Head out on a shopping trip, buy yourself a few good escapist-type books and
a couple of videos to watch. Stock up on fruit juice, liver-healthy snacks
and green tea. Get a haircut, clean your house. Focus on spending the coming
months making yourself healthy, killing the dragon. It's all about you,
really, so don't go feeling guilty about looking after yourself.

I was absolutely terrified before that first shot (I was fairly certain that
I would die) but then felt really silly when I woke up the next morning, not
anywhere near dead :)

Stick around this group. You'll find lots of information, lots of advice,
lots of support and maybe even a chuckle from time to time. If you have any
questions, concerns or whatever, throw it out here and I'm sure someone has
experienced it and has some help to offer.

I'd finish by saying, "Don't worry, it will be fine," but I know it's
impossible not to worry.

Good luck at your orientation on Tuesday. Hopefully you won't feel so
disoriented after that. <grin>

Waterspider

Re: Heart scan  

Group: alt.support.hepatitis-c Date: Tue, Nov 29, 2005, 6:07pm (CST-2)
From: tedw2@earthlink.net (anonymousone)
anonymousone wrote:
I couldnt get my HMO to do an EKG prior to treatment so I opted for a
heart scan from a private company. .
They are relatively inexpensive . $450, and mine came back with a
calcium score of 54. That means mild plaque burden and likely mild or
minimal coronary stenosis.
In other words, my heart can probably endure treatment. I recommend
these EBT scans. They are quick and painless. Im awaiting the results of
my liver biopsy.
Still dont know if I am going to do treatement. But if I do I will go
into a lot more comfortable for having had the scan done.
Liver biopsy results in:. Grade 3 Stage 3. They are strongly
recommending I do treatment.
Not really much of a decison to make at this point. It doesnt look like
my condition will allow waiting for VX-950 to come to market. I guess I
should just be greatful they found out I have it, that Im only Stage 3,
that they are willing to treat me, and that my heart appears strong
enough to take this.
I have an appointment for orientation Tuesdau and maybe will have the
first shot next wednesday. So I guess its all done except for a little
prayer.
Ted
///////////
Sorry to hear your hepc has progressed that far, Ted, but glad your
heart condition isn't going to hold you back from doing the combo.  You
know we'll be here and rooting for you.  
elmo

http://community.webtv.net/elmoemerson/DocElmosHepFile

http://community.webtv.net/elmoemerson/TheFamilyAlbum

Oh man, I'm sorry you don't have the option to wait (even though I
thought you shouldn't wait anyway). But it's a good thing indeed that
it's not too late to reverse the damage, and that you'll get a shot at
beating this. Good luck!

Thomas