Personally I think every health care provider should protect themselves and treat everyone as if they are a high risk, cuz I'm sure there are lots of folks out there who dont know they have anything contagious yet.
Mosts reiterate my position.
I do not volunteer and I am rarely asked about my medical history.
Several of my colleagues, immediate family and a few friends are aware of my background.
I do not lie about HCV or my alcoholism (10 years sober) even though rarely asked.
-->Been there, done that, got the hair shirt.
I confirm what others have mentioned: It is amazing that even some of the most well-read and educated people can have misconceptions and stereotypes related to HCV.
I kind of had a few inaccurate understandings when I first found out I had HCV.
I was not brought up to treat people differently for superficial reasons and I have done the same for my sons.
*****I am impressed most of the members of this forum have the patience and diplomacy to educate people about the true nature of HCV. I have noticed this when a newbie who probably does not have HCV posts an honest albeit sometimes overly paranoid question that could be construed as offensive if the poster asking it were not so sincere.
Be careful who you tell. At work it's not necessary to let the general public know. Once they do chances are a good portion of them will look at you differently.
Unfortunately this disease has a HUGE stigma attached to it. It just can't be helped and often people look at us like we just got out of the gutter from having sex and the syringe is still hanging on your arm. Seriuosly. You would be shocked how many ill informed people will be sure they can 'catch' it from you.
I found just saying i was on chemo for a blood disorder worked the best (although I did tell my direct reports at work my boss at the time although sworn to secrecy went straight down to HR and reported me. THen I saw all sort of 'confidential' documents that I was not supposed to see saying "is she contagious?" "can we catch this?" "how did she get this" (of course I copied them all and kept them as Hippa laws DO protect us from this type of behavior!!!!!!!!!!!!).
People are NOSEY and they will say "Oh what kind of cancer do you have???" like they have some right to know. I just said "I don't like to talk about it but thanks for worrying". Half the time the person would then go "but what do you HAVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" and I'd just walk away.
AT least this way you are covered when you aren't doing well. It covers the nauseau, lethargy and even the anemia.
I agree - once those words are out you just can't take them back in so be careful who you do decide to tell.
Good luck.
It is a good thing a lot of us are in America because
I lived in Newfoundland, Canada for seven years.
no one
from Canada would ever boast about being a Newfie
http://www.newfiejokes.net/
it takes time and patients to educate the fear out of people.
I tell every health and dental worker...they have the right to protect themselves.
I told close fam and friends, and took the time to explain so they'd understand.
those who you haven't got time to do this with don't/
People in here have lost jobs because some paranoid refused to work with them..
it's better to just say I have liver disease, and am on chemotherapy for it. If they assume that's cancer, I don't correct them, I just say the liver is a hard organ to treat.
there's no point in having every swingin' **** knowing your business because A it isn't their business and B. they descriminate when there is no need to.
Now, if you club was say a basketball club, then yes you should tell, because a bleed or getting scratched by another could effect them.
But as far as telling everyone....many folks are just bloody ignorant when it comes to medical stuff..I''ve been with my hubby 10 years and he doesn't have it, and my son for 30 and he doesn't have it....so sharing kisses, bathrooms and more is not how this is transmitted...but getting people to see that is s real task and discrimination suc,ks. It's not so bad if you are contageous but when you aren't it hurts to be left out in the cold.
mb
You didn't screw up - you innocently did what seemed right and it's only through experience that you learned otherwise.
I just don't agree with the view that if your friends don't understand, they're not your real friends. Life's too short to be that fussy and friends are hard to find. I wouldn't give up on them. The misunderstanding could be mutual and you yourself may have acted strangely and defensively when discussing it. I know I did when I talked to my kids. They were confused and I was confused and the whole thing was awkward. My younger son still skirts the issue and that's a typical reaction, not the exception. He's still my son and I love him so much.
I think your friends are most likely still your friends but don't know how to deal with it. I'd take the bull by the horns and invite them over to your place for brunch and cards or whatever you do together.
It's more important to be practical than keep our nose out of joint when it comes to friends. Try it. Friendship is a factor in succeeding in many aspects of life, including tx.
I think I totally screwed up and I have already told to many people. I don't think I realized what I was up against. Not having any experience at this and just trying to be honest with people I inadvertently said things to people thinking that they are my friends only to find out I was alienated after I told them. That totally *****. I guess you can really find out who your friends are when you tell then you have Hep C. I think I'm learning the hard way, which is very typical for me.
By the way Karaoke is FUN... It's funny sometimes to watch the drunks people get to the stage to sing... can be really funny to watch..LOL
Lynn
I just told my immediate family of my HCV. If anyone asked why I didn't have my usual pep was due to the chemo drugs I was taking, and leave it at that. If I was pressed I said that it was a blood disorder and I had to take chemo drugs. I wouldn't got into it any more than that. Let them think what they wanted. At that time I really didn't care, of course this was during TX (I'm a Non-responder, never had a 2 log drop in 12 wks.). If people tried to push me I would completely change the subject, and would not let the conversation go back to my "disease".
You have to make your own choice of who to tell..
Good Luck
Lynn (tahoeunicorn)
If you want to keep a secret.....DO NOT TELL NOT ONE SINGLE PERSON ON THE PLANET....all it takes is one....and it may even be your own mother and a spouse....the only way to be sure no one knows is to tell NO ONE...and i mean no-one
I would not tell anyone except your spouse. Society still has not been educated on this disease and if you tell you will find yourself losing friends, family, jobs and even doctors / dentists !!! good luck
I know my around the machine...."welcome to the machine"....Pink Floyd...love that song
You sure know how to have fun and use your puter to the fullest!
No tv show as of yet but i do sing kareoke songs....LOL...and i do pretty damn good if i di say so myself...ill found thss awesome software on google for turning you puter into a karokee machine....and its very simple to use...ill do a song right now...and send it off to ever wants a copy...you supply your own ear plugs
I do make some wild statements...sometimes i offend but not meaning too...you have to do that ...and take a chance on not getting someone coming after you with a gun....there is a fine line between hunour and insult...the trick is to play it right...without gettn a slap
i am not upset kit kat.....i have happy feet all day long....
Agrees, with Art I know sometimes you just want to shout it out, because it feels, like you are walking around with this dark secret. But honestly sometimes you just don't know how people will react.
What ever you decide best of luck.
Deb
I think you pick the people you want to tell, wisely. You have enough on your plate without feeling conscientious about what (people say) or how people might react. There's some good support groups out there too. Stay strong.
Art
You brighten my weekends with your sense of humour and wild statements. You could have your own TV show! Don't ever go changing!
Epi :)
Sorry, Rocker. No offense intended. It was just some silliness to pass the time on a cold, windy Sunday afternoon.
I hope you ladies are having a good time at my expense...enjoy it while you can...cause your day is gonna come....."you know im ONLY serious"
Now I'm pulling your leg... Ya, you make me laugh....
Its that Newfie sense of humour, it always cracks me up. I don't think I've ever met a Newfie without a great sense of humour, its like its in the blood almost.