always on my mind

[Mary4now]

HI, I was dx 1/08 bx showing stage 1 grade 1, ALT 45, AST 26
I suspect I have been infected since possibly 1971 or at least 1981, I live a healthy lifesyle now and have since 1988, Genotype 1 VL 800,000.  Female age 59
I was told it is my decision to treat or wait and return for follow up in 1 yr.  I am choosing to wait, at this point does this sound like an OK decision to you?  I do not have insurance and I am working at a temporary job right now, which might develop into a full time... No family cept mom and shes great.... my decision is mostly due to lack of insurance and job stability.
M4now.

[Douglas Dieterich, MD]

Your decision seems reasonable for the moment. If you are in the neighborhood of any sites doing clinical trials on the new drugs, you may want to investigate those. If you get into one, all the medications and medical care is free! With a low grade biopsy like that you can afford to wait for a year. However be aware that for every year older you get, you lose about 2% in the chances of a treatment success when you do start.
DTD

[Mary4now]

Thank you for your response.... "However be aware that for every year older you get, you lose about 2% etc."  When would that be starting from?  
Also do you have much hope in new treatments forthcoming?
I believe this is my fourth question.  Can some people outlive this virus and is there any way to determine that?
Please answer at your convenience I know I have asked my limit... thank you sooooo much for your time....I look forward to better access to health care in this country...