Why

[tulips27]

As you all know Im starting tx end of year. Make a long story short every person I spoke to said why give up a year or two of the best years of your life for tx. Why be a guinea pig? Just to add on a few years to your life when your older? Now is the time to enjoy them.

Im so confused they all claim I will get other illnessess from tx and be sorry I ruined the best years.

Im pretty sure I know the answers to all of this but hearing this from people that love me are very disheartening.

[FlGuy]

You already know, having been diagnosed but not yet treated, is that no one can imagine the shoes you are in unless they've worn them or they are fully knowledgeable about hcv (like people in the health industry) HCV decisions are difficult sometimes, but always pretty lonely.  I decided a while back, in fact I decided it twice, that I would invest the time, energy, the soul-sapping, life-force sucking path of hcv resolution so that at a time in the future I would not have to. I do not dispute that entwining yourself around hcv resolution is a big investment. But really, your life does not stop on treatment, it goes on and you still have family, responsibilities, work and a life to live.  It's just isn't fun and sometimes a lot worse than not fun.  For me, it was pay up now or pay up later and I knew that more time, more damage, more years would make hcv reslotuion even more difficult.  Thus, a major part of my risk/reward equation.  But I had benefits that not all have that put me over the edge to headlong committment - cirrhosis and two kids who I discuss homework with every night and tell stories to some evenings.  Motivations and needs are different , we each need to find the main drivers of decion making.  But there must be a committment somewhere.  My two cents, but my two cents might not buy your cup of tea.

[tulips27]

i know .....thats a given. I agree. If god forbid they had cancer they would go for kemo right? I would 100% stand behind them. So I have Hep C and need tx..they dont want be to be a guinea pig.

I guess I just have to do what is right for me and thats it. Just very sad.

THANKS MUCH FOR LISTENING

[debnevada]

I would have to say, Tulips....if they don't have it, ask them to put themselves in your shoes.  What would they do then?

[tulips27]

I know I have to ut myself first and I am. However going thru this alone without the understanding of the few people I do have in my life is a bummer. They think I will grow two heads and six eyes or something!!

I was just looking for support from people in my life since its going to be a long haul...and I guess Im not going to have it from them.

You guys are my support.

[Jakied]

If treating is right for you at this time in your life, then go for it.  You must put yourself first in this case.  Your true friends will respect your decision.

[zazza]

I was worried about losing a year of my life to tx. What I have discovered is... you know what I am living my life during tx. Everything continues, my relationships continue, my children get older, life goes on.