last shot/wk of riba--mixed feelings

[chellski]

well i took my last shot (48/48) this past sun nite and am finishing up my last week of riba...should be thrilled right? well i am, but also scared...anyone go thru this?  i came to medhelp in 3/05 just after being diagnosed; this has been the most informative, compasionate place.....every person here welcomed me, comforted me, made me laugh, understood me, and most important were with me every step of the way....to cindy & phil, i thank you for giving us this space to journal our feelings, and commiserate with each other....medhelp can be happy, funny, angry, serious, up, down, in otherwords like my life.....you have been such a big part of it....
i now have the worries, will the virus return w/o the meds?  will all my sides leave me? how fast? everyone's different, i know but i know i can come here and read about someone thinking just what i'm wondering, join in a conversation about it...who knows? i'm proud to have finished 48 weeks and don't know how some have tolerated much much more....thanks...michelle

[Fisheress]

Hey ya'll....wanted to comment to fishdoc and tell you I have gained about 15 lbs! on tx. I started tx at about 130 (I'm 5'3") and now at 145-148. My 24 week PCR said my throid funtion was fine, in normal range.  My diet has not changed on tx except I now eat my cereal in the morn to take my meds, a turkey sandwich at lunch and then my normal dinner in the evening.  Have not lost my taste for any foods, do not have the metallic taste they warned me of.....nothing.  So why the weight gain? Staying away from the ice scream! and now that the B'day cheese cake is gone, maybe that will help.

nygirl, hows the drivers up there treating ya when ya wave that 9mm at them?  It has been a total spring break tourist nightmare around here (and it's just started) trying to get over the main bridge in Kemah.  The tourist are here!  The tourist are here! They drive me crazy!  I'll have to get out my 38 S&W and shoot out their tires so I can get on by!  Anymore than that, I will have to keep the shovel in the trunk!  LOL!

Don't worry can-do, think you are far enough from both of us to avoid the road rage, pitch forks, shovels and guns!

Have a good day everyone, just wanted to say hi!

Fisheress

[Dale_Ray]

At my 4th shot through my 12th the side were the worst. They may come back as bad as before but I have had three tolerable weeks of a life I can enjoy again. I am 32 weeks away from completion and if all hold as is I will do okay. I hope you just stay focused on the fact it is temporary and please know the sides will back off. I was just where you are so I know how terrible it can be on your system. Beamish says its hard work killing a dragon and you get some bumps and bruises. I think that is a pretty good logic to think about. Good luck to you. Dale

[cuteus]

you know what I did and felt already. YOU HAVE A HECK OF A GOOD SHOT AT THAT CURE! you will know soon with your next PCR what you have earned. SVR.

what do men wear underneath those kilts? inquiring minds want...

[GoofyDad]

<i>As for the gals here, I think a whole lot of them just fake it.</i>

The Helll you say! Fakin' it? They can do that? And when they say we're the best ever ..... are you saying that might not be the whole truth either? Ya mean all those homeruns might have actually been ground rule doubles?

-- Goof, with just a little less spring in his step tonight....

[friole]

Okay -- You got me -- I had to google utilkilts.  They are cool.  Very manly!  My dad wanted a kilt so we kids bought him one when he was about 70 (and they are not cheap, I tell you!) He never wore it, but it hung proudly in his dining room for years!

http://www.utilikilts.com/photogal-index.htm

Welcome to the forum.  Sorry about the hep C.  I imagine the hemocromotosis really factors in too.  I had a friend who had to get drained pretty frequently too.  "Tired and exhausted and cranky"  -- sounds like the norm.  Actually, those first 8 weeks are really rough while the bod is adjusting to all the meds.  It should get better.  It does sound like you are getting anemic, but I don't know if you can be put on the Procrit (to boost the hgb) with the hemochrom.  Do you know what your pre treatment and currentCBC said for hemoglobin (HGB) and NE# (absolute neutrophils?  - those are the two items on the CBC we watch pretty closely.
glad to see you here -- mac frijole

[amommy]

Congrats on finishing!  I will keep you in my thoughts for clear PCR's from here on out!  It is always so uplifting to hear of others who have made it through.  Thanks for sharing!  :) I feel fortunate to only be doing 24 weeks and most likely less.  Not sure how I'd make it as long as you have!  Thank you for the inspiration.

[carpedi]

Congratulations on going the 48! Having stopped myself at 24, I've nothing but pure admiration for your courage and tenacity. Enjoy your new life free of things with bad initials like tx, bx, and HCV!

[dammitjanet]

Michelle - Congrats on finishing tx.  I know you've had your ups and downs with it, but it seems the hardest part is over.  May you enjoy SVR forever, and a long, happy, healthy life.  DJ

[beamishboy]

strator-maybe Can-Do is onto something-besides mega-sales of ice cream!!-gun exchange for gallons of ice cream.....start w/ nygirl..take it 'round the world!!!  the American Dairy Peace Pops:live longer&fatter...mite just be a winning foriegn policy move..lord knows we need one.
Goofy-the ladys are too kind&we are so lucky-  born on 2nd base& they let us believe we are hitting homeruns??? sometimes,a bunt is enuff to score or  sliding facefirst onto the mound helps

[beamishboy]

strator-maybe Can-Do is onto something-besides mega-sales of ice cream!!-gun exchange for gallons of ice cream.....start w/ nygirl..take it 'round the world!!!  the American Dairy Peace Pops:live longer&fatter...mite just be a winning foriegn policy move..lord knows we need one.
Goofy-the ladys are too kind&we are so lucky-  born on 2nd base& they let us believe we are hitting homeruns??? sometimes,a bunt is enuff to score or  sliding facefirst onto the mound helps

[kiltedguy]

Hi! I guess I should introduce myself. 51 year old male, 3 adult daughters (2 are twins) and I've been married for 28 years (let's hope we can stay married thru treatment). I love to wear Utilikilts.

It started when my wife made me get a physical when I turned 50, ha-ha before then I never went to doctors, now I go all the time. How life changes. I guessing I caught Hep.C back in the army (1972 - 1975) I got a tattoo in Panama, I guessing that is where it all started.

I was also diagonised with Hemochromatous (Spelling?) Which means I got a different X & Y chromasone from my Mom & Dad. My body retains to much iron naturally. The only way to treat it is with old fashion "Blood Letting" (bring on the leaches). I had to give a pint of blood per week, for 14 weeks until my iron levels dropped to normal. Now that my iron levels are down to normal we just monitor my levels and when I start retaining to much iron again with the "Blood Letting". Doctor said the Hemochromatous has done more damage to my Liver than the HepC.

So thats my story. Genotype 2, stage 3 with border line chirroris.

I've been reading this site for quite a while, I don't join in much, I can't type, spell or put a sentence together. THANKS everyone for all the advises and support.

HAVE A HAPPY DAY!

erry

[strator]

kiltedguy - Keep smilin and posting here-You'll be so busy trying to sort us bozos on this bus out that ya just kinda get into the swing of things. You had any cbc's yet to check your hemoglobin? As for the cranky- the other day my wacked out ex-wife stopped to see the kid. Even she admits she put the ch in B***h)..she turns to my father and says.."Hey Dad, when did Don turn into an old whiny B***h?" Talk about a wake up call. Been afraid to open my mouith around here since.

fishdoc- Good Grief! I would make one coyote ugly... though at my height I could use an excuse to wear heels:)
Gotta admit though the picture of you and the grandkids and the pony sounds like a slice of Heaven. Course reading that in the same paragraph as your dare to kiltedguy...pitchforks huh?

can man -PLEASE make the world a safer place, send 9mmdoc some Ice Cream, I have a freezer full but it's all mine. What's a guy to do, minr, mine, mine.

[dyce]

Ha I'm glad! I thought I really ticked ya off. Your right , this place is so imfomative. I really doubt I'd started tx if not for all the good advice I've gotten here. Thanks again for your advice.

Dyce

[bobbyullc]

it is great you finished tx but now is the time to celebrate. i am at week 26 and do not know if i can handle 22 more weeks so thanks for your sharing your experiance. get your 6 month pcr and pray for the best. if you have done tx to the fullest you shoud be ok. lol
bobby

[fishdoc]

I know you were just kidding, and as for the caremark tip, just paying it forward- same info I got here, which really came in handy for me too.  I suspect not too many pharmacys handle interferon.........hope your feeling better, one down, 47 to go...
cheers,
c.

[friole]

Michelle - just another chance to send my best wishes.  I know it is going to be hard - you made the committement and followed thru and now it's over -- even if it is the best thing in the world. Don't know what to tell you - you are paving the ground for me. I am just happy for you and your kids.
Kathy

[dyce]

I was just kidding.

[fishdoc]

in between commercials... NCIS ya know... experience has taught me that pitchforks can be dangerous items especially around youngsters...  it was a long time ago, dammit!!  Just a little scar, didn't even hit a bone....  I am still her friend, 38 years later!!!  

[dyce]

How you doin. I want to thank you again on the insurance imfo you gave me a while back, it really made things click. You know thats great your getting back to teaching the granny kids how to play and enjoy themselves outdoors. Most kids today only want to sit in front of the video games all day and nite. I have to ask ya, are you giving them kids lessons on the pitchfork?

Dyce

[can-do-man]

Word of warning to ya kiltedguy, that grandmother is a gun carrying wild woman that has a pitch fork and has been known to use it. As for bending over for her???? Yeah right

[fishdoc]

http://agdirect.com/scripts/hrsdetl.exe?1125788361&0
try this link...

[fishdoc]

Hey there, I'm cranky, irritable, and well, hell whats new?  I really want some Ice cream for some reason... but cheer up!  How about you send us a pic of you bending over in that kilt?  Think of the fun you could have trying to get just the right shot!  I'll chip in for some ice cream-- dare ya!!  Seriously, my motivation is my family.  I do not want them to have to go through watching me with liver disease.  I have three grandchildren, and when they come see me, I always have a pony waiting, lots of chickens, dogs, cats, ... and we walk out the door first thing in the morning and don't go in until it gets dark.  NO one else can give them that love of OUTSIDE. Some times we even sleep outside, just for the heck of it.  So, I have a job to do, and right now, that is ensuring longevity.  Want a real smile, google black leopard Pony of the Americas.  As Soon as they get old enough for lessons... grandma's buying em one!!

[can-do-man]

You just had to mention ice cream didn't ya?

[can-do-man]

Hey guy, hope things get better, As for me, i just plain drive people crazy here. Makes me feel a whole lot better. As for the gals here, I think a whole lot of them just fake it.