Betty

[Guest guest]

Oh Betty, thank you so much for that. I tell you there are so many days

when I feel just like that. I must share this with my daughter who is now

the mom of a 2 month old and a 2 year old. She has her hands full and I

know will be able to relate!

In His hands,

Kathy in NM

>From: " BETTY & BYRON " <betbyron@...>

>Reply-

>< >,<MiniGastricBypass >

>Subject: Fw: I think I need these dance lessons!!!!

>Date: Fri, 7 Feb 2003 10:22:17 -0600

>

>FW: I think I need these dance lessons!!!!I thought you could all enjoy

>this as much as I did.

>

>Be blessed!

>Betty Pappas

>

>Subject: Fw: I think I need these dance lessons!!!!

>

>

>Not too long ago I had " one of those days " . I was feeling pressure from a

>writing deadline. I had company arriving in a couple days and the toilet

>was clogged. I went to the bank, and the trainee teller processing my

>deposit had to start over three times. I swung by the supermarket to pick

>up a few things and the lines were serpentine. By the time I got home, I

>was frazzled and sweaty and in a hurry to get something on the table for

>dinner.

>Deciding on 's Cream of Mushroom Soup, I grabbed a can opener,

>cranked open the can, then remembered I had forgotten to buy milk at the

>store. Nix the soup idea. Setting the can aside, I went to plan B, which

>was leftover baked beans.I grabbed a Tupperware from the fridge, popped the

>seal, took a look and groaned.

>

>My husband isn't a picky eater, but even HE won't eat baked beans that look

>like caterpillars. Really frustrated, now, I decided on a menu that

>promised to be as foolproof as it is nutrition-free: hot dogs and potato

>chips. Retrieving a brand new bag of chips from the cupboard, I grabbed the

>cellophane and gave a hearty pull. The bag didn't open. I tried again.

>

>Nothing happened. I took a breath, doubled my muscle, and gave the bag a

>hearty wrestle. With a loud pop, the cellophane suddenly gave way, ripping

>wide from top to bottom. Chips flew sky high. I was left holding the bag,

>and it was empty.

>

>It was the final straw. I let out a blood curdling scream. " I CAN'T TAKE IT

>ANYMORE!!! "

>

>My husband heard my unorthodox cry for help. Within minutes he was standing

>at the doorway to the kitchen, where he surveyed the damage:

>

>An opened can of soup, melting groceries, moldy baked beans, and one

>quivering wife standing ankle deep in potato chips. My husband did the most

>helpful thing he could think of at the moment. He took a flying leap,

>landing flat-footed in the pile of chips. And then he began to stomp and

>dance and twirl, grinding those chips into my linoleum in the process! I

>stared. I fumed. Pretty soon I was working to stifle a smile.

>

>Eventually I had to laugh. And finally I decided to join him. I, too, took

>a leap onto the chips. And then I danced.

>

>Now I'll be the first to admit that my husband's response wasn't the one I

>was looking for. But the truth is, it was exactly what I needed. I didn't

>need a cleanup crew as much as I needed an attitude adjustment, and the

>laughter from that rather funky moment provided just that.

>

>So now I have a question for you, and it's simply this: Has God ever

>stomped on your chips? I know that, in my life, there have been plenty of

>times when I've gotten myself into frustrating situations and I've cried

>out for help, all the while hoping God would show up with a celestial broom

>and clean up the mess I've made of things.

>

>What often happens instead is that God dances on my chips, answering my

>prayer in a completely different manner than I had expected, but in the

>manner that is best for me after all. Sometimes I can see right away that

>God's response was the best one after all. Sometimes I have to wait weeks

>or months before I begin to understand how and why God answered a

>particular prayer the way he did. There are even some situations that,

>years later, I'm still trying to understand. I figure God will fill me in

>sooner or later, either this side of Heaven or beyond.

>

>Do I trust Him? Even when He's answering my prayers in a way that is

>completely different from my expectations? Even when He's dancing and

>stomping instead of sweeping and mopping? Can I embrace what He's offering?

>Can I let His joy adjust my attitude? Am I going to stand on the sidelines

>and sulk, or am I willing to learn the steps of the dance He's dancin' with

>my needs in mind?

>

>I'll be honest with you: Sometimes I sulk. Sometimes I dance. I'm working

>on doing more of the latter than the former. I guess the older I get the

>more I realize that He really does know what He's doing. He loves me and I

>can trust Him. Even when the chips are down.

>

>Author Unknown

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

And G-d bless you Betty!! So many of us try to convince our forum friends to

make sure they get their needs met by audies and surgeons. To me, when a

medical professional does not take the time to listen to the patient, they are

not being professional at all. We know best what we need if we just listen to

ourselves and those who have gone through things before us and trust our

instincts. They don't ALWAYS know better no matter how many degrees they have!!

I'm sorry you had to go through all of that but you shared a very valuable

lesson with us through your experience and if it helps someone else then at

least

it was not for nothing.

In a message dated 11/16/2003 12:00:13 AM Eastern Standard Time,

siennaone@... writes:

So God bless the surgeons and audiologist like the ones above. Don't

hesitate to go to a different surgeon or audiologist if you feel something is

not

right.

Betty

[Guest guest]

Carol, there is no stupid suggestion--I appreciate you even thinking of it!

I had boils way back in the late 50's and they were nasty things.

It is possible it could be a pocket of infection since it just appeared out

of nowhere. Right now, it doesn't seem to be getting any bigger, but it's sure

not going away.

Hope to find out something tomorrow.

Thanks, and have a Great New Year!

Betty

[Guest guest]

Hey Carol...those are Pilonidal Cysts. I used to get them too.....OWCH!!!

Hadn't had them in years (thank God!). Happy New Year to all,

gee

[Guest guest]

Hi Betty.....I haven't done treatment *yet*.....but I sure feel bad for you with

a sinus infection headache....when I get them, they usually last 4 days and just

totally drain me. When I get them, it is so nasty trying to go to sleep with a

headache and worst of all, waking up with one *yugggg*.....good luck on your tx.

Carol

Re: hepatitis and headaches--Everyone

I've been reading the posts on the headaches with great interest. I may have

missed some posts, but I haven't seen anyone mention " The Headache From

Hell " . This is the interferon/riba headache and the docs knew very well what

they

are.

Here's a little background on me:

When I did my first treatment session, in 1999, the folks on my hep list said

it was one of the most common reasons they would quit treatment--nothing,

but, nothing would help these headaches and they are much worse than any

migraine. I used to have migraines years ago, and they are very nasty, and

I'm not

demeaning the pain they cause.

I did the treatment for 6 months...the first 3 were symptom free...during the

last three, I did get the sides, with each month getting worse. The

Headaches began in about the middle of the 4th month, and got worse every

week. By

the last couple of weeks, the headaches were so bad that I was totally down in

bed, in more agony than I can ever recall and throwing up big time.

Thankfully, the headaches stopped in that severe degree almost as soon as I

quit

treatment.

I know I would have tried anything at that time, and I don't blame any of you

who would do the same. But, it really scares me to hear about the oxy's

because they are so addictive, even in low doses. It's very frustrating that

the

medical community has not found something that will help with this particular

type of headache.

I'm currently doing the Pegasys/Copegus therapy, and so far, with none of the

'regular' sides, but I'm only into 10th week, with 38 to go, so I'll see if I

get them later.

My whiteblood count dropped so fast...after 2 weeks, I had to drop down to

half a dose, then stop completely when it dropped even lower. I started on

Neupogen, and it got my wbc back up to normal, so started back on the full

dose

Pegasys/Copegus. Now, my platelets have dropped down to 4 (?), so have to cut

the Peg dose again. (I didn't have this problem on the other treatment in

'99.)

Has anyone had this kind of problem, and if so, is there anything that I can

do to keep my platelets up?

Sorry this is so long, guess I felt like talking as I've been down in bed

with a really bad sinus infection and headache and haven't really talked to

anyone for several days.

Hope you all have a great week, and hang in there!

Betty in Arkansas

[Guest guest]

Betty, I just posted an explanation for my port removal. It is under that subject, actually. You are not the first person to ask so just read that post. Now, do NOT let this scare you...it is a minor problem but one that has to be dealt with. Just read the post and if you have any other questions, ask. I STILL would not trade my band for anything in the world!!! JenniBetty Weber <bettywbr@...> wrote: Why on earth do you have to have your port removed? And how much does that cost? I was banded last week and you are scaring me. Betty Gross <gross_julie123 > wrote: Hey Jenni, How are you? I am in Mexicali right now. Wish you were here!!!! I will be headinf home either tomorrow or Thursday. Can you please send me your mailing address ( I lost it). I want to pay you for the T-Shirts. Maybe I should just leave it here with Yolanda?? Take Care, gross_julie123 giftedtch <giftedtch > wrote: I'm just curious....is anyone on this board going to be at the hospital on March 22? I'll be there that day having my port removed and would love to visit some newly banded patients if there are any there. My surgery was one year ago and it has been wonderful! I love to share the experience with new patients! Let me know if you are going to be there!Jenni Currie Gross, LMP gross_julie123 or jugrossverizon (DOT) net 425-346-0713 Food fight? Enjoy some healthy debatein the Answers Food Drink Q & A. We won't tell. Get more on shows you hate to love(and love to hate): TV's Guilty Pleasures list.

Sucker-punch spam with award-winning protection. Try the free Beta.

[Guest guest]

Dear Betty ~

How are you doing on your T4 med?

~

[Guest guest]

Hi Betty,

I am not new to the group, I was just introducing myself to the new member that posted last night. I came to this group shortly after being diagnosed in 2009, I thank my lucky starts I found this group. Yes I am an early responder and very happy about that, it took my chances of SVR from 40% to 80%. I live near polis, and I am not sure where the study will be. I think it's at the 's Hopkins downtown, waiting to get the information in the mail right now. My daughter went to the pediatric gastro at the downtown site twice when she was first diagnosed, then Kaiser (our insurance) got a gastro on staff in Columbia and we both see the gastro there. Our gastro recommended looking into a clinical trial for her tx, to save money. The meds are quite expensive. I think you and I have talked before, probably a while ago. I try to post and keep everyone updated on my family and myself, but I still work full time as a daycare provider and with tx being tough as it is somedays I just only get a chance to read what everyone else is doing. I do try to introduce myself to newbies, especially in case there may be someone else out there that passed this dreadful virus onto their children also.

If you are an early responder and continue to be undectable through the 24 weeks, yes they will stop you then with the new tx. But if you do not respond early or by say week 12 I think, they will either continue with 48 weeks or pull you off it's not working. That's what I understand, will learn more once I get more information.

If we do go to GreenSpring, I will be sure to let you know. Are you currently in tx? If so let me know what week and how you are doing. Yes I am so excited about being an early responder and I am one of the lucky ones who doesn't have horrible sides. I am anemic and am currently taking procrit as well as my tx meds and that helps me have more energy. Before procrit I was struggling to move. LOL What city do you live in? It is nice to have a neighbor on the list, thanks for saying hi and and for your kind words. My biggest hope is that my daughter and I will be able to beat this awful disease, as well as everyone else out there in this fight!

Hugs

Cheryl

[Guest guest]

Cheryl, I am in Baltimore, about 4 blocks from Bayview/Hopkins Please dont let then send you there. The people are awful, I suppose because they see so much drug use that they treat everyone like they are an addict. I went thru tx once in 2007 ( I think) I was not an early responder but was very stubborn and thought I had come so far I couldnt quit the tx untill I had too, the Dr rec me stopping at 28 weeks. Well by the 40th week or so I was near dead but had then responded, I thought that was a good thing. Six months after tx It was back and boy with a vengence. The viral load was more than when I had started. (I think the meds pissed it off) There are variables for each of us with tx that I think we at least have to try. I pray for you and your daughter. Chances are that your

types are similar therefore will be similar in response to meds. Best wishes Betty

From: Cheryl Herron <Honey1962@...> Sent: Thu, February 17, 2011 8:45:00 PMSubject: Re: [ ] Betty

Hi Betty,

I am not new to the group, I was just introducing myself to the new member that posted last night. I came to this group shortly after being diagnosed in 2009, I thank my lucky starts I found this group. Yes I am an early responder and very happy about that, it took my chances of SVR from 40% to 80%. I live near polis, and I am not sure where the study will be. I think it's at the 's Hopkins downtown, waiting to get the information in the mail right now. My daughter went to the pediatric gastro at the downtown site twice when she was first diagnosed, then Kaiser (our insurance) got a gastro on staff in Columbia and we both see the gastro there. Our gastro recommended looking into a clinical trial for her tx, to save money. The meds are quite expensive. I think you and I have talked before, probably a while ago. I try to post and keep everyone updated on my family and myself, but I still

work full time as a daycare provider and with tx being tough as it is somedays I just only get a chance to read what everyone else is doing. I do try to introduce myself to newbies, especially in case there may be someone else out there that passed this dreadful virus onto their children also.

If you are an early responder and continue to be undectable through the 24 weeks, yes they will stop you then with the new tx. But if you do not respond early or by say week 12 I think, they will either continue with 48 weeks or pull you off it's not working. That's what I understand, will learn more once I get more information.

If we do go to GreenSpring, I will be sure to let you know. Are you currently in tx? If so let me know what week and how you are doing. Yes I am so excited about being an early responder and I am one of the lucky ones who doesn't have horrible sides. I am anemic and am currently taking procrit as well as my tx meds and that helps me have more energy. Before procrit I was struggling to move. LOL What city do you live in? It is nice to have a neighbor on the list, thanks for saying hi and and for your kind words. My biggest hope is that my daughter and I will be able to beat this awful disease, as well as everyone else out there in this fight!

Hugs

Cheryl

[Guest guest]

Betty,

I pray she has the same response as I do. I would live with this til I die if it would mean she could achive SVR and have some what a normal rest of her life. I don't know what studies have been with kids born with HCV and were cured, how they faired after tx. My son hasn't been tested yet, he had no insurance when we found out and with dealing with mine and my daughter's dx, I didn't tell him. Now with doing tx, getting my daughter into this clinical, my son now has insurance so I have to tell him he needs to get tested. Please say a prayer for him also that by some grace of god he won't test positive.

I am not sure where they will send her she hasn't been excepted yet. I just emailed our Gastro about the clinical trial and what she thinks about my daughter doing it. I don't want to go to downtown either, I hate that place. I gave birth to my son there and they were so cold and really uncaring about anything. That was 22 years ago, I had hoped they changed but apparently not. Its a good hospital but it's a teaching hospital and they are so uncaring sometimes.

I am sorry to hear that tx didn't work for you. How is your health? What genotype are you, if you don't mind me asking? Thank you for your prayers and kind words, it's been a rough road being dx then to learn I my daughter has it also is hard but I try to keep positive and to let her see how I am handling tx so it's not so scary for her.

Cheryl