I don't feel bad or anything..I am stressed but that is just part of life..I appear to be normal..what I mean by that is that I don't look ill..
you need real support & counseling--you know daughter is being paranoid!!!!! Hard row to hoe,get some serious one on one going..Facts work well against irrational fear:learn about the virus& for godsakes get some professional medical advice,for your & your family...GOOD LUCK
you might be a big fan of Cervantes??? anyway, please don't let this be about you, sounds like it's more about her. Maybe send her some literature, there's plenty of it around, at Janis and here and everywhere now, where it pretty much shows outright that this is a blood borne disease. This isn't a flu virus and it sounds like she thinks it is. Really, I feel that so many of us take on other people's attitudes unnecessarily, hopefully, you help her to see reason.
Someday your daughter will wake up and see what a fool she has been. I have seen a little distance with my family also but nothing like that. That just breaks my heart that in a time of need family should stick together. Maybe she should get a little more educated about this stinking virus and she will see that you cannot contaminate anyone by being around them. What does your husband think about this situation. Keep your chin up and I am sure she will wake up because life is too short. Take care. Sheila
Sometimes family members just don't understand and your daughter needs to do some reading and research,,,Big Time! For her Mother! You need to sit down and write her a note on how crushed you are feeling because of her ignorance and then give her some heptatis facts and how it is actually passed on. I'm sorry that this has happened but maybe she will start doing some research and see how wrong she is to deprive her own daughter from seeing her grandmother. Meanwhile,,,you have this support right here to vent when needed. I hope things turn around for you!
My husband is really mad and thinks she is alittle nuts..she used to be one of those people that bleached everything..she was actually too clean if you can be..but, she isn't that bad anymore..She does have a germ thing..I guess that might be from husband's line of work..Thanks so much for the encouragement..I needed it so much..
Cervantes................Yes, I am Catalina de Salazar from the 15th Century..Just another journey..Most people never notice.
hum, it does sound like she has a bit of a problem, your daughter that is. I am afraid she does sound like someone with OCD, or some disorder that needs treatment, because the disorder is keeping her from being rational or seen the facts for what they are. Maybe you can speak with the husband and see if he is a little more open to reality than she is. It could be that no matter how much literature and facts you give her, her phobia is not going to let her reason. I agree that counseling is in order.
quixote, do you qualify for the Pegassist program? Roche can pay for your treatment or you can get in a research trial, if you are interested.
what genotype are you, and what is the damage to your liver, do you know?
Most gracious lady--This too shall pass..I am sure you can make it better.You are strong& smart & you love them..
I think I will talk to her husband..I do love all 3 of them more than anything..Now that I think about it more, (because it caught me off guard after all these years) is that maybe it is her..Maybe my house could be cleaner but it's not bad..She is very protective with my granddaughter..I can see how this could be overcome with some patience and guidance..Also I don't have a clue what geno I am or anything..I went to one doctor, he said I was in good shape, treatment was rough and I had time for research to come up with better treatment.. that was 8 years ago..and $1200 ago..I would love to see if I could be treated..
beamishboy,that is very sweet..
oh geez! not one of those drs that only looks at the alt/ast levels and based the damage assessment on that! I just went to a program where the speaker stated that most people present normal levels and it means nothing in terms of liver damage.
check clinicaltrials.gov to see if there is any recruiting going on that might fit you. they might even do a biopsy to see what the damage really is. You are flying blind.
Please make sure you know everything about the state of your liver soon.
Have you considered mailing her a printout of an online article detailing the facts about HCV? Perhaps if she could read the information on her own terms, she might be educated a little more and a little less fearful. Unfortunately, the world is full of people ignorant about the realities of living with HCV. I'm so sorry that one of those people has to be your own daughter.
That is such tough going for you there, and my heart is with you. The sad fact of the matter is...most of the general public has no clue about HCV, and that includes myself prior to my diagnosis. Every family member and friend (and even some I met who had been diagnosed with HCV themselves )- I pretty much had to explain what it was when I told them I had HCV. I have a very loving supporting family -however none of them went running out in the beginning to learn about it. With some in my family I certainly approached them differently then others. Giving them just as much as they, or I, could handle at a time.
Just as some of us may have gone through a period of denial-so might a loved one.
We can be angry and perplexed that there isn't awareness in the world. That doesn't make the individuals in the world ignorant or uncaring - lets face it even by the 3rd day or 2nd week after our own diagnosis, (or yesterday) how many of had a real concept of what the H this was. If HCV wasn't affecting us or a family member how many of US would know anything about it. Either fear or a desire for a better life probably got some of us at least to get educated about HCV. We didn't have a lot of choice.
Maybe it makes your daughter too sad to deal with it -right now. Hey I had to go about attacking this disease in baby steps myself. I got through each step when I was ready. When I found out about my HCV -I sat for days in front of the computer afraid to look it up and find out things I didn't want to hear.
Love is the big transformer. The kind of love that gives us patience when we have to work for it. The kind of love that will allow a loved one to break through their own fears for us.
I was never a very pro active person but when I began to deal with this...the more knowledge I got and became involved in preparing for HCV through support groups and therapy, the more my family asked questions and became confident that this wasn't more than we could handle- TOGETHER.
In therapy I took weeks sometimes talking about how my ex or my son or so and so would react, or how I would deal with it if they didn't react well, I meither wanted to overwhelm them or be a lonely martyr, so I asked for help. I certainly didn't come up with any of the support group or therapy ideas or insurance solutions(believe me I thought I'd be robbin banks)on my own...it all started with 1 phone call.
quixote - I don't know where you live, but try making some calls or finding a group or a social service in your area(and yes a Dr may be the place to start). You may do best with your daughter with some professional guidance, (she may tuck literature in a bottom drawer like I first did when they gave it to me).
Whatever the story is with your daughter today- it won't change by itself- but YOU CAN rewrite what the story might be tomorrow.
God Bless you and your daughter and grandchild,
Don
I myself was thrown out of my parents home by my father upon diagnosis & he did not want me anywhere near my niece & nephew despite my brothers protests...
I was devastated & it took about 2 months before my father relented. It was just a lack of understanding & education. That was 10 years ago, since then I have had his support, often silently but I know he did the absolute best.
When I commenced treatment this year he was there whenever I needed him, but he also very much respected my need for space & to take the journey alone.
So I wish you the best & only hope your daughter will come to understand, I'm sure it would break your granddaughters heart to miss out on the relationship out of foolishness...
all the best
Here is a link with lots of good info. Best of luck to ya.
http://janis7hepc.com/myths_and_facts.htm
Stay well...........John
What a beautiful name, and you sound like a beautiful soul on a journey. I can't really add anything to what has been already said here by the gracious members of the board. Many of us are dealing with the same issues or choosing to stay in the closet to avoid the issues.
I wonder if your granddaughter was born before 1993 when you were diagnosed or what has changed since then. Now your daughter seems to think Hepatitis C is airborne which or course it is not, and in 1993 she actually let you cut the umbilical cord. Is there any possibility she already worries that her daughter is infected? Would it ease her fears to get her daughter tested, and even herself?
I hope you will begin to pursue treatment which really is not that bad (for some - me for example). I also found out I had hep C about 1992 or so and just started treating in July. The drug companies will provide the meds if you qualify, and it sounds like you do so please make some contacts - look for a support group like Strator suggested and begin this journey
Don't fight too many windmills
frijole
I can definately understand you being hurt. When I had hep c my daughter in law never really said it out loud but did very much so by her actions that she was scared to let me by my only grandchild. Especially after seeomg how sick I would get after doing my shot while visiting. Then one day I had enough and showed her and my son some pamplets and a letter someone posted here to relatives about hep c. After reading them, they both apologized to me and there has not been any more negative actions since. I hope for your sake and thiers that they will see you are no harm to your grandchild. Good luck.
Sorry to hear about your situation. Sad but true, alot of naive people out there have fears of the unknown. I know that lots are freaked out about HIV, and those who are, typically group all the blood born viruses together. They don't realize sometimes Hep C is NOT HIV. It's sad when your own family members are affected. I don't understand though, how she can truely feel this way, when she let you cut the umbilcal cord when the child was born.?
Anyway, you also mentioned that you have lots of pets, are they inside pets? That could possibly be part of her fears, as far as germs go. Ask her how she feels about that.
My advice, keep a clean house, and give her more information on hep c.
PS: Have you talked to her husband? How does he feel?
Sylv
I am so sorry for this pain that you are in. Ignorance is just a horrible thing and they are right someday your daughter will realize she has been such a fool.
On another note I know that the drug companies have ways for people to receive the meds for free fo those who are in your shoes. If you did want to treat perhaps you could do that.
Again my heart just breaks for you. Somehow you need her to find out that if it were indeed that communicable...we all would have been shipped off to Hepper Island instead of going to work and church and things like that!
i am in a similiar situation in regards to income/assets/health insurance..New york state has a plan-GHI-that has been very good for me..The drug co. Schering also provides free meds thru Commitment to Care program--800-521-7157..........You can be treated if that is the appropriate path for you!!!---See a Hep-c specialist,there are clinics that specifically treat us...Find out your status,get a biopsy(less painful then a visit to the dentist) and seek out the advice of Medical Professionals about your current condition and options...Not knowing is soo unsettling & i sure do want to hear about your reconciliation w/ daughter--Good Luck
Wen I told my office mates about this, I sensed some fear...I brought a bunch of pamphlets to work and spread them out on the conference room table...they read them, asked questions, and I could feel the tension ease...all it took was some communication and education.
Education is what your daughter needs and PRONTO! This is what I freakin' HATE about this disease! The misconceptions and ignorance! How how wrong to spread THAT disease to a child!
Then this poor woman at work was exposed to TB...now that's AIR borne! Imagine having a disease like that? She has to take medication now, the Health Dept. is MAKING her take it so it doesn't turn into full blown TB...I am sure she would trade places with me in a heartbeat...
Cin
well, she is coming down tomorrow to see a house so...We have talked a couple of times today and it went well..well, we didn't mention it, but I could just tell it's going to work out..I called one of her old friend's that has a husband with hcv for 11 years..they even have a son..she told me that they have like you should be around anyone bleeding..she says they now always have bandaids and when someone gets a cut, they stop, fix it and clean it up carefully..and no one uses anyone's razor or toothbrush..just like it should be anyhow..so, she is going to visit with her when they get moved down..I gave my house a good cleaning today, too..so, I am feeling better..you guys just made me realize the problem is solvable..Thnks...Also. after the holidays I am going to get myself checked out somehow..Figure out where I am..I feel so Lucky to have found you all..Thanks dawn