Has anyone noticed.......

Has anyone noticed that there are numerous women on this forum who are managing/researching their husband's treatment yet I have not noticed any men who are doing the same for their wives.
Perhaps I have missed something,but this superficial evidence suggests that women are more proactive in this department than men.
Interesting.

[charm27]

I believe its because women are primarily "nuturers" its what we do.
Men are circuited so differently.

:)

Charm

[WriteItDown]

This is interesting.  I think in general women are more open to seeking the help of others (i.e. using a board like this).  

In my particular case, I am the researcher in the family anyway, so no matter what problem we have, I'm the first one to start reading.

[GoofyDad]

Perhaps the men are out braving the elements and hunting Mastadons while the women are sitting around the fire with their iBooks?

When it comes to circuitry - I think most men focus their energy on getting the plug into the socket. Until the cord won't reach anymore, then they to looking at pictures of the new model sockets in the catalogs.

[charm27]

I totally agree with you on the circuitry part. Men do focus on getting the plug in the socket. Yes then they look at differnt models sockets asap.

We come from two different planets.

Thats the way it is.

[Marcia2202]

I can only think of one man who was eagerly and lovingly researching for his wife. Our friend from Myanmar.

[meakea]

HCA... I would have loved it if my hubby would have taken the interest to do some Hep C reading/research for me or with me but, alas, it was not to be.  He attended one doc appt with me and fell asleep while the doc was talking so I banned him from ever coming with me again.  (He was, however, considerate enough to PRETEND that he was a tiny bit hurt that I didn't want him to come to any more doc appts...haha).

[RCM829]

In addition to being a brave and terrfic group of people, you are also very, very FUNNY!

Great thread....

[Isobella]

I love my hubby to death, but when they booked my biopsy on a Friday, there was no way I was gonna "let' him miss his golf game.  I went by myself-just had a friend drop me off and pick me up. =(

But I'm glad in the long run because I've been able to make all my tx decisions without having to discuss it ad nauseum with anyone (but y'all, lol!)

[WriteItDown]

That's a good point, Isobella.  I know my husband is happy to have me do the research, but sometimes I suspect he wishes I didn't have quite such so many opinions....

[tashka]

Interesting observation. I am one of these women looking out for my husband. This proves to me again that despite all the talk of equality (which is not bad at all), men and women are different. That is why we want to be together-to complete each other.
He is good at fixing things, I am good at medical stuff.

[Mary4now]

Very Funny goofy dad, wish I knew that gem when my hormones were raging.  I thought it was all about love and commitment  HA!

[GoofyDad]

Charm: "Men do focus on getting the plug in the socket."
We can't expect everyone to be as soft and sensitive as your ol' pal G-Daddy ;-)

Mary: "I thought it was all about love and commitment"
Well it is. Just a question of a love of what ;-)

Kidding aside: Trust me when I tell you that not all women take the nuturing path. Faaaarrrrrr from it in some cases.    

[Marcia2202]

Goof.... what would we do without you?!

[14cheri]

My husband never even uses the computer. Unles it is looking up something for Hunting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!LOL

[nygirl7]

I can think of one or two over the years but that's about it. It reminds me of a joke I read yesterday. I'll post it on this side in here since it's sort of relevant - men don't like it but women all go uh huh that's IT!

HER DIARY
Tonight I thought he was acting weird.  We had made plans to meet at a bar to have a drink.  I was shopping with my friends all day long, so I thought he was upset at the fact that I was a bit late, but he made no comment.  Conversation wasn't flowing so I suggested that we go somewhere quiet so we could talk. He agreed but he kept quiet and absent.  I asked him what was wrong; he said  nothing.  I asked him if it was my fault that he
was upset.  He said it had nothing to do with me and not to worry.  On the way home I told him that I loved him, he simply smiled and kept driving.  I can't explain his behavior.  I don't know why he didn't say I love you too.  My heart just sank.  When  we got home I felt as if I had lost him, as if he wanted nothing to do with me anymore. He just sat there and watched T.V.  He seemed distant and  absent.  Finally, I decided to go to bed.  About 10 minutes later he came to bed, and to my surprise he responded to my caress and we made love, but I still felt that he was distracted and his thoughts were somewhere else. He fell asleep - I cried.  I don't know what to do.  I'm almost sure that his thoughts are with someone else.  My life is a disaster.


HIS DIARY
I shot the worst round of golf in my life today, but at least I got laid.

[Nomadpixie]

A man is seven times as likely to leave his wife when she becomes seriously ill as a woman is to abandon her husband, say researchers.

The finding comes from a study into how more than 500 married couples coped with the diagnosis of a life-threatening illness such as cancer or multiple sclerosis.

The divorce rate was no higher than average. But closer inspection revealed that the marriage was much more likely to end when the patient was a woman.
Researchers found that men are less likely to stand behind their women than vice versa

Researchers found that men are less likely to stand behind their women than vice versa

In other words, a woman is better at standing by her man than vice versa.

Of the 23 divorces in the multiple sclerosis patients, 22 occurred in couples in which the woman was ill, and just one in a marriage where the man was the patient.

Similarly, 18 of the 23 brain tumour patients whose marriage ended were women, as were 13 out of the 14 with other cancers, the U.S. study found.

Overall, 21 per cent of marriages in which the wife was ill ended, compared with just 3 per cent in which the husband was the patient.

The researchers, from Washington University in Seattle, said it appeared that women are more committed to staying with someone through thick and thin.

They added: 'Some studies have suggested men are less able to undertake a care-giving role and assume the burdens of home and family maintenance compared with women.

'A woman becomes willing sooner in the marriage to commit to the burdens of having a sick spouse.'

The analysis also showed the impact a broken relationship can have on health. Patients who separated or divorced spent more time in hospital, took more anti-depressants, and were less likely to finish courses of gruelling treatments such as radiotherapy.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1214051/Men-likely-leave-sick-partners-study-shows.html#ixzz0TGwoLbPP

Taken from The Mail Online...

[Kathy73]

Well, I have to give huge kudos to my husband. He gave me every shot except 3. He made sure I always had something appealing to eat, even when I didn't want to. He kept track of my meds and worried with me when I wasn't sure if they were going to turn up in time. He went with me to every doctor appointment and every PA appointment. He went with me to the biopsy. He drove me to the bus and picked me up every day so I wouldn't have to drive when I was exhausted after work. In fact, he is the one who talked me into treating in the first place. He started doing laundry because I found the stairs difficult. I could go on and on and on. I think it depends on the man and how evolved he is.
Kathy

[FlGuy]

and the point is......?



Kathy,

Not to uncover any hidden motives or anything:

But, all those things could also point to a sadistic motive on your husband's part.  Excpet the laundry part which could just be his desire to wear clean underwear.

Sounds like a dear.

[Nomadpixie]

To: Noma
and the point is......?

No point.........
Just joining in the conversation if thats ok..?

[FlGuy]

I was just joking.  I suppose I resemble those remarks in the article you posted.

[portann]

Hi HCA,

I agree with Kathy. My own husband was a secular saint during my tx and was more committed to getting me through than I was.

He shouldered a huge burden and stuck by me, even though I was as attractive as a dead monkey and mean as a snake with shingles.

He would never post in a public forum due to who knows why - complex, guys are, and maybe more private about problems.  

Perhaps that's a factor in not seeing more caregiver men on board. They are ever present, though, I am sure.

There are lots of guys like my husband.

All over the place.

Take care, good guy - glad to see you are almost done.

Susan

[nygirl7]

FLG -

Are you kidding me some of us would pay good money to rent a husband like you ... I said rent because after all - you do come with your sense of humor!

(Just kidding love you and you know it).

[jdwithhcv]

Some guys really step up, but they do it in guy fashion.  When I had cancer and the chemo had me really sick, my husband cooked on the grill so the smell of food would not make me nauseous.  One of my rounds of chemo was Oct-Jan and he stood outside in the freezing snow cooking so maybe I would eat something.  He would never come on a forum like this, though - just not his style.

[GreatBird]

My husband has been a househusband for twenty-five years so he not only steps up to the plate, he put it there (does he clean it though? . . .  not that often . . . ). He shops, cooks, does laundry, pet care, etc., etc., but he would never come to a forum like this. His system for staying healthy is to avoid going to the doctor. Oddly, it often works.

[Marte313]

"Boys are stupid, throw rocks at them" =P

No, seriously:
The boy I were with when I got diagnosed never googled anything about it, even though he was really uncomfortable about me having it. Instead of typing it in the search field on the computer he sat by half the day he just avoided all intimacy with me.
Since I was very uncomfortable about the subject myself it took me 6 months before I finally took the dreadful talk with him and I gathered all the info and emailed to him.

Of course I found out a little while later that instead of finding this info and get over his issues himself he had taken a lover in the meantime.  

[chuckles333]

Not to seem the odd man out, I have been here asking questions on behalf of myself and my wife. She's not at all computer literate and she has a different geno-type than mine. I am finished treatment for type 2b while she is just beginning her counselling with the hepatologist for type 1a. I am sure I'll be here more frequently on her behalf as things progress.

[jacksonblue]

I never beleive these studies 1 year into my relationship with my wife she was diagnosed with cancer 13 years later she died at home from cancer well i was on treatment so much for studies

[GoofyDad]

"A man is seven times as likely to leave his wife when she becomes seriously ill as a woman is to abandon her husband, say researchers."

Well duhhhhh..... she's in bed sick - she ain't going anywhere.... unless someone disconnects the cable.  

[GoofyDad]

"When I had cancer and the chemo had me really sick, my husband cooked on the grill so the smell of food would not make me nauseous."

Did he also go fishing so the house would be quiet for you... and turn on the football on Sundays so you could pretend you had visitors? That's what I'd do... But then I'm a great guy.....

Jacknonblue: I'm sorry for your loss....That must have been very hard.  

[can-do-man]

Goof.......Well duhhhhh..... she's in bed sick - she ain't going anywhere.... unless someone disconnects the cable.  
-------------------------------

Goof don't think your being fair to the women, agree on the cable but what about the beer for the football game? And sense they are charging 2 bucks to deliver the pizza some body has got to pick it up, and frankly i'm to tired. No theres plenty of time to be sick in bed late at night or when i'm out with my friends.

Jacksonblue, really sorry for your loss, hope you know this is all in fun

[FlGuy]

"But then I'm a great guy..... "

Don't think that I've forgotten the festering boil comment. By the way, how is the ex?

[jacksonblue]

Actually i got a kick out of this thread i dont take thing to serious these days had to get one in for the  guys

[Isobella]

Let's hear it for the boys.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnuYhFRYbAw

[GoofyDad]

She's "Ex" thank you very much.

That was a crazy time, Dude. She'd be all screaming at me, "Your not sick. Why do you need a nap on Sunday!?! Blah blah blah.... " Or the classic, "Youlook like sh!t. Do you know that?"

[IAmTheWalrus]

Some guys are short-circuited. Not naming any names :-)

[IAmTheWalrus]

Nice to hear some charitable words for the guys. But, at the risk of a rash generalization, I think women tend to be more nurturing (Goofy's EX excluded).

[HCA]

Many interesting replies,but I am still puzzled.

1) 'Men are less likely to reach out'-probably true but they are here in droves reaching out for themselves.
2) Men more likely to abandon sick spouses-the study is quite compelling,although of course not all men but a very significant majority.
3)Men cited who have taken up the slack at home whilst wife on treatment -agreed no shortage of them.

But no explanation for why no men who have got into the deatail of the disease and it's treatment,learned the vocabluary,read the studies ect. on behalf of wives.
A significant cohort of women but not a single man.

It's not an emotional function it's absorbing scientific data in order to face up to a major issue.
Beats me !

[orphanedhawk]

I couldn't have made it this far w/o my husbands good care and fabulous cooking.
But you'll never hear from him on any forum.
OH

Marcia: Who's from Myanmar? Did I miss that someone? I've been there twice, met a monk who still emails me, and loved that magical place. Its straight out of Alice and Wonderland~nutty characters, delightful strangeness and a wicked witch of a government.

[GoofyDad]

Yeah! You go girl! And what about Marcus Welby for Chissakes? And.... and... uhh...well there Richard Simmons. And Danny Kaye, though he could be dead I guess.

See? We have our doormats... err.. I mean compassionate sorts.  

[Bill1954]

I can’t find the poster from Myanmar now; I thought his name was ‘aung kiaw song’, or something like that. Nice fellow; he was advocating for his pregnant wife who was HC infected.

Bill

[IMstacie]

My hubby was great, driving me to the market on weekends (after I took my shot) and cooking for me.  

I had to ban him from coming to the doctor with me because I couldn't get a word in on my visits!

But, I did and do all the research.   He started tx also, 6 months or so after I started (he is a 24 wk'r).  I record his dr's appt and I make his lab appts, keep track of his timeline.  I even pick up his labs when I see the dr. (same dr.).

-stacie

[orphanedhawk]

Goof,
You forgot the Dali Lama!!

Bill, Thanks for looking.

YuK:
OMG! Two txing in the same house and you're still speaking to each other.
Who are you? Saint Yukerina?

[IMstacie]

"Yukerina"  I like that.  Now that I'm finished and starting to feel better I may have to change my moniker.  I picked YuK because it was short and I was soooo sick and felt just plain yuck.

[GoofyDad]

The Church of the FSM doesn't recognize this imposter.

[Andiamo1]

Question: why does it take 8.000.000 sperm to fertilize one egg?

answer: they won't ask for directions.

[GoofyDad]

Hey man, nobody gave me no stinkin' Step 1, Step 2, Step 3 directions. I just took aim, hopped aboard, and rode it out.....short ride as it was.

[Kristina538]

I'm kind of interested in the study mentioned above.  It said that the marriages dissolved more if the woman was sick, but it didn't mention WHO dissolved the marriage.

My partner (who because the most incredibly unexpected wonderful support and helped over and above the call of duty doing tx),  had a sister-in-law who became ill and left her husband before she became to sick to become dependant upon him.  

A man is unlikely to ask a woman to leave if he gets sick - generally doing the 'cave' thing.   But when a woman gets sick she is facing the nemesis of her character: nurturing, controlling, nesting.   I'd like to know how many woman 'dissolved' the relationships!!!

[speed502]

My girlfriend couldn't leave fast enough when I told her about my HCV results. She originally told me she would give me undying support then... Adios. A phone call a few months later and never again. That was 8 years ago. Not all are nurturers. Guess I was lucky enough not to be married to her, huh? LOL (now)

[IMstacie]

You are right Speed, not all are nurturers.  Male or female, we all are not capable of everything.  We are, who we are.  I learned to understand this a long time ago with a mother who was not a nurturer.  I love and enjoy people for who they are and never impose my expectations on them.

[IAmTheWalrus]

My wife has been very supportive and she is the one that found this forum and got me involved. I was just ridin it out cowboy style before that.

Maybe men give their support in smaller, more frequent events rather than the more dramatic long drawn out ones. ??

GoofyDad: I didn't know you were a Pastafarian, bless your little noodle!

[IMstacie]

OMG, the Flying Spaghetti Monster!!??

[cliff1961]

There are givers & takers in the world, there are people who think of no one other than themselves & people who care and put others before themselves.
I am a giver and carer, i have attended every appointment since my Fiance' has been diagnosed with Hepatitis C and Fibromyalgia, many people have stated to me she is lucky as many men would have left her by now.

She Lives in Texas united states and i live in the United kingdom, she has to start her treatment in january 2010 and my PRIORITY is to travel back and for from UK to USA in which to be there and care for my Fiance'.

If you truly love some one you it would never even enter your head in which to leave or abandon them, i shall care for her get through her course of treatment and in 2-3 years time Marry her.  

[FullOfHope77]

Could be true as the  person that helped me find tx when I had relapsed was a woman that cared about me. I think i would have done the leg work and obviously had to do the real work in the end but wonder if I would have been fortunate to get in the study if it hadn't been for her. We all have our contributions we make to having functional lives and likely it's people living in their strengths when circumstances seem to indicate more interest from the woman... my 2 cents on that. We all need to live in our strengths and 'hire for our weaknesses' so to speak... the goal for male or female is get to SVR whatever it takes...

[l-horn]

Its because men see it as an opportunity to finally be rid of them.

I kid....but do I ?

[franke566]

Married 40 years to one woman and proud father to 3 children and 3 grand children.
Wife had cancer w both breasts removed and I was husband and father and played the mother role for a very long time.  I am not offended by your post in the least but
although we may be wired differently it is sexist to jumble all men into one category.
We by nature are wired to hunt, gather, defend and die if necessary for our family and
or clan.  This might sound sappy or self-serving but I cherish my wife and have always been there for her and she has always been here for me.

[eureka254]

Women just can't trust their husbands to make good decisions all on their own... ;)

[franke566]

Oh my Gosh!  I could have sided with andiamo and Goofydad but no- I exposed my
feminen side and didn't get one word of appreciation-and that ladies is why men
don't give a hoot er, I mean darn.

[Veteran1]

Ah, male bashing...most women's favorite pastime.  I love a good discussion as much as the next person, and am also wondering why no one responded to your declaration of compassion for your wife's condition and your helpful and caring attitude towards her.  

I too had a wife who suffered from a condition that required a lot of research and trips to the doctor's offices.  This condition lasted for five years and she took a lot of prescription pain meds, including hydrocodone.  She became addicted and it was like living with a heroin addict; mood swings, outbursts, and other related side effects.  

I stuck with her through it all, researched the history of the condition and found progressive physicians who could offer potential help.  I also took care of our two children, cooked, cleaned, and worked at a job ten hours a day to pay for everything.  I didn't berate her for her addiction nor did I ever consider leaving or not doing all I could to help her.  I'm told that's what love is all about.

For anyone to categorize men OR women in one group of with the same character disorders is not indicative of a high level of understanding of human nature.  They probably have difficulties in most of their own relationships, and it's understandable given the attitude of grouping each sex together with identical traits across the board.

I have terminal end stage liver disease resulting from Hep-C I got while serving in the Army during the Vietnam Era.  My now EX-wife decided that she didn't want to endure helping me with doctors and the research into alternative medicines because it infringed on her freedom to live her life.  Going for liver biopsies, ultrasounds, and watching me deteriorate was just too much for her.  So, I continue on my own and don't regret for one minute helping her through the tough times.

Sorry you don't see more men answering the original question on this forum, but maybe they just don't like to join forums?

[eureka254]

My comment was a tongue-in-cheek response to HCA; it was not intended to categorize anyone nor was it meant to be disrespectful in anyway.  I'm sorry if my attempt to interject some humor caused any one, or any gender, to seriously take offense.  Instead, I guess could I have theorized:  

"Men don't bother because they know their wives won't listen to anyone's good advice."   Or would that have intimated an equally low level of understanding of human nature?

Husbands such as yourself and frank566, like many spouses mentioned in this post, are deserving of much credit and compassion -- my comment and/or its omission in addressing individual situations presented should not be construed as an indication of any particular attitude or my personal feelings. Perhaps just a shot at humor way off mark.

[Trish77]

Actually, just this moment is the first I've read your post.  I have a feeling it didn't get a word of appreciation because other posts pushed it off the page and it didn't get read.  

It's a hard subject.  I think men get much misaligned - and yet on this particular thing, I think the kind of caregiving and nurturing that seems to go with someone being ill doesn't come as naturally to a man as it does to a woman.  Doing the hunting and gathering thing, men excel to be sure.  I'm not sure we should pat women on the back for what they're naturally good at and malign men for what they're not naturally good at.  Exceptions to the rule always but in a general sense, it's probably women who are better at caring for the sick than men.  Maybe that's why more men are doctors and less women and more women are nurses and less men.  Along with that childrearing thing ... and so on and so on.  I happen to think that when we expect men to be like women, that's when we just set ourselves up for disappointment.

[franke566]

I have to get a keyboard-the letter that comes after M is ot workig.  Touched by your
words-God Bless You & God Bless your courage.  The spirit that shapes us is our very self-you did what real. Humams do best & are all the better for it!

[franke566]

gettimg a key board today because the letter that comes after M is out-I follow your posts & you cotribute so much-  You are a good soul & I was just puttig my voice out there for balamce-just use the M for the letter that comes after it-ha ha.  Happy T day
to every 1 that observes it.

[GreatBird]

My DH took care of me all through my tx. He cooked. He cleaned (in his way). He drove me back and forth to LA (six hours RT) for my doctor visits. He left me alone when I needed it (which was a lot of the time) and kept me company and took me places when I needed to get out and interact with the bigger world. He dealt with my spontaneous tears and lifelessness and made me feel cared for and safe.

No one could have done it better.

[orphanedhawk]

Mine, too. We birds have got it made.

[WriteItDown]

You two birds put a smile on my face.  It's nice to hear about your wonderful husbands taking such good care of you.  

And by the way, seeing this thread reminds me once again that I miss HCA around here.  Anyone have any information regarding him?  I certainly hope he's okay.

[Bill1954]

No, I haven’t heard from HCA for a couple of months now. I tried to message him, but he’s blocked notes and messages from his inbox. Might have gotten fed up with some of the nonsense goings-ons in here. If someone hears from him, steer him my way?

Bill

[WriteItDown]

I tried to message him, too.  I hope someone hears from him.  He ought to be almost done with his Telaprevir trial by now, no?  I certainly hope he gets his SVR.

[Veteran1]

Hey, WriteItDown, I just read your post about HCA and hope he's okay, too.  I'm wondering if anyone personally knows of a person who has successful results from the Telaprevir protocol that is currently in trial.  My end stage liver disease from Hep-C has reached the terminal phase and lots of bad things are happening to my body.  I've developed severe cirrhosis and have a collapsing Hepatic Portal Vein which causes gastropathy and esophageal varices which I also have.  I've proven resistant to all known protocols and have geno type 1A Hep-C that I got in the Army 40 years ago.  My question is; can liver damage as extensive as mine be overcome once the virus is stopped?  I realize that cirrhosis cannot heal, but can the liver regrow and will the Portal Vein Hypertension be relieved?  I have a MELD score of 12 and am very close to being a candidate for transplant.  I am 60 years old but in really good shape physically other than the liver disease.  I'm wondering if I should hope for the trails to be successful and the treatment made available by next summer or if I should be more focused on accepting that a transplant is inevitable.  Providing, of course, that a liver should BE available.  I would really appreciate any feedback on this subject, and thanks.

[franke566]

Howdy Veteran 1.  I believe I told you I am end stage after Tx and SVR and my Hepatologist said at my stage of cirrhosis my liver will never regenerate.  I would take a liver now if I were eligible but other conditions has or is keeping me off the list.  I have a friend who had a transplant just under two years ago and he is a new man.
I waited.  After all I was SVR and thought my liver would repair itself.  I was only F1, F2 for fibrosis and cirrhosis-sometime between then and now I had a mild heart attack, pneumonia, chronic respiratory infections I believe were triggered by Tx and am diagnosed with COPD so Baylor turned me down for transplant.  Have you discussed this with your Hepatologist?  Do you have ascites/  Portal Hypertension between the liver and spleen?  Mental encephalapathy? Any esophogeal bleeds?
do your gums bleed at night?  Hand spasms?  Not being nosey just want to compare.  Thanks, Frank

[Veteran1]

Hi, Franke566.  Sorry its taken me a while to get back to you, but I had to deal with some family issues, I have a daughter who is 17 and just had a baby.  Nothing like additional stress.  My ex is no help so I'm it for her.  I'm trying to get her on the right path before I end up being unable to help any longer.

Sorry to hear about your situation with the transplant issue.  That *****.  I am in pretty good physical condition as a result of a couple of decades of not smoking, eating right, not drinking and exercising at my Dr's suggestion.  It may have slowed down the cirrhosis, but as you know with Hep-C it's inevitable.  

My heart is very strong.  I do have type II diabetes and thyroid disease as a result of the Hep-C and the interferon.  I do have portal vein hypertension with verices, but no bleeds.  I do get nosebleeds now that I NEVER got before.  No gums or other kinds of bleeding and no hand spasms.  My spleen is super enlarged as a result of the red cells being sequestered there.  Iron and platelets are in the toilet.  I take iron supplements but can't do anything about the platelets.

I just had another test this morning to see if something else is causing the extreme pain in the stomach that I'm experiencing.  I'm hoping they find something treatable.  

Good luck to you, Franke566.  

[franke566]

On the Hepatitis C side I was told Viral load has nothing to do with Cirrhosis/fibrosis-
I can't explain how my liver continues to become more useless-By the way-Congratulations on your new grandchild!  I feel like everyuone believes achieving SVR is it-the liver will go back to health and all will be fine and dandy.  I was not wise like you.  I drank a six pack after work, got on ADs and pain meds for my back.  Heck, why not?  I was so called cured.  Okay so thats what I thought.  You didn't do this so what are your drs telling you?  I wish you the best buddy.  I know you have your hands and heart full!  You are carrying quite the burden.  Good luck and God Bless. Frank  

[Veteran1]

Hi, Franke566.  Thanks for the congrats.  I'm trying to stay alive as long as possible.  I've been told to my face by my specialists that I'm terminal and need a liver or that's it.  I keep a very positive attitude about life.  Hell, we only get one shot at it, right?  Might as well make it a good ride.  

I've seen a lot of very bad things in my life, many of them thanks to the US Army, but that too is a part of life.  I am 43 years older than my daughter and want to leave a positive impression in her life.

I just responded to a forum post regarding ammonia levels in the blood of a failing liver.  If the levels get too high it can cause encephalopathy.  You can't think right at all.  Hell, I have enough trouble as it is.  After all, I was a teenager in the 60s.

Take care,

MARTY