Re: Re: was Willem

February 15, 2004

That certainly makes sense...

Re: was Willem

>BTW, recently I read a study that wimmin who are on estrogen or who are

young enough their bodies are still producing estrogen, respond better to

treatment than me. That might be where you heard that wimmin respond better

than men. But, as each person is different, <

That may be a surrogate for iron levels. After menopause, women lose less

iron due to blood loss in menustration.

February 17, 2004

Good morning to all, and a big thanks to all who have responded to " treatment

decision " topic. I read with much, much interest what everyone had to say

and felt very thankful to be getting such good information and support.

Thanks again for your time.

Update on what's going on with me -- I had three doctor's appoint's last week

1) my peridontist, who did another 3 month cleaning and who also said said

my gums and teeth are looking really good. 2) my hem/onc doc who GI doc

referred me to in Oct to rule out genetic blood disorder, hemophilia, etc (I

was cleared by him yesterday of anything " wrong " with me in that regard and

released from his care back to my GI doc (which is great news). 3) my

shrink, who saw me for a 15 min appointment that went well. I'm doing pretty

good, I guess -- lol.

Tomorrow, I go to back to GI doc. Tthis will be the first appointment I've

had with him in several months (since late October when Hep C tx was

stopped). I guess tomorrow we (me and GI doc) will discuss " what to do

next? " .

He will have all records from peridontist, hem/onc, shrink, etc. I don't

know what to expect, what we will talk about, etc., so I'm kind of " anxious "

over this appointment.

When I saw my shrink last week, I did talk to her about how my feeling " good "

recently (not so sick feeling / not so tired / not so paniced / etc) has

made me " flip flop " with my thoughts on treatment, but I also told her that I

knew in my heart that I needed to DO TREATMENT and begin preparing mentally

simply because of the benefits to the liver and every other reason TO treat

(vs. reasons NOT to). I feel that I am at " the age " where there's not a lot

of

time to " think about it " anymore. Well, perhaps I shouldn't say it that

way -- I guess I could wait another 6 mo to a year to decide, but by then -- I

could be in full blown menopause, and that wouldln't be great timing LOL!

The degree of inflammation on biopsy 8 months was indeed the " red flag " and

what swayed my hepatologist to lean towards stating " yes, I think it would be

appropriate for you to consider MORE treating than not treating " .

As I've adapted to this diagnosis, and as I've considered the past several

years of my life, I am still quite " shocked " (for lack of better words) at

how much better I feel today (or recently) vs. how I felt just prior to

beginning Hep C treatment in October 2003 and several years prior to that (i.e.

AWFUL -- daily ! ! ) I suppose it is the nature of Hep C virus to take the

wind out of your sails for many weeks / months at a time (perhaps years at a

time), and then one with Hep C might feel OK for many weeks / months at a time

(perhaps years at a time). Beats me -- I only know that I have felt " good "

for the last two months but had felt very sick prior to that.

Hmmm... to think about it further -- I feel truly fortunate to feel

relatively good these days. Having to make a decision on " treating or not

treating "

(and feeling good having to make this decision) is mild compared to what some

are going through. My heart goes out to those who don't feel good and who

are having to make difficult decisions. There are so many with Hep C (on

treatment / not on treatment / some who don't even know they have Hep C) who

feel

awful right now on account of the nature of this virus.

Hugs and well wishes to all, and best of luck to everyone. I have enjoyed

this forum very much. Thanks for all the time you devote.

February 17, 2004