Almost to the End of a Long Journey - Need Encouragement

[Traveler312]

I am looking for encouragement for the future as I enter my last week of treatment. I am hcv genotype 1 and in treatment for the second time. I just took the 47 of 48 weekly injection and take 1200 mg of riba daily. Prior to this treatment I took 36 weeks of another one with five months in between the two treatments.

I have had most of the side-effects (fatigue, tremors, cough, brain fog, etc) and have had a difficult time coping with life. My wife and kids have suffered through this and I have somehow managed to take on a new demanding job as well. I was hoping to celebrate at the end of treatment but I am so worn out, I am beginning to wonder if any of my old self will return. I could use some encouragement from those who have survived and come out the other side.

Oh by the way I was UND at 6 weeks, 12 weeks, and 30 weeks of this treatment and will take a viral load test at the end of treatment in a week or so.

Here's to week 48 or actually week 84 with a five month break.

God bless the forum. In spite of all the suffering I still have hope.

[ladybug52]

Hang in there, the best is yet to come. Obviously you're going to be successful this time since you were und early on. And since you were able to treat 48 weeks and take on a new job, the rest is a piece of cake
Just imagine shot night with no shot! There, don't you feel better already?
Congrats,
Bug

[medicmommy]

I am 7 months post tx and still SVR. I feel great. It is so nice to have a life I have the energy to enjoy again -without the brain fog!!! I felt weird the first two weeks after finishing treatment though. By the middle of the second week, I felt the "drag" lift and I felt lighter somehow. Then the brain fog began to fade...I was uncomfortable without my security blanket feeling that I'd had from taking the meds -but I quickly got past that!!! so, here's to life post tx and to SVR!!!! I wave my hep C dragon slaying sword for you and emit a Howard Dean-like girly scream! YYYEEEAAAGGGHHHH!!!!!!! ~Melinda

[comeagain]

I`m 4 moths post second treatmen of 48weeks first was only 24 had 10months break in between.
Its getting better and better but I figure its gonna take a little bit longer to fully recover this time .
first time it only toook 3-4 months and I was fully recovered.

You surely are a hero best wishes!!

CA

[IAmTheWalrus]

I swear, the last week was the hardest for me. Keep your thoughts on the finish line and the adrenaline helps carry you through. With clearance at six weeks, the prognosis looks favorable. Good luck!

[Isobella]

The last half of tx seems, to me, to be like being in a tunnel when you can't yet see the light.  You have come through that not just once....but have been strong enough to do it twice.  You are a Dragon Slaying Beast!!!!!

And to have acheived UND this time around.....the fight will have been worth it.  You will be feeling better over the next few months.  And you will  use the time you spent in the tunnel to grow  and develop a greater understanding and appreciation for things that are important......family, heallth, happiness.

From now on in life...you know that you have the strength to get through anything that comes your way.  You are a fighter and you are a survivor.

Your 84 week ordeal will serve to inspire others to keep fighting for another day.

I wish you well in your new hep-free life.  I wish you a smooth transition from EOT to (your big fat) SVR.

All the best to you and your family.

Isobella

[Marcia2202]

I am at the same point as you, doing my last shot tomorrow. I haven't treated half as long as you, only 32 weeks, but it has been a crazy ordeal. Been in bed most of the time. Life will become better after a while. Just don't give up hope, you will feel better soon and all this will have been worth while.

I'm cheering you on to a big fat SVR!!!!

Marcia

[charm27]

Congratulations you finished your tx. Just wanted to wish you well and the best of luck all the way around!

A trooper you are!
We are all praying for  you and we continue to pray for each other!

Stay well.

Charm :}

[Teufelhunden]

The day after your last, the sun comes out, flowers bloom (or so it seems), your life takes on a whole different perspective.  Your journey has been long and ardous and as you near it's end, every day after that will become an opportunity to make a new happy ending.  Life moves pretty fast and if you don't stop to look around once in a while you could miss it. Whether it's the best of times or the worst of times, it's the only time you've got.  So, take time to celebrate, take time to reaquaint yourself to your family, take time to begin living again. Someone once said  " As I grow to understand life less and less, I learn to love it more and more"...  You're almost there.
Dum spiro, spero ...
Teuf

[Rosebud41]

You are a hero as far as I'm concerned!!

I'm having trouble dealing with trying to get treatment let alone doing it twice.
If you' ve had the strength to go this far I'm positive you'll be just fine in the future.

During the last year I've read many stories of courage like your's and many tell how much better they are after treatment.

You family is probably sick of treatment, but  deep down I know they've got to be very proud of you. I am and I'm sure many other forum members are.

Just keep pushing on one day at a time.

God Bless You

Rosebud 41

[jdwithhcv]

Chin up!  It gets better.  I felt as you do toward the end.  I am 8 months post tx, I got SVR and I feel wonderful, mentally and physically.  I hope you will be able to say the same in a few months.  Congratulations on making it to the end.  Here's to SVR and a brilliant future for you and your family.  

jd