Why Those Not on Tx Need Support - One Perspective

[GwithHepC]

<B><A href="http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=support">DEFINITION OF SUPPORT</a></b>



<B>WHY THOSE NOT ON TX NEED SUPPORT:</b>

It was recently asked in another thread what sort of support would someone who is "happy, healthy, asymptomatic and content in their decission (to not treat)" need?  I am not trying to be sarcastic, but what right does anyone have to ask this question of another with a chronic illness?   Why should anyone with Hepatitis C, or any chronic illness, have to justify their need for support?

<B>MY ANSWER (as one not on tx):</b> They shouldn't!  Anyone who has a chronic illness needs support for a multitude of reasons.  

Speaking for myself, I have a need to share in the experiences, feelings and thoughts of others infected with a similar illness, whether treating or not.  Having a chronic illness is an emotional burden.  It is not something that can or should be forgotten or taken lightly, even in the absence of symptoms. Just because someone thinks it is the right decision for them to wait does not mean the waiting in and of itself is not stressful.  Obviously I have determined the benefits of waiting at the moment outweigh the benefits of treating, but I still need support while I wait, and so I suspect, do others who have made a similar decision.

(CONTINUED BELOW)

[willing]

don't know much about life insurance, next to nothing in fact, but I'm laboring under the illusion that it's  a contract. You pay the premiums and they agree to cough up money if you die. Unless the form of death is explicitly excluded by the terms of contract (eg suicide) you are covered. As long as you pay your premium you can go (almost) any way way you choose.

[layla]

Personally I would not change my coverage (unless comfimed with my co.). Most of the time with insurance if your covered at dx you can keep it as is, but any changes or lapses after dx often affect that.  You could ask you insurance company. I would also bet there are laws on this so they can't just drop anyone when they get sick. It's the changes or lapses in coverage that usually get people cancelled out. Nice day...LL

[DonL]

I waited for years to treat. I was not very symptomatic and once I got over the initial panic, tended to forget it. I still drank on occaision, but never heavily. When my last bx showed that the disease was progressing, although slowly, my wife and I reasoned that now was a good time to treat while I was still relatively healthy.

I fully support anyone's right to treat or to wait. I believe that herbs, not drinking, healthy choices, etc. can help the liver, but not cure it. I take equal offence at someone telling a non-tx-er they are wrong to wait as I do a non-tx-er telling me I am wrong to treat. And if someone is posting because of a spouse, child, parent, or friend with Hep C, I believe they are equally welcome here.

My dr echoed many when he said that Hep C will <b>probably</b> not kill me. As a man, I know that I will get prostate cancer if I live long enough, but that doesn't mean I am removing my prostate anytime soon. Risks are everywhere and we all make choices.

Keep in mind that many of us are more easily angered than normal. Remember not to feed the trolls and encourage the kids to play nice in the sandbox.

[layla]

Oh yeah... I forgot I did try to increase my life insurance just before dx and they asked for new labs but I was dx before they came to take them so I just left it as was since they can't refuse me on that policy. LL

[new-sojourn]

I'm sure, in this age of the computers and easy cross referencing, the insurance co knows about the hep c.  And I would bet the insurance company would love to have a reason to disqualify you, which they can do @ their discration if the chance arises.  So I would be very careful how an inquiry would be worded.  Its kinda like stickin' a stick in a hornet's nest!

[the poor woman]

Hi, sweetie.

You knew I'd post (hunt and peck; computer illiteratacy notwithstandinding).  I'm obsessed. And, yes, the garden was a mess but when you left for work, I went outside and choppped down the bushes, pulled up the perennials and tossed some corn seeds onto the lawn.  Would you mind sleeping outside a few weeks so you can chase the squirrels away until it comes up?

I know you don't need any help here, but, I just want you to know that I think you're a pretty incredible guy.

You folks here have been really important to us during the last year and almost a half.  I would read from time to time what Scott was spending so much time on and realized the only place he could whine and complain was here because he was trying to be "O.K." for me and the kids at home.  Little did he know that I knew he was going through hell and putting us through it, too.
Many times when he was crying about the lampshade being crooked or screaming about the dust that wasn't there, I would leave and go by the river parkway and cry and pray.  He always said sorry later and took me out for surf and turf(one of the benefits of this horrible treatment).  I could never help him so I'd just sit and let him go through it.  He would say no one understands unless they've been through it.  One time, after many hours of riba rage and crying he said he just needed a hug but he didn,t want to be touched(????????????) I just sat and cried with him.

You guys KNOW how to hug without ever touching each other.  Thank you for helping us.

Yes, treating is bad.  I barely made it.  I am in therapy (we have alot of other stresses,too).  But, he was told 5-15 years and then-worse (transplant, cancer, cirrhosis, etc).  We were terrified every day for almost two years about 'something' to do with HCV.  Except he got good news (EVR, good tests etc).  He has fought hard.  He has been to hell.  And he and I would do it again -please, please pray we don't have to. I need him, the kids need him and he has things to do yet that he knows now he doesn't have the luxury of putting off forever.  We have plans.
The kids are 17 and 18.  We have been through alot over the years (too much) and now when eveything you hope to do when they are on there own, I don't want to miss out.  

You don't make plans and then treat.  You treat and then make plans.  Some of you are are early dx or stage 1 or type 2.
You should treat now and 'if' it doesn't work, then try 'better living and better eating' to stave off further damage.  But why wait when it's easier now and you just might be done with it?  Do you want to get like us?  Fighting it now after all the other **** we've been through in life only to find out now that we may not even get a chance to make up to each other for all the hurt we've caused each other?  Taking on this battle when we finally are old enough and tired enough to just rest and enjoy each other (or life, in general)?  

I'M pro treatment because of Scott.  I want him to live.
Please don't be afraid.  I thought It would never end and now we're five shots from done (if he isn't secretly hoarding his half empties for MORE extended treatment).  And, yes, it is hard.  But you will be able to handle it with heavenly help and boards like this.  You and your Drs. will know when it's time.

P.S. One of you thought that Scott was the "enemy" that is haunting Thand-out.  She said it was a woman.  I can assure you that Scott is a man.  I always thought he looks like a young Mel Gibson from the Mad Max days only taller (although he now looks like a young Mel who's aged 40 years and has cracked sores in the corners of his mouth, red rash on his face and skin as dry as my heels of my feet).  We get romantic by reading MKAndrews until the mood hits and then run off to the bedroom to scatch his rash and rub cream all over him.  You girls may flirt all you want with Scott.  I gaurantee he will be flattered and then fall asleep reading your post.    

I love you, honey.  Be well.