My Numbers are falling ! Yeah........

I have been in Bed for 2 days : just being so tired ! I must be working like a dog , while I am sleeping because when I wake up I am tired : ) Can't wait to Tuesday again . Tuesday is shot day !
My Dr. called me Friday evening and let me know that my Numbers are falling !!!!! I was so excited ! Still am : ) So every Tuesday I have to get Blood test's and then shot @ night .
Anyway, I really can't say I am feeling bad just very tired and I take all kinds of B12 and still take my Milk Thistle 2 ! 3000 mg a day.
I am very sluggish there in the day ; so I tell myself to sleep ! Sleep sleep ..... that is all I can do.
Have actually nothing accomplished because I stayed in Bed for 2 days . Didn't even play any Games in 2 days . WOW ! I better watch some news just to refresh my Brain on what is going on . .
Damn....... Boehner is STILL SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE and Barack Obama is STILL PRESIDENT ; ) GREAT ! Not much has changed in 2 days ...

Here is some more Info. that Teri Gottlieb shared

Hepatitis C cure rate doubled with new drug - CBS News Video

www.cbsnews.com

Please check the Video out !

I am posting a link 4 my Hepper Friends !

Why Incivek and Victrelis Herald a New Era in Hepatitis C Treatment

I am new to blogging and I hope the link works !

My new Haircut

4 Weeks on Treatment and feeling ok : )

4 Weeks into Treatment ! Yeah 4 weeks ! 2 more weeks before I find out if it is working . Went and had my Blood checked on Tuesday , have to get that done once a week . Then I went 2 get my Hair cut , looks pretty good ! Short Bob !
Well , it put a little pep in my Step . Then I met with 2 Ladies for Lunch . Then off to a Meeting at the American Legion Aux. It was good to see familiar Faces and had some laughter . Meeting lasted 45 Minutes and we send 9 Boys and Girls to Girls and Boy States this Year . It cost $ 400 to send one Kid . The Kids learn all about the Government and then start a Government where they have elections and show them how our System works..

When I came home I was so tired that I went straight to Bed and slept until this morning . Well , time for a Nap now ...

Open Letter 2 Mr. Boehner !

Have you no shame ? Have you no mercy on old and poor people ? How do you sleep at Night ? Can you not give a inch ? Are you really that greedy that you will push your Agenda on the backs of the Elderly and the Military ? Shame on you , Only one % is serving in our Military and you just decided that you don't care that they put their life on the line for our Country , but their Families will not get a Pay check ! Will You ? Do you get paid every time you open your mouth ? I bet you have great Health care ! You remind me of a Vampire that just sucks the life out of us ! How can you look at yourself in the Mirror ? Shame on you Mr. Boehner but you are getting rich while the rest of us are hurting ! Did we really needed the Tax brake for the RICH ? And the Money that you are spending on getting President Obama's Health Care Plan over turned would help the Country also .... Why don't you give up your Pension ? Why can you afford to get a Tan ?

Yes it is Tuesday again

Fixing 2 do my 4th Shot of Pegasus : )
( Trying to drag it out ) I had a busy day , went for Blood work and got my Hair cut short ! Yup , I just got tired of getting the lose hair in my Brush instead of my Head : ) It takes some getting used to but I REALLY DON'T CARE : this is my Year , the meds are working ! I can feel it .... They talking to me ( Just a little Chemo Humor ) No for real I been feeling pretty good , try to do something positive EVERY day !
I was not in Bed after 8 AM ! Yeah...... pretty good ! 10 Points 4 me : ) I am just so grateful, that I can be on these Drugs ! Thank You Hubby for staying in the Military for 22 Years ! I can only say good things about the Treatment , so different from all the other times .
My Bucket List is getting full , going to Disney World in the next 12 Month : with our Grand kids and Great Grand kids . Jumping out of a Plane with my Grandson are just some of the Highlights of my Bucket List ! Stay positive people ! Make it YOUR YEAR ! It is all about me ! I have never ever been this selfish in my life ! If we women don't take care of ourselves who will ? We been care takers all our lives , it is time to fight this Dragon with all I have and all that I am ... Well, time to do the inevitable .... Get the Alcohol get the Syringe .... Stay strong Friends !

Politics ...

I can't for the Life of me understand that people who are living in one of the poorest States in the Nation are voting Republican . There , here we go with our Politics . But how can you totally ignore what is going on in the White House and Congress right now ! President Obama is making a speech and then Boehner has the Balls to hold a speech right after .... Our President is one of the smartest and peaceful Man we ever had as a President ... and he has a heart for the Poor . And TV Stations wanted to know which speech was better . What ? My President spoke with his heart and he spoke for our working class People : not the filthy rich . So there is my Answer . I will not shut my mouth about politics and the unfair Tax brake for the Rich ! I was educated in Europe where we actually had a school system that worked . Here in the USA we cut Education to keep everybody on the " FOX NEWS " Liar channel . Here we don't want to have people think for themselves . That could be so Political Incorrect . Well let me just say : I rather be a honest Person then a greedy Bastard that is selfish .

Just for the record

Just want 2 add a few more words : ) 2 Questions : 1. ) Why can people have a License Plate saying " Choose Life " and # 2 .) Why Can't I have one saying " My Body my Choice " ?

Sometimes God has other Plans

Had to go for a ride today because I had to renew my Military ID Card . It was storming and raining and I was glad that Hubby drove . I have been thinking a lot lately about the ifs and whens and buts . But you know if we all would be happy all the time it would be a boring life . It is the Hurdles and Mountains that we have to climb ; that makes us who we are !
This too shall pass ! keeps ringing in my ears and I don't know if I just found a direct line to our Man upstairs or if it is just in my head . You have to laugh about your Misery sometimes !
Anyway couldn't get my ID Card today because the storm knocked out the Computers ! Well, at least we found out that when we go sometimes this week we will not have to drive all the way to Biloxi MS. There is a closer place and I am still good until the 15th of August . I hate to wait to the last minute . Let me change that : I don't " hate " anything anymore ! Hate is a bad word ! I will not use this word again ... well until a Republican wants to talk to me .. Little Humor is good for the soul and laughter is the best medicine and cheap . Anyway we left the house at 11 AM and it is now 7 PM , I feel rather tired but it was a nice ride . I will put one load of laundry in and then it is ME TIME ! Oh yeah.... need my me time ... maybe a little nap ... Hang in there fellow Hepper's ... there is hope on the way !

Good News 4 my European Friends with Hep C

Merck, Roche expand hepatitis C drug promo deal

By LINDA A. JOHNSON

TRENTON, N.J.
Merck & Co. and Roche Holding AG, formerly bitter rivals in the hepatitis C drug market, have expanded their recent collaboration to jointly promote their drugs.
The companies said Wednesday that their subsidiaries have signed a new nonexclusive agreement to promote Merck's new drug, Victrelis, worldwide as part of a triple-combination therapy, the new standard for fighting the sometimes-deadly disease.
Merck, based in Whitehouse Station, N.J., and Roche, headquartered in Switzerland, agreed in May to have their salespeople promote Victrelis along with the two companies' older hepatitis C drugs. That deal came just days after Victrelis, one of two drugs in a new class expected to transform treatment of the tough-to-cure virus, was approved for sale in the U.S.
On Monday, Victrelis was approved for sale in all 27 European Union countries. Under the new agreement, Roche and Merck salespeople will work in markets including Europe, Asia and Latin America to educate physicians and patients about hepatitis C.
Roche sales reps will promote Victrelis along with Roche's injected hepatitis C drug, Pegasys, and ribavirin pills. Merck salespeople will promote Victrelis plus its similar injected drug, PEG-Intron, and ribavirin. Ribavirin is available as a generic as well as Merck's brand, Rebetol, and Roche's brand, Copegus.
Victrelis and Incivek, approved in late May, are hepatitis C virus protease inhibitors, which block an enzyme needed for the blood-borne virus to copy itself. They're the first new breakthrough treatments for the liver disease in 20 years. Incivek ( is a wonder Drug ) was developed by Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. and will be marketed outside the U.S. by Vertex partner Johnson & Johnson.
The two new drugs will cost roughly $50,000 per treatment, so they are likely to generate billions of dollars in annual sales -- and a big battle for market share. Merck was first to market, but the Vertex drug is seen as slightly more effective, with studies suggesting Incivek cures about 80 percent of patients, versus 66 percent for Victrelis.
I am on Pegasus Ribavirin and Incivek ! Triple cocktail that gives me hope !

In case you want to know more about the Virus

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Hepatitis C infection is caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). People who may be at risk for hepatitis C are those who:

• Have been on long-term kidney dialysis
• Have regular contact with blood at work (for instance, as a health care worker)
• Have unprotected sexual contact with a person who has hepatitis C (this is much less common, but the risk is higher for those who have many sex partners, already have a sexually transmitted disease, or are infected with HIV)
• Inject street drugs or share a needle with someone who has hepatitis C
• Received a blood transfusion before July 1992
• Received a tattoo or acupuncture with contaminated instruments (the risk is very low with licensed, commercial tattoo facilities)
• Received blood, blood products, or solid organs from a donor who has hepatitis C
• Share personal items such as toothbrushes and razors with someone who has hepatitis C (less common)
• Were born to a hepatitis C-infected mother (this occurs in about 1 out of 20 babies born to mothers with HCV, which is much less common than with hepatitis B)

Hepatitis C has an acute and chronic form. Most people who are infected with the virus develop chronic hepatitis C.
About 1.5% of the U.S. population is infected with HCV.

Symptoms

Most people who were recently infected with hepatitis C do not have symptoms. About 10% have jaundice that gets better.
Of people who get infected with HCV, most develop chronic HCV infection. Usually there are no symptoms.
If the infection has been present for many years, the liver may be permanently scarred, a condition called cirrhosis. In many cases, there may be no symptoms of the disease until cirrhosis has developed.
The following symptoms could occur with hepatitis C infection:

• Abdominal pain (right upper abdomen)
• Abdominal swelling (due to fluid calledascites)
• Bleeding from the esophagus or stomach (due to dilated veins in the esophagus or stomach called varices
• Dark urine
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Itching
• Jaundice
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Pale or clay-colored stools
• Vomiting

Signs and tests

The following tests are done to help diagnose hepatitis C:

• EIA assay to detect hepatitis C antibody
• Hepatitis C RNA assays to measure virus levels (viral load)
• Hepatitis C genotype. Six genotypes exist. Most Americans have genotype 1 infection, which is the hardest to treat.

The following tests are done to identify and monitor liver damage from hepatitis C:

• Albumin level
• Liver function tests
• Prothrombin time

Liver biopsy can show how much damage has been done to the liver.

Treatment

The goals of HCV treatment are to remove the virus from the blood and reduce the risk of cirrhosis and liver cancer that can result from long-term HCV infection.
Many patients with hepatitis C benefit from treatment with medications. The most common medications are a combination of pegylated interferon alfa and ribavirin, an antiviral medication.

• Most patients receive weekly injections of pegylated interferon alfa.
• Ribavirin is a capsule taken twice daily. Ribavirin can cause birth defects. Women should avoid getting pregnant during, and for 6 months after treatment.
• Treatment is given for 24 - 48 weeks.

These medications have a number of side effects, and patients must be watched closely. Symptoms include:

• Anemia
• Depression
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Flu-like symptoms
• Headache
• Irritability
• Loss of appetite
• Low white blood cell counts and platelets
• Nausea
• Thinning of hair
• Vomiting

Don't forget that you have a chance to slay the Dragon ; so get over the Part " There is no cure " As long as you have faith ; anything is possible ! Never ever give up !

Sunday 2 more days before my 4th shot

I am very confident that they ( whoever they might be ) will find the Cure in my Life time . But I tell you what : We are damn close . And if our " Dumbest President " of all time wouldn't have stopped Stem cell research , who knows , we might would have some Results already . But should a would a could a ... is not helping us now. So I am trying to stay 2 the facts and just write to get Info. out there in Hepatitis C World .
When I think about it ; when I tried a different Treatment before ; I couldn't even think straight. On this new Triple Cocktail I feel almost like myself . It is important to me to write this down, because I am sure it is very therapeutic for me . I have written many Stories , was a freelance writer for many years and love to write . It gives me a outlet and I need that now .
I am so fortunate to have a wonderful Dr. for my Liver and I have a wonderful Family Doctor. When I saw the prices t=of this Drugs that I am on , I could just puke ! 50-60.000 $ per Month . Thank God my Husband has Retired Military Tricare 4 life and our Co pay is only $ 21. 00 . But I can't help to think about what other people have to endure , that don't have Health care or Money. And it pisses me off that this is not available to ALL People .... Yes I am on my Soap Box today because it is disgusting and unethical that some people in this Country can get Medication and others can't ! Is this really the United States of America ? If you can afford it you live and if you can't you die ! I will change that if it is the last thing on Earth I do . I will do something about that.
I guess until People who vote for the wrong people will never understand that EVERY PERSON HERE IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA is one paycheck away from being homeless. One Illness one bad diagnosis and you end up in Debt up to your eyeballs !

Feeling ok, but longing 4 isolation

For some reason us humans have the need to curl up in a fetal position and stay in bed when we are feeling sick . I would like to sleep through the whole Treatment if I could but I am trying not to be in bed all the time . So, I have started to listen to my body ; when I am tired I lay down , when I am alert and feel like writing I will write . Today is one of these days where I just want to stay in Bed and do nothing . It is 12:00 Noon and we have a rainy day. So , there is my excuse to go back to Bed ... C ya'll later ...

Fellow Heppers you are not alone !

In 2006 I WENT SHOPPING FOR A NEW DOCTOR . I went to met him for the first time in 2002 but changed my mind about him because I heard about this " Taliban Doctor " how I called him . But now I realize that this new ( young understanding Doctor ) who now has my full trust , just tried not to get my hopes up , when I asked him to get on Interferon . He told me " You don't want to be a Ginny pig "
I trust him with my life now and I am so glad that he is so cool . When I found a Article about 2 new drugs for Hepatitis C I did some research and after not being on any Treatment for several Years , I decided to talk to my Doctor about it . In the mean time I tried to keep my Hep C in check with Herbs . Milk thistle 3000 mg a day seemed to really help me a lot .. Not a cure but better then nothing . I will scan those 2 articles in my PC later and let you read the Article for yourself . My Doctor was excited that I did read and bring these Articles . He said to me " Well, are you ready to give it a shot ?" and I said " Yes , it seems promising for my Geno type . As you might know that there are different Genotypes and some are easier to treat then others . My Genotype is 1a and I was being called a " None Responder " Until this new Drug Teleprevir came out there was not much hope for us None Responders . My Doctor told me that there is a 60 % - 40 % chance that this will work . Yes, I was ready ! I had a bad scare a couple of month ago when I got real sick and had to go to the Emergency room.
So, now I have taken the 3rd Shot ( once a week Pegasus ) and 3 times a day 2 telaprevir ( every 8 hours ) Also Ribiviren Tablets 2 a day ! I was very anxious at first because I was worried about the horrible Side effects that I had , years ago ... But this is different ! Hardly any Side effects and actually not debilitating ... So I took the Bull by the Horn and said to myself what do I have to lose : ) My Chances are being pretty good and I have decided to stay on this medicine until my Doctor says otherwise .. My Grand kids are my Rock and my friend Theresa and Eldora are trying to keep me straight. I have a tendency to coop up to myself and let no one in . But I know I needed support and so now I have lots of it . And it helps me with dealing with the ups and downs of this treatment . I decided to start this Blog to encourage other Hepatitis C people out there to take a look at this new Drug . I will do what I can to help anyone with info and I hope my Blog will help someone else !

Facing my Liver Butcher

Before I fired this " Taliban " Doctor I made another Appointment with him , because I felt like I needed him to know how I felt about what he did to me ! So six Weeks later I went to see him . As usual he would be late , apologized for being late and then take his Glasses off to read my Chart . The paper was right in front of his eyes and this pause with no Words was between us and you could have felt the electricity in the air . He finally after 7 Minutes of studying the chart he finally looked at me and asked me what I was there for . I said " Doctor you hurt me and I will never ever be able to forgive you for that " I was surprised to realize that my voice was firm and without any hesitation . " I remember everything that happened in this operating room , and I also remember the Nurse telling you that I was not under . But you didn't stop , I remember the sweat on your forehead and the insecurity of a Butcher that cuts his first piece of meat ." I got up from my chair and we just looked at one another , he never said anything ! I walked to the door and said , looking over my shoulder : " I actually do not believe that you are a medical Doctor " When I closed the door behind me I felt the Blood rush through my head but I felt free . Free from all the Night mares that I had after this Butcher job and I knew that I did the right thing for coming back and facing him . When I walked out of his Office and got into the Elevator I took a deep Breath ... I did it ... I told him what I been feeling for Weeks . And now I could move on . I was proud of myself because I don't like confrontations but I don't run away from them either .

It took me a whole Year 2 get back 2 normal

Many of times I told myself just ignore the fact that you have a disease ! Yeah right ; the fact was that I had Hep C and I needed to change and adjust to the life with a disease . So I did research and found all kinds of ways to help my health .. Milkthistle is a Herb ( Vitamin ) and while I was on nothing else I started to take Milkthistle . Then I started shopping for a new Doctor . And that was the best thing I ever did .

Hepatitis C has no cure .. but there is hope out there

I was diagnosed with Hep C in 2001 and was devastated , when I found out that there is no real Cure . My Life changed ; I had to take a real good look at myself and said to myself " You can beat this " When I was on one Year of Interferon Treatments with Ribivirin and thought I was losing my mind ; I kept telling myself " I will make it "
And then I met a Doctor from India that told me he would cure me ! I believed him and he used me like a Ginny pig . He gave me a Liver biopsy that I will never forget ! Hours later I ended up in the Emergency room . The truth was this : I was not under , when this Doctor under assisting of another Doctor from Boston , just rammed this piece of steel ( so it seemed ) in my Liver . The Nurse kept telling the Dr that I was not under yet but he did it anyway and I had a feeling that was his first Liver Biopsy !
After that he put me on daily Injections of Infergen with Ribaviren . I stopped after another 6 month of Treatment and fired my Dr.