Here is my story…..as it goes I have been diagnosed with hep c about 5 months ago.I met someone that I fell in love with and went to my Dr. to have all the standard s.t.d tests ran so I could make sure that I was going into a new relationship with a clean bill of health.I asked my DR. to also test me for hep c, he asked me why I would want to do that and that it was not a "necessary test".I explained to him that I have a past of using drugs and that alot of my peers had indeed been diagnosed with it.Reluctantly,he tested me.I proceeded to go about my everyday life,having beers with my friends,staying out late,eating badly and on the run all the time trying to fit everything into my busy schedule of work,traveling to and from the bay area 4 times a month,my social life and beginning a new relationship.
On june 24th of 2005 I received a call about my lab results.Everything was fine…….except for the fact that I have hepatitis c.My jaw hit the floor and I said "what??" The man on the other end of the phone said"yes,mis k******* , your results have come back as positive that you have hepatitis c and your type is 1a which is the hardest to get rid of"
My mind flooded with thoughts of this being my death sentence rendered me incapable of asking him any more questions. He said that if I had any questions to please direct them to my Dr. and hung up.
I sat in my one bedroom apartment at my kitchen table and fell apart.Every possible moment of my life went through my head at that moment trying to figure out who or what I had done wrong in my life to deserve this death sentence.I wondered how long I had to live(and still do),I mourned all of the things in my life that I either have done half assed or not done at all.I mourned all of the people that I have not treated fairly in my life.I finally broke down into tears and sobbed hysterically for 5 days.I could not eat,drink or talk to anyone.I WAS ASHAMED AND FELT DIRTY! I had to figure out what to do in regards to my newfound love. How was I to tell her of my ill fortune? I considered breaking it off ,just so I would not have to face the inevitable….her thinking that I was tainted and breaking it off with me and breaking my heart.I figured that if I had done it first,then I would spare myself the pain of rejection.I felt as if I was not worthy of anyone or anything,but I sucked it up and made that call to my new lover.I honestly did not know what to say,so I just blurted it out.I was met with understanding and love and compassion and she told me that she would stand by me no matter what.It was just the opposite of what I had expected!She has been my rock ever since.
when I was first diagnosed,my viral load was 645,000 .Now, 5 months later..my viral load is 1,777,778.I have no insurance and no option for treatment from the medical community here.Due to budget cuts in the last few yeary,I cannot even get on the Oregon Health Plan.It is all I can do to not scream at the top of my lungs at these bureaucratic a*******"S that "MY LIFE IS NOT RED TAPE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I AM A HUMAN BEING AND I DO NOT WANT TO DIE AND I NEED HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!" TOo no avail,I have received no aid whatsoever.The only changes that have been facilitated are the ones that have been researched and implemented by me.I no longer use alcohol in any form,I have switched to a vegan diet and have increased my daily exercise.I do not know if it is actually making a bit of difference or not as I have no money to see a Dr. My last "free clinic" visit ended up costing me upwards of 300$ because they did not cover the cost of the bloodwork.So much for that!The Dr at the free clinic had no idea of what he was talking about as far as giving me information regarding my disease.I personally thought that he was an idiot and wondered how he ever made it through medical school.