Lurker speaking out

[Guest guest]

I have to admit that I don't have time to read many of the posts on

here since I joined the group, but this weekend I have read a few and

thought that I would introduce myself.

My name it Tammie and I have had hepC for probably 17 years. When I

first found out I might have it, nobody knew anything about it and I

ignored it.

Years pass and when I got pregnant 8 years ago, I told the doc then

that I might possibly have it and his reaction was shocking. I had

never had a doctor act like it was a big deal at all. They instantly

made tests and decided that, oh,yes you do have it. Weeeellllll, I

didn't have insurance, so talk of treatments vanished.

About 4 years later, I got insurance and the next time I went to my

GP, he told me that my liver levels were high. I was sent to a gastro

and he gave me the option of going on treatments. Needless to say

there were all of the tests and biopsys before I started the

treatments. And also of course I was type 1 which meant a years worth

of treatments.

The treatments were pretty rough at times. I also was giving myself 5

shots a week of neupogen and epogen (sp?) to keep my blood levels up.

I had one daughter who was a senior in high school and another one

who was a kindergartener. It was a busy year, but I did manage to

make it through and my kids and husband survived it also.

June was 2 years that I have tested negative. Which leads to a

question if anyone has made it this far into the post. Do you keep

getting tested every year?

I will say that, for me, the treatments were the best thing in the

world. I now have energy that I haven't had in years. I thought that

I was just fat and lazy, but I actually think that a lot of it had to

do with the hepC. My quality of life has been boosted 100 times over.

Everyone has to decide for themselves, but I am a pro treatment

person...and the sooner the better.

<><Tammie><>

ps. I will try to write more often.