Hi, my name is Linda, and at the time I discovered I
had Hep C, I was 46, just recently married. I had the
flu for 2 months and went to two doctors who gave me
antibiotics of which nothing help. We then did a
number of tests. That led to the biopsy, which then
they told me about the Hep C and first stage of
Cirrhosis. I was in total denial. No this could not
happen to me. After I swallowed the fact, I then told
my children, my boys 26 at the time and twins, who
were just 21, didn’t understand. I later found out
the man that I trusted and married had Hep C when he
was released from Prison. Of which I did not know at
the time. I failed to ask questions. I thought that
would have been something to be honest about. Who
Knew? I did see another Doctor who confirmed the
findings, and suggested treatment. I started
treatment in June of 2001 of combination of interferon
and rebetrol. I told my employer, and they gave me a
less stressful position with the company. I was sick,
extremely sick. I did complete that treatment in
December of 2001. My test results came back
undetectable. I thought I was cured.. In that time,
my husband of 9 months left, and I started the process
of divorced, Yes we all know what kind of stress that
is. The Doctor continued to monitor my blood test on
a monthly basis. All through the treatment I found
Janice and friends on line to help with my loss, of
friends and family. Being so sick all the time I had
no social life. Within 3 months of ending the
treatment, the virus had returned. At that point I
was devasted. My Doctor suggested the new drug
Peg-intron. Only once a week shot, and the same
number of pills on a daily basis. I went through with
this treatment for 1 year. We are now into March of
2003, and my blood test came back undetectable, I have
been monitoring this every 6 months since and today
December 2004, I am still undetectable. I do however
continue to take milk thistle every day, along with
the 1 a day and vitamin b12. I was supposed to have
another biopsy done in September of this year but my
Doctor has moved from the area, and we haven't had a
replacement yet. With my health insurance it takes
several months to get an approval to go elsewhere. So
I am still waiting. I can only suggest, Be Tough,
Stick with the treatment and have Faith. It took a
couple of years to be comfortable enough to date, but
I am. At 50 my life is just beginning. I thank God I
have a second chance. My Genotype is 1A, which
doesn’t at least as far as the studies I Have read
respond to the treatment as successfully as I have. My
Doctor did put me on a transplant list, but after the
first 3 months, I took my name off. Only because I
knew in my heart I am going to beat this. I felt
guilty when my doctor suggested she put my name on the
list. I really did a lot of soul searching, and
thinking. Thank you for allowing me to share my
story. Linda