on.
Best of luck on making the decisions on the FMLA, too. I have a feeling you'll time it "just right":)
And they call it the 'Education' system. Ha! No one ever 'educates' new teachers about any of the important stuff. I only 'discovered' the disability option by mistake. I started paying into it right after my divorce.
I'll let you know whether or not it's a good thing or whether I wasted 20-30 grand when i get word from the insurance company, supposedly 30-45 days from now. However, "This period may be extended for another 30 days if such an extension is necessary due to matters beyond the control of this plan."
What the hell does that mean?
answer; I'm (potentially) screwed again.
Could you give me your email? i didn't see it in the other thread.
Wyntre
I'll let you know whether or not it's a good thing or whether I wasted 20-30 grand when i get word from the insurance company, supposedly 30-45 days from now. However, "This period may be extended for another 30 days if such an extension is necessary due to matters beyond the control of this plan."
What the hell does that mean?
answer; I'm (potentially) screwed again.
Could you give me your email? i didn't see it in the other thread.
Wyntre
Hi to you,too, C.
This past month has been difficult but hopefully things will improve now that I'm more on top of what to expect . . . or not.
Why did you stop after the third shot?
I don't know if I could/would continue if I had to stop.
Wyntre
This past month has been difficult but hopefully things will improve now that I'm more on top of what to expect . . . or not.
Why did you stop after the third shot?
I don't know if I could/would continue if I had to stop.
Wyntre
Are you kidding, I couldn't work if you paid me a million bucks with those middle school kids and the required work involved! I am on unpaid leave too. I unfortunately didn't know about that self pay disability ins. until it was too late. They wouldn't let me have it once I had Hep c...what a surprise. Thankfully you did pay into the self pay! Committment to Care is good for meds, if you run out of ins, although my Cobra has been great for over a year now. I left my email in Orphanhawks thread, if you want to talk.
So sorry about your hub. Sounds like he's really suffering.
At least he has YOU to take care of him, the lucky dog. :)
Wyntre
At least he has YOU to take care of him, the lucky dog. :)
Wyntre
Hey Bird lady I'm so glad you're back!!!! I just worry about every little thing I can't control, and when someone stops stopping by it fuels my worry fire! I paid into short term disablity for nearly three months and was asked to take a cut in pay and another position befor my 90 days probation were up. (11 days short) I said C-YA and I am working prn. Oh well, lifes little dramas. I had a nice week and a 1/2 off, just went back to work today. Take care, glad you got the dr and his office on your side.
Bug
Bug
Yeah, talk about education, huh? And no Social Security either? I paid into it for over 25 years at top pay and now I can't collect it if I have a teachers pension too? GRRRRRR. Lindacal at sbcglobal dot net is my addy. I do reply, but I have to take breaks sometimes. I am going to trial on Feb. 14 for a workers comp case involving an assault by a student. Hopefully I will get some big bucks from the case (hahahaha) and retire. The education system really needs an overhaul and some parents need to take some responsibility. I think if I go back, I'll do the little kids, or adults.
Yeah, i'm hanging in there, trying to take one day at a time as the saying goes.
I had a platelet problem, too. Less than a week after the first shot my WBC was down to 3.5 (4.5-10 is normal) The next week it went down to 3, then 2.2. My doc sent me to a hematologist for an injection of neupogen. I guess that's one reason I'm so weak. It's beyond fatigue. It's not having the strength to walk up and down stairs, a real problem as I live in a 3 story townhouse.
I'm just glad I got such valuable advice from the forum about possible options. If it wasn't for you guys, I might have missed filing the FLMA paperwork 'coz I didn't know about it and then i could have been terminated from the job and lost all benefits!
That, of course, would have made the situation completely pointless; Lose your job, lose your benefits, lose prescription drug coverage, go off tx, try to find another job, blahblahblah.
So your hub has more sx now then in the beginning? Hope he'll feel better soon.
Wyntre
Hi Wyntre! Glad to hear you're still around! Yes, the sides seem to be different for everyone. My husband did pretty well at first, but the sides really hit him at week 32. That was when things started getting really tough! But he also got the flu at about that time and it knocked him for a loop. The doctor even called saying his blood count had dropped and had him come in for new labs. But he was starting to feel better at that time, was beginning to eat again, and his new labs came back good. I can't stress enough that you need to take care of yourself. I believe his blood counts were down because he had gone days without eating (very sick to stomach and had NO appetite) and when he started eating again it helped him regain his strength and his blood count went back up.
I wish I could give you better advice, but just try to take it easy, pace yourself, and whatever you do don't push yourself too hard right now.
I wish I could give you better advice, but just try to take it easy, pace yourself, and whatever you do don't push yourself too hard right now.
yeah, my official title is 'teacher' but you know what the REAL deal is.
It's not that I decided NOT to go back. I couldn't go back. I started shots Dec. 23 and for the next 2 weeks I barely left the house. I don't see how you're working full time right now. Desperation? :) (me too, but I've decided that, for the moment, being broke is preferable to the alternative)
To tell the truth, this enforced and thus far UNPAID medical Leave may be a blessing in disguise. Not the hep-c part, just the not having-to-see-kids-not-to-mention-the-adults-part.
I'm doing 48 weeks unless my doc decides the tx isn't working in which case he's promised not to prolong my misery past 6 months. (med-misery, I mean).
I applied for the union sponsored disability coverage I've been paying into for at least the past ten years at the rate of 2 to 3G per year which means 20 to 30G minimum. The insurance company has 30 to 45 days under ERISA to review and respond to my claim.
My county union rep told me that if the company doesn't pay me I should let her know and she'll take up the issue with the top union guys as the insurance provider is a union sponsored program and she doesn't see how they can deny my claim. I'll keep you posted. I've already resigned myself to the possibility of having to tap into credit cards, etc.
The insurance should pay 66% of my salary once I'm approved. (trying to stay positive). Subscribers have the option of having deductions from their salary anywhere from 20 to 66%.
As teachers don't participate in the state disability program, nor can we get unempolyment insurance, the self funded disability insurance is the only option unless you have sick days saved up then you can go on sick leave and still get your salary until your bank is drawn down.
but I don't have any sick days. i always need all of mine.
Wyntre
It's not that I decided NOT to go back. I couldn't go back. I started shots Dec. 23 and for the next 2 weeks I barely left the house. I don't see how you're working full time right now. Desperation? :) (me too, but I've decided that, for the moment, being broke is preferable to the alternative)
To tell the truth, this enforced and thus far UNPAID medical Leave may be a blessing in disguise. Not the hep-c part, just the not having-to-see-kids-not-to-mention-the-adults-part.
I'm doing 48 weeks unless my doc decides the tx isn't working in which case he's promised not to prolong my misery past 6 months. (med-misery, I mean).
I applied for the union sponsored disability coverage I've been paying into for at least the past ten years at the rate of 2 to 3G per year which means 20 to 30G minimum. The insurance company has 30 to 45 days under ERISA to review and respond to my claim.
My county union rep told me that if the company doesn't pay me I should let her know and she'll take up the issue with the top union guys as the insurance provider is a union sponsored program and she doesn't see how they can deny my claim. I'll keep you posted. I've already resigned myself to the possibility of having to tap into credit cards, etc.
The insurance should pay 66% of my salary once I'm approved. (trying to stay positive). Subscribers have the option of having deductions from their salary anywhere from 20 to 66%.
As teachers don't participate in the state disability program, nor can we get unempolyment insurance, the self funded disability insurance is the only option unless you have sick days saved up then you can go on sick leave and still get your salary until your bank is drawn down.
but I don't have any sick days. i always need all of mine.
Wyntre
LOL you got it! It hits everyone differently. You are the teacher, right? That started on break? I am glad you decided not to continue, my students would have either killed me, or the other way around by this time!
The sx for me have gotten better, although they change all the time. I am still really weak and fatigue is the worst sx for me, still. Are you going 48 weeks? If going 24, not sure you will feel up to going back in April. I think fall sounds more like it, but time will tell and you will know best. Good luck with that! ARe you getting any disability from the public schools? I'm not, just wondering what they offer.
The sx for me have gotten better, although they change all the time. I am still really weak and fatigue is the worst sx for me, still. Are you going 48 weeks? If going 24, not sure you will feel up to going back in April. I think fall sounds more like it, but time will tell and you will know best. Good luck with that! ARe you getting any disability from the public schools? I'm not, just wondering what they offer.
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