We didn't find out Leo had Hep C until some 30 years down the line & when we did, it was discovered he had Hep B too. At first the specialist said it would be 30 years before we ever had to worry about it & so nothing was done for several years.

Due to unusual circumstances we had to leave Connecticut an we moved to Florida, Thank "God." To make a long story short we sold our house in Rhode Island, moved to Connecticut on 08/02/02 to save on the 500 miles a week travel to the job, that following may they told my husband the plant was closing it's doors for good so we sold the house again and moved to Florida.

When we moved to Connecticut the new doctor did not do a customary blood test on a man that had Hep B & C and is a diabetic but when we got to the new doctor in Florida it was the first thing he did. His Hep C was flared up and his cancer cell count was off the wall. After months of tests it was determined he did not have very long to live, he was put at the top of the Liver Transplant List and on Interferon Injections to get the Hep C under control before the transplant. Within 5 weeks he was called in for the transplant.

Now I will tell you the reason for telling you all this. Even with insurance we could not afford the $700 plus dollars co-pay on the Interferon Injections. Everyone should know what to do if this happens to them. You can get with your doctor's office and get them to contact the drug company that they are using for your treatment and get the drug company to donate your treatment. Usually they only do this for those with NO insurance but it can be done if asked to review your application under special circumstances. You need to get your doctors office to do this, not just give you the number for you to request the help, it will only be rejected. With or without insurance you do not have to die because you can't afford the treatment. Do not wait, it is very easy for Hep C to turn into Cancer.

Leo had the transplant at the Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami Florida 12/18/04 and is doing exceptionally well. Jackson Memorial Hospital is the best hospital for this type of surgery in the Unites States. He will have to go on Interferon Injections again in the fall as Hep C will always be in his blood but now he has the best chance ever to live a pretty normal, long life.