The Truth, Please

Just got 14 week labs.

Starting VL 1,140,000
Beginning Log 6.058

week 14 (March 30)
VL 510
Log 2.708

Total Log drop at week 14 - 3.350

I have 10 more weeks to get UND.

If I don't reach it by week 24, I guess I stop.

I thought that 510 was encouraging but it did take a long time to get there.

Any thoughts?

Also, for the first time I have high Glucose serum and Low calcium Serum.

Any advice about that?

Everything else is the same; Neutrophils and WBC at Alert

Hematocrit, RBC and platelets low.

Hemaglobin 11.6

I'm gonna post this on the other side too coz it's so uncharacteristically medical.

Thanks in advance,

Wyntre

[Kalio1]

First I want to say that is great you killed ALMOST all of them, so you are a responder even if you aren't a rapid one! At least you are responding.  NYGirl had a few hangers on past 12 weeks as I recall too, I think hers was a few hundred. You just about have killed them all off, you are SO CLOSE to UND, I bet you are UND right now!

I think it's time to consider extending, what did your doctor say about it? If it was me I'd up my Riba but I don't know how much you are on right now.

[Myown]

Wow almost there!!
I think what Kalio told you sounds like good advice. So glad to see you ARE responding to treatment.

Are you going to keep getting tested to see what week you are totally UND?

[wyntre9]

'First I want to say that is great you killed ALMOST all of them, so you are a responder even if you aren't a rapid one!"

Ohhhh, thank you kalio.  It was great to hear that.  

"I think it's time to consider extending, what did your doctor say about it? If it was me I'd up my Riba"

I haven't spoken to him yet.  (Labcorp send me copies of bloodwork), but, initially, he said he wanted me on tx for 48 weeks.  i'm on 1000mg riba per day.  

To tell you the truth, i don't think that mentally and psychologically i could deal with anymore riba.  Plus I've lost almost 10 pounds since starting TX . . .still a plump chicken as my Ukrainian Dr. used to say, but I would imagine my riba requirements have dropped, too?.

I'm having all sorts of insurance issues now, as I'm on medical leave, and starting May 1 it's gonna be $566 for health coverage and scripts, which, considering the cost of these da*n meds, probably seems like a bargain.

But I sure can't afford that.  (I just put my house up for sale.)  

thanks again Kalio.  Coming from someone who's really been there done that, the encouragemnt means a lot.

wyntre

[wyntre9]

After May 1, I may never get tested again!  (just kidding).  

But that's the other reason I've been testing so often - to try and get a handle on the virus while still well-insured.

[jmjm530]

Or course the truth you asked for is that non-detectible would be better.

I forgot your stats, including first time treatment or not, age, age you think you contracted HCV, genotype, stage of liver damage, drugs (pegasys or peg intron?), pre-tx weight, riba dose; as well as your previous viral load tests. Also, what was your pre-tx hemoglobin and what was it on follow-up hgb values?

Certainly, you're correct that in terms of a viral eradication approach, you have ten more weeks to get non-detectible, unless you main purpose of treating is for liver histology alone. But other factors, including how much liver damage you have, and exactly when you become non-detectible all certainly play into any decision moving on. If it were me, I'd ask for sensitive weekly viral load tests at this point (something like Heptimax) until I became non-detectible. Like to hold back other advice until you report back, but I agree that upping the ribavirin may be one reasonable adjustment depending on how you're presently tolerating treatment.

All the best,

-- Jim

[Myown]

That's great that you can continue getting tested.  Seems some doctors are against testing except when they "feel moved" to do so.

I'm happy for you!

[wyntre9]

"the truth you asked for is that non-detectible would be better."

Of course.  

"I forgot your stats"

1A, Stage 1 Grade 1, diagnosed November 2006.  Don't know how I got it or how long I've had it but am assuming it's at least 20 years.  (partying in the 80's)

Meds;
Peg 180 1x per week, riba 1000, neup 480 every 2 weeks.

Previous VL tests:
1,140,000
97,000
75,000
37,000
17,000
11,000
6500
3860
510

pre tx Hgb 14.5
current HgB 11.4


"If it were me, I'd ask for sensitive weekly viral load tests at this point (something like Heptimax) until I became non-detectible."

I'm gonna mention that when i see the Dr. next week, or the week after.

Thanks Dr. Jim.

[wyntre9]

My Dr. told me to test once per month but I've been going every week or two coz I wanted to know what was going on.

After May 1, I definitely won't be testing as frequently!

[jmjm530]

Yeah, sorry for all the questions but memory isn't so good here.

You've had nine viral load tests since you started treating 14 weeks ago?
Did your hemoglobin drop fairly quickly to 11.4 or was it gradual? Do you have your CBC results handy?
Wanted to know how much you weighed because that's how they mostly determine your ribavirin dose. But since you say you're on 1000mg/day of ribavirin, Im going to assume you're below 165 lbs, and that's without "Venus" sitting on your shoulder.

-- Jim

[Htownwife]

I'll tell you what I like:

3.350 Log drop!
Only 510 critters running around inside ya!!

Seriously, I don't know about the statistics, but it looks very encouraging to me!!

Can't wait to hear what your doctor says, but it looks to me like you've got a fighting chance!!

Actually, you're not too different from where my hubby was at 12 weeks, he had 33 VL, and from what I understand that's not a HUGE difference.


Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

You're looking good, girl!!

[jmjm530]

Yeah, the other "personal" ladies question -- how old are you? Not being nosey, but studies suggest that the younger the age of infection (projected in your case) the slower the progression of liver damage.

-- Jim

[wyntre9]

Thanks HT.

I appreciate the thoughts.  Hubby only has ONE more, right?

Where are those pics? :)

Jim,

about 135 now soaking wet and with Venus on my shoulder.

HgB has dropped about a point a month since beginning TX 12/23/06.

And, yes, I've had as many VL tests as I wrote above, and maybe even one or two more.

(since i knew about the 12 week UND rule I decided I was gonna go and get blood drawn unless the lab refused to do it, which they didn't.  And since we ALL know how distracted some Dr.s can be, he never even noticed until my 4th or 5th visit when i asked him about feeling short-of-breath and he looked through all the labs and said, "Have you been going for bloodwork every week?  Well, if you stop going so much and they only draw your blood once a month maybe you'll feel better."


Starting May 1, though, when my regular insurance lapses, I WILL only be going once per month.

[ladybug52]

Jim:Yeah, sorry for all the questions but memory isn't so good here.
It's not the memory at all! Everybody and their brother asks you for help, single you out for help, including me. How can you keep track of all those stats.
Wyntre: I think the most important thing is that it IS dropping. You are killing the virus and healing your liver, although with your little damage, your liver will be better than new by the time you finish! Keep fighting, it may be slow but the numbers are going in the right direction!
Bug

[Htownwife]

No, he has 3 left!! This Friday will be 46! Wish it was one!!!!
He's gonna have a consultation with his doctor that last week, but I don't think he's going to extend.
He knows the odds, but wants off SO bad!!
But he said he'd listen to his doc and see what he says about the whole picture.

The PICS!!! I brought my camera to school today and took some, but they're REALLY lousy! I need to ask the office lady to let me in so I can take some better ones. These I took through the glass and there's this chicken wirey looking thingy that's in all the pictures! Never noticed it before, but it's really OBVIOUS in the pics!!

I think I'll try to post 'em anyway, and get some better ones later. She wasn't there today so I couldn't get in the aviary!!

BTW, how are you feeling?

[jmjm530]

And how much does "Venus" weigh? Just kidding :)

Yeah, well, nothing easy and clear cut, so what else is new. You seemed started off very well viral load-wise and then sort of stalled. Hopefully, you are non-detectible as we now talk, but in order to be sure you should continue with WEEKLY viral load tests until non-detectible. More important now than ever.

You know I'm supporting you whatever, but I think you want me to speak my mind -- the good, bad and the ugly -- even if it means less than what you want to hear now, because what's more important than how you feel today is what's going to happen tomorrow.

Such a woman, heh, so no age, but I'm going to assume you're not yet 50, which means you probably got the virus in your 30's or younger. As mentioned, the younger you are when you get the virus, the slower the progression of liver damage, as they studies say. In your case, you're only stage 1 after a projected 20 years. All that, and being a female -- you, not me -- suggests you indeed may have many, many, many years before you get serious liver damage, if at all.

So, the question is, how agressively do you want to fight this thing given that you're only stage one with a virus that appears to be  moving very slowly with you?

You say treatment you don't think you can psychologically or physically deal with any more riba, so I take it that treatment hasn't been easy. And you mention maybe having to sell the house, etc.

Because your'e still detectible at week 12 (I'm assuming that the week 12 figure was either 6500 or 3860 IU/ml)  some studies such as Berg say you need to treat 72 weeks for a decent chance at SVR but I think even Berg only gives you a 30 per cent chance with the 72 weeks. Not great but do check that out independently and preferably sitting across the table with your doctor. I don't think Drusano used weight-based riba, but those are the figures we have.

Even if you had a fifty per cent chance of SVR with 72 weeks, is it worth the time, the drug exposure, and everything else treatment entails for 72 weeks, given you're only stage 1? Not an answer, just a question, but one you should honestly try and answer pretty soon because later it becomes academic.

Other options are to treat for 48 weeks with diminishing odds you hope you will buck the odds,  or maybe split the difference somewhere depending on when you actually become non-detectible, using some formula like Drusano where you add so many weeks to the date you become non-detectible.  If you don't make it to "<5" by week 24, I think everyone agrees you should probably stop. And then there's the option of simply stopping treatment altogether now -- or at least if your next test comes back positive --  cutting your losses, and going into a watch n' wait mode.

Again, you have my support, but didn't want to sugar coat what is an important and not very clear cut decision, at least to me.


-- Jim

[jmjm530]

Forth paragraph from bottom should have read "Berg instead of "Drusano" as such: " I don't think BERG used weight-based riba, but those are the figures we have."

Also, if you do want to fight agressively, wouldn't discount discussing with the doctor upping the riba to say 1200 mg/day because as you say you still have weight to lose -- but only you know how the riba is affecting you.

-- Jim  

[orphanedhawk]

    Since you asked for the truth, I'll share my cynical version. This is a numbers game  All the docs have is statistics. Some people defy the odds. Where are you or I on the percentage chart? Who knows. Although everyone wants to be undetected by 4 weeks, we've seen lots of people here on this forum who cleared by 4 and relapsed afterwards. So you are a slow responder? Unless the sx's are drving you crazy, I'd keep at it a while longer and see how things progress.  
    BTW: My doc thinks increasing riba can help get rid of the last HCV's and help one become undetected.

[wyntre9]

many many thanks for everyone's suggestions.

One way or the other, i will go to week 24, especially since I'm so close to UND right now.

in the meantime, i'm going to read up on all the studies everyone has mentioned (I should be able to learn and maybe even retain something in ten weeks) and take it from there.

When i see the Dr., i think I will bring up the issue of increasing riba - but even as I'm writing this I don't see how i can tolerate anymore.

I'm getting psycho at times - out of control rages - overwhelming paranoia - and, no, i was never that way before.

it's actually worse after morning riba.  

I'm terribly ASHAMED to confess this, but the other day, when my old blind bichon went through the garbage and spilled it all over the deck, I literally wanted to kill her.

it was unreal.  i even smacked her.  And I'm not at all like that!  After, I was shaking and trembling and heaving like I'd just run up and down the stairs five times.

I'm so disgusted at myself - and I know it's gotta be the meds.  the only other time in my life I felt even close to that awful rage was when I was on long term prednisone for out-of-control allergy stuff.

So that's why i don't think I could handle increased riba.

I feel so bad about smacking my poor old puppy . . .

But thanks everyone for your encouragement and for your words of truth.  

wyntre

[jmjm530]

Early-on in treatment -- probably around the time I threw a fit in his office after sitting in the waiting room too long :) -- my doctor suggested I try some an AD like Lexipro.  

When I mentioned, I didn't think I was depressed, he said, no, it's not just depression -- they often prescribe ADs just so you won't "kick the dog" while you're treating.  He used those exact words.

No, of course it's not you, it's definitely the meds doing all this. Maybe an AD might make sense if you're not taking one already. I declined as I had no dog to kick, no job to screw up, and not many friends still calling me. Had I been in a more social or work situation, I wouldn't have been able to function without an AD or some sort of sedative. That riba can really monkey with your mind.

Be well,

-- Jim

[ladybug52]

Don't be ashamed to tell on yourself or for being human, besides it's just the meds and the stress. You are going thru so much with the house and all and the poor dog is adding more stress. I feel sorry for you, and I know you don't want an a/d I think it will really help make things more tolerable. I-horn is a case in point, he was against the a/d's and now is doing much better, per his last report.
A/D's are treated like a disease that no one wants, but I'm here to tell you, they helped control my riba-rage, before I was on riba! Maybe it was menopuase rage or just the stress of 5 kids (neice with us at the time) but I needed something.
Good Luck
Hugs,
Bug

[wyntre9]

Thanks for responding and understanding.

I did get a script for prozac but I'm trying not to start taking it because these episodes only happen once or twice a week.

Still, it's never escalated to the point it did Sunday night.  not only did I want to kill my dog, i wanted to toss her off the deck.

The sick thing is I came close to doing it.
And, as you can probably tell from my posts, I'm an animal lover!

I did start seeing a therapist once a week and that has seemed to help.  I also notice the rages are even worse when I have housing, insurance, financial issues piling up.

I had to go to the Motor Vehicle Department this morning and it wasn't a pretty sight.

Thank you for sharing, especially the past about your Dr. telling you that he prescribes AD'S so patients won't "kick the dog."

I'm really upset with myself but this;

"I declined as I had no dog to kick, no job to screw up, and not many friends still calling me."

DID make me laugh.  :)

"That riba can really monkey with your mind."

That's why I don't think I could tolerate an increase.  WHY does it have this effect?

I'm gonna go google it again and see if I can find some info other than that posted by the manufacturer.

Poor Bonnie.  I can't believe I smacked her.  I feel soooo guilty and awful.

Wyn

[wyntre9]

I don't want to give you the wrong impression about how i feel about AD's.

I have been on them before and they were wonderful!  Some of the best years of my life!  Helped me through a grueling period.

the difference between then and now (and believe me, i didn't want to go off them) is that I was depressed or stressed every day and not just a couple of times a week.

If I had the kind of episode I had yesterday, daily, I'd be on the prozac.

I've got a bottle in the medicine cabinet.

my objection is that I don't feel like I need AD's every day but as far as i know  there's no other way to use them correctly unless you get and maintain a certain level of the drug in your blood stream.

And, to be honest, i'm afraid I'll never want to go off them again.  that's how much i liked them before.

And there's also the issue of how many meds am i gonna take?  between the 3 hep drugs, the 5 to 7 allergy meds - the allergy shots - i don't think I COULD remember to take anything else!

But I will go on them if I feel there's no alternative.  And I agree, they're great for many people at certain points of their life and there is nothing wrong with them.  Like i said, I used to Loooove my prozac.

[Htownwife]

Don't feel guilty! It's the meds, not you!!
It's funny, because my hubby's doctor said the same thing to him about kicking the dog!
He was complaining about the dog smell, and the doctor looked right at him and asked if he was kicking the dog!!
That was when he started taking AD's, and I KNOW he wouldn't have made it this far without them!
And no, he was never on them before.
You can't blame yourself when the warnings are written all over the bottles of Riba.They don't say these meds induce rage and depression for nothing.
We all know you love animals...but this isn't you, it's the meds!
I feel for you and wish so much I could do something to help.
It's got to be tough with all the issues you're facing...financial, insurance, and not to mention the decisions about what to do about treatment.
Just remember, you've got a whole army of people who care about you!!!

Remember, you're not alone in this. We all care and want to help.

[orphanedhawk]

Okay, well really I don't like having increased the riba. My husband tried to help me transplant some flowers. Rather then telling him I didn't want assistance, I threw a fit like a 2 year old. I started yelling NO!! and stamping my foot. We both looked shocked. I swear, I had no idea where that inner brat came from but the damn meds let her out.
    BYW: there were peligrin falcon stories on the news tonight. I'd rather watch them then politicians anyday.

[wyntre9]

I don't think AD's are negative at all!

And if i didn't have other health issues that require all those other darn meds i probably would have been on them already!

But i DO know myself and I know I'd probably never want to go off them if I started again - that's how great they made me feel. (and, NOT that there's a thing in the world wrong with feeling great.  I recommend it highly!)

If it wasn't for the 10 or 11 OTHER meds I'm taking . . .

I'm just OD'D on meds!

THAT'S the real reason I'm trying to hold out. (for now)

HT,

So the Dr. actually asked your husband if he'd been kicking the dog?

OMG -

poor Bonnie -

[ladybug52]

Yes, you are an animal lover with multiple stress issues in your life.I know you are sweet caring animal lover, it wasn't Wynte that got mad at the dog. At least it wasn't your niece! I understand, and I didn't mean you when I was talking about how people feel about a/d's. It's gotten to the point I hate taking them because of the negative press around here.
take care,
bug

[rosebud57]

i am sorry you are having such difficult time. i hope despite the rough times that you will find svr.. jmjm offered great information.
from the riba halls of shame...
i don't know if i ever shared this but it was soooo embarrasing. i crashed about 4 weeks into treatment. it was probably a day before christmas or a day after but right about then my daughter had a friend over they had two lap tops in the living room downstairs. i had gotten up showered dressed gone up and down stairs several times i was exhausted to make a down or up trip again. then the power failed on the upstairs circuit, i called down to daughter, no ans. i called from my cell phone "WHAT i am busy" she said to me.  "what do you mean what... don't say what to me" i went from 0 to 60 in less than 4 seconds. went down the stairs screaming  and unplugged the lap tops and literally ripped them out of their hands (even the friend) every other word was F...something. (if you knew me you would know that i really don't curse). the friend - poor girl was from a nice christian family and never experienced such a display.  i later apologized profusely after many angry hours. ( and still had to set the circuit breaker myself.).. well just the other day the same girl was over and when i came home from being out the neighbors kids were screaming for more than 10minutes like banshees you'd think someone was killing them - they way kids might behave if no parent were there. i made a comment how long am i going to have to listen to that.. and went for the door. they all looked at me and said "we'll take care of it"  they did.

[BThompson4]

I have had similar experience on massive prednisone doses right after transplant; taking 450 mg daily for a week and tapering quickly thereafter to 15 mg daily at the end of the first month.  Talk about psychotic.  Had to take zyprexa, a heavy duty anti-psychotic for a week or two to come back down to earth.

I am also very sensitive to riba; a dose of three is not something I can handle at all, so I take one pill six times a day, and am doing better that way.

The hep c may also affect your moods and ability to think; encephalopthy has always been my worst hep c symptom, and even had eight-day coma in 1999 and near death.  Believe it or not, my thinking has been much clearer while on treatment.  I noticed within the first few days of tx that I was not struggling to find the right words to say and was much more spontaneous, notwithstanding the riba rage, with people because I could find the words to say without taking the time to fish around for them.

Anyway, you might consider taking the riba in doses of one and see how that affects your moods.  I find it much easier on the stomach too.  The long half life of riba (100+ hours) only requires that you take all your pills each day, whether  one or three at a time.

[rosebud57]

i like your suggestion. i was wondering about that myself. infact i am allmost done and just discovered that my script says to take 2 am and 3 pm and i have always had a hard time sleeping, which is what i should be doing right now. i just might try to divide them upsome with snacks.. if you've been reading you know how i am always saying im gonna quit... maybe that will help me through the last.

what is the encephalies....however you spelled it you spoke of?
rose

[wyntre9]

Thanks for the "Riba Hall of Shame" stories.

It makes it easier to deal with it.

flowers, laptops, odors, tipped over garbage; guess ya never know what's gonna set you off.

BT -

That sounds like an EXCELLENT idea - taking the Riba 1 pill 5 times per day instead of morning dose of 3 and evening of 2.

SO, you know what I'm talking about with the prednisone, hey?

i don't know which is worse, that or the riba.

wyntre

[ladybug52]

Had to read when i saw his post. Just jumpin in there to explain encephalopthy.
In this case it means liver damage making the ammonia levels rise to the point that your brain and body is toxic. You can't think straight. Another term is hepatic encephalothy meaning brain dysfunction caused by liver damage.
Correct me if I'm wrong B.
Bug

[nygirl7]

Posted on the other side...but trying again over here cause not sure of course what to do!

I used to be what'd ya'd call a 'fast girl' but now...thanks to this virus I see that was a lie.  I am as slow as slow can be ;)  (Just kidding, was dying to say I was "fast" (wishful thinking on my part to be a 'party girl' hahah).

Well I had almost a 3 log drop by week 4 and then got 'stuck' with a count of 400 that wouldn't go away until week 24 (he would not test me between 12 & 24). So, I got stuck doing the 72 weeks.

I had MAJOR anemia issues though (but I was taking MUCH too MUCH for my body weight). I cannot imagine that I would have finally gotten rid of them without it though.

The logic is hit them hard and hit them fast. I would make sure you get a Heptimax test at week 24. You don't want to have a 'real' count of 48<50 and not know it (Heptimax should go down to <5 I believe instead of <50) by then and do all of the 48 MORE weeks of treatment really if you are still positive since you are a slow responder.

I wish I had just argued the heck out of my doctor and gotten it myself. If I could go back that is one of the biggest things I would change. I didn't get a Hept. until I went to Dr. Jacobson and that was towards the 46th week of treatment! So who knows when I was "really" UND.

Do you see what I am trying to say?

Your chances are hurt but you can do it. The 72 weeks will help.

[stangshelly]

I haven't been posting in awhile, I am geno 1a with 3 log drop at 12 weeks and und at 24. I am stage 2 grde 2 and have had this since 1991 or before. I am 40 now and on week 55/72. I can certainly understand the riba rage I have it all the time. I am on so many meds to tx my sx's . I take effexor,darvocette,xanax,ritalin,lunesta,synthroid,and otc benadryl,gold bond. I don't know which way is up or down anymore. Wishing you the best on week 24. shelly

[rosebud57]

thanks for setting me straight bout that.  that is weird that i didn't know what that was... used to be bio major before the switch to.. well wrote a paper on bovine spongiform encephalopathy (okay so can't spell it, can't say it either) - mad cow disease, also related to human form crueschfeldt jacob disease... prions interesting little things protein shells that hijack rna to replicate.

but still they are completely different from the one related to the liver.  this is really strange but when that RN and i were talking at the easter event several days ago, she began the conversation talking about the condition - how it causes problems with brain, fixed with lactulose, that's when my brain kicked in and i said, i heard of that somewhere... that's when she shared about her father.. this is my ex's family, there actually is a lot of alcoholism on this side of his family.  i really came to a "biopsychosocial" realization about that whole situation...they are of native indian descent, these are people whose culture was torn apart, these are a people who lost their families, their land, their language, their general way of life their spirtual practices,....i;m sure i missed something. not a surprise there is some multi-generational problems.

[ladybug52]

Had a brother with hepatic encephalothapy, and treated several people with that dx. Used to freak me out cause of my brother, but that was long time ago when I was first coming to terms with his illness.
Bug

[wyntre9]

thanks for asking.

internet and phone service was out all day.

i have multiple offers on the house -

i'm trying to enroll in state health benefits plan so i'm still covered may 1 .

and i just rescued a baby squirrel that was stuck in my gutter pipes - had to peel back the sides - could only see 2 little eyes peering out - the mother was lurking nearby - when the gutter was opened enough for him to squeeze through the mother dashed down, grabbed the baby by the scruff of the neck and scampered up to the roof - which is 3 stories high.

then the baby fell - i goat a blanket - threw it over the squirrel, brought it inside - called a wildlife rehab place - knocked on my neighbors door - squirrel escaped - we caught the squirrel again - and now SHE'S gonna handle it.

whew!  i'm beat - i used to do this kind of stuff all the time - i feel like an invalid -
anyway, that's what i've been up to.


wyntre

[rosebud57]

hope you are feeling well.

I am thinking about all the wild animal and bird posts... i feel jealous seems all i have is the family of skunks that visits the neighborhood seemingly every night never see them but certainly can smell that they are near... dogs got sprayed once years ago.. that was an experience i never want to repeat.

(i do have regular visits froma house finch mated pair they are brown body with orangish/red heads..pretty song.. and an occassional morning dove.

[Htownwife]

So you've got multiple offers on your home? That must make you feel better!!

And what's this about rescuing a baby squirrel? Sounds familiar!!

Hope you're feeling better....you sound good!

[rosebud57]

yeah, the hepatic enceph.   the cousin was telling me that her dad could tell when his brain wasn't working right, (he wold get these strange repetitive behaviors like alzheimers, and he knew when to take the lactulose and he could tell when he had taken enough to set him straight and he would normalize and the sx would go away.  i said to her i knew that uti's could cause similar sx in elderly, but didn't know about the liver condition...

[wyntre9]

Rose,

love house finches - they're such accomplished singers!

Like skunks too - just not the smell.

child,

i don't know which is worse - the riba rage or the depression -

how's nick today?

HT

multiple lowball offers - and the news isn't good coz once i accept a bid then i'm gonna haveta actually move - after 13 years - from 2000 SF to less than 500 -

but there's a price for everything.

how's hubby today?

wyn

[wyntre9]

thanks shelly.

if it's any consolation, you have a lot less time left than me!  

Wow - you're on almost the same number of meds biy i still got ya beat by about a half dozen.

The riba rage is starting to wear me down.  I'm at week 17, now.  I've read some posts about people strated to lose it around now . . .

wyntre

[Htownwife]

Hey Wyntre,
Who knows, you might like living in a smaller place. Less to keep up, right?

You asked how hubby's doing.
He's doing great!
It's weird, I expected him to feel really bad towards the end...but just the opposite! I almost hate to say that cause I don't want to jinx it.
It must be partly because he feels the end's in sight, but I know that can't be all of it. No matter how psyched up you are, the sx's are what they are.
But I keep thinking he's getting better all the time.
Also putting in extremely long work days (and nights) and that wasn't possible until now!
Soooooooooo, we'll see what's ahead after this. I've told him that people take a year or more to get all the drugs out of their systems, and he's fully expecting to have a long recovery period.
But it's impossible to know what's ahead, so we'll just take it a day at a time.
Hope you had a good day today! How are you feeling?  

[Htownwife]

Hope you got some sleep!! I hate it when I can't sleep..are you taking anything for it? My hubby (Greyson) is taking ambien maybe once or sometimes twice a week. He tries not to take it any more than necessary, but when you gotta, you gotta!

That's exciting that your disability is in motion; sounds like a very good plan!
I can see why you would want to continue treating. You are all set up income and insurance wise (at least getting there) and even selling your house! I'm impressed! You've made some very major decisions while treating!

Greyson takes shot 46 tonite, then only 2 after this! I can't believe how fast this has gone. In some respects it seemed to drag, but now that I look back, it's hard to believe he's nearing the end! What a complete roller coaster ride this has been. At about 30 weeks I didn't think he was going to make it, and now he's feeling so good (considering) and back to burning the candle at both ends. I just hope he's not pushing himself too much.
What shot are you on? Let me know how your next labs come out.

By the way, I finally got some pics of our aviary that I'm going to download on my computer. I'll see if I can post them!

Talk to you later!

[wyntre9]

HT,

it's 330 AM and i'm wide awake.

great that your hub (what's his name) is feeling better.


There's a contract on my house.  Closing on July 1 or before.  Spoke to my Leeds guy and he's gonna open up the cottage, turn on the water, do some repairs.

Now it's all about the big move.

Two and a half months to get it together, straigten out health insurance stuff,
throw stuff out, consolidate, it's gonna be nuts.

i've been living in this house since 1994.

but i'm excited and scared at the same time.  everything's in motion and though i suppose i could turn back i don't wanna.

got guaranteed income for the next 2 years (until jan 23, 2009 coz of the income disability policy i took out in '94.)  even with the 560 insurance costs i'll still have enough to cover mortgage and expenses.

and if things work out as i hope, the state disability will be approved and then i'll have a modest income and free health insurance for life.

so i gotta go for it.

funny, i'm so busy i haven't had time to think about how  tx is going except to be fully aware that i'm only able to cover about 25% of my prior activity level.

i go real slow.  but after 3 months of going nowhere and doing nothing slow is better than total inertia.

gonna try and go back to sleep, now.

tomorrow (today) labwork, doggie beauty parlor, pick up peg and riba from pharmacy, go to office max for a dozen clear containers to start packing - and then steam room before shot tonight.  

[wyntre9]

What a great name!

And he's on week 46.  Only 2 more.  hooooooray!

Hope we can find a way to exchange pics -

I just did shot 17 - this morning i had bloodwork for week 16.

As usual, you understand my scheduling issues.  I have to go for everything now, while I've got a safety net in place.  If I don't reach SVR this round, I may never again be in a position to treat.

(In the Dr. Dietrich video MO posted a few weeks back, he gave some sobering statistics, including that for every 100 people diagnosed with c, only 10 finsh tx.

and for those 100 who are diagnosed, there are probably thousands who aren't.)  

greyson - i looove that name.  :)

[Htownwife]

Shot 17! By my calculations, you're one third of the way already!
It DOES go by pretty fast, doesn't it, or am I imagining things?

Yeah, I saw that Dr. Dietrich video too, and actually got my hubby to watch it. He thought it was pretty revealing too, and the really interesting thing is that he (Dr. D) was also treated for hep c, so he wasn't just giving it lip service; he had actually been there. To me, that speaks volumes.

I asked Greyson today if he was really feeling as good as he acted, or was he pushing himself more than he should. He said a little of both, that he was feeling optimistic about both his treatment ending and the fact he was able to maintain his business while treating. But he does have a tendency to push himself too hard, and I have to be the voice of reason most of the time. :)

I do know, though, that he is on the upswing because he couldn't have pushed himself earlier even if he had wanted to.

Maybe you have that to look forward to, too! Things DO get better even when it seems this will go on forever!
Hope you have a great and restful weekend!!