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Life, Gifts, and Peace
Hello Doc. I've had lots of maladies in my life. Individually they are all manageable, cumulatively they slowly, yet steadily, take away life. Yet maladies also give us something good. They give us hope for the future ("Hope is the feeling you have, that the feeling you have, isn't permanent"), they give us humility in knowing what another's pain is like, and they give us reason to rejoice about living when times are good.
Back in '86, when I was on dialysis, I thought that the God had conspired to kill me. Two years later, after a successful kidney transplant, I was sure He had a plan. Unfortunately, part of that plan was Hep C (from the kidney transplant). I have lived through many trials in my life, but HCV is definately one of the bigger ones. It really is a complicated illness. I learned that Interferon/Ribaviron treatment not only stinks, but will cause the body to attempt rejection of any other transplanted organ, which adds to the pain (not to mention not clearing the virus). I learned that while only 1 in 4 people will develop cirrhosis, there is a 90% probability that it will be me. I recently learned that really low platelet counts (<20) can cause a lot of blood loss. But, I digress.
I have met many really wonderful people in the care process. I have even been able to help a couple myself. I have learned that even though things don't always add up, or seem fair, that God does have a plan. I decided long ago that I would not seek a liver transplant, because I had already been given that gift (in the form of a kidney). I could not, in good conscience, justify giving an old man (54) another organ whilst some other young father (like I was/am) might die and leave his children fatherless. I love God, care about societies future, and realize that I am not it.
Now that I am in the twilight of my life I can look back and say that I have regrets, but many more happy times. I will leave no other legacy other than that I was a man, I suffered, and now I am free.
Sometimes the patients peace and harmony are more important than the next treatment. Do you agree Doc?
Back in '86, when I was on dialysis, I thought that the God had conspired to kill me. Two years later, after a successful kidney transplant, I was sure He had a plan. Unfortunately, part of that plan was Hep C (from the kidney transplant). I have lived through many trials in my life, but HCV is definately one of the bigger ones. It really is a complicated illness. I learned that Interferon/Ribaviron treatment not only stinks, but will cause the body to attempt rejection of any other transplanted organ, which adds to the pain (not to mention not clearing the virus). I learned that while only 1 in 4 people will develop cirrhosis, there is a 90% probability that it will be me. I recently learned that really low platelet counts (<20) can cause a lot of blood loss. But, I digress.
I have met many really wonderful people in the care process. I have even been able to help a couple myself. I have learned that even though things don't always add up, or seem fair, that God does have a plan. I decided long ago that I would not seek a liver transplant, because I had already been given that gift (in the form of a kidney). I could not, in good conscience, justify giving an old man (54) another organ whilst some other young father (like I was/am) might die and leave his children fatherless. I love God, care about societies future, and realize that I am not it.
Now that I am in the twilight of my life I can look back and say that I have regrets, but many more happy times. I will leave no other legacy other than that I was a man, I suffered, and now I am free.
Sometimes the patients peace and harmony are more important than the next treatment. Do you agree Doc?
There is a lot of research in its infancy now for the development of non-interferon treatment. Interferon stimulates the immune response, so makes a problem for immune-suppressed people like TP patients. Many of the newer drugs work in a different way and attack the reproduction of the virus specifically. They are so new that it will be some time to bring them to market. Hold on!
Also, did you know that you can get a partial liver from a matching family member and both yours and theirs will grow out an entire functional liver?
Also, did you know that you can get a partial liver from a matching family member and both yours and theirs will grow out an entire functional liver?
To say God works in mysterious ways is putting it mildly....the night before i loss my job,i prayed to God to forgive me of all my sins and i wll pay the price here on earth before i die and pay in hell...next day i was fired...strange indeed?...i do know one thing...i am going tru a very streessful time ....this disease affects everything...even when you get a new job and you perforface id down,,it looks bad ...right now i have no insurance if i need certian drugs i may be in trouble...thetrial does give free procit...thank God....abd ill get the NEPO tru a drug program if i need it....but illl have to pay for it up front first and get reimursed at the end of that 3 month quarter...lots of stuff im goin tru...too much to list...im surprised im hangn in...dont get me wrong....now i know why suicide is done...AGAIN...i have no inclination of killing myself....but i can see now why someone would....this TX and the disease is BRUTAL
Wow; if it were me, I’d opt for liver transplant, and let the doctors determine whether or not age plays a part in transplant ethics. 54 isn’t very old, and unless you’ve been denied due to other factors, you should reconsider. Have you had a biopsy yet? Do you know what stage liver disease you have?
Many transplant survivors undergo interferon/ribavirin treatment; I personally know of a liver/kidney TP recipient that just completed HCV treatment, and is doing quite well.
Others here that are more familiar with the TP system will hopefully chime in with there thoughts. In the meantime, hang in there—
Bill
Many transplant survivors undergo interferon/ribavirin treatment; I personally know of a liver/kidney TP recipient that just completed HCV treatment, and is doing quite well.
Others here that are more familiar with the TP system will hopefully chime in with there thoughts. In the meantime, hang in there—
Bill
rodeo, I think there are a few people that had transplants and treated and I am sure they will chime in, it seems to be a slow night.
Oh, tippy is correct, there are no doctors but there a lot of good people that have treated any where from 1 time to 8 times and have a lot to offer in the way of information and support. Good Luck
Denise
Oh, tippy is correct, there are no doctors but there a lot of good people that have treated any where from 1 time to 8 times and have a lot to offer in the way of information and support. Good Luck
Denise
I agree with Tippy, very well written. You touched me, for sure. And you sure aren't the first to think there is a doctor on here! No need to apologize for that!
Very well written and thanks for sharing your story. Sounds like you have come to terms with the time you have left here.
There are no doctors here, only forum members.
There are no doctors here, only forum members.
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