Aa
My Gawd, what is happening here? Have you lost it?
You just openly stated that "you" agree with "me".. Man, I told you I would reprogram you before I finished with tx..
I do like that though, "SILENCE=DEATH"...
Man, the bitter truth!!!
You just openly stated that "you" agree with "me".. Man, I told you I would reprogram you before I finished with tx..
I do like that though, "SILENCE=DEATH"...
Man, the bitter truth!!!
I think you should be open about it with family and just ease into with friends, be selective......take your time, you will feel better about things when you open up some with your spouse or family......but, definitely take your time. Deb :)
When we silence ourselves about our disease, we are aiding the cover up.. We all preach about awareness, and advocacy, but then feel uncomfortable admitting our own situation..
I know that it is a label, a stereotype, but how can we change that?
I told no one right off the bat. Only my close family, and my boss. Now, I am in the process of informing my friends.. One at a time, and really informing them of the disease, not just confessing to my infection.
I do not agree with the comment, "nobody needs to know".. Come on, that is exactly why funding is not there, that is why people are dying, and that is why we only have these low percentage medications.. If people continue not to know, and continue not to tell, we will never move forward.
HCV needs to come out of the darkness, and be spoon fed to mainstream America in extreme doses!!!
We need to put billboards up in suburban America with pictures of newborns, with a internal cut out of a liver with cirrhosis, get the picture?? It isn't just druggies, it is your neighbor, your wife, your husband, your child, your father, you, and me.. Hey, we might have BEEN druggies, but should we carry that label for life?
I was infected at birth.. Is it fair to label me a junkie? People make mistakes in their lives, but why not let them move on. Let them put the past behind, and move forward.
I feel it soooooo very important to let people know about our disease, starting with family, and slowly moving on to those we feel comfortable with.
I know that it is a label, a stereotype, but how can we change that?
I told no one right off the bat. Only my close family, and my boss. Now, I am in the process of informing my friends.. One at a time, and really informing them of the disease, not just confessing to my infection.
I do not agree with the comment, "nobody needs to know".. Come on, that is exactly why funding is not there, that is why people are dying, and that is why we only have these low percentage medications.. If people continue not to know, and continue not to tell, we will never move forward.
HCV needs to come out of the darkness, and be spoon fed to mainstream America in extreme doses!!!
We need to put billboards up in suburban America with pictures of newborns, with a internal cut out of a liver with cirrhosis, get the picture?? It isn't just druggies, it is your neighbor, your wife, your husband, your child, your father, you, and me.. Hey, we might have BEEN druggies, but should we carry that label for life?
I was infected at birth.. Is it fair to label me a junkie? People make mistakes in their lives, but why not let them move on. Let them put the past behind, and move forward.
I feel it soooooo very important to let people know about our disease, starting with family, and slowly moving on to those we feel comfortable with.
I have known about my Hep C for 12 years now. I have never hidden it from anyone. I certainly don't walk around telling strangers who I come into contact with (just as I wouldn't tell strangers if I had diabetes) but if it comes up I'm honest. I agree with Snook - this is an "silent" epidemic and if we behave as if this is something to be ashamed of then it will stay that way. Obviously, there are some jerks out there. Those are the people who won't let their kids play with "Uncle Jimmy" because he has HIV or won't let you because you have HCV. Those are small minded people who will never change and you can't change that. But you can educate decent people who want to know about this and the ones that hang with you are the ones you can count on. One thing having HCV has taught me is who my friends are. I started treating with shot 1 last Friday and I was so taken with how many people called, sent me cards, etc. They were my friends since I had this virus and they will be my friends while I'm treating and whether or not I clear. I've had problems with an employer because they kept making me miss my doctor's appointments scheduled on my lunch hour. When I complained, they tried to contructively fire me. Unfortunately, because they knew of my health issue, they ended up having to make me an offer so I wouldn't sue. This employer asks me how I'm doing as do a few of my co-workers who know. I am told if I need to take some time off just to let them know. Had I not told, I wouldn't have the support. And for the record, it's not responsible to NOT tell a sexual partner that you have herpes, an STD or HCV for that matter. All of these things can be passed to someone else, no matter how small you think the chance. Everyone has a right to know the facts and chose for themselves. I despise being lied to and and would have to question someone's character for withholding something so important.
This is just my experience and opinion.
-cbee
This is just my experience and opinion.
-cbee
I tell anyone I damn well please and if they don't like it they'd best get the hell out of my sight.
The sensitive answer is that people deserve to be told.How they react is up to them.
The sensitive answer is that people deserve to be told.How they react is up to them.
Yes, Scott & Snook you are right about speaking out.
But I for one am very careful to whom I speak out about it to.
People that I feel should know,(for one reason or another) I do tell, and others I don't...I feel it is none of their business
at this time. Everyone has to make their own decision on this.
enigma
But I for one am very careful to whom I speak out about it to.
People that I feel should know,(for one reason or another) I do tell, and others I don't...I feel it is none of their business
at this time. Everyone has to make their own decision on this.
enigma
The only people (in my opinion) that need to
know are your Doctors and you lover.
Other than that, it's up to you who you tell.
The stigma that comes attached with HCV needs
to change, but until then who you tell is
a personal decision. The chances of it being spread
sexually (depending on what you are into and when)
are low, but it is still spread sexually. It would not
be fair to your partner/potential partners not to tell.
By not telling it reminds be of that old commercial, I think it was for Studio Line products, you tell 2 friends and they tell 2 friends and so on and so on. The HCV version would be..
You spread it to 2 friends and they spread it 2 friends and so on and so on...
Good luck
enigma
know are your Doctors and you lover.
Other than that, it's up to you who you tell.
The stigma that comes attached with HCV needs
to change, but until then who you tell is
a personal decision. The chances of it being spread
sexually (depending on what you are into and when)
are low, but it is still spread sexually. It would not
be fair to your partner/potential partners not to tell.
By not telling it reminds be of that old commercial, I think it was for Studio Line products, you tell 2 friends and they tell 2 friends and so on and so on. The HCV version would be..
You spread it to 2 friends and they spread it 2 friends and so on and so on...
Good luck
enigma
I told them at my job when they were pressuring me to work long hours.
Somebody there told one of his buddies at a different company about me and I was passed over for a job paying $42 an hour.
I wouldn't tell anybody other than family, haven't even told all of them yet.
Somebody there told one of his buddies at a different company about me and I was passed over for a job paying $42 an hour.
I wouldn't tell anybody other than family, haven't even told all of them yet.
The whole dang world!!!
Keep hiding in the closet like the rest, and keep underminding the dragon!! Not speaking out and admiting your disease is denial. Believe me, I held back for months. Now, put me on a soapbox and hear me rant..
If you are ashamed of your disease, how do you ever expect the WORLD to accept it?? People talk about HCV being back burnered, yet are afraid to even bring it up in public..
What does silence accomplish? Does it not feed the growing lack of AWARENESS, and help the dragon grow??
Tell anyone you feel comfortable with telling, and if they judge you, GOOD to find out now!! Awarness and education starts with OUR decisions and how WE handle it..
Keep hiding in the closet like the rest, and keep underminding the dragon!! Not speaking out and admiting your disease is denial. Believe me, I held back for months. Now, put me on a soapbox and hear me rant..
If you are ashamed of your disease, how do you ever expect the WORLD to accept it?? People talk about HCV being back burnered, yet are afraid to even bring it up in public..
What does silence accomplish? Does it not feed the growing lack of AWARENESS, and help the dragon grow??
Tell anyone you feel comfortable with telling, and if they judge you, GOOD to find out now!! Awarness and education starts with OUR decisions and how WE handle it..
Whoa!!! Take a few breaths... I wouldn't tell nobody if I was you... Work or chicks either... you cant get or receive it unles you exchange blood 2 people have to be bleeding and their blood has to getinto yours or yours has to get into theres. don't worry. were not doctors either... some just pretend to be hahahahahah welcome to this great place. I might Tx again... we in the same ship or shi_ Tehse are all opinions form folks here.. thats all.. just opinions....
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