svr + 3 months

[Andiamo1]

I am now 9 months post treatment and feel quite a change from  my abnormal self.  I spent the last 20 years dealing with HCV and now that it is gone, I have a lot more time to think about fun things.  My physical strength keeps increasing weekly and shows no signs of leveling off as yet.  I think my fibrosis must be improving as well, since I am able to handle over the counter medications without the "hangover" I used to get from an Advil.

I bought a kayak and I am having a lot of fun being out on the water once again and getting aerobic exercise in a beautiful environment instead of a smelly gym.  

Perhaps the most striking change is the return of emotions and memories from afar; things that I used to experience, but gradually disappeared over the 40 years I had the disease.  I thought the changes were from normal aging, but now I see that it was HCV that limited my energy and enjoyment of life.  Now I walk outside on a beautiful day and think how wonderful life can be - if only for a moment. Then I remember that I used to feel this way long ago.

So here is to SVR for all of you in the New Year!  And merry Christmas and happy Chanukah to everyone.

Eric

[Marcia2202]

Happy New Year!!! I'm so happy that you are finally getting back to be able to live life. It is simply wonderful!!!

Hugs, Marcia

[Andiamo1]

I just want to wish everyone  a happy  New Year without starting another off topic post - LOL.

It started as one of the toughest years of my life and is ending as one of the best.

I do regret that some of my posts upset people and I regret even more that people don't seem to understand the power they have to deal with adversity.

[Andiamo1]

I am as stubborn as can be.  That made me fight on and on to kill the dragon.  It is both a strength and a weakness:  As Deb and a few others said, I would not put the political thread down even when it was obvious people were upset by it.

Aside from  being stubborn, I am a dreamer and so curious about life that I refused to consider leading a diminished life without fighting as hard as I could.  I was depressed, as we all are, after hearing the news of the relapse, but not for long.  I picked myself up and said "what next" and then dove in as fast as I could.  I knew that life would end for me if I didn't have hope.

Times are better now for most relapsers.  There are so many new treatments coming down the line that most people will be SVR in the next few years.

There are many brave souls here on this forum.  I have the utmost admiration for those the treated for extended periods and particularly those on infergen.

SVR for everyone in 2009!!!

[lalapple]

thank you for the inspiration!  and congrats!

[Libzo]

I am thrilled for you.  You have always been a beacon of hope for me.  I would only encourage you to write.   You have written words I have really needed to digest.  I mean your experiences sailing about is subliminal for me, a way to escape or at least transcend reality vicariously through your eyes.  On the flip side I long for your take on your journey fighting the dragon through so many battles - 8 or 9 trials was it?  I have tried to figure out your history so I might find a magic key finding SVR.  

Please give me and your many admirers your advice for those who have relapsed?  What made you not give up?  My regards to your other half.  Thank you.  Happy New Year and Happy New Life

[Andiamo1]

thank you my friend

[gauf]

A Kayaker’s “The Night Before Christmas”


‘Twas the night before Christmas at our house on the water,
Not a creature was stirring not even an otter;


The dry bags were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas would drop paddling goodies there;

The children went off to bed without daddling,
Soon their heads were filled with dreams about paddling;

Mamma in her fleece ‘kerchief and me in my wool cap,
Had just settled down for a long winter’s nap,

When out on the water there arose such a splatter,
I sprang from my bed to see what’s the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the water looked the whiteness of snow
It shone the luster of mid-day on the sea shore below,

When what to my wondering eyes did reveal
But a great big old kayak and nine mighty seal,

With a spry old paddler, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.

More rapid than orca on course they soon came,
And a whistle he blew and then shouted their name;

“Now Splasher! Now Bracer! Now Eddie and you Flo!
On Rocker On Roller, Curly, Larry and Moe!

To the top of the dock, and up the beach now Haul!
Now Paddle Away! Paddle Away! Paddle Away All!”

Off the beach, to the air and away they did fly,
With beautiful edge turns silhouetted against the night sky.

Up to the house-top on course they now flew,
With a kayak full of toys, and old St. Nicholas too.

In a twinkling, on the roof, there came such a sound,
The sound of a kayak running aground.

As I grimaced at the noise thinking here must be a hole,
Down the chimney came St. Nick, and snapped up with a roll.

He was dressed in a drysuit from his head to his foot,
And the gortex was tarnished with ashes and soot;

With a bundle of toys on his back which did sag,
He looked like an old paddler carrying a heavy dry bag.

His eyes how they twinkled! His dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his noise like a cherry,

The beard on his chin was as white as sea foam,
It looked like it needed a brush or a comb;

The stump of a whistle he held tight in his teeth,
The cord from the whistle circled his neck like a wreath;

He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed like a fish called a Jelly.

He was a happy ol' kayaker, a right jolly old salt,
And I laughed when I saw him, It wasn’t my fault;

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
He gave me the high sign, I had nothing to dread;

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
Filled the dry bags with goodies then turned with a jerk,

Laying a finger aside of his little red nose,
A Brace he did do and up the chimney he rose;

He sprang to his kayak, to his team blew the whistle,
And away they all paddled like a water borne missile.

I heard him exclaim, ere he paddled out of sight,
“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night.”

“And may happiness and good health always be yours,”
May you always return, safely back to the shore”





- Terry Gowler - Mount Vernon, WA    


Pelican Intl.:



©2008 Paddling.net Inc.  

[IAmTheWalrus]

Thanks, Eric. Strikes right at the core of my apprehensions and hopes.  Happy kayaking and I hope you have a Merry Christmas.

Brent

[Andiamo1]

Thanks all - I really do appreciate all the support.

Sunqueen: so glad to hear you made it to the beach!  

We are heading to the Virgin Islands in February and I will do some serious snorkelling.  Norman Island still has some great reefs.  Unfortunately, most of the shallow reefs in the world are dying.  For some reason, Norman as been spared and the coral is beautiful.

eric

[rita863]

Congrats!!!

peace

rita

[geterdone]

Looks like you nailed it this time around; good to hear life is becoming a new.

jasper

[sunqueen]

Hi Eric!

That is excellent news! It gives me great hope to read that things just keep getting better.

I braved the beach today for the first time in over 6 months. My 19 year old nephew is staying with me for a few weeks. I made it to the water's edge and was able to slowly stroll the shoreline for a short way. I had to tell the kid to give me his stuff so that he could go for a jog down the beach, and parked my butt on the sand. An hour later, I was "just ran the NY marathon" exhausted but it was amazing to be at my beloved ocean again!

So next year, this time, I should be harassing small fishes near the reefs! Thank you for reminding us there is a brass ring at the end!

[Mary4now]

Congratulations on this wonderful occasion, sounds like you persevered and you are on the winning side.  So happy for you.
M4now

[kickboxingmom]

CONGRATULATIONS ! From afar.This is one of the Stories that keep me keepin on.I know if I have problems with tx that people like you had been there, done that and are moving on.The moving on makes me sad because it has taken so much of your life away.Like a prison sentence you didn't deserve.Live life to the FULLEST !
You deserve so much more.This part of your life you deserve to be healthy.Enjoy !Be Careful and Live ! Sounds like your enjoying !
Happy Holidays To You and Yours ! We'll call it," THE GIFT "
Tammy     You just made me tear up !

[Andiamo1]

thanks all for the support and good wishes.  We all need to dream; it's the best way to deal with all that is on our plate.

Eric

[Isobella]

It is so amazingly good to read this post.  

I cannot thank you enough for sharing your experience with us.  Your advice and support have gone a long way towards giving me the confidence and strength to navigate thru my tx and trial.  

Everyone of us here deserves SVR, but not too many have had to work sooo long to get it.  You have won the battle at last and I wish you all the best in all things!!

Happy Holidays to you and Mafalda.  

Isobella

[Rockerforlife]

Very cool post...why not jump from a airplane too....i will if i SVR...ill also buy a big black Harley Davidson and cruise around my home town

[pitter]

that is so awesome, after such a long and hard battle!
pitter

[kitkat14]

What a lovely post to read!  

I'm really glad to hear that you are regaining long lost energy and enthusiasm in life.

Happy Holidays to you too.

k

[R Glass]

Kayaking, what a great idea for enjoying working out. We don’t have white water down here but we have an abundance of peaceful bayous to cruise down. I think we have some places that rent them. I am going to check it out. Thanks

[GSDgirl]

We are about the same time frame except for the amount of times treating.  So glad you are feeling so good!!

Denise

[justme53]

Congratulations on your SVR - at last!!! And thank you for passing on a baton of hope to those of us coming up in the ranks.

May you continue healing and living life to the fullest........Pam

[Willy50]

I'm so glad that things turned out so well for you.  I love reading about people getting their lives back after treating.

I'm hopeful that Vertex will prove to be for many of us what it was for you; a faster and more sure route to SVR.

Thanks for your many informative and thoughtful posts over the years as you negotiated triple therapy and SOC.  You are one of the shining points of light.  ; )

Willy

[gauf]

Great news Eric. Kayaking has certainly improved my enjoyment of life!  See ya on the water my friend.