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Avatar universal

The difficulty of treatment

When I was 18 and suffering from the typical problems of that age, I would, during the darkest moments, lie on the floor near the stereo, smoke a joint and listen to some good music.  I would look up and dream that someday I would have the answer; I would have a wife, family, house and a career.  I thought for sure I would have that by the time I was 25.

When I was 25 and life was still uncertain, I thought I would surely have the answer by the time I was 40.  Now I am over 65 and life is still uncertain.

My wife and I sold our house and planned to move on to our sailboat for two years and not have a worry in the world.  Instead, Telapravir came along and my doctor convinced me that I might not have two years of good health.  So, here we are renting an apartment and I am in Prove 3.  

I am lying on the couch having taken a mind altering drug and listening to good music.  The mind altering drug is interferon and the result of the alteration is a dark experience
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Avatar universal
Yes, I like the OC too.  Used to be in LA and recently moved to Newport.  I know about east coast weather.  I lived in Armonk and Chappaqua for a few years before I moved to the west coast.  That area is very nice and so is Connecticut.  

I have an appointment with my new doctor tomorrow.  It feels like progress.  I am looking forward to getting to the bottom of a pain in my upper left abdomen I feel on and off...and the nausea.  Did you have any of this before you started your treatment?  
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Avatar universal
I didn't have any nasuea before I started Prove 3.  I didn't feel great though; low energy and general GI discomfort.

I hope you feel better.  I love Newport beach.  I worked on a software project there for 6 months back in the 80s.  A group of us rented a house on the cliffs in South Laguna - it was heaven!!

I forget, did you do any treatment yet?
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Avatar universal
Thanks, I feel better today.  I have had low energy and GI discomfort too as of late.  Have not started tx yet.  Just switched doctors.  Some say, don't do it since I have a low viral load - 13K.  I guess it will depend on the condition of my liver.  I have done a biopsy yet.  This is what scares me the most but I have to stay positive!!!  How was your liver when you got diagnosed?

Yes, Newport is great.  If you and your wife come this way, would love to meet you and take you out on the boat...
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Avatar universal
Glad you are feeling better.

I have been stage 3 for quite a few years now.  I was grade 3 as well, but dropped to grade 1 after tx.  Even though I did not achieve SVR, I have felt better after treatment.

Thanks for the offer of boating, we will take you up on that if we get to the west coast this year.  I offer you the same deal if you get to the east coast.  My wife and I would love to take you sailing.

I am not allowed procrit as part of the prove 3 trial, so I am very anemic and will probably have to cut back on the riba dose.  Now I am waiting for my 11 oclock VX pill.  I hate taking this stuff threee times a day.  We have to take it every 8 hours +- 20 minutes.  I walk around with a timer - what a pain, but well worth it if I finally get rid of this virus.  Sorry for complaining, I am tired and want to go to sleep, but have to stay up for the pills at 11.
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Avatar universal
Hang in there.  I can only imagine how hard it is but you will get through this.  The important thing is what we take away from this whole experience.  It has definitely helped me prioritize better.  Have a great weekend.  

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146021 tn?1237204887
Beautiful writing. I can relate.  As a girl in her early teens I would lie in bed at night with headphones on and play the same corny tear-jerker song over and over and cry. I had a record player and would put on my little 45 of "What's It All About, Alfie?"
Cracks me up now to picture the little drama queen, but the song still has sentimental value to me.
Well, the good news is you did find a partner and maybe someday soon, you'll be on that boat with your worries behind you.
Something tells me that you discovered the secret to life, there is no perfect time and place we just have to keep going. Life is not a race, it's a marathon!
Take care,
Bug
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