Monday, May 17, 2010

Week 26 Update-Steve's Still Hanging In There!

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Wow...it's been a long time.  Steve is still on triple therapy.  On March 13th, he had his last RNA level taken.  The result was <6...
Sunday, February 28, 2010

Week 15 Update-A Visit to the Gastroenterologist

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We went to the gastroenterologist, and he had a much more positive reaction to the RNA level than we did.  He believes that the viral load i...
Sunday, February 21, 2010

The Peaks & Valleys of the Hep C Treatments

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Déjà vu! As many of you know, this is the second time Steve had responded to the treatment for Hep C. The first time was combo therapy- Pega...
Saturday, February 20, 2010

At the End of This Journey, What Lies Ahead Is a Big Maybe

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When I read my husband's notes for the blog ( A Punch in the Stomach ), I felt terrible.  I realized that his words were a direct refle...
Tuesday, February 16, 2010

A Punch in the Stomach

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We never received the complete results of Steve's week 8 blood test.  Apparently, the RNA level was never taken.  So when the doctor or...
1 comment:
Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Getting the Run-around at the GI's Office

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Wednesday will be week 12.  Steve had his last blood test (including his viral load ) at week eight and still doesn't have the results. ...
Monday, February 1, 2010

He's Too Quiet

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Steve is having a bad day today.  I don't know what is wrong, because he won't tell me.  I came home from work, and he hardly said t...
Sunday, January 24, 2010

The Stress is Building

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With the finances being the way they are, I have been a bit stressed out.  I try not to show it, because I know that Steve feels guilty abou...
Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Rejected by Roche Patient Assistance

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As I mentioned in the blog on November 26th , even with insurance the copays are very expensive.  Right now we pay $345 for the Ribavirin a...
Sunday, January 10, 2010

Father and Son

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The holidays wound up well. My stepson came down and stayed with us for a few days.  When Steve first found out he was coming, he got totall...
Saturday, December 26, 2009

Home Alone

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We spent the holidays, as we do most days, home alone with our 2 dogs.  I was quite content until Steve started reflecting on holidays past ...
1 comment:
Saturday, December 19, 2009

Disability Hearing and Week 5 Update

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On Wednesday, Steve gave himself shot #5.  The weeks seem to be flying by since he is back on the triple therapy.  He has been doing really ...
Wednesday, December 2, 2009

In Memory of MaryEllen

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She Was Diagnosed With Hep C In The 90's. Her Doctor Convinced Her That The Side Effects Of The Treatment Were Worse Than Effects Of The...
Thursday, November 26, 2009

RX Drugs are Expensive Even with Insurance!

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We filled his prescriptions with the new insurance (Humana Select HMO) for the first time.  The Pegasys alone was $504, and the RibaPak co...
Thursday, November 19, 2009

Steve's Back on the Treatment!

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Steve went to the cardiologist on Tuesday.  All the tests came back normal, and he was given the go ahead to go back on treatment.  The ga...
Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Almost a Month Since He's Been Off Triple Therapy

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My husband went to the cardiologist last week.  He had an echocardiogram and a stress test.  For the stress test, Steve was injected with a ...
Wednesday, November 4, 2009

A Guide for Caring for Your Loved One with Hepatitis C

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I found a guide for loved ones caring for someone with Hep C.  Thought you might find it interesting and helpful.  I did.  The guide is on...
Monday, November 2, 2009

Blood Test Results Are In - The Procrit is Working!!

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Steve has been feeling a lot better  The Procrit is working his RBC count (3.52), WBC count (3.8) and Hemoglobin (12) have all increased. A...
Sunday, November 1, 2009

Finally Stopped the Itching!!

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Steve was going out of his mind from the itching.  He said he felt like something was crawling all over him.  It got so bad that he wasn...
Sunday, October 25, 2009

11 Days Off the Triple Therapy for Hepatitis C

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He's been off the Hepatitis C Triple Therapy since October 14th.  I realize that it is not enough time for him to feel completely himsel...
Thursday, October 22, 2009

A Week and A Day Off Treatment

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Steve's been off treatment for about a week now.  Since the treatment gave him anemia , the gastroenterologist prescribed Procrit .  Aft...
Thursday, October 15, 2009

Day 2 - Off Treatment (Temporarily?)

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I can't even begin to tell you how I feel right now.  The whole idea of my husband not being on treatment is surreal.  I feel like I dre...
Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Wk 12 Results Are In ... The Virus is Undetectable!

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Good news.  For the first time, the virus is totally undetectable !! Although, we have hit a small bump in the road.  The doctor is very c...
Saturday, October 10, 2009

The Transmission of Hepatitis C

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Many people are ill-informed when it comes to the transmission of Hepatitis C. You will not get it from mere exposure to a person who has th...
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Saturday, October 3, 2009

Week 12, and I'm An Emotional Wreck

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At the end of the week, my husband goes for the blood test that will determine if he continues treatment.  He really needs the treatment, be...
3 comments:
Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Thank You for Your Comments & Support

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Sometimes I feel so isolated.  It's really hard watching someone you love deteriorating right before your eyes; and there is nothing tha...
Sunday, September 27, 2009

Disability Hearing Scheduled

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We heard from Social Security. My husband’s hearing is set for December 4th. I am not hopeful. As I said before, it is my understanding that...
Wednesday, September 16, 2009

The Emotional Roller Coaster that is Hep C

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Tonight was shot night- week 10.  I hope this week is better than last week.  Last week was truly rough.   Steve was feeling really awful.  ...
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Saturday, September 12, 2009

Study Shows Nitazoxanide Could Have the Potential to Eliminate the Need for Ribavirin in the Treatment of Hepatitis C

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Found an article on Medical News Today's website that suggests that treatment with Nitazoxanide (Alinia) and peginterferon alpha-2a cou...
Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Wk 8 of Triple Therapy: Experiencing Severe Shortness of Breath

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I am really worried. Went out this evening, just to walk the dog, with my husband. (It was a short walk.) My husband got so out of breath I ...
Monday, September 7, 2009

Things to Know When Applying for Disability

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For those of you that are looking for information on applying for disability, social security’s website, www.socialsecurity.gov , has a lot ...