K.K., mother of six, age 69

[Guest guest]

I have been on Rebetron since October. I've lost my liver disease symptoms, like

diarrhea and sleep attacks. I think my mind works better. However, my SGOT is

55, and I am anemic.

I go to Kaiser in Northern California. They first turned me down on account of

my age, but then let me start when I acted litigious. I found out later that 60

is the cut-off date for treatment in general, countrywide.

My hep C was discovered by a Chinese, holistic doc in San Francisco. He

discovered it by taking my pulse and looking into my eyes. Then he ordered a

test from Kaiser for confirmation. Four years later I went in to my primary

physician and insisted on treatment, after I found that the Canadians were

offering it to their citizens. That shook them loose.

I am quite comfortable in the Rebetron treatment. When the anemia started, the

doc halved my Ribavirn, and then didn't check my blood for a month, thus

cancelling progress in the treatment. I caught on that I had better control my

own uptake. Now I have myself on 5 Ribavirin capsules a day.

I have just found the onelist info service, and I am really grateful. The GI

here described the pain to expect with advanced cirrhosis, which was a

liberation. Up to now I couldn't find any info on the endgame. It couldn't be

worse than I had thought.I wonder what kind of pain meds you get at the end?

My Hep C came with a transfusion 20 years ago.About 2/3 of my liver is gone. The

genome is 4. I don't drink or smoke, and haven't for 35 years. I am a working

artist, and have just prepared for my show in New York. I am working well.

'Hoping you are the same, K.K.

[Guest guest]

Dear K.K.,

I really enjoyed your story. You have such a positive attitude! Also,

it's really nice to from someone who seems not be having such a hard time

with the side effects of the combo. I wonder if part of that might be your

attitude. I hope I hear more from you. Let us know how you do.

Claudine

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[Guest guest]

Dear KK:

You are a brave lady....Congratulations to you for trying the treatment at

age 69...You just might be in the Guinness book of World Records for the

first 69 year old to be cured of Hepatitis C!!!

I, too, have been on Rebetron since October....seems to be working so far...I

am 52 and have had the dragon for 30 years...

Congratulations on your show! I wish you well....I, too, am an artist who

has not been painting for many moons......this disease has shown me that it's

important for me to paint again, and my husband is making a room for me to do

that in. I'm excited.

Again, I am so amazed at your strength and optimism, and wish you the best.

God bless you. Diane