In May of 2003 I came down with a very mean case of what docs were diagnosing as pneumonia This illness persisted into the fall and at that point the pain I was experiencing in my chest was unbearable. After a few trips to the emergency room, I was diagnosed with pericarditis ( a hardening of the pericardium, a sac around your heart).

I had pericarditis once before in 1996 but the docs didn't think it possible that some one as young (40) and as healthy seeming as me could have this illness. But I did, and it got worse. By October I was hospitalized for pain and to reduce the swelling around my heart. But in December I was still experiencing ALOT of pain..So I started chasing down docs who would help me figure out what could be causing this issue.

I went to a rheumatologist and he ran nearly every test imaginable on me….and he is the one who found the hep c. He reported that I had hepatitis c, genotype 2, with slighly elevated liver enzymes and and autoimmune disease. He also stated that the auto immune and pericarditis were probably triggered by the hepatitis c. So I went to find treatment.

I found an excellent gastroenerologist/hepatologist doctor and clinic here in St Paul MN (dr. Paola Ricci at Regions Hospital). I began treatment with interferon and ribavarin. Treatment was hard but I was managing and had a very positive attitude. My viral load was low and the prognosis was good.Then 8 weeks into treatment I developed a nasty case of ulcerative colitis, which can be a result of interferon, and the docs took me off the hep c meds to treat the colitis. My body must have freaked out because shortly after I stopped taking the meds as I became horribly depressed and suicidal..No fun. (that was just this October 04)

Me now, I still have the hep c and I am draggin my butt out of the depths of depression, while working full time, attending graduate school and raising 2 kids as a single mom. Its no pretty picture and its hard as hell on many days. I am ever aware that the pericarditis could flare or the hepatitis could worsen. But I am ever so grateful that my viral load continuies to stay low and I my liver damage is still at stage one.

What I need to work on is caring better for myself. I don't want to be sick. I need to be kind, gentle and patient as I wait for a cure that I may be able to take. My family lives in Ireland and have not been able to offer much support and they really don't get hepatitis c AT ALL….and that sure doesn't help. Support people need to learn about the illness and they need to ask their loved one how best to support them…beware of jumping to conclusions.

My best guess for how I contracted the hep c was in the early 80's when I was shooting heroin and cocaine..not a recreation I partake in any longer. I have continued to drink beer, which is not the best health choice, but it has offered me a sort of solace in a hard time…now I'm looking at managing that better too.

I have taken Milk Thistle and effervescent vitamin C daily since I was diagnosed back in February 04. This disease and its repercussions have been so very, very hard on me and my little family. Doctor bills have been huge, prescriptions, stress, fear, trying to get to work each day despite daily the crisis I am working through have made my life hellish at times.

Still, I am grateful to know that I have this illness and that I can make changes that could prevent me from becoming more ill. I am also in the process of searching out more suport from folks who know about hep c. Now that I'm not being treated for hep c, just monitored, I don't see my fav doc anymore..I will miss them . The clinic at Regions is full of angels and I am forever grateful for their support and their knowledge.