Biopsy results. Help

[mimi3535]

We are having difficulty figuring out what my husbands liver biospy results mean.  He  has hep C 1b.  The GI MD says its cirrhosis, but won't explain anything else.  This is what the report reads.   "chronic hepatisit wth the following features: Moderate interface inflammatory acivity (grad III/4).  Bridging fibrosis and focal nodular regeneative changes (stage III-4/4). A hisotry of hepatitis-C".  I have gone to the sites that have been sugguested "Janis and Friends Hepatisis C Support" and it sounds like its not as bad as the doctor is making it out to be.  We would really appreciate any feedback.  Right now my husband has just completed his 3rd injection, 2nd week of ribovirin.  WBC are falling fast.  They are now at 3.4. BUT he has been real lucky and has had no side effects from the medication.  We were ready for the worst and so far all he had complained of is feeling tired....but he'e been feeling tired even before the treatment started.  We just want to thank all of you for all the posting because the information we have gathered here has been far more than any other site.

[can-do-man]

No they just give you a shot of Neupogen. Theres nothing Contageous about it. Just a booster drug. Theres never a need for isolation or masks with HCV Most people with hcv never needs it.  your WBC will bounce around alot on tx. So don't let that worry you. Just make sure your doctor keeps is eyes on his lab work. Take care.

[can-do-man]

I should of added though its not real wise to be around people thats real sick with the flu though.

[NYgirl]

I try to make sure to wash my hands a LOT and not to forget after grabbing door handles and stuff lately - I figure the best advice for a compromised immune system of any kind is the old fashionned advice. Stay away from sick people and wash hands often.

Sorry about the diagnosis on your husband. This disease really sucks but there are some great people in here to give support.  See if you can get him to come on too and question things - the more you ask the more you learn and the better equipped you are to deal.

[mimi3535]

I have been trying to get him on here for days.  I'v been reading and then having him read good advise and support, but so far I haven't been able to get him here alone.  BUT I WILL NOT GIVE UP!  He needs all of you!!! He just doesn't know it yet.  He's been so depressed and tired all the time, its been a battle to get him to do much of anything these days.  The fatigue started along with the depression, so he's now on Lexapro and we're just waiting to see if that helps him get out of this depression.  You know its bad when the man turns down a good game of golf!

[NYgirl]

Ah the Paxill I am on took about a month to really kick in but it helped a LOT.  I only know that because I decided I didn't need it and went off it and cracked up LOL.

Thank God he is taking the Lexapro!

You know you just have to be supportive and tell him that you love him and are there for him.  What you are doing online is ABOVE and beyond and eventually he WILL appreciate it when he gets over the shock at what is going on.  

Let me tell you, we've ALL been there!  But in time...hopefully he will get curious and want to talk to others who KNOW what he is going through.  That - for me - has been the greatest gift of tx.  just being able to talk to people about the things that seem so STUPID (ie: oh no my hair is falling out! oh no this rash makes me look dreadful! etc etc) I mean stuff that doesn't change the WORLD but whenyou post it and people say "AH i know it's so horrible isn't it?"
it makes you feel more like a credible person again and it gives you back some of your SELF ESTEEM to know you are NOT alone.

I knew nothing about this disease when I got here - and everyone was so PATIENT and KIND and UNDERSTANDING that I honestly felt I could deal with whatever was to come as long as they were honest and I knew in advance.

Have patience - it's a really big shock to his system to find out all of this at once.  You are a WONDERFUL wife and I am so sure he appreciates every bit of what you are doing...even if he doesn't really know it yet.

:)

[Dale_Ray]

You hit on something very important - washing those paws in hot water with good soap as often as possible. With our immune systems as they are during treatment the last thing you want is to give a germ an opportunity to jump on board. I stay away from crowds completely unless I have to go through an airport but otherwise I stay clear. I had a pulmonary infection a few weeks ago and it was super bad. Keep the common sense coming NYGirl. DR