Advice?

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 5/11/00 4:57:21 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

belinda@... writes:

He simply doesn't care. It's all he can do to go to work and come home 3 days

a week

(he's still not going in on the day after shots yet.)

****

I`m amazed that he is able to work at all. The treatment is extremely

difficult.

The poor guy deserves KUDOS IMHO........

bless both of you,

debmc

[Guest guest]

Sheila & Belinda: I feel for you so. I would hate to be coping with a sick

spouse AND child rearing (which must totally fall on you) AND financial/legal

woes. My husband hasn't worked for over 3 yrs (his business went belly

up--that's a whole other story for an AA support group). I'm feeling very

fortunate right now that I can support us.

I guess the only thought I can offer is " first things first. " Got to get

them well so they can get back to work. Belinda, could you get power of

attorney so that you can keep up with some of the legal stuff that can't be

postponed? Do either of you have family you could call on for help? I wish

I could help. Tree

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 5/11/00 5:51:33 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

quinlyn1@... writes:

This must be such an awful treatment for them to have to go through.

*****

A friend of mine described it well, the other day..he explained that

interferron is akin to the substance your body emits, in order to fight the

flu....the stuff, that makes you sick, is NOT the flu, but the

interferron.........and the treatment, when given the combo is ½

interferron.......so if you can imagine injecting yourself 3 X weekly, with

your worst case of the FLU...that is what we go through.....

I am frightened at how my family feels, too.......

I know this is hard on you guys, the family members, but remember, we`re

scared AND sick, too. And without the treatment, we might be scared, sick AND

dead......

There ought to be support group for families of HCV people........you ought

to have a good place to vent, i`m certain it`s hard.....

Love and health to all,

debmc

[Guest guest]

Belinda,

When my husband was on the combo he went to work but was done in by the time

he got home. It pretty much meant that after he got home he ate his dinner

took his meds and went to bed. He tried to get as much rest as possible on

the weekends. Then at some point he started feeling better and actually felt

like doing things. This probably isn't very helpful but just try to hang in

there and hopefully he will start feeling somewhat better. I do remember at

one point early on we pretty much decided that we just needed to lower our

standards and so we decided that as long as both of us were still alive and

we were still together then it was okay and we could get through it.

I'm sorry I wasn't more help, right now I'm wondering why I started this?

Carol

advice?

>

> Okay, this probably seems trivial but I need some advice. My husband is

> doing okay, not great but not awful on the combo. Of course he's tired and

> feeling icky most of the time, and he's become completely apathetic about

> EVERYTHING. Unfortunately, we've got some rather severe financial and

legal

> problems (stemming from me being on prolonged bedrest and unable to work

> during my pregnancy) plus he's executor of his dad's estate, which is

mired

> in debt not to mention the house burned and needs a great deal of clean up

> or the city is going to hit the estate with citations, etc. He simply

> doesn't care. It's all he can do to go to work and come home 3 days a week

> (he's still not going in on the day after shots yet.) I sympathize, but

> we're looking at some serious consequences if we don't cope with some of

> this stuff, much of which I can't handle because it's legal stuff in his

> name. Plus a 4yo, 4 month old and some frantic freelance work to try to

> make up for some of the financial stuff tends to limit my time, too. He

> gets furious if I ask what we're going to do -- we already have to move,

> and how I'm supposed to do that with him in his current condition is

beyond

> me. Those of you with spouses going through this -- any insight? Is this

> just going to be the rest of my life?

>

> Belinda

>

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

> There's still time to order Calyx & Corolla flowers for mom.

> These fresh and elegant bouquets are available for delivery

> by Mother's Day. To order, please visit

> 1/4103/10/_/96144/_/958078586/

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Belinda,

I'm sorry that your life is in such chaos right now.

You sure do have more on your plate that any one

person should. However, your hubby's behavior is not

unexpected. I hope the doctors warned you that there

was a VERY high possibility of depression with the

combo therapy. The literature that we were given when

Pat started the treatments said that we could and

should expect depression - ranging from mild to

suicidal. Unfortunately it's just one more thing that

you have to be aware of and keep your eyes open for.

You might want to talk to his doctor.

I will keep you in my prayers and hope that things get

better for you.

Jeanie

--- Belinda Sawyer <belinda@...> wrote:

>

> Okay, this probably seems trivial but I need some

> advice. My husband is

> doing okay, not great but not awful on the combo. Of

> course he's tired and

> feeling icky most of the time, and he's become

> completely apathetic about

> EVERYTHING. Unfortunately, we've got some rather

> severe financial and legal

> problems (stemming from me being on prolonged

> bedrest and unable to work

> during my pregnancy) plus he's executor of his dad's

> estate, which is mired

> in debt not to mention the house burned and needs a

> great deal of clean up

> or the city is going to hit the estate with

> citations, etc. He simply

> doesn't care. It's all he can do to go to work and

> come home 3 days a week

> (he's still not going in on the day after shots

> yet.) I sympathize, but

> we're looking at some serious consequences if we

> don't cope with some of

> this stuff, much of which I can't handle because

> it's legal stuff in his

> name. Plus a 4yo, 4 month old and some frantic

> freelance work to try to

> make up for some of the financial stuff tends to

> limit my time, too. He

> gets furious if I ask what we're going to do -- we

> already have to move,

> and how I'm supposed to do that with him in his

> current condition is beyond

> me. Those of you with spouses going through this --

> any insight? Is this

> just going to be the rest of my life?

>

> Belinda

>

>

------------------------------------------------------------------------

> There's still time to order Calyx & Corolla flowers

> for mom.

> These fresh and elegant bouquets are available for

> delivery

> by Mother's Day. To order, please visit

>

1/4103/10/_/96144/_/958078586/

>

------------------------------------------------------------------------

>

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Hi Belinda,

I'm not going to be much help either,but feel like I am going through the same thing!

My husband took hist first treatment last night.Was awake most of the night,shakes,shivering etc.He was suppose to work tonight,tomorrow,off Saturday & then work Sunday thru Thursday.Guess all of this was too overwhelming for hime this morning.He went into work(they had no idea he had been sick before this morning)He explained everything to them & took a leave of absence.Then stayed in bed all day.

Now I'm wondering ok,where do we go from here......

Where will the loss of money come from,I've already been carrying the household load the last few months(he use to do SOOO much with the house & kids)

Also wondering how long will this go on.

Like I said not much help,but feel free to email me.

Maybe we can support each other......

Sheila

advice?

Okay, this probably seems trivial but I need some advice. My husband isdoing okay, not great but not awful on the combo. Of course he's tired andfeeling icky most of the time, and he's become completely apathetic aboutEVERYTHING. Unfortunately, we've got some rather severe financial and legalproblems (stemming from me being on prolonged bedrest and unable to workduring my pregnancy) plus he's executor of his dad's estate, which is miredin debt not to mention the house burned and needs a great deal of clean upor the city is going to hit the estate with citations, etc. He simplydoesn't care. It's all he can do to go to work and come home 3 days a week(he's still not going in on the day after shots yet.) I sympathize, butwe're looking at some serious consequences if we don't cope with some ofthis stuff, much of which I can't handle because it's legal stuff in hisname. Plus a 4yo, 4 month old and some frantic freelance work to try tomake up for some of the financial stuff tends to limit my time, too. Hegets furious if I ask what we're going to do -- we already have to move,and how I'm supposed to do that with him in his current condition is beyondme. Those of you with spouses going through this -- any insight? Is thisjust going to be the rest of my life? Belinda

[Guest guest]

Hi Sheila,

I wish I could say something to help both you and

Belinda. You are going through such hard times right

now. At least Pat was still able to work while on the

treatment, even though he became such an SOB that I

wasn't sure if I was going to kill him or if one of

our clients was going to beat me to it. This must be

such an awful treatment for them to have to go

through. Have either of you tried to get social

security benefits? I've heard that it is very

difficult, but worth a try if they can help with some

income.

Keep writing. We are all here to help even if all we

can do is listen and offer support. My heart breaks

for you and your hubbies.

Jeanie

--- mrsam@... wrote:

> Hi Belinda,

> I'm not going to be much help either,but feel like

> I am going through the same thing!

> My husband took hist first treatment last night.Was

> awake most of the night,shakes,shivering etc.He was

> suppose to work tonight,tomorrow,off Saturday & then

> work Sunday thru Thursday.Guess all of this was too

> overwhelming for hime this morning.He went into

> work(they had no idea he had been sick before this

> morning)He explained everything to them & took a

> leave of absence.Then stayed in bed all day.

> Now I'm wondering ok,where do we go from here......

> Where will the loss of money come from,I've already

> been carrying the household load the last few

> months(he use to do SOOO much with the house & kids)

> Also wondering how long will this go on.

> Like I said not much help,but feel free to email

> me.

> Maybe we can support each other......

> Sheila

> advice?

>

>

>

> Okay, this probably seems trivial but I need some

> advice. My husband is

> doing okay, not great but not awful on the combo.

> Of course he's tired and

> feeling icky most of the time, and he's become

> completely apathetic about

> EVERYTHING. Unfortunately, we've got some rather

> severe financial and legal

> problems (stemming from me being on prolonged

> bedrest and unable to work

> during my pregnancy) plus he's executor of his

> dad's estate, which is mired

> in debt not to mention the house burned and needs

> a great deal of clean up

> or the city is going to hit the estate with

> citations, etc. He simply

> doesn't care. It's all he can do to go to work and

> come home 3 days a week

> (he's still not going in on the day after shots

> yet.) I sympathize, but

> we're looking at some serious consequences if we

> don't cope with some of

> this stuff, much of which I can't handle because

> it's legal stuff in his

> name. Plus a 4yo, 4 month old and some frantic

> freelance work to try to

> make up for some of the financial stuff tends to

> limit my time, too. He

> gets furious if I ask what we're going to do -- we

> already have to move,

> and how I'm supposed to do that with him in his

> current condition is beyond

> me. Those of you with spouses going through this

> -- any insight? Is this

> just going to be the rest of my life?

>

> Belinda

>

>

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

>

>

>

>

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

>

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Belinda-No this is not going to be the " way it is " for the rest of your life

or his either. But it is life right now and you have to take it one day at a

time. It is very frustrationg being on the combo and not being able to stay

on top of things. That he's even working 3 days is very good. Don't waste

your health and energy trying to save or make money because in the long run

you'll probably spend lots more money trying to buy your health back.

I hear your frustration-but it is only for a season. Let the house go (his

fathers) if neither of you can handle it. Write it off. I've had to look at

life and visualize worst case senerios and then decide again. Is this what

I'm willing to let happen.

Not meaning to be gruesome but life is short and when one of you is gone

will it all be worth it. Spend every day as if its your last one together.

Enjoy each other now and don't sweat the things that won't make any

difference in a year or so.

Thats my advice. I know exactly where both of you are. We have had those

arguments and have come to this conclusion-at least we have each other and

the love between us bridges any difficulties we face. At least we can face

them together.

God Bless you and your husband,

Bob Simons

Sr. Commander

Royal Rangers

Tucson, Az.

http://abbacomputers.homepage.com/bob.htm

For the message of the cross is foolishness

to those who are perishing, but to us who

are being saved it is the power of God.

1 Cor 1:18 (NKJ)

advice?

>

> Okay, this probably seems trivial but I need some advice. My husband is

> doing okay, not great but not awful on the combo. Of course he's tired and

> feeling icky most of the time, and he's become completely apathetic about

> EVERYTHING. Unfortunately, we've got some rather severe financial and

legal

> problems (stemming from me being on prolonged bedrest and unable to work

> during my pregnancy) plus he's executor of his dad's estate, which is

mired

> in debt not to mention the house burned and needs a great deal of clean up

> or the city is going to hit the estate with citations, etc. He simply

> doesn't care. It's all he can do to go to work and come home 3 days a week

> (he's still not going in on the day after shots yet.) I sympathize, but

> we're looking at some serious consequences if we don't cope with some of

> this stuff, much of which I can't handle because it's legal stuff in his

> name. Plus a 4yo, 4 month old and some frantic freelance work to try to

> make up for some of the financial stuff tends to limit my time, too. He

> gets furious if I ask what we're going to do -- we already have to move,

> and how I'm supposed to do that with him in his current condition is

beyond

> me. Those of you with spouses going through this -- any insight? Is this

> just going to be the rest of my life?

>

> Belinda

>

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

> There's still time to order Calyx & Corolla flowers for mom.

> These fresh and elegant bouquets are available for delivery

> by Mother's Day. To order, please visit

> 1/4103/10/_/96144/_/958078586/

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

A friend of mine who knows what I'm going through says " theres not many

options for you considering that the disease is terminal! "

We need to keep that in mind.

Since being on this medication I have been so frustrated because of my lack

of energy and emotional ups and downs (mostly down) and loss of memory. It

is not easy dealing with all that alone let alone the pain and aches I have

almost constantly. My attitude and mouth has gotten me in more trouble

(saying things without thinking) and have had to apologize to my wife and

kids more than once. One night this week I went and sat in dry river bed a

few block from house and tried to put the pieces together, after fighting

with my wife.

I felt like a heel and sent her a bouquet of flowers the next day with a

note saying I was sorry.

I'm anemic, and am susceptible to infections. Have been in the hosp. for a

surgical procedure to open up a abcess.

I sleep almost all day now 10-12hrs per day. If I get up sooner (which I've

tried ) I feel like crap all day and am even more irritable and don't feel

like doing anything. At least with plenty of sleep I will do some cleaning

and make dinner and can make through the day without forgetting to take some

pills or something else like fighting with my wife.

I only have 3 more months of treatment left and we are counting the days.

I'm hopeful that the virus will stay away and that is what keeps driving us

on.

Hang in there is all can say and keep looking on the positive side of

things. One good thing is the mesquitos don't bite me cause they apparently

don't like the meds in my blood. Also I missed getting that bad flu that ran

around so there are things to be thankful for.

your friend,

Bob Simons

Sr. Commander

Royal Rangers

Tucson, Az.

http://abbacomputers.homepage.com/bob.htm

For the message of the cross is foolishness

to those who are perishing, but to us who

are being saved it is the power of God.

1 Cor 1:18 (NKJ)

Re: advice?

In a message dated 5/11/00 5:51:33 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

quinlyn1@... writes:

This must be such an awful treatment for them to have to go through.

*****

A friend of mine described it well, the other day..he explained that

interferron is akin to the substance your body emits, in order to fight the

flu....the stuff, that makes you sick, is NOT the flu, but the

interferron.........and the treatment, when given the combo is ½

interferron.......so if you can imagine injecting yourself 3 X weekly, with

your worst case of the FLU...that is what we go through.....

I am frightened at how my family feels, too.......

I know this is hard on you guys, the family members, but remember, we`re

scared AND sick, too. And without the treatment, we might be scared, sick

AND

dead......

There ought to be support group for families of HCV people........you ought

to have a good place to vent, i`m certain it`s hard.....

Love and health to all,

debmc

------------------------------------------------------------------------

There's still time to order Calyx & Corolla flowers for mom.

These fresh and elegant bouquets are available for delivery

by Mother's Day. To order, please visit

1/4103/10/_/96144/_/958086901/

------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Guest guest]

At 07:14 PM 5/11/2000 -0400, you wrote:

>The poor guy deserves KUDOS IMHO........

and

>There ought to be support group for families of HCV people........you ought

>to have a good place to vent, i`m certain it`s hard.....

>Love and health to all,

>debmc

I thought this was a support group for families and HCV people. A lot of

the people who post to this list seem to be family members, collecting

insight and information for a loved one who's just too tired and out of

sorts to do it themselves.

Don't get me wrong, please. I am not belittling what you, my husband or any

other HCV patient goes through. I know I'm whining and it seems really

self-indulgent since I'm not even sick. Part of my frustration is seeing my

husband, whom I love more than life, change from someone so vital, full of

fun and life, to this shadow of himself. Nothing I'm facing comes close to

what he and many of you are going through. I know it's taking all he's got

to get from day to day.

That leaves me to take over the big picture for our family. It's just that

our big picture right now includes foreclosure, bankruptcy, a forced move,

additional legal issues connected with my fil's estate, a 4yo who is

suddenly sleepwalking with night terrors, a 4 month old premie with her own

set of medical issues and 3 clients who are demanding to know why the hell

I can't meet a deadline anymore. I'm just a little overwhelmed. I'm venting

to you guys because most of our off-line friends don't know the extent of

what we're facing and were already seeming a bit overloaded hearing about

the baby's problems BEFORE we found out about 's hepC. I'm not sure

they could handle the litany I just shared with you, but I know individuals

in this group have faced worse troubles with grace, humor and an

understanding of what's really important so I figured it was safe. I really

appreciate your kind support, and hope I can return the favor sometime.

thanks to all--

Belinda

[Guest guest]

Belinda,

Please feel free to vent anytime you need to. You're

right, that's what we are here for. We can't do a

whole lot, but we can sure listen and offer suggestion

and support. You go right ahead and whine if you need

to right now.

Jeanie

--- Belinda Sawyer <belinda@...> wrote:

> At 07:14 PM 5/11/2000 -0400, you wrote:

>

> >The poor guy deserves KUDOS IMHO........

> and

> >There ought to be support group for families of

> HCV people........you ought

> >to have a good place to vent, i`m certain it`s

> hard.....

> >Love and health to all,

> >debmc

>

> I thought this was a support group for families and

> HCV people. A lot of

> the people who post to this list seem to be family

> members, collecting

> insight and information for a loved one who's just

> too tired and out of

> sorts to do it themselves.

>

> Don't get me wrong, please. I am not belittling what

> you, my husband or any

> other HCV patient goes through. I know I'm whining

> and it seems really

> self-indulgent since I'm not even sick. Part of my

> frustration is seeing my

> husband, whom I love more than life, change from

> someone so vital, full of

> fun and life, to this shadow of himself. Nothing I'm

> facing comes close to

> what he and many of you are going through. I know

> it's taking all he's got

> to get from day to day.

>

> That leaves me to take over the big picture for our

> family. It's just that

> our big picture right now includes foreclosure,

> bankruptcy, a forced move,

> additional legal issues connected with my fil's

> estate, a 4yo who is

> suddenly sleepwalking with night terrors, a 4 month

> old premie with her own

> set of medical issues and 3 clients who are

> demanding to know why the hell

> I can't meet a deadline anymore. I'm just a little

> overwhelmed. I'm venting

> to you guys because most of our off-line friends

> don't know the extent of

> what we're facing and were already seeming a bit

> overloaded hearing about

> the baby's problems BEFORE we found out about

> 's hepC. I'm not sure

> they could handle the litany I just shared with you,

> but I know individuals

> in this group have faced worse troubles with grace,

> humor and an

> understanding of what's really important so I

> figured it was safe. I really

> appreciate your kind support, and hope I can return

> the favor sometime.

>

> thanks to all--

> Belinda

>

>

------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Remember four years of good friends, bad clothes,

> explosive chemistry

> experiments.

>

1/4051/10/_/96144/_/958096466/

>

------------------------------------------------------------------------

>

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Dear Bob and Deb,

Thank you for giving us, the family members, your

perspective. Sometimes we get so caught up with what

we are going through that we need to be reminded that

you too are scared and tired of the side effects of

the treatments. Thank you for the reminders.

Jeanie

--- Bob Simons <bsimons@...> wrote:

> A friend of mine who knows what I'm going through

> says " theres not many

> options for you considering that the disease is

> terminal! "

> We need to keep that in mind.

> Since being on this medication I have been so

> frustrated because of my lack

> of energy and emotional ups and downs (mostly down)

> and loss of memory. It

> is not easy dealing with all that alone let alone

> the pain and aches I have

> almost constantly. My attitude and mouth has gotten

> me in more trouble

> (saying things without thinking) and have had to

> apologize to my wife and

> kids more than once. One night this week I went and

> sat in dry river bed a

> few block from house and tried to put the pieces

> together, after fighting

> with my wife.

> I felt like a heel and sent her a bouquet of flowers

> the next day with a

> note saying I was sorry.

> I'm anemic, and am susceptible to infections. Have

> been in the hosp. for a

> surgical procedure to open up a abcess.

> I sleep almost all day now 10-12hrs per day. If I

> get up sooner (which I've

> tried ) I feel like crap all day and am even more

> irritable and don't feel

> like doing anything. At least with plenty of sleep I

> will do some cleaning

> and make dinner and can make through the day without

> forgetting to take some

> pills or something else like fighting with my wife.

> I only have 3 more months of treatment left and we

> are counting the days.

> I'm hopeful that the virus will stay away and that

> is what keeps driving us

> on.

> Hang in there is all can say and keep looking on the

> positive side of

> things. One good thing is the mesquitos don't bite

> me cause they apparently

> don't like the meds in my blood. Also I missed

> getting that bad flu that ran

> around so there are things to be thankful for.

> your friend,

> Bob Simons

> Sr. Commander

> Royal Rangers

> Tucson, Az.

> http://abbacomputers.homepage.com/bob.htm

> For the message of the cross is foolishness

> to those who are perishing, but to us who

> are being saved it is the power of God.

> 1 Cor 1:18 (NKJ)

> Re: advice?

>

>

> In a message dated 5/11/00 5:51:33 PM Eastern

> Daylight Time,

> quinlyn1@... writes:

> This must be such an awful treatment for them to

> have to go through.

> *****

> A friend of mine described it well, the other

> day..he explained that

> interferron is akin to the substance your body

> emits, in order to fight the

> flu....the stuff, that makes you sick, is NOT the

> flu, but the

> interferron.........and the treatment, when given

> the combo is ½

> interferron.......so if you can imagine injecting

> yourself 3 X weekly, with

> your worst case of the FLU...that is what we go

> through.....

> I am frightened at how my family feels, too.......

> I know this is hard on you guys, the family members,

> but remember, we`re

> scared AND sick, too. And without the treatment, we

> might be scared, sick

> AND

> dead......

> There ought to be support group for families of HCV

> people........you ought

> to have a good place to vent, i`m certain it`s

> hard.....

> Love and health to all,

> debmc

>

>

------------------------------------------------------------------------

> There's still time to order Calyx & Corolla flowers

> for mom.

> These fresh and elegant bouquets are available for

> delivery

> by Mother's Day. To order, please visit

>

1/4103/10/_/96144/_/958086901/

>

------------------------------------------------------------------------

>

>

>

>

>

>

------------------------------------------------------------------------

> There's still time to order Calyx & Corolla flowers

> for mom.

> These fresh and elegant bouquets are available for

> delivery

> by Mother's Day. To order, please visit

>

1/4103/10/_/96144/_/958093778/

>

------------------------------------------------------------------------

>

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

thank you for all the messages of support we give each other. It is so nice

to see the perspective of being on the shots as well as being on the other

side. I am still on 9 medications at this point from having only 2 shots.

My lungs are just not gettting better. I definitely understand the worry of

other family issues. My daughter has special needs and that just by itself

can become overwhelming. Is there a chance you would qualify for respite

for her? That could give you the break to work on some of your other

pressing matters. Respite will often take care of siblings also. I can

tell you how to check into it. I am not sure what state you are in. It is

possible that a pro bono lawyer or maybe someone with like AARP could help

you draft a letter or have someone appointed as a conservator over the dad's

estate or possibly give you some extra time with a letter explaining your

circumstances. Do you have a church group or friends that could possibly

bring you dinner a couple of nights a week or may be willing to come to the

house to watch the children while you work on deadlines? COuld you possibly

change the children's bedtime or naptime schedule to help you with your

work? I dont pretend to have easy answers. Just attempting brainstorming

to see what you think.

Debra angel in Alaska

Re: advice?

> >

> >

> > In a message dated 5/11/00 5:51:33 PM Eastern

> > Daylight Time,

> > quinlyn1@... writes:

> > This must be such an awful treatment for them to

> > have to go through.

> > *****

> > A friend of mine described it well, the other

> > day..he explained that

> > interferron is akin to the substance your body

> > emits, in order to fight the

> > flu....the stuff, that makes you sick, is NOT the

> > flu, but the

> > interferron.........and the treatment, when given

> > the combo is ½

> > interferron.......so if you can imagine injecting

> > yourself 3 X weekly, with

> > your worst case of the FLU...that is what we go

> > through.....

> > I am frightened at how my family feels, too.......

> > I know this is hard on you guys, the family members,

> > but remember, we`re

> > scared AND sick, too. And without the treatment, we

> > might be scared, sick

> > AND

> > dead......

> > There ought to be support group for families of HCV

> > people........you ought

> > to have a good place to vent, i`m certain it`s

> > hard.....

> > Love and health to all,

> > debmc

> >

> >

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

> > There's still time to order Calyx & Corolla flowers

> > for mom.

> > These fresh and elegant bouquets are available for

> > delivery

> > by Mother's Day. To order, please visit

> >

> 1/4103/10/_/96144/_/958086901/

> >

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

> > There's still time to order Calyx & Corolla flowers

> > for mom.

> > These fresh and elegant bouquets are available for

> > delivery

> > by Mother's Day. To order, please visit

> >

> 1/4103/10/_/96144/_/958093778/

> >

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

> >

> >

>

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

Bob: Everytime I feel sorry for myself because everything falls on me and

we're just existing here, I realize he's feeling far worse than I do.

Remarkably, even though he feels like crap and his back hurts all the time,

he is never mean with me or anyone else (of course he hasn't taken the meds

either). I can be grouchy with far less provocation, so I can imagine what I

would be like! I'm sure the flowers went a long way with your wife (we just

love them).

Three more months--just think, by August you'll be a new man! We're all

rooting for you. Tree

[Guest guest]

Belinda: You are right that most people " on the outside " cannot comprehend

what Hep C does to a family. They just don't get it. My husband may pull it

together and go with me to a family dinner, and they'll say to me, " well he

looks okay to me " (what, I'm lying?) What they don't realize is he slept

until we left the house and then fell back to sleep in the car on the way

home.

I know you're going to think " with all I have to think about, you ask me

this? " but is there any way you can get some relief for yourself, like

counseling? After all, with everyone depending on you right now, you all

can't afford for you to have a melt down. Any churches in your area offer

any of that type of support (for free)? Tree

[Guest guest]

Belinda-I guess we're all sidewalk philosophers when it comes to advice. I

try to speak from heart and I know we are trying to be honest and help you

as much as we can.

No one said it was gonna be easy, but if we take it one day at a time, it's

the only way I've been able to cope with it.

My wife was diagnosed with breast cancer about the same time I was diagnosed

with HCV. We found that we could do very little about it. I tried to be

there all the time for my wife. If anything, we have stepped back and taken

a long hard look life and realized that some things just didn't matter. We

became a lot closer as we cared for each other and in that respect we have

been blessed. Life goes on and we can make it more difficult by allowing

outside pressure to interfere. Some friends tried to help us by advising us

about all different medicines-natural, herbal, etc. We listened but realized

that if we tried everything we would be out of money and have no time for

anything. I knew I had to get my wife through surgery and chemo and

radiation and everything else came second if it came at all. Without her I

wouldn't know where to go anyway.

We did get a lot of support from friends at our church-a whole lot and we

didn't feel under pressure to have to repay anyone for their acts of

kindness. We have done it for it for others and know that's part of the

deal.

Many years ago I watched a good friend die from cancer and he was a great

influence to me at that time. Even in his last days he always smiled (even

though he was on so much pain meds.) as he tried to help others in his ward.

He would try to cheer them up and would talk to them about God. He would

pray with them if they let him. The nurses there all loved him. He made

their job easy. And now I say thats the way I want to remembered when I go.

Not feeling sorry for myself (like I do alot) but trying to cheer others up.

I hope I don't sound like I'm coming down on you-I'm just trying to relate

where I am and what has helped me.

My wife means a lot to me and I would give the world to be able to stay by

her side. No amount of money will buy my love for her.

So tell the clients why you can't meet deadlines anymore and if they're any

kind of decend humans they'll give you more time and if not than you don't

need to do business with them. I've run 2 businesses and my family and my

health came first. My customers understood because I made them understand-if

they wanted someone honest who loves his family, to do business with, than

they would have to take a back seat to what are my priorities. Yes, I lost

some customers who wanted things right now, but in the end I had customers

who I came to know and be friends with also. I sit back now and let my sons

run the business. I hope and pray that they learn the same priorities and

principles that I did.

I'll pray that this helps and that you can find some answers to your

questions through all of this.

Bob Simons

Sr. Commander

Royal Rangers

Tucson, Az.

http://abbacomputers.homepage.com/bob.htm

For the message of the cross is foolishness

to those who are perishing, but to us who

are being saved it is the power of God.

1 Cor 1:18 (NKJ)

Re: advice?

> At 07:14 PM 5/11/2000 -0400, you wrote:

>

> >The poor guy deserves KUDOS IMHO........

> and

> >There ought to be support group for families of HCV people........you

ought

> >to have a good place to vent, i`m certain it`s hard.....

> >Love and health to all,

> >debmc

>

> I thought this was a support group for families and HCV people. A lot of

> the people who post to this list seem to be family members, collecting

> insight and information for a loved one who's just too tired and out of

> sorts to do it themselves.

>

> Don't get me wrong, please. I am not belittling what you, my husband or

any

> other HCV patient goes through. I know I'm whining and it seems really

> self-indulgent since I'm not even sick. Part of my frustration is seeing

my

> husband, whom I love more than life, change from someone so vital, full of

> fun and life, to this shadow of himself. Nothing I'm facing comes close to

> what he and many of you are going through. I know it's taking all he's

got

> to get from day to day.

>

> That leaves me to take over the big picture for our family. It's just that

> our big picture right now includes foreclosure, bankruptcy, a forced move,

> additional legal issues connected with my fil's estate, a 4yo who is

> suddenly sleepwalking with night terrors, a 4 month old premie with her

own

> set of medical issues and 3 clients who are demanding to know why the hell

> I can't meet a deadline anymore. I'm just a little overwhelmed. I'm

venting

> to you guys because most of our off-line friends don't know the extent of

> what we're facing and were already seeming a bit overloaded hearing about

> the baby's problems BEFORE we found out about 's hepC. I'm not sure

> they could handle the litany I just shared with you, but I know

individuals

> in this group have faced worse troubles with grace, humor and an

> understanding of what's really important so I figured it was safe. I

really

> appreciate your kind support, and hope I can return the favor sometime.

>

> thanks to all--

> Belinda

>

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Remember four years of good friends, bad clothes, explosive chemistry

> experiments.

> 1/4051/10/_/96144/_/958096466/

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Debra-did you have an Asthma reaction or was it something else? I remember

you telling about it but I don't remeber the details. Did you just do the

shots and not the Ribivarin caps?

The Ribaviran are what give me problems. The Int. shots I did for over 5

months and felt like I could do them for the rest of life (in comparison to

the Combo).

Everyone has different reactions though.

Bob Simons

Sr. Commander

Royal Rangers

Tucson, Az.

http://abbacomputers.homepage.com/bob.htm

For I know the plans I have for you, " declares the LORD, " plans to prosper

you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.Jer 29:11(NIV)

Re: advice?

> > >

> > >

> > > In a message dated 5/11/00 5:51:33 PM Eastern

> > > Daylight Time,

> > > quinlyn1@... writes:

> > > This must be such an awful treatment for them to

> > > have to go through.

> > > *****

> > > A friend of mine described it well, the other

> > > day..he explained that

> > > interferron is akin to the substance your body

> > > emits, in order to fight the

> > > flu....the stuff, that makes you sick, is NOT the

> > > flu, but the

> > > interferron.........and the treatment, when given

> > > the combo is ½

> > > interferron.......so if you can imagine injecting

> > > yourself 3 X weekly, with

> > > your worst case of the FLU...that is what we go

> > > through.....

> > > I am frightened at how my family feels, too.......

> > > I know this is hard on you guys, the family members,

> > > but remember, we`re

> > > scared AND sick, too. And without the treatment, we

> > > might be scared, sick

> > > AND

> > > dead......

> > > There ought to be support group for families of HCV

> > > people........you ought

> > > to have a good place to vent, i`m certain it`s

> > > hard.....

> > > Love and health to all,

> > > debmc

> > >

> > >

> > ------------------------------------------------------------------------

> > > There's still time to order Calyx & Corolla flowers

> > > for mom.

> > > These fresh and elegant bouquets are available for

> > > delivery

> > > by Mother's Day. To order, please visit

> > >

> > 1/4103/10/_/96144/_/958086901/

> > >

> > ------------------------------------------------------------------------

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > ------------------------------------------------------------------------

> > > There's still time to order Calyx & Corolla flowers

> > > for mom.

> > > These fresh and elegant bouquets are available for

> > > delivery

> > > by Mother's Day. To order, please visit

> > >

> > 1/4103/10/_/96144/_/958093778/

> > >

> > ------------------------------------------------------------------------

> > >

> > >

> >

> >

> > __________________________________________________

> >

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 5/11/00 9:55:24 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

belinda@... writes:

I thought this was a support group for families and HCV people. A lot of

the people who post to this list seem to be family members, collecting

insight and information for a loved one who's just too tired and out of

sorts to do it themselves.

*****

My words did not fit my thoughts>>sorry..I meant a group In real

life..........like, there are groups for us, to meet and we can open up, cry,

vent, act out our anger, loved ones of HCV should enjoy the same

thing.........I cannot imagine how hard or crazy-making this is for those of

you who don`t have HCV, yet whose lives are seeming to fall apart from it`s

effects.....

But this list IS for all of us, famililes and patients......and this IS a

place to vent.

We just went through foreclosure and bankruptcy...thankfully, we were able to

hold on to the house, it`s nearly ½ paid for, would have been hard to lose

it.....so I know what you are facing. See an attorney, perhaps one can help

with some of your burdens, sure helped me.

((we bankrupted the day before the house was to be sold at auction. I opened

the door, and a man was there, and he told me he had just paid 121 K for my

200 K house...the mortgage company had not stopped the sale. The sale was

recended, but you can imagine what type day THAT was for me. Then to make it

worse, he had advertised it to a bunch of people, and we had skads of

families driving down our private drive, to look at our house, for days this

went on. I`m a dog trainer, and have protection-trained dogs here, so this

was NOT a great thing...I was terrifed one of the people would open the

gate.....))

Anyway.......I feel for your pain..wish I could be some help.

Love and good health to all,

debmc

[Guest guest]

At 12:18 AM 5/12/2000 -0700, you wrote:

>My wife was diagnosed with breast cancer about the same time I was diagnosed

>with HCV. We found that we could do very little about it. I tried to be

>there all the time for my wife. If anything, we have stepped back and taken

>a long hard look life and realized that some things just didn't matter.

Bob -

thanks for talking so personally. I've respected your attitude and

perspective on the list for a long time now, and your responses to my

frustration have just reinforced that opinion. I really appreciate your

encouragement.

How is your wife doing now?

with prayers that at the end of treatment your virus is gone gone gone

Belinda

[Guest guest]

At 08:02 PM 5/11/2000 -0800, you wrote:

>thank you for all the messages of support we give each other. It is so nice

>to see the perspective of being on the shots as well as being on the other

>side. I am still on 9 medications at this point from having only 2 shots.

>My lungs are just not gettting better.

Debra --

I can't believe you're even checking e-mail, much less trying to help me

work out my problems. Has your doctor left yet? Who is taking care of you

until the new doc arrives? I'm really praying that your lungs will heal. I

can only imagine how frightening this has been for you, particularly with a

daughter who needs your care.

Thinking of you --

Belinda

[Guest guest]

Belinda- Shes doing great. Gets her check up every 6 months and I can tell

she gets real antsy about the results. When they come back negative she

sighs a big sigh of relief. I don't worry so much about it until I get bad

results. I think I'm more practical and not into worrying for no good

reason. Most men are like that I think.

From what I hear it will take a little longer for the meds to flush my

system. Actually 2-6 months after I stop. I'm in a real good support group

with folks that are done with it and they come back to let us know how

they're doing. We've had a bunch healed for good with the Rebetron so I am

enthusiastic. They say it all starts coming back to you-memory, energy, wow!

I'm getting giddy!

Hang in there. You're not alone.

Bob Simons

Sr. Commander

Royal Rangers

Tucson, Az.

http://abbacomputers.homepage.com/bob.htm

For I know the plans I have for you, " declares the LORD, " plans to prosper

you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jer 29:11

(NIV)

Re: advice?

> At 12:18 AM 5/12/2000 -0700, you wrote:

>

> >My wife was diagnosed with breast cancer about the same time I was

diagnosed

> >with HCV. We found that we could do very little about it. I tried to be

> >there all the time for my wife. If anything, we have stepped back and

taken

> >a long hard look life and realized that some things just didn't matter.

>

> Bob -

> thanks for talking so personally. I've respected your attitude and

> perspective on the list for a long time now, and your responses to my

> frustration have just reinforced that opinion. I really appreciate your

> encouragement.

>

> How is your wife doing now?

>

> with prayers that at the end of treatment your virus is gone gone gone

> Belinda

>

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Remember four years of good friends, bad clothes, explosive chemistry

> experiments.

> 1/4051/10/_/96144/_/958128357/

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Tree, you are so right about how they react when they see your husband. I go

through the same thing. He looks fine he~ isn't sick ~you are nuts, etc....

Well, I tell you I have just about had it really. He works and comes home and

eats very little and sleeps for a while and then goes to bed what a life!!!!!

He cant goon the treatment so I have no idea how that personally affects

anyone's life just what we go through and it S***S. I just got out of the

hospital from what was thought to be a heart attack, actually stress very bad

and now I have to change a few things about the way I. Iive, Well that's

easier said than done. I am not tolerant of things anymore and that includes

well meaning people who haven't a clue. That's why I came here for I know

there are others who are going through the same things. I have to admit some

here are a lot stronger than I at times but I do what I can one day at a

time. Irish

[Guest guest]

At 08:51 AM 5/12/2000 -0400, you wrote:

>*****

>My words did not fit my thoughts>>sorry..

No need to say sorry, I was particularly touchy. I was worried I'd offended

you -- glad you're still talking to me!

>We just went through foreclosure and bankruptcy...thankfully, we were able to

>hold on to the house, it`s nearly ½ paid for, would have been hard to lose

>it.....so I know what you are facing.

aha! so it's not the end of the world. I've been trying to keep

" stuff-related " troubles separate from " people-related " troubles but

sometimes all the details just make it crazy. We'll actually be glad to get

out of the house, it's been a mistake and a money drain since we bought it,

plus the area's declined thanks to some nearby rezoning. It's the process

that I dread. The scenario you described with all the strangers in your

driveway and coming to your door is exactly my recurring nightmare. I've

made two appointments with lawyers, then canceled because got mad and

said he was handling it, seeing an attorney that day, I need to trust him,

etc -- but he hasn't. That's what set me off yesterday, (coupled with the

letter about the auction and a nasty note from the IRS.) He can't admit yet

that he needs help taking care of the stuff he would normally handle, but

he's just so exhausted . . .

This too shall pass, and with luck and God's grace he'll respond to this

infernal treatment and in 5 years we'll congratulate ourselves on living

through this last year of the old millennium. (For those of you who start

counting at 2000, forgive me, but I'm holding out for 2001 in the hopes my

next century can start on a brighter note!)

Thanks for understanding and shedding light for me!

Belinda

[Guest guest]

yes. there was a really rare side effect of a couple of people that had

mild asthma. When they took the interferon it got out of control. THat is

what mine has done and I am having a really hard time getting better. I

felt better yesterday than I do today. ALl the steroids and stuff amke me

feel like a balloon. I did not do the Ribavirin only the interferon.

Debra

Re: advice?

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > In a message dated 5/11/00 5:51:33 PM Eastern

> > > > Daylight Time,

> > > > quinlyn1@... writes:

> > > > This must be such an awful treatment for them to

> > > > have to go through.

> > > > *****

> > > > A friend of mine described it well, the other

> > > > day..he explained that

> > > > interferron is akin to the substance your body

> > > > emits, in order to fight the

> > > > flu....the stuff, that makes you sick, is NOT the

> > > > flu, but the

> > > > interferron.........and the treatment, when given

> > > > the combo is ½

> > > > interferron.......so if you can imagine injecting

> > > > yourself 3 X weekly, with

> > > > your worst case of the FLU...that is what we go

> > > > through.....

> > > > I am frightened at how my family feels, too.......

> > > > I know this is hard on you guys, the family members,

> > > > but remember, we`re

> > > > scared AND sick, too. And without the treatment, we

> > > > might be scared, sick

> > > > AND

> > > > dead......

> > > > There ought to be support group for families of HCV

> > > > people........you ought

> > > > to have a good place to vent, i`m certain it`s

> > > > hard.....

> > > > Love and health to all,

> > > > debmc

> > > >

> > > >

> >

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

> > > > There's still time to order Calyx & Corolla flowers

> > > > for mom.

> > > > These fresh and elegant bouquets are available for

> > > > delivery

> > > > by Mother's Day. To order, please visit

> > > >

> > > 1/4103/10/_/96144/_/958086901/

> > > >

> >

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> >

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

> > > > There's still time to order Calyx & Corolla flowers

> > > > for mom.

> > > > These fresh and elegant bouquets are available for

> > > > delivery

> > > > by Mother's Day. To order, please visit

> > > >

> > > 1/4103/10/_/96144/_/958093778/

> > > >

> >

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

> > > >

> > > >

> > >

> > >

> > > __________________________________________________

> > >

[Guest guest]

Irish: That's what's so great about this list--everyone understands.

Your chest pains were stress related? Your body is trying to tell you

something. Please take care of yourself too. Let's join Belinda in looking

forward to 2001 for better days!

Love you all,

Tree