In late October 2003, I took an insurance physical. When the results came back soon after, I learned that I had tested positive for HCV. Twenty years earlier, before they started checking blood, I had a transfusion. I received 6 units of blood. I believe this is where I contracted the HCV.
I was a very healthy, fit person.

I have exercised on a regular basis for many years and have paid close attention to my diet. I was 62 years old and felt much younger. I had no physical symtoms of the disease. It was a terrible shock to find this out. My first reaction was "We have to find out what we can do now." A few days later, I was able to get an appointment with the nurse practitioner in my doctors office. It just happened that she was one of the most knowledgeable people I would talk to in the next weeks. She repeated the blood work, checked for immunities to mumps and measles, gave me a pneumonia shot and suggested that I see my ob/gyn to make sure all was well in that department. I made the first available apointment to see the doctor and get further test result.

The appointment with the nurse practioner had been a positive experience and I began to feel better. When I saw my doctor, he seemed perplexed about what to do and could not answer my questions satisfactorily. I have always liked this man and he has often gone the extra mile for me and for my family. But, when it came to HCV he was not able to help much. Needless to say, I was very depressed after this visit and I had to wait for a month for an appointment with a gastro who he recommended.

I did a lot of worrying and crying, then began to do some research. At times, this was over my head and what I did understand didn't always give me a lot of hope. My son suggested I find help online and Hepatitis Central is where I ended up. The personal experiences and the advice I received were more than I could have hoped for. I highly recommend this to everyone.

Finally the day arrived for my appointment with the gastro. He is a very positive and upbeat person and immediately put my husband and me at ease. Of course, he also did more blood work and wanted me to have a biopsy. I was very nervous about this. It was uncomfortable experience, but I was able to handle it. I think that the hardest part was waiting for the results. The results were Stage 1, Grade 1.

One my next visit, I found that I am genotype 1. I was encouraged by the fact that my viral load was not very high (146,000). My liver enzyme levels were in the high 70s. My doctor explained that we could wait and see how things progressed or treatment options if I wanted to treat. He left the decision up to me. I didn't have to think very long.

From the moment I learned I had the virus, I wanted it gone. I decided to treat. I began treatment one year ago. I began with a positive attitude and have been able to stay positive most of the time. Like I said before, I was exercising on a regular basis. I was running 4-5 miles a day most days of the week and doing weight training on three of the days. It was quite a shock to me to realize that I wouldn't be able to continue. I slowly began to taper off, letting my body tell me what I could handle. Now, at the end of treatment, I am still doing light weights a couple of times a week, but I am no longer able to run. I have been able to walk most days, but not always the long distances I could before.

I have been on interferon therapy. There have been side effects. Very dry skin, many aches and pains, thinning hair, some insomnia, and tiredness all the time. It has helped to drink huge amounts of water.

I have had tremendous support from my husband and family. My husband has devoted this year to helping me get rid of the virus and it has worked. I was clear at 3 months and have remained so. Now, with treatment ending, we can only hope I can stay clear. Most things have really gone smoothly, I do have insurance and it has covered a large portion of the costs. I have not
been secretive about having the virus. I was nervous to tell the dentist's office, but they were fine with it.

Many people are simply not aware of HCV or of the huge numbers of people affected.
I am very happy with the choice to treat. I do have to admit that at times I thought the 48 weeks would go on forever, but it is almost over and I look forward to being virus free for good.