telling my kids

[mommypat6]

I want to tell my kids I'm ill but I'm not sure how much I should tell them?

[rockymoe]

My girls were older 1 in College 1 in High School and we wanted them tested. Of course they were upset but they are my biggest cheerleaders. My youngest is now a Phamacist and did her paper in college on hep c. She doesn't tell me this but I know she keeps herself educated on new treatments. I will tell her about my lastest poison and she will giggle her beautiful giggle and say Mom you are talking to a pharmacidt. It's my family and especially my grandchildren they keep me going.

[mommypat6]

Oh wow! That's terrible, yeah that's why I'm gonna wait. I want to have answers to their questions.

[R Glass]

I 100% agree not to tell them anything until you have educated yourself and have answers for them about HCV and your condition.

My GP told me I had HepC, there is no cure for it, but it can be treated. It was weeks before I could get an appointment with a Gastro so I had a family meeting and told them all I knew (which was what my GP told me). To make a long story short, for weeks my family and me thought I was going to die and didn’t know how long I had to live. I caused a lot of unnecessary panic.

[mommypat6]

Oh, yeah I absolutely plan on telling them, I just wasn't sure how much to tell them.  When I know more about what my treatment will be and such I plan on having a family meeting and letting them know what's up. Thanks for your input.

[dixiechicdana]

My daughter was 3 when I was diagnosed and I had to tell her that Mommy had bad blood and not to ever touch any if she saw it. It didn't bother her and actually had a benefit of Monsters being scared of mommy so they wouldn't be at our house LOL  I personally believe telling them is the right thing to do for their own safety. I had a friend with hep c and he was letting his 6 year old scratch his back and she scratched of a bump that started bleeding. I had to yank her hand away to keep her safe. I never could understand why he wouldn't tell his kids..... You just have to tell them that you have something yucky in your blood that they can catch and it wont go away if they catch it so to be careful if they see blood on you from being scratched and such.

[mommypat6]

I think you're right I'll wait until I have more info be fore I tell them anything, thanks

[joemc34606]

My youngest daughter was 14 when we told her and my oldest was 19, they were very upset like everyone else because they don't understand it at first then when you explain it to them in detail and also discuss treatment its much easier on them. Just like when you first found out. I think they deserve to know what your going through and I think you want everyone you can on your side for help and loving support. Good luck. Joe

[belle19]

i told my 22 year old son when i was diagnosed.  at first he was very upset but when i explained about treatment and that i might need help he said no problem.  we have always been very close and still are.  i'm in my 13th week and so far sx haven't been too bad.  i still work, do cardio, grocery shop and cook and clean.  so far so good.  good luck with whatever you do.  prayers and best wishes for you...belle

[JasmineT]

I am not the child expert but can talk from my perspective.  My sone was 27 when i was diagnosed.  I waited until I had information that would give a better picture. Ie. What genotype and viral count, the results from my biopsy.  These types of things come into play for treatment and cure rates as well as the urgency of the situation.  I also had my spouse tested, he did not have it.  It's unlikely you would have passed this to a child.  If you contracted this before you had the children, there is a very small chance you could have passed this to them.  You may wish to talk to your doctor about whether they should be tested and be able to communicate to them that they are not at risk or that it's highly unlikely but you should double check.

I don't know if I contracted this before or after I had my child.  I was worried about my son panicking that he may have it but if fact he was only worried about me.  He was aware of what hep c was.

I explained to my son that This was a slow acting virus that would impact my liver and cause health issues over a very long period of time.  I was in no immediate danger and that based on the tests, could treat the virus and would have an 90% chance of eliminating the virus.  That if the medicines should not work for me, which was unlikely, there would be time and
opportunity to try other approaches.

If your kids are not at risk for having this, You may also whish to consider not sharing the information, especially with the ones under 20, until you decide to start treating unless your lifestyle or ability to parent is being impacted now.  They will likely not be impacted by this until you  treat and then you will need their support and understanding.

[suezeeque]

I guess what you tell the kids will be age-dependant.  The older ones can probably hear the whole truth.  The younger two won't 'get it'.

My daughter is 18.  She was 17 when I was diagnosed.  I had no problem telling her exactly what was going on.  She was old enough to understand.

[mommypat6]

25,24,17,15,12 &12

[nygirl7]

How old are they, that's a big factor?