Guest guest Posted March 10, 2011 Report Share Posted March 10, 2011 ColetteI'm not even going to look and see how Teri or anyone else might have answered this post. Here it was for me!! Early in 2004, my GP decided it was time for me to go to see the specialist. Now, I knew absolutely nothing about this virus' course or anything else. Next thing I knew is these Hep C nurses were calling me about getting a whole bunch of blood work. There was only 1 that I didn't get before going to California for a couple of weeks. Apparently, is wasn't all that important for the specialist.Now, it's July 2004. Finally, I get to see the specialist!! Oops, somewhere between Apr and July, I'd gone in for the biopsy. That's when he told me that my liver was already stage 3 with bridging fibrosis leaning to stage 4. Of course, he had to explain all of this to me. I don't know when; but, I did ask that horrible question. That was, if I didn't do treatment, how long would I have?? His answer - 5 years!! Needless to say, I was definitely in shock!When I talked to a good buddy of mine that also had the dragon. All he could say was, geez Gloria, he gave me 10 yrs. He actually had a liver resection about 1-1/2 months before I had mine. That was because our livers had crossed over to that cirrhosis, which is a somewhat good breeding place for liver cancer.The same as treatment affects everyone differently, so does the progress to liver failure. For me personally, that is at the top of my list not to have happen. Simply, because it is a horrible way to leave this life.Gloria Does anyone really know how long this thing takes to complete its mission? If you do absolutely nothing other than try to stay comfortable, what's the prognosis? I know my life span is limited, whose is unlimited?? I've already started a pros and cons list. Gonna hold off on the bucket list 'til I know how long. I need to know so I can prioritize! Sorry, I'm a sarcastic person in general, but this weird new kind of anger thing really has me going! I feel angry, but don't have the right. I act angry knowing full well I've brought it on myself somehow. Don't even get me started on my feelings of guilt and uselessness! I'm in a constant state of confusion and that probably p's me off the most! Whew! Been wanting to get that off my chest but didn't want to chime into the conversation while I was still feeling psycho. I appreciate knowing y'all are out there somewhere. Feels a little less lonesome somehow. Hope everyone can get a little sleep! I'm gonna make muffins and a fruit salad. S. Colette Wise ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 10, 2011 Report Share Posted March 10, 2011 Hi Gloria! Thanks for the reply! All answers were about the same. No answer at all! LOL! I knew that would be the case but I enjoy the way each of you have your own spin. And, by the way, it always helps! I'm at def-con 10 right now because I have NO CLUE why I'm still clueless after a year. I'm normally very inquisitive and on top of my game when it comes to information. However, one tends to trust what a doctor is (or is not) saying. I see the "real" doc Tuesday at MUSC for a consult. I just don't have a lot of confidence in these guys any more! One more vent and I'll be off. It's actually what set me off. Saw the surgeon last week about my tennis ball that is still growing in my groin. (And very painful.) More tests, of course. His office calls after results come in to tell me he's sending me to another surgeon for a 2nd opinion. I wrote down the info and hung up to ponder this news. I then called back to ask what the first opinion was!!!! Poor girl had no clue and was very apologetic. I felt bad that she was put on the spot like that. I went for the 2nd. 2nd surgeon felt me up a bit, looked at my file (that I brought with me, thank God I'm learning something about the process) and asked what my GP had to say and if I was being treated for Hep. I made a long story short and told him I would be seeing a Hepatologist. I did like him, he explained what information he needed and what it all means to the safety of the surgery. I'll see him again if I decide to play russian roulette and have the surgery. I didn't know HepC could affect a simple hernia repair!!!! Anyway, hubby's pissin' me off too so that doesn't help! I'm back to attending meetings of the she-male, man-hatin' woman's club! LOL!!! My momma always said "this too shall pass". I appreciate everyone's insights and pick-me-ups a well as the hard-truths. I find you all to be very courageous people! I think we should make Don our spokesperson and get him on the Today show and Good Morning America. God's Peace S. Colette Wise From: gadamscan@...Date: Wed, 9 Mar 2011 20:35:41 -0800Subject: Re: [ ] Confusing Emotions ColetteI'm not even going to look and see how Teri or anyone else might have answered this post. Here it was for me!! Early in 2004, my GP decided it was time for me to go to see the specialist. Now, I knew absolutely nothing about this virus' course or anything else. Next thing I knew is these Hep C nurses were calling me about getting a whole bunch of blood work. There was only 1 that I didn't get before going to California for a couple of weeks. Apparently, is wasn't all that important for the specialist.Now, it's July 2004. Finally, I get to see the specialist!! Oops, somewhere between Apr and July, I'd gone in for the biopsy. That's when he told me that my liver was already stage 3 with bridging fibrosis leaning to stage 4. Of course, he had to explain all of this to me. I don't know when; but, I did ask that horrible question. That was, if I didn't do treatment, how long would I have?? His answer - 5 years!! Needless to say, I was definitely in shock!When I talked to a good buddy of mine that also had the dragon. All he could say was, geez Gloria, he gave me 10 yrs. He actually had a liver resection about 1-1/2 months before I had mine. That was because our livers had crossed over to that cirrhosis, which is a somewhat good breeding place for liver cancer.The same as treatment affects everyone differently, so does the progress to liver failure. For me personally, that is at the top of my list not to have happen. Simply, because it is a horrible way to leave this life.Gloria Does anyone really know how long this thing takes to complete its mission? If you do absolutely nothing other than try to stay comfortable, what's the prognosis? I know my life span is limited, whose is unlimited?? I've already started a pros and cons list. Gonna hold off on the bucket list 'til I know how long. I need to know so I can prioritize! Sorry, I'm a sarcastic person in general, but this weird new kind of anger thing really has me going! I feel angry, but don't have the right. I act angry knowing full well I've brought it on myself somehow. Don't even get me started on my feelings of guilt and uselessness! I'm in a constant state of confusion and that probably p's me off the most! Whew! Been wanting to get that off my chest but didn't want to chime into the conversation while I was still feeling psycho. I appreciate knowing y'all are out there somewhere. Feels a little less lonesome somehow. Hope everyone can get a little sleep! I'm gonna make muffins and a fruit salad. S. Colette Wise ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 11, 2011 Report Share Posted March 11, 2011 ColetteYou have a wonderful sense of humour. Bet it gets you out of lots of skirmishes in life??Now, I have to tell you that I'm Canadian and likely we have a slightly different medical approach. When I was dx'd with the cancer, I learned very early in the game that there were a team of ologists talking about my file. When I met with the surgeon, I hated him almost instantly!! I was so mad that I called my clinician from the Hep team, then I called a local Hep C nurse etc. Well, eventually I got over it because he's a transplant surgeon. So, I would think he has to be one of the best in his field. Then, how often would I actually have to see him. Let's see, I had that operation on April 7th last year and I have yet to see him, since that one and only visit. But, he got all of the cancer out of my liver so far!! We just wouldn't be sent to another surgeon for a 2nd opinion. Nope, they have the teams. My sister-in-law had what certainly seemed a heart attack some years back. I drove her to the city to see the heart specialist with her. Also, sat in on her visit. After he checked her over, he sat down and said that he has a luncheon every Wednesday with other heart specialists and they bring their head scratching cases to that meeting.So, it wouldn't help to get a 2nd opinion - they all have lunch or things like that!!Gloria Hi Gloria! Thanks for the reply! All answers were about the same. No answer at all! LOL! I knew that would be the case but I enjoy the way each of you have your own spin. And, by the way, it always helps! I'm at def-con 10 right now because I have NO CLUE why I'm still clueless after a year. I'm normally very inquisitive and on top of my game when it comes to information. However, one tends to trust what a doctor is (or is not) saying. I see the "real" doc Tuesday at MUSC for a consult. I just don't have a lot of confidence in these guys any more! One more vent and I'll be off. It's actually what set me off. Saw the surgeon last week about my tennis ball that is still growing in my groin. (And very painful.) More tests, of course. His office calls after results come in to tell me he's sending me to another surgeon for a 2nd opinion. I wrote down the info and hung up to ponder this news. I then called back to ask what the first opinion was!!!! Poor girl had no clue and was very apologetic. I felt bad that she was put on the spot like that. I went for the 2nd. 2nd surgeon felt me up a bit, looked at my file (that I brought with me, thank God I'm learning something about the process) and asked what my GP had to say and if I was being treated for Hep. I made a long story short and told him I would be seeing a Hepatologist. I did like him, he explained what information he needed and what it all means to the safety of the surgery. I'll see him again if I decide to play russian roulette and have the surgery. I didn't know HepC could affect a simple hernia repair!!!! Anyway, hubby's pissin' me off too so that doesn't help! I'm back to attending meetings of the she-male, man-hatin' woman's club! LOL!!! My momma always said "this too shall pass". I appreciate everyone's insights and pick-me-ups a well as the hard-truths. I find you all to be very courageous people! I think we should make Don our spokesperson and get him on the Today show and Good Morning America. God's Peace S. Colette Wise From: gadamscan@...Date: Wed, 9 Mar 2011 20:35:41 -0800Subject: Re: [ ] Confusing Emotions ColetteI'm not even going to look and see how Teri or anyone else might have answered this post. Here it was for me!! Early in 2004, my GP decided it was time for me to go to see the specialist. Now, I knew absolutely nothing about this virus' course or anything else. Next thing I knew is these Hep C nurses were calling me about getting a whole bunch of blood work. There was only 1 that I didn't get before going to California for a couple of weeks. Apparently, is wasn't all that important for the specialist.Now, it's July 2004. Finally, I get to see the specialist!! Oops, somewhere between Apr and July, I'd gone in for the biopsy. That's when he told me that my liver was already stage 3 with bridging fibrosis leaning to stage 4. Of course, he had to explain all of this to me. I don't know when; but, I did ask that horrible question. That was, if I didn't do treatment, how long would I have?? His answer - 5 years!! Needless to say, I was definitely in shock!When I talked to a good buddy of mine that also had the dragon. All he could say was, geez Gloria, he gave me 10 yrs. He actually had a liver resection about 1-1/2 months before I had mine. That was because our livers had crossed over to that cirrhosis, which is a somewhat good breeding place for liver cancer.The same as treatment affects everyone differently, so does the progress to liver failure. For me personally, that is at the top of my list not to have happen. Simply, because it is a horrible way to leave this life.Gloria Does anyone really know how long this thing takes to complete its mission? If you do absolutely nothing other than try to stay comfortable, what's the prognosis? I know my life span is limited, whose is unlimited?? I've already started a pros and cons list. Gonna hold off on the bucket list 'til I know how long. I need to know so I can prioritize! Sorry, I'm a sarcastic person in general, but this weird new kind of anger thing really has me going! I feel angry, but don't have the right. I act angry knowing full well I've brought it on myself somehow. Don't even get me started on my feelings of guilt and uselessness! I'm in a constant state of confusion and that probably p's me off the most! Whew! Been wanting to get that off my chest but didn't want to chime into the conversation while I was still feeling psycho. I appreciate knowing y'all are out there somewhere. Feels a little less lonesome somehow. Hope everyone can get a little sleep! I'm gonna make muffins and a fruit salad. S. Colette Wise ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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