Good story about the ice cream. Sorry to hear about the cancer, but glad
you got rid of the hep first. BTW, good to hear from someone else
locally. I live just south of Ft. Worth, and yes, it is way too dry.

Dwight

Hal,

I also got the infamous letter from a blood bank:  in my case, it was
in 1990 (I think) just after I donated blood after my father's death to
help replace blood he had used.

At that time, I went to my doctor and she had NO idea what "Hepatitis
C" was.  She had to call a lab just to find out what had to be done to
test for it.  I was told to not worry about it unless I had high liver
enzyme tests.

Now fast forward to 1997 and I had a physical with alt/ast very high.
Got a referral to a gastro dr who was very good, had a biopsy
(fibrosis), and went through 5 months of interferon (Intron/A).  No
response.  4 months of Infergen - No reasponse.  So decided to wait
until better treatments were available.

2 years after first biopsy I had to make a major pension decision, so
asked my dr to do a second biopsy to help me with my decision.  We both
didn't expect to see a change, and if it wasn't progressing very fast,
that would be something to consider for my decision.  But, the doctor
phoned me at home (always a bad sign) and now I have extensive
bridging....  it's time to try another treatment.

The riba/interferon combon has just been approved, so decided to try
that.  Shots every other day and lots of pills.  I responded
slowly...each month (well mostly) was better than the last.  And at 10
months, I finally started getting normal liver enzymes.

I've now been clear of hepc for 5 years.    My lesson here is: 1. don't
panic.  2. Don't give up (*smile*).

I'm trying to remember this myself now as I was just diagnosed with
(unrelated to the hepc) breast cancer.  Guess if it isn't one thing,
it's another (*grin*).

FYI: I worked full time all through treatment (although my mind was
tapioca at times).  I used fudgsicles to combat nausea, slept a lot,
and I set up an "ice cream jar" in the kitchen for when I got cranky.
If anyone in the family thought I was getting very cranky and unfair,
they would take money from the jar and buy each of us an ice cream.  It
was a great way to say 'calm down' via a signal instead of starting an
argument.  And when one daughter came in with an entire quart of ice
cream, I asked her if I was being that bad.  She solemnly nodded and I
just burst out laughing.  You can't be cranky and laugh!!!!!

All the best with your next try,
Janet in too-dry dallas
janet dot crenshaw at gmail dot com

2nd Treatment: Daily Infragen and 2x Ribaviren - Have I company?

I have Hep-C Gynotype 1 a.

After the 9/11 Blood Drive I donated blood and then got a yellow
postcard in the mail from the Red Cross saying I have a potentially
fatal blood disease...please don't donate again.

[[[[[ scream. cough,... oh holy shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit! ]]]]]

I did 11 months of weekly Interferon and 2x Ribaviren.
It was an early "sole therapy" now have a 2nd incarnation in dual
therapy with strong results.
I was ZERO detectable virus from the first month's bloodwork until
month 10 week 2.

Shucks.

Ending January 15th, 2006, I did 11 months of Daily Infragen and 2x Ribaviren.
I was ZERO detectable virus until 2nd Post Treatment Blood Work ( 6
months after ending treatment. - I was still ZERO detectable at  6
months after ending treatment.).

Has anyone else gone this road I just went? What was your experience?

Is there any serious tx after what I have done?

I'll compare and contrast my experiences on this board if anyone is interested.

Thanks

Hal - Cottage Grove

ps (I know my spelling is bad)