Aa
Need some advice...
Hi I'm a 40 year old woman. When I was pregnant with my last baby my Blood work came back stating that I had HEP C I couldn’t begin to think of where it came from I've been with the same guy almost 20 years I never used intravenous drugs, nor was promiscuous. I did have a transfusion as a baby I do have a few tattoos from way back when, I don’t know….. It was devastating but The doctor told me the count was very low and it was safe to move forward breast feed and behave as I did with my prior children. My husband and all the kids were checked everyone was fine except me. I have finished breastfeeding. I am going to the doctor tomorrow something I should have done a long time ago. I want to know how bad I have this virus If I have liver damage what type the virus is. Also I just started Graduate school for my MSW I got strait A's going back to school after 15 years. I'm afraid to get sick if the doctor wants to put me on medication Will I get too sick to study or concentrate? Will I get too sick to take care of my family? WOW These are issues that kept me from following up. I don't want to not know how bad it is. Also its embarrassing !!!! I'm even embarrassed to tell this new doctor You're looked at like a addict or a ***** and I really value myself as a good woman and mother......
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So my direct experience is not working with terminally ill. "
Who is terminally ill the hepper or the HIVer? Please you need to learn much about these people you believe you are 'helping' and their diseases They deserve to be treated with respect and I just cannot see that being possible considering the embarrassment that you see them as. No graduate program can give you what it sounds like you really need COMPASSION.
Well at least now we can assume you got hcv through your tats - it's not as big a mystery as you think. Imagine that me a hepper who has made mistakes in the past and yet I have NO tats......... I wonder if that ups my standing in the community somehow? Will i lose my standing in the Council?
Who is terminally ill the hepper or the HIVer? Please you need to learn much about these people you believe you are 'helping' and their diseases They deserve to be treated with respect and I just cannot see that being possible considering the embarrassment that you see them as. No graduate program can give you what it sounds like you really need COMPASSION.
Well at least now we can assume you got hcv through your tats - it's not as big a mystery as you think. Imagine that me a hepper who has made mistakes in the past and yet I have NO tats......... I wonder if that ups my standing in the community somehow? Will i lose my standing in the Council?
I never thought that you were dealing with your client's in a medical capacity - only that you could have had a more complete understanding of those you're in a position to help - and in doing so, you'd have already gained the information that you now need. We do not necessarily know who are teachers in life are. For example, to me, your brother's life was as valuable as any life lived and who knows how many he touched beyond yourself. We cannot know the importance of anyone's life as we aren't often privileged enough to see the larger picture. As much as I loved my schooling, seldom did it provide the real wisdom that I could gain if were I to bring as much of my attention to what I am doing can. Regardless of the endeavor. I have no doubt that your job is challenging. My instinct says that your drive to help others re: brother's life, along with your dx of hep C, is all for a much larger reason.
Take what works - leave the rest. Good luck.
Take what works - leave the rest. Good luck.
"Well that is just how the situation makes me feel it is embarrassing and working in human services... In the past I had worked as a program coordinator for a homeless shelter...I just started Graduate School in Sept Going for an MSW and I did get all A's."
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I can understand that getting a diagnosis of hep c can be disturbing, and it's natural to feel quite an array of emotions, but my curiosity makes me wonder why you feel embarrassment. Is it from your personal experience in associating hep c with hiv, or associating hep c with homelessness? Do you feel that these human conditions to be an embarrassment? I'm not sure if graduating with an MSW with a 4.0 will cure those ill feelings, but at least you can cure hep c.
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I can understand that getting a diagnosis of hep c can be disturbing, and it's natural to feel quite an array of emotions, but my curiosity makes me wonder why you feel embarrassment. Is it from your personal experience in associating hep c with hiv, or associating hep c with homelessness? Do you feel that these human conditions to be an embarrassment? I'm not sure if graduating with an MSW with a 4.0 will cure those ill feelings, but at least you can cure hep c.
I am not argueing but I had hep c and cleared the live virus and am not terminally ill and neither are you.
My tattoo comments had nothing to do with you, I was talikng about me. Please don't be so defensive.
Peace
My tattoo comments had nothing to do with you, I was talikng about me. Please don't be so defensive.
Peace
Yea I got 3 tats my kids names and a panther which was a long time ago but they had heat sterilization. One tat i got was w/my husband back when he was my bf about 15 years ago we were partying in the villiage and decided to get matching tats The pplace was kinda shotty but we didnt care we were being drunk and silly SOOO that is kind of suspect but then again he didn't get it The transfusion was before I remember I was a newborn It doesn't even matter anymore I just want to get rid of this disease if I can
In the past I had worked as a program coordinator for a homeless shelter There were people that came there who had Hep C, but also had the HIV virus. As a coordinator I did sign off on the case managers notes and made sure the clients were transferred to a HASA shelter which can accommodate their needs better than our shelter. My job was not in a medical capacity though. I never said I was educated in the illness I just stated I was aware of the stigma attached. Prior to that I have worked with Mental illness, families and Battered women with children. So my direct experience is not working with terminally ill. I just started Graduate School in Sept Going for an MSW and I did get all A's. Something that was a task after graduating college 15 yrs ago Oh and by the way I pay for my school there are no Grants for a MSW program and you must maintain a B average to stay in the program Anyway like I said I am not here to battle so find another target
no steeler tats. The artist was pretty good, no cartoon looking things........Merlin, a rose (the first) a unicorn, 2 wolves and a freehand daylilly blended in by the wolves to add some color.
I hate Merlin and want a coverup but I doubt if that is going to happen
I hate Merlin and want a coverup but I doubt if that is going to happen
After some reflection I feel that I must bring this up. You stated that you got straight A's on returning to school. You also stated that you work with people who have Hep C. And yet, you know nothing about the disease. I have to wonder at that disconnect in that your stated goal was to help people. You remind me of a statement my dad would make "I buy you books, I send you to school, and what do you do? You eat the teacher!"
Tattoos......LOVE'em!!! I have 5 but really want more. My better sense is keeping me form doing it.
It is not just the needles, the gun and ink can be culprits if the artist is careless no matter how clean.
It is not just the needles, the gun and ink can be culprits if the artist is careless no matter how clean.
Ahhhh tattoos and blood transfusions are risky. Pre 1992 blood transfusions were the number one cause of Hep C. You can have Hep C for 30 - 40 years without symptoms.
Tattoos having a stranger stick a needle into you that you have no idea who it was used on before you isn't a risk ?
Have you ever had a PCR test for viral load ?
Tattoos having a stranger stick a needle into you that you have no idea who it was used on before you isn't a risk ?
Have you ever had a PCR test for viral load ?
check out the site, you'll really get some good detailed info
http://hepctrust.org.uk/
http://hepctrust.org.uk/
OH MY! I didn't even know there were "types" until I was asked last night what type i was I said I'll find out now that they are doing the tests I am just learning about this virus so what in the world are you talking about???? and I'm not being condecending by expressing that i saw what using drugs done to my brother hence it diverted me! Thats learning through others experience at a GREAT COST! You know I think that I'm going to just back up and leave this alone because it's as though some people are looking 4 me to say something they can twist up and thats not cool its just looking for a target for what reason I'm not here to figure out With saying this....Bill, Fret, copyman, trish You guys gave me some wonderful advice and Hope as well for this I say THANK YOU!! Ill post when I get the results and know how I can move foward
Hi there...
I had the same reaction as the others, but since you apologized, for my part all I can say is apology accepted and welcome to the forum.
Just wanted to say that you should educate yourself about the disease. You will be surprised that you will feel much less anxiety and feel much stronger facing the disease as well as the judgemental people, when you have more knowledge. Knowing all about hep c and treatment etc is quite empowering.
Here is a good site for newly diagnosed
http://hepctrust.org.uk/
I had the same reaction as the others, but since you apologized, for my part all I can say is apology accepted and welcome to the forum.
Just wanted to say that you should educate yourself about the disease. You will be surprised that you will feel much less anxiety and feel much stronger facing the disease as well as the judgemental people, when you have more knowledge. Knowing all about hep c and treatment etc is quite empowering.
Here is a good site for newly diagnosed
http://hepctrust.org.uk/
as what type it is As far as that comment, once again I as a child was able to see firsthand the reprecussions of doing the wrong thing, hence I did the opposite"
What does that have to do with what type it is?
It's not like bad people get geno 1 and good people get geno 2 or something like that. Confusing to me.
Remember there isn't one person alive who doesnt make mistakes all of the time - best intentions or not, but certainly it does not govern what geno you end up with. Try to use words wisely especially on the internet when they can come off easily as condescending, holier than thou, self righteous and judgemental - these are good people in here who have taken plenty of time over the years to help others and they dont deserve to be treated like anything but the first class citizens that they are. Without them I doubt I would be cured and my kids would be looking at a life with no parent around - I owe them everything and will defend each and every one of them with all my might (even the ones that I have 'argued' with. We 'argue' like family sometimes but it doesn't mean we dont care about each others well being with all our hearts).
Remember you are the one infected with hepc and you came to them for advice...so respect them for their honesty and courage and they will do the same right back.
What does that have to do with what type it is?
It's not like bad people get geno 1 and good people get geno 2 or something like that. Confusing to me.
Remember there isn't one person alive who doesnt make mistakes all of the time - best intentions or not, but certainly it does not govern what geno you end up with. Try to use words wisely especially on the internet when they can come off easily as condescending, holier than thou, self righteous and judgemental - these are good people in here who have taken plenty of time over the years to help others and they dont deserve to be treated like anything but the first class citizens that they are. Without them I doubt I would be cured and my kids would be looking at a life with no parent around - I owe them everything and will defend each and every one of them with all my might (even the ones that I have 'argued' with. We 'argue' like family sometimes but it doesn't mean we dont care about each others well being with all our hearts).
Remember you are the one infected with hepc and you came to them for advice...so respect them for their honesty and courage and they will do the same right back.
Thank you and yea it's just a waiting game right now once I get the bloodwork she said I will be sent to a specialist and it will be determined if I need a sonogram or whatever as well as what type it is As far as that comment, once again I as a child was able to see firsthand the reprecussions of doing the wrong thing, hence I did the opposite. It was just a shock because my behaviors weren't risky, furthermore By no means does making mistakes make you a bad person it just means you made bad choices I appreciate all of the helpful comments I feel more at ease with these circumstances
" came here for advice because I was lost "
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You have come to the right place.
"not for any arguements "
Hang on to your hat on that one.,but the bottom line is ..there is lots of help and support here.
WILL
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You have come to the right place.
"not for any arguements "
Hang on to your hat on that one.,but the bottom line is ..there is lots of help and support here.
WILL
Maybe it was this comment and the way it landed...
"You're looked at like a addict or a ***** and I really value myself as a good woman and mother...... "
Fretboard said this to you: "We all value ourselves as good people even if we may have made some regretful decisions in the past it surely doesn't make me a dirtbag.lol Just had to say it. "
That pretty much was how I felt after reading your comment and fretboard summed it up pretty well. Sorry about your brother. Truly. That doesn't change the attitude that came through in your comment. Seeing as it landed that way with alot of folks here...maybe it was deeper than you think and your comments went a little broader than YOU. You came her to learn and get advice. Maybe learn from that also, if you have ears to hear. And, you've also gotten good advice from some folks on other things as well.
When you get your test results, let us know how they turned out.
Trish
"You're looked at like a addict or a ***** and I really value myself as a good woman and mother...... "
Fretboard said this to you: "We all value ourselves as good people even if we may have made some regretful decisions in the past it surely doesn't make me a dirtbag.lol Just had to say it. "
That pretty much was how I felt after reading your comment and fretboard summed it up pretty well. Sorry about your brother. Truly. That doesn't change the attitude that came through in your comment. Seeing as it landed that way with alot of folks here...maybe it was deeper than you think and your comments went a little broader than YOU. You came her to learn and get advice. Maybe learn from that also, if you have ears to hear. And, you've also gotten good advice from some folks on other things as well.
When you get your test results, let us know how they turned out.
Trish
My intentions were not to have a debate or confrontation or my words taken personally I was talking about ME noone here and how I was feeling so dont take what I am feeling about myself and apply it to yourself as if i am insulting YOU because its not that deep I came here for advice because I was lost not for any arguements
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