Intro

[Guest guest]

Welcome.

Subject: IntroTo: Date: Sunday, November 23, 2008, 11:16 PM

Hello to everyone in this group; I am a new member of it. I expect to be pestering everyone with a bunch of questions over the next several months so I figured I'd do a little introduction.

I am 5+ years out of a primary care IM residency, living and working in Denver, Colorado. I had the great pleasure of starting my own practice up anew 5 years ago as an employee of a large hospital corp that is prominent in Denver. My original plan was to build up to 3-4 physicians then divest from the hospital as a group, which actually I think would have worked well. Unfortunately, the hospital essentially refused to add anything more than a part-time physician and for a variety of reasons that I'm sure many of you are familiar, working for a corporation clearly isn't something I can do for my career.

Over the last couple months, I've decided I need to just go off on my own to have the type of practice and career that my patients and I deserve. I was referred to this group by an endocrinology colleague that started up last year via the IMP model.

I certainly have some things in my favor as far as going off on my own. Foremost is I have a pretty strong patient base after starting with nothing 5 years ago. I've seen in total about 2400 unique patients in the 5+ years and about 1000-1200 in the last 24 months and see on average 14-16 patients daily. I've generated on average about $270,000 in yearly revenue. Additionally, I have an EMR (Allscripts) in which I'm fully embedded and have been using for 4 years.

Despite the positives above, I still feel I need to move on. I cannot work with my current company any longer; they are just way to malignant and have such little interest in either physician or patient satisfaction. While I have an already low volume practice, I feel the need to cut my patient volume back to provide the level of service I want.

I am in the process now of exploring different practice models and am hoping to finalize my blueprint over the next 2-3 months. I can then start looking for specific space in my area and planning the definitive transition.

I plan to continue traditional insurance billing

I plan to use a 3rd party billing service that already uses Allscripts so they essentially would use my own software to do our billing and charge about 6.5%

I'd like to additional have a very low cost retainer/yearly fee for patients. I was think of about $100. I was hoping this would add back some of the revenue I would lose by decreasing patient volume. Additionally, I'm hoping this helps to wean my patient base only to those patients that really want to be with ME as opposed to any doc. I feel that 1) the quality of care I provide is worth that yearly retainer, and 2) its small enough that it should be a financial restriction to probably 95% of my patients. I would likely allow my current medicare patients to come over though I assume I cannot charge them the retainer (is that correct?)

With the Allscripts software there is an online patient portal that allows scheduling, physician correspondence and lab/study result viewing by patients that I plan to use (we're not currently using it).

I don't foresee myself trying to do this with a partner though I wouldn't mind renting some space from another physician office as opposed to just finding a small space myself. I do have a colleague that does acupuncture and chiropractic work that I was considering sharing space with as that fits with my practice where I utilize a lot of non-traditional treatment modalities.

Those are some of the specifics that I've formulated most in my head at this point. Of course, none of those are mandatory if another model seems as if it will work best. As above, I'll likely be asking a slew of more specific questions but thought I've give this little intro. If anyone has some general thoughts or specific black holes to avoid, it is much appreciated. I've already enjoyed reading the board over the last week. Thank you all.

Dave Gordon

Denver, CO

[Guest guest]

Welcome.

Subject: IntroTo: Date: Sunday, November 23, 2008, 11:16 PM

Hello to everyone in this group; I am a new member of it. I expect to be pestering everyone with a bunch of questions over the next several months so I figured I'd do a little introduction.

I am 5+ years out of a primary care IM residency, living and working in Denver, Colorado. I had the great pleasure of starting my own practice up anew 5 years ago as an employee of a large hospital corp that is prominent in Denver. My original plan was to build up to 3-4 physicians then divest from the hospital as a group, which actually I think would have worked well. Unfortunately, the hospital essentially refused to add anything more than a part-time physician and for a variety of reasons that I'm sure many of you are familiar, working for a corporation clearly isn't something I can do for my career.

Over the last couple months, I've decided I need to just go off on my own to have the type of practice and career that my patients and I deserve. I was referred to this group by an endocrinology colleague that started up last year via the IMP model.

I certainly have some things in my favor as far as going off on my own. Foremost is I have a pretty strong patient base after starting with nothing 5 years ago. I've seen in total about 2400 unique patients in the 5+ years and about 1000-1200 in the last 24 months and see on average 14-16 patients daily. I've generated on average about $270,000 in yearly revenue. Additionally, I have an EMR (Allscripts) in which I'm fully embedded and have been using for 4 years.

Despite the positives above, I still feel I need to move on. I cannot work with my current company any longer; they are just way to malignant and have such little interest in either physician or patient satisfaction. While I have an already low volume practice, I feel the need to cut my patient volume back to provide the level of service I want.

I am in the process now of exploring different practice models and am hoping to finalize my blueprint over the next 2-3 months. I can then start looking for specific space in my area and planning the definitive transition.

I plan to continue traditional insurance billing

I plan to use a 3rd party billing service that already uses Allscripts so they essentially would use my own software to do our billing and charge about 6.5%

I'd like to additional have a very low cost retainer/yearly fee for patients. I was think of about $100. I was hoping this would add back some of the revenue I would lose by decreasing patient volume. Additionally, I'm hoping this helps to wean my patient base only to those patients that really want to be with ME as opposed to any doc. I feel that 1) the quality of care I provide is worth that yearly retainer, and 2) its small enough that it should be a financial restriction to probably 95% of my patients. I would likely allow my current medicare patients to come over though I assume I cannot charge them the retainer (is that correct?)

With the Allscripts software there is an online patient portal that allows scheduling, physician correspondence and lab/study result viewing by patients that I plan to use (we're not currently using it).

I don't foresee myself trying to do this with a partner though I wouldn't mind renting some space from another physician office as opposed to just finding a small space myself. I do have a colleague that does acupuncture and chiropractic work that I was considering sharing space with as that fits with my practice where I utilize a lot of non-traditional treatment modalities.

Those are some of the specifics that I've formulated most in my head at this point. Of course, none of those are mandatory if another model seems as if it will work best. As above, I'll likely be asking a slew of more specific questions but thought I've give this little intro. If anyone has some general thoughts or specific black holes to avoid, it is much appreciated. I've already enjoyed reading the board over the last week. Thank you all.

Dave Gordon

Denver, CO

[Guest guest]

Welcome.

Subject: IntroTo: Date: Sunday, November 23, 2008, 11:16 PM

Hello to everyone in this group; I am a new member of it. I expect to be pestering everyone with a bunch of questions over the next several months so I figured I'd do a little introduction.

I am 5+ years out of a primary care IM residency, living and working in Denver, Colorado. I had the great pleasure of starting my own practice up anew 5 years ago as an employee of a large hospital corp that is prominent in Denver. My original plan was to build up to 3-4 physicians then divest from the hospital as a group, which actually I think would have worked well. Unfortunately, the hospital essentially refused to add anything more than a part-time physician and for a variety of reasons that I'm sure many of you are familiar, working for a corporation clearly isn't something I can do for my career.

Over the last couple months, I've decided I need to just go off on my own to have the type of practice and career that my patients and I deserve. I was referred to this group by an endocrinology colleague that started up last year via the IMP model.

I certainly have some things in my favor as far as going off on my own. Foremost is I have a pretty strong patient base after starting with nothing 5 years ago. I've seen in total about 2400 unique patients in the 5+ years and about 1000-1200 in the last 24 months and see on average 14-16 patients daily. I've generated on average about $270,000 in yearly revenue. Additionally, I have an EMR (Allscripts) in which I'm fully embedded and have been using for 4 years.

Despite the positives above, I still feel I need to move on. I cannot work with my current company any longer; they are just way to malignant and have such little interest in either physician or patient satisfaction. While I have an already low volume practice, I feel the need to cut my patient volume back to provide the level of service I want.

I am in the process now of exploring different practice models and am hoping to finalize my blueprint over the next 2-3 months. I can then start looking for specific space in my area and planning the definitive transition.

I plan to continue traditional insurance billing

I plan to use a 3rd party billing service that already uses Allscripts so they essentially would use my own software to do our billing and charge about 6.5%

I'd like to additional have a very low cost retainer/yearly fee for patients. I was think of about $100. I was hoping this would add back some of the revenue I would lose by decreasing patient volume. Additionally, I'm hoping this helps to wean my patient base only to those patients that really want to be with ME as opposed to any doc. I feel that 1) the quality of care I provide is worth that yearly retainer, and 2) its small enough that it should be a financial restriction to probably 95% of my patients. I would likely allow my current medicare patients to come over though I assume I cannot charge them the retainer (is that correct?)

With the Allscripts software there is an online patient portal that allows scheduling, physician correspondence and lab/study result viewing by patients that I plan to use (we're not currently using it).

I don't foresee myself trying to do this with a partner though I wouldn't mind renting some space from another physician office as opposed to just finding a small space myself. I do have a colleague that does acupuncture and chiropractic work that I was considering sharing space with as that fits with my practice where I utilize a lot of non-traditional treatment modalities.

Those are some of the specifics that I've formulated most in my head at this point. Of course, none of those are mandatory if another model seems as if it will work best. As above, I'll likely be asking a slew of more specific questions but thought I've give this little intro. If anyone has some general thoughts or specific black holes to avoid, it is much appreciated. I've already enjoyed reading the board over the last week. Thank you all.

Dave Gordon

Denver, CO

[Guest guest]

welcome there are lots of good imps in colorado to help you utilize the idealmedicalpractices.org web site and if you go to www. impcenter.org down on the right you can click o n tools or resources I forget and get to a place called the wiki which has many resources so that you do not reinvent the wheel Or reinvent any broken wheels we have already learned from!

email me back if you cannot find these things as I am being brief at the momentwatch your overheads Keep it low small space little equipment overhead will kill ya Good luck and welcomeJean

Welcome.

Subject: IntroTo:

Date: Sunday, November 23, 2008, 11:16 PM

Hello to everyone in this group; I am a new member of it. I expect to be pestering everyone with a bunch of questions over the next several months so I figured I'd do a little introduction.

I am 5+ years out of a primary care IM residency, living and working in Denver, Colorado. I had the great pleasure of starting my own practice up anew 5 years ago as an employee of a large hospital corp that is prominent in Denver. My original plan was to build up to 3-4 physicians then divest from the hospital as a group, which actually I think would have worked well. Unfortunately, the hospital essentially refused to add anything more than a part-time physician and for a variety of reasons that I'm sure many of you are familiar, working for a corporation clearly isn't something I can do for my career.

Over the last couple months, I've decided I need to just go off on my own to have the type of practice and career that my patients and I deserve. I was referred to this group by an endocrinology colleague that started up last year via the IMP model.

I certainly have some things in my favor as far as going off on my own. Foremost is I have a pretty strong patient base after starting with nothing 5 years ago. I've seen in total about 2400 unique patients in the 5+ years and about 1000-1200 in the last 24 months and see on average 14-16 patients daily. I've generated on average about $270,000 in yearly revenue. Additionally, I have an EMR (Allscripts) in which I'm fully embedded and have been using for 4 years.

Despite the positives above, I still feel I need to move on. I cannot work with my current company any longer; they are just way to malignant and have such little interest in either physician or patient satisfaction. While I have an already low volume practice, I feel the need to cut my patient volume back to provide the level of service I want.

I am in the process now of exploring different practice models and am hoping to finalize my blueprint over the next 2-3 months. I can then start looking for specific space in my area and planning the definitive transition.

I plan to continue traditional insurance billing

I plan to use a 3rd party billing service that already uses Allscripts so they essentially would use my own software to do our billing and charge about 6.5%

I'd like to additional have a very low cost retainer/yearly fee for patients. I was think of about $100. I was hoping this would add back some of the revenue I would lose by decreasing patient volume. Additionally, I'm hoping this helps to wean my patient base only to those patients that really want to be with ME as opposed to any doc. I feel that 1) the quality of care I provide is worth that yearly retainer, and 2) its small enough that it should be a financial restriction to probably 95% of my patients. I would likely allow my current medicare patients to come over though I assume I cannot charge them the retainer (is that correct?)

With the Allscripts software there is an online patient portal that allows scheduling, physician correspondence and lab/study result viewing by patients that I plan to use (we're not currently using it).

I don't foresee myself trying to do this with a partner though I wouldn't mind renting some space from another physician office as opposed to just finding a small space myself. I do have a colleague that does acupuncture and chiropractic work that I was considering sharing space with as that fits with my practice where I utilize a lot of non-traditional treatment modalities.

Those are some of the specifics that I've formulated most in my head at this point. Of course, none of those are mandatory if another model seems as if it will work best. As above, I'll likely be asking a slew of more specific questions but thought I've give this little intro. If anyone has some general thoughts or specific black holes to avoid, it is much appreciated. I've already enjoyed reading the board over the last week. Thank you all.

Dave Gordon

Denver, CO

-- If you are a patient please allow up to 12 hours for a reply by email/please note the new email address.Remember that e-mail may not be entirely secure/ MD

ph fax

[Guest guest]

welcome there are lots of good imps in colorado to help you utilize the idealmedicalpractices.org web site and if you go to www. impcenter.org down on the right you can click o n tools or resources I forget and get to a place called the wiki which has many resources so that you do not reinvent the wheel Or reinvent any broken wheels we have already learned from!

email me back if you cannot find these things as I am being brief at the momentwatch your overheads Keep it low small space little equipment overhead will kill ya Good luck and welcomeJean

Welcome.

Subject: IntroTo:

Date: Sunday, November 23, 2008, 11:16 PM

Hello to everyone in this group; I am a new member of it. I expect to be pestering everyone with a bunch of questions over the next several months so I figured I'd do a little introduction.

I am 5+ years out of a primary care IM residency, living and working in Denver, Colorado. I had the great pleasure of starting my own practice up anew 5 years ago as an employee of a large hospital corp that is prominent in Denver. My original plan was to build up to 3-4 physicians then divest from the hospital as a group, which actually I think would have worked well. Unfortunately, the hospital essentially refused to add anything more than a part-time physician and for a variety of reasons that I'm sure many of you are familiar, working for a corporation clearly isn't something I can do for my career.

Over the last couple months, I've decided I need to just go off on my own to have the type of practice and career that my patients and I deserve. I was referred to this group by an endocrinology colleague that started up last year via the IMP model.

I certainly have some things in my favor as far as going off on my own. Foremost is I have a pretty strong patient base after starting with nothing 5 years ago. I've seen in total about 2400 unique patients in the 5+ years and about 1000-1200 in the last 24 months and see on average 14-16 patients daily. I've generated on average about $270,000 in yearly revenue. Additionally, I have an EMR (Allscripts) in which I'm fully embedded and have been using for 4 years.

Despite the positives above, I still feel I need to move on. I cannot work with my current company any longer; they are just way to malignant and have such little interest in either physician or patient satisfaction. While I have an already low volume practice, I feel the need to cut my patient volume back to provide the level of service I want.

I am in the process now of exploring different practice models and am hoping to finalize my blueprint over the next 2-3 months. I can then start looking for specific space in my area and planning the definitive transition.

I plan to continue traditional insurance billing

I plan to use a 3rd party billing service that already uses Allscripts so they essentially would use my own software to do our billing and charge about 6.5%

I'd like to additional have a very low cost retainer/yearly fee for patients. I was think of about $100. I was hoping this would add back some of the revenue I would lose by decreasing patient volume. Additionally, I'm hoping this helps to wean my patient base only to those patients that really want to be with ME as opposed to any doc. I feel that 1) the quality of care I provide is worth that yearly retainer, and 2) its small enough that it should be a financial restriction to probably 95% of my patients. I would likely allow my current medicare patients to come over though I assume I cannot charge them the retainer (is that correct?)

With the Allscripts software there is an online patient portal that allows scheduling, physician correspondence and lab/study result viewing by patients that I plan to use (we're not currently using it).

I don't foresee myself trying to do this with a partner though I wouldn't mind renting some space from another physician office as opposed to just finding a small space myself. I do have a colleague that does acupuncture and chiropractic work that I was considering sharing space with as that fits with my practice where I utilize a lot of non-traditional treatment modalities.

Those are some of the specifics that I've formulated most in my head at this point. Of course, none of those are mandatory if another model seems as if it will work best. As above, I'll likely be asking a slew of more specific questions but thought I've give this little intro. If anyone has some general thoughts or specific black holes to avoid, it is much appreciated. I've already enjoyed reading the board over the last week. Thank you all.

Dave Gordon

Denver, CO

-- If you are a patient please allow up to 12 hours for a reply by email/please note the new email address.Remember that e-mail may not be entirely secure/ MD

ph fax

[Guest guest]

welcome there are lots of good imps in colorado to help you utilize the idealmedicalpractices.org web site and if you go to www. impcenter.org down on the right you can click o n tools or resources I forget and get to a place called the wiki which has many resources so that you do not reinvent the wheel Or reinvent any broken wheels we have already learned from!

email me back if you cannot find these things as I am being brief at the momentwatch your overheads Keep it low small space little equipment overhead will kill ya Good luck and welcomeJean

Welcome.

Subject: IntroTo:

Date: Sunday, November 23, 2008, 11:16 PM

Hello to everyone in this group; I am a new member of it. I expect to be pestering everyone with a bunch of questions over the next several months so I figured I'd do a little introduction.

I am 5+ years out of a primary care IM residency, living and working in Denver, Colorado. I had the great pleasure of starting my own practice up anew 5 years ago as an employee of a large hospital corp that is prominent in Denver. My original plan was to build up to 3-4 physicians then divest from the hospital as a group, which actually I think would have worked well. Unfortunately, the hospital essentially refused to add anything more than a part-time physician and for a variety of reasons that I'm sure many of you are familiar, working for a corporation clearly isn't something I can do for my career.

Over the last couple months, I've decided I need to just go off on my own to have the type of practice and career that my patients and I deserve. I was referred to this group by an endocrinology colleague that started up last year via the IMP model.

I certainly have some things in my favor as far as going off on my own. Foremost is I have a pretty strong patient base after starting with nothing 5 years ago. I've seen in total about 2400 unique patients in the 5+ years and about 1000-1200 in the last 24 months and see on average 14-16 patients daily. I've generated on average about $270,000 in yearly revenue. Additionally, I have an EMR (Allscripts) in which I'm fully embedded and have been using for 4 years.

Despite the positives above, I still feel I need to move on. I cannot work with my current company any longer; they are just way to malignant and have such little interest in either physician or patient satisfaction. While I have an already low volume practice, I feel the need to cut my patient volume back to provide the level of service I want.

I am in the process now of exploring different practice models and am hoping to finalize my blueprint over the next 2-3 months. I can then start looking for specific space in my area and planning the definitive transition.

I plan to continue traditional insurance billing

I plan to use a 3rd party billing service that already uses Allscripts so they essentially would use my own software to do our billing and charge about 6.5%

I'd like to additional have a very low cost retainer/yearly fee for patients. I was think of about $100. I was hoping this would add back some of the revenue I would lose by decreasing patient volume. Additionally, I'm hoping this helps to wean my patient base only to those patients that really want to be with ME as opposed to any doc. I feel that 1) the quality of care I provide is worth that yearly retainer, and 2) its small enough that it should be a financial restriction to probably 95% of my patients. I would likely allow my current medicare patients to come over though I assume I cannot charge them the retainer (is that correct?)

With the Allscripts software there is an online patient portal that allows scheduling, physician correspondence and lab/study result viewing by patients that I plan to use (we're not currently using it).

I don't foresee myself trying to do this with a partner though I wouldn't mind renting some space from another physician office as opposed to just finding a small space myself. I do have a colleague that does acupuncture and chiropractic work that I was considering sharing space with as that fits with my practice where I utilize a lot of non-traditional treatment modalities.

Those are some of the specifics that I've formulated most in my head at this point. Of course, none of those are mandatory if another model seems as if it will work best. As above, I'll likely be asking a slew of more specific questions but thought I've give this little intro. If anyone has some general thoughts or specific black holes to avoid, it is much appreciated. I've already enjoyed reading the board over the last week. Thank you all.

Dave Gordon

Denver, CO

-- If you are a patient please allow up to 12 hours for a reply by email/please note the new email address.Remember that e-mail may not be entirely secure/ MD

ph fax

[Guest guest]

Hi Everyone! I was diagnosed with Hep C about 6 years ago. They think

I contracted it through a blood transfusion that I had all the way back

in 1969. I can understand the tainted blood, since they didn't have the

technology or knowledge to test it as we do today but I still find it

strange that it never showed up in my blood work before 6 years ago.

Anyway, last week the doctor told me he feels treatment should begin

now. He didn't think I would benefit from it before but apparently

there are new drugs out there that, combined with interferon, could

possibly work for me. I'm genotype 1. I had open heart surgery (my

second) last year and I'm now on Coumadin for the rest of my life, so

that's a concern they have to look into before I can actually begin

treatment, but they said it shouldn't stop anything. It's probably more

a case of adjusting the Coumadin dosage.

When I asked about side effects, they told me nausea and tiredness, but

now I'm seeing hair loss is also a concern. Neither the NP or doctor

mentioned this. I'm also concerned about having to give myself an

injection. I never did that before. I went for my first " info

gathering " session yesterday and I'm making myself a nervous wreck about

this stuff. All the info was just so overwhelming and intimidating.

Right now we're waiting to see if I have to have colonoscopy first (the

NP has to check with the doctor) and I had to make an appointment with

my cardiologist to get cardiac clearance (that's scheduled in 2

weeks)...then I have to have a sonogram and blood work. Everyone is

telling me this will be alright and nothing to worry about but, although

logically I'm sure they're right, they aren't going through this. So, I

thought I would join a group where others have experienced what I'm

going through and understand my feelings.

On a positive note, if all of this treatment works...I'll be cured.

it's just getting to that point that can be a little overwhelming.

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

You are doing the right thing. Get rid of it early! Is it a 6 month treatment? I am waiting to go on it to. I did the old treatment and it didn't work. All side effects are different. I worked about 6 hours a day but was nauseous and tired. My blood work went down but I got shots every week of procrit and newprogen (not spelling well today). I hear the new meds are really good and work. I did lose my hair and not everyone does. I just wore my 4 wigs. It grew back healthy and full very quickly. Good luck to you!

Subject: IntroTo: Hepatitis_C_Central Date: Wednesday, August 10, 2011, 4:17 AM

Hi Everyone! I was diagnosed with Hep C about 6 years ago. They think I contracted it through a blood transfusion that I had all the way back in 1969. I can understand the tainted blood, since they didn't have the technology or knowledge to test it as we do today but I still find it strange that it never showed up in my blood work before 6 years ago. Anyway, last week the doctor told me he feels treatment should begin now. He didn't think I would benefit from it before but apparently there are new drugs out there that, combined with interferon, could possibly work for me. I'm genotype 1. I had open heart surgery (my second) last year and I'm now on Coumadin for the rest of my life, so that's a concern they have to look into before I can actually begin treatment, but they said it shouldn't stop anything. It's probably more a case of adjusting the Coumadin dosage.When I asked about

side effects, they told me nausea and tiredness, but now I'm seeing hair loss is also a concern. Neither the NP or doctor mentioned this. I'm also concerned about having to give myself an injection. I never did that before. I went for my first "info gathering" session yesterday and I'm making myself a nervous wreck about this stuff. All the info was just so overwhelming and intimidating. Right now we're waiting to see if I have to have colonoscopy first (the NP has to check with the doctor) and I had to make an appointment with my cardiologist to get cardiac clearance (that's scheduled in 2 weeks)...then I have to have a sonogram and blood work. Everyone is telling me this will be alright and nothing to worry about but, although logically I'm sure they're right, they aren't going through this. So, I thought I would join a group where others have experienced what I'm going through and understand my

feelings.On a positive note, if all of this treatment works...I'll be cured. it's just getting to that point that can be a little overwhelming.

[Guest guest]

I went through treatment 3 times. Twice with the old treatment and this last time I was in a clinical trial and was negative at week 4, it was the standard treatment and protease inhibitors. I lost hair all three treatments but not all of it, it did straighten it out though Just now getting my curl back. But all is good. I really think that it was the right thing for me.

Love

Janet

"There are souls in this world that have the gift of finding joy everywhere and of leaving it behind them when they go"

Frederick Faber

To: Hepatitis_C_Central Sent: Wednesday, August 10, 2011 8:51 AMSubject: Re: Intro

Hi ,

You are doing the right thing. Get rid of it early! Is it a 6 month treatment? I am waiting to go on it to. I did the old treatment and it didn't work. All side effects are different. I worked about 6 hours a day but was nauseous and tired. My blood work went down but I got shots every week of procrit and newprogen (not spelling well today). I hear the new meds are really good and work. I did lose my hair and not everyone does. I just wore my 4 wigs. It grew back healthy and full very quickly. Good luck to you!

Subject: IntroTo: Hepatitis_C_Central Date: Wednesday, August 10, 2011, 4:17 AM

Hi Everyone! I was diagnosed with Hep C about 6 years ago. They think I contracted it through a blood transfusion that I had all the way back in 1969. I can understand the tainted blood, since they didn't have the technology or knowledge to test it as we do today but I still find it strange that it never showed up in my blood work before 6 years ago. Anyway, last week the doctor told me he feels treatment should begin now. He didn't think I would benefit from it before but apparently there are new drugs out there that, combined with interferon, could possibly work for me. I'm genotype 1. I had open heart surgery (my second) last year and I'm now on Coumadin for the rest of my life, so that's a concern they have to look into before I can actually begin treatment, but they said it shouldn't stop anything. It's probably more a case of adjusting the Coumadin dosage.When I

asked about side effects, they told me nausea and tiredness, but now I'm seeing hair loss is also a concern. Neither the NP or doctor mentioned this. I'm also concerned about having to give myself an injection. I never did that before. I went for my first "info gathering" session yesterday and I'm making myself a nervous wreck about this stuff. All the info was just so overwhelming and intimidating. Right now we're waiting to see if I have to have colonoscopy first (the NP has to check with the doctor) and I had to make an appointment with my cardiologist to get cardiac clearance (that's scheduled in 2 weeks)...then I have to have a sonogram and blood work. Everyone is telling me this will be alright and nothing to worry about but, although logically I'm sure they're right, they aren't going through this. So, I thought I would join a group where others have experienced what I'm going

through and understand my feelings.On a positive note, if all of this treatment works...I'll be cured. it's just getting to that point that can be a little overwhelming.

[Guest guest]

My brother had Hep C from a blood transfusion sometime in

1977. He had Leukemia back then (he was only 13), and survived the

Leukemia, only to die from Hep C two years ago. I've stuck around

this list and post every now and then (seems like less than I used

to). You might want to check out my website, which I have

configured to update with hep C news daily. It is

www.ke5asu.com/links.html

I guess maybe the person's blood my brother got was further along

with hep c than the person who's blood you got, unless it was

everything the Leukemia treatment did. Hopefully these new drugs

will work for you and you will be cured.

If you have any questions, just ask. I have a couple of hep c

books.

Hi Everyone! I was diagnosed with Hep C about 6 years ago. They think I contracted it through a blood transfusion that I had all the way back in 1969. I can understand the tainted blood, since they didn't have the technology or knowledge to test it as we do today but I still find it strange that it never showed up in my blood work before 6 years ago. Anyway, last week the doctor told me he feels treatment should begin now. He didn't think I would benefit from it before but apparently there are new drugs out there that, combined with interferon, could possibly work for me. I'm genotype 1. I had open heart surgery (my second) last year and I'm now on Coumadin for the rest of my life, so that's a concern they have to look into before I can actually begin treatment, but they said it shouldn't stop anything. It's probably more a case of adjusting the Coumadin dosage.

When I asked about side effects, they told me nausea and tiredness, but now I'm seeing hair loss is also a concern. Neither the NP or doctor mentioned this. I'm also concerned about having to give myself an injection. I never did that before. I went for my first "info gathering" session yesterday and I'm making myself a nervous wreck about this stuff. All the info was just so overwhelming and intimidating. Right now we're waiting to see if I have to have colonoscopy first (the NP has to check with the doctor) and I had to make an appointment with my cardiologist to get cardiac clearance (that's scheduled in 2 weeks)...then I have to have a sonogram and blood work. Everyone is telling me this will be alright and nothing to worry about but, although logically I'm sure they're right, they aren't going through this. So, I thought I would join a group where others have experienced what I'm going through and understand my feelings.

On a positive note, if all of this treatment works...I'll be cured. it's just getting to that point that can be a little overwhelming.

--

Bill Eastman

www.ke5asu.com/links.html

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

It's a 6 - 12 month treatment.  They told me everyone reacts

differently, but after a month if it doesn't work, they would stop it.

Good luck to you too!

Elder wrote:

 

Hi ,

 

You are doing the right thing.  Get rid of it early!  Is

it a 6 month treatment?  I am waiting to go on it to.  I did the old

treatment and it didn't work.  All side effects are different.  I

worked about 6 hours a day but was nauseous and tired.  My blood work

went down but I got shots every week of procrit and newprogen (not

spelling well today).  I hear the new meds are really good and work.  I

did lose my hair and not everyone does.  I just wore my 4 wigs.  It

grew back healthy and full very quickly.  Good luck to you!

Subject: Intro

To: Hepatitis_C_Central

Date: Wednesday, August 10, 2011, 4:17 AM

 

Hi Everyone! I was diagnosed with Hep C about 6 years

ago. They think

I contracted it through a blood transfusion that I had all the way back

in 1969. I can understand the tainted blood, since they didn't have the

technology or knowledge to test it as we do today but I still find it

strange that it never showed up in my blood work before 6 years ago.

Anyway, last week the doctor told me he feels treatment should begin

now. He didn't think I would benefit from it before but apparently

there are new drugs out there that, combined with interferon, could

possibly work for me. I'm genotype 1. I had open heart surgery (my

second) last year and I'm now on Coumadin for the rest of

my life, so

that's a concern they have to look into before I can actually begin

treatment, but they said it shouldn't stop anything. It's probably more

a case of adjusting the Coumadin dosage.

When I asked about side effects, they told me nausea and tiredness, but

now I'm seeing hair loss is also a concern. Neither the NP or doctor

mentioned this. I'm also concerned about having to give myself an

injection. I never did that before. I went for my first "info

gathering" session yesterday and I'm making myself a nervous wreck

about

this stuff. All the info was just so overwhelming and intimidating.

Right now we're waiting to see if I have to have colonoscopy first (the

NP has to check with the doctor) and I had to make an appointment with

my cardiologist to get cardiac clearance (that's scheduled in 2

weeks)...then I have to have a sonogram and blood work. Everyone is

telling me this will be alright and nothing to worry about but,

although

logically I'm sure they're right, they aren't going through this. So, I

thought I would join a group where others have experienced what I'm

going through and understand my feelings.

On a positive note, if all of this treatment works...I'll be cured.

it's just getting to that point that can be a little overwhelming.

[Guest guest]

Hi Janet,

That's great that it worked for you.  I'm still debating back and forth

with myself.  I just don't know what to do.

Janet wrote:

 

I went through treatment 3 times. Twice with the old

treatment and this last time I was in a clinical trial and was negative

at week 4, it was the standard treatment and protease inhibitors. I

lost hair all three treatments but not all of it, it did straighten it

out though Just now getting my curl back. But all is good. I really

think that it was the right thing for me.

Love

Janet

 

"There are souls in this world that have the gift of finding joy

everywhere and of leaving it behind them when they go"

Frederick Faber

 

 

From:

Elder

To:

Hepatitis_C_Central

Sent: Wednesday,

August 10, 2011 8:51 AM

Subject: Re:

Intro

 

Hi ,

 

You are doing the right thing.  Get rid of it early!  Is

it a 6 month treatment?  I am waiting to go on it to.  I did the old

treatment and it didn't work.  All side effects are different.  I

worked about 6 hours a day but was nauseous and tired.  My blood work

went down but I got shots every week of procrit and newprogen (not

spelling well today).  I hear the new meds are really good and work.  I

did lose my hair and not everyone does.  I just wore my 4 wigs.  It

grew back healthy and full very quickly.  Good luck to you!

Subject: Intro

To: Hepatitis_C_Central

Date: Wednesday, August 10, 2011, 4:17 AM

 

Hi Everyone! I was diagnosed with Hep C about 6 years

ago. They think I contracted it through a blood transfusion that

I had all the way back in 1969. I can understand the tainted

blood, since they didn't have the technology or knowledge to test

it as we do today but I still find it strange that it never

showed up in my blood work before 6 years ago. Anyway, last week

the doctor told me he feels treatment should begin now. He didn't

think I would benefit from it before but apparently there are new

drugs out there that, combined with interferon, could possibly

work for me. I'm genotype 1. I had open heart surgery (my second)

last year and I'm now on Coumadin for the rest of my

life, so that's a concern they have to look into before I can

actually begin treatment, but they said it shouldn't stop

anything. It's probably more a case of adjusting the Coumadin

dosage.When I asked about side effects, they told me nausea

and tiredness, but now I'm seeing hair loss is also a concern.

Neither the NP or doctor mentioned this. I'm also concerned about

having to give myself an injection. I never did that before. I

went for my first "info gathering" session yesterday and I'm

making myself a nervous wreck about this stuff. All the info was

just so overwhelming and intimidating. Right now we're waiting to

see if I have to have colonoscopy first (the NP has to check with

the doctor) and I had to make an appointment with my cardiologist

to get cardiac clearance (that's scheduled in 2 weeks)...then I

have to have a sonogram and blood work. Everyone is telling me

this will be alright and nothing to worry about but, although logically

I'm sure they're right, they aren't going through this. So, I thought

I would join a group where others have experienced what I'm going

through and understand my feelings.On a positive note, if all

of this treatment works...I'll be cured. it's just getting to

that point that can be a little overwhelming.

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the info Bill. I'm so sorry to hear about your brother.

Very sad.

I'm still debating what to do about the new treatment. I'm leaning

towards doing it.

Bill Eastman wrote:

My brother had Hep C from a blood transfusion sometime in

1977. He had Leukemia back then (he was only 13), and survived the

Leukemia, only to die from Hep C two years ago. I've stuck around this

list and post every now and then (seems like less than I used to). You

might want to check out my website, which I have configured to update

with hep C news daily. It is www.ke5asu.com/links.html

I guess maybe the person's blood my brother got was further along with

hep c than the person who's blood you got, unless it was everything the

Leukemia treatment did. Hopefully these new drugs will work for you

and you will be cured.

If you have any questions, just ask. I have a couple of hep c books.

Hi Everyone! I was diagnosed with Hep C about 6 years ago. They think I contracted it through a blood transfusion that I had all the way back in 1969. I can understand the tainted blood, since they didn't have the technology or knowledge to test it as we do today but I still find it strange that it never showed up in my blood work before 6 years ago. Anyway, last week the doctor told me he feels treatment should begin now. He didn't think I would benefit from it before but apparently there are new drugs out there that, combined with interferon, could possibly work for me. I'm genotype 1. I had open heart surgery (my second) last year and I'm now on Coumadin for the rest of my life, so that's a concern they have to look into before I can actually begin treatment, but they said it shouldn't stop anything. It's probably more a case of adjusting the Coumadin dosage.

When I asked about side effects, they told me nausea and tiredness, but now I'm seeing hair loss is also a concern. Neither the NP or doctor mentioned this. I'm also concerned about having to give myself an injection. I never did that before. I went for my first "info gathering" session yesterday and I'm making myself a nervous wreck about this stuff. All the info was just so overwhelming and intimidating. Right now we're waiting to see if I have to have colonoscopy first (the NP has to check with the doctor) and I had to make an appointment with my cardiologist to get cardiac clearance (that's scheduled in 2 weeks)...then I have to have a sonogram and blood work. Everyone is telling me this will be alright and nothing to worry about but, although logically I'm sure they're right, they aren't going through this. So, I thought I would join a group where others have experienced what I'm going through and understand my feelings.

On a positive note, if all of this treatment works...I'll be cured. it's just getting to that point that can be a little overwhelming.

--

Bill Eastman

www.ke5asu.com/links.html

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

My name is Penny. I had Hep C since about 1983, that I know of. I got very

sick at the time and the doctors thought I had Hep B since they didn't know

about Hep C. In 1991 I had my first liver biopsy and was then diagnosed with

Hep C. Over the years, my doctors wanted me to do the treatment, but I was

scared to death of the side effects from the horror stories I had heard. In

2004 I had another biopsy and found out I had cirrhosis. I still didn't want to

do the treatment. I never thought my liver would fail. In October 2007, I was

evaluated for a liver transplant. I was very ill and in liver failure. I

coughed up blood from bleeding varices in the esophogus and they had to go in

and tie the veins off so I wouldn't bleed to death. I also had ascites, which

is fluid build up in the abdomen, which I had to have drained a couple of times.

I also had portal hypertension, high blood pressure in the portal vein because

of all the scarring that blood was not able to flow through like it should. I

was blessed to get a liver in January 2008. I did the treatment shortly after

transplant since the Hep C did not go away, and I cleared the virus. I have

been free of the Hep C for over a year and a half now. I now wish I wasn't so

scared of the side effects and did the treatment early before it damaged my

liver. Things worked out well for me and I am doing great now. My advice to

you is to do the treatment and get rid of the Hep C. The side effects are

nothing compared to going into liver failure and needing a liver transplant. My

hair thinned out a bit, but it wasn't noticeable. What was noticeable was the

straightening of my hair. My hair is back to being curly now and thick again.

I tell everyone now to do the treatment and not let it go until you need a liver

transplant.

Penny

>

> Hi Everyone! I was diagnosed with Hep C about 6 years ago. They think

> I contracted it through a blood transfusion that I had all the way back

> in 1969. I can understand the tainted blood, since they didn't have the

> technology or knowledge to test it as we do today but I still find it

> strange that it never showed up in my blood work before 6 years ago.

> Anyway, last week the doctor told me he feels treatment should begin

> now. He didn't think I would benefit from it before but apparently

> there are new drugs out there that, combined with interferon, could

> possibly work for me. I'm genotype 1. I had open heart surgery (my

> second) last year and I'm now on Coumadin for the rest of my life, so

> that's a concern they have to look into before I can actually begin

> treatment, but they said it shouldn't stop anything. It's probably more

> a case of adjusting the Coumadin dosage.

>

> When I asked about side effects, they told me nausea and tiredness, but

> now I'm seeing hair loss is also a concern. Neither the NP or doctor

> mentioned this. I'm also concerned about having to give myself an

> injection. I never did that before. I went for my first " info

> gathering " session yesterday and I'm making myself a nervous wreck about

> this stuff. All the info was just so overwhelming and intimidating.

> Right now we're waiting to see if I have to have colonoscopy first (the

> NP has to check with the doctor) and I had to make an appointment with

> my cardiologist to get cardiac clearance (that's scheduled in 2

> weeks)...then I have to have a sonogram and blood work. Everyone is

> telling me this will be alright and nothing to worry about but, although

> logically I'm sure they're right, they aren't going through this. So, I

> thought I would join a group where others have experienced what I'm

> going through and understand my feelings.

>

> On a positive note, if all of this treatment works...I'll be cured.

> it's just getting to that point that can be a little overwhelming.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Penny its always good to hear from you!

Subject: Re: IntroTo: Hepatitis_C_Central Date: Thursday, August 11, 2011, 5:04 PM

Hi ,My name is Penny. I had Hep C since about 1983, that I know of. I got very sick at the time and the doctors thought I had Hep B since they didn't know about Hep C. In 1991 I had my first liver biopsy and was then diagnosed with Hep C. Over the years, my doctors wanted me to do the treatment, but I was scared to death of the side effects from the horror stories I had heard. In 2004 I had another biopsy and found out I had cirrhosis. I still didn't want to do the treatment. I never thought my liver would fail. In October 2007, I was evaluated for a liver transplant. I was very ill and in liver failure. I coughed up blood from bleeding varices in the esophogus and they had to go in and tie the veins off so I wouldn't bleed to death. I also had ascites, which is fluid build up in the abdomen, which I had to have drained a couple of times. I also had portal hypertension, high blood pressure in the portal vein because of all the scarring

that blood was not able to flow through like it should. I was blessed to get a liver in January 2008. I did the treatment shortly after transplant since the Hep C did not go away, and I cleared the virus. I have been free of the Hep C for over a year and a half now. I now wish I wasn't so scared of the side effects and did the treatment early before it damaged my liver. Things worked out well for me and I am doing great now. My advice to you is to do the treatment and get rid of the Hep C. The side effects are nothing compared to going into liver failure and needing a liver transplant. My hair thinned out a bit, but it wasn't noticeable. What was noticeable was the straightening of my hair. My hair is back to being curly now and thick again.I tell everyone now to do the treatment and not let it go until you need a liver transplant.Penny>> Hi Everyone! I was diagnosed with Hep C about 6 years ago. They think > I contracted it through a blood transfusion that I had all the way back > in 1969. I can understand the tainted blood, since they didn't have the > technology or knowledge to test it as we do today but I still find it > strange that it never showed up in my blood work before 6 years ago. > Anyway, last week the doctor told me he feels treatment should begin > now. He didn't think I would benefit from it before but apparently > there are new drugs out there that, combined with interferon, could > possibly work for me. I'm genotype 1. I had open heart surgery (my

> second) last year and I'm now on Coumadin for the rest of my life, so > that's a concern they have to look into before I can actually begin > treatment, but they said it shouldn't stop anything. It's probably more > a case of adjusting the Coumadin dosage.> > When I asked about side effects, they told me nausea and tiredness, but > now I'm seeing hair loss is also a concern. Neither the NP or doctor > mentioned this. I'm also concerned about having to give myself an > injection. I never did that before. I went for my first "info > gathering" session yesterday and I'm making myself a nervous wreck about > this stuff. All the info was just so overwhelming and intimidating. > Right now we're waiting to see if I have to have colonoscopy first (the > NP has to check with the doctor) and I had to make an appointment with > my cardiologist to get cardiac

clearance (that's scheduled in 2 > weeks)...then I have to have a sonogram and blood work. Everyone is > telling me this will be alright and nothing to worry about but, although > logically I'm sure they're right, they aren't going through this. So, I > thought I would join a group where others have experienced what I'm > going through and understand my feelings.> > On a positive note, if all of this treatment works...I'll be cured. > it's just getting to that point that can be a little overwhelming.> > >

[Guest guest]

You are my hero, Penny!!

Love

Janet

"There are souls in this world that have the gift of finding joy everywhere and of leaving it behind them when they go"

Frederick Faber

To: Hepatitis_C_Central Sent: Thursday, August 11, 2011 7:04 PMSubject: Re: Intro

Hi ,My name is Penny. I had Hep C since about 1983, that I know of. I got very sick at the time and the doctors thought I had Hep B since they didn't know about Hep C. In 1991 I had my first liver biopsy and was then diagnosed with Hep C. Over the years, my doctors wanted me to do the treatment, but I was scared to death of the side effects from the horror stories I had heard. In 2004 I had another biopsy and found out I had cirrhosis. I still didn't want to do the treatment. I never thought my liver would fail. In October 2007, I was evaluated for a liver transplant. I was very ill and in liver failure. I coughed up blood from bleeding varices in the esophogus and they had to go in and tie the veins off so I wouldn't bleed to death. I also had ascites, which is fluid build up in the abdomen, which I had to have drained a couple of times. I also had portal hypertension, high blood pressure in the portal vein because of all the scarring

that blood was not able to flow through like it should. I was blessed to get a liver in January 2008. I did the treatment shortly after transplant since the Hep C did not go away, and I cleared the virus. I have been free of the Hep C for over a year and a half now. I now wish I wasn't so scared of the side effects and did the treatment early before it damaged my liver. Things worked out well for me and I am doing great now. My advice to you is to do the treatment and get rid of the Hep C. The side effects are nothing compared to going into liver failure and needing a liver transplant. My hair thinned out a bit, but it wasn't noticeable. What was noticeable was the straightening of my hair. My hair is back to being curly now and thick again.I tell everyone now to do the treatment and not let it go until you need a liver transplant.Penny>> Hi Everyone! I was diagnosed with Hep C about 6 years ago. They think > I contracted it through a blood transfusion that I had all the way back > in 1969. I can understand the tainted blood, since they didn't have the > technology or knowledge to test it as we do today but I still find it > strange that it never showed up in my blood work before 6 years ago. > Anyway, last week the doctor told me he feels treatment should begin > now. He didn't think I would benefit from it before but apparently > there are new drugs out there that, combined with interferon, could > possibly work for me. I'm genotype 1. I had open heart surgery (my > second) last year and I'm now on Coumadin for the rest of my life, so > that's a concern they have to look

into before I can actually begin > treatment, but they said it shouldn't stop anything. It's probably more > a case of adjusting the Coumadin dosage.> > When I asked about side effects, they told me nausea and tiredness, but > now I'm seeing hair loss is also a concern. Neither the NP or doctor > mentioned this. I'm also concerned about having to give myself an > injection. I never did that before. I went for my first "info > gathering" session yesterday and I'm making myself a nervous wreck about > this stuff. All the info was just so overwhelming and intimidating. > Right now we're waiting to see if I have to have colonoscopy first (the > NP has to check with the doctor) and I had to make an appointment with > my cardiologist to get cardiac clearance (that's scheduled in 2 > weeks)...then I have to have a sonogram and blood work. Everyone is > telling me

this will be alright and nothing to worry about but, although > logically I'm sure they're right, they aren't going through this. So, I > thought I would join a group where others have experienced what I'm > going through and understand my feelings.> > On a positive note, if all of this treatment works...I'll be cured. > it's just getting to that point that can be a little overwhelming.> > >

[Guest guest]

Thanks Yvanne. It's almost been two years. I have Dr.

Palmers book. Trying to decide between keeping it, finding a Hep C

support group in Austin, and donate it to them, or what.

If I keep it, I can look up questions asked and give what her book

says.

Has it been updated again? (I have the second edition...never had

the first, since was not diagnosed yet).

Thanks for the info Bill. I'm so sorry to hear about your

brother.

Very sad.

I'm still debating what to do about the new treatment. I'm

leaning

towards doing it.

Bill Eastman wrote:

My brother had Hep C from a blood transfusion

sometime in

1977. He had Leukemia back then (he was only 13), and

survived the

Leukemia, only to die from Hep C two years ago. I've stuck

around this

list and post every now and then (seems like less than I

used to). You

might want to check out my website, which I have configured

to update

with hep C news daily. It is www.ke5asu.com/links.html

I guess maybe the person's blood my brother got was further

along with

hep c than the person who's blood you got, unless it was

everything the

Leukemia treatment did. Hopefully these new drugs will work

for you

and you will be cured.

If you have any questions, just ask. I have a couple of hep

c books.

Hi Everyone! I was diagnosed with Hep C about 6 years ago. They think I contracted it through a blood transfusion that I had all the way back in 1969. I can understand the tainted blood, since they didn't have the technology or knowledge to test it as we do today but I still find it strange that it never showed up in my blood work before 6 years ago. Anyway, last week the doctor told me he feels treatment should begin now. He didn't think I would benefit from it before but apparently there are new drugs out there that, combined with interferon, could possibly work for me. I'm genotype 1. I had open heart surgery (my second) last year and I'm now on Coumadin for the rest of my life, so that's a concern they have to look into before I can actually begin treatment, but they said it shouldn't stop anything. It's probably more a case of adjusting the Coumadin dosage.

When I asked about side effects, they told me nausea and tiredness, but now I'm seeing hair loss is also a concern. Neither the NP or doctor mentioned this. I'm also concerned about having to give myself an injection. I never did that before. I went for my first "info gathering" session yesterday and I'm making myself a nervous wreck about this stuff. All the info was just so overwhelming and intimidating. Right now we're waiting to see if I have to have colonoscopy first (the NP has to check with the doctor) and I had to make an appointment with my cardiologist to get cardiac clearance (that's scheduled in 2 weeks)...then I have to have a sonogram and blood work. Everyone is telling me this will be alright and nothing to worry about but, although logically I'm sure they're right, they aren't going through this. So, I thought I would join a group where others have experienced what I'm going through and understand my feelings.

On a positive note, if all of this treatment works...I'll be cured. it's just getting to that point that can be a little overwhelming.

--

Bill Eastman

www.ke5asu.com/links.html

--

Bill Eastman

www.ke5asu.com/links.html

[Guest guest]

Thanks Janet. My hero is my liver donor and their family.

> >

> > Hi Everyone! I was diagnosed with Hep C about 6 years ago. They think

> > I contracted it through a blood transfusion that I had all the way back

> > in 1969. I can understand the tainted blood, since they didn't have the

> > technology or knowledge to test it as we do today but I still find it

> > strange that it never showed up in my blood work before 6 years ago.

> > Anyway, last week the doctor told me he feels treatment should begin

> > now. He didn't think I would benefit from it before but apparently

> > there are new drugs out there that, combined with interferon, could

> > possibly work for me. I'm genotype 1. I had open heart surgery (my

> > second) last year and I'm now on Coumadin for the rest of my life, so

> > that's a concern they have to look into before I can actually begin

> > treatment, but they said it shouldn't stop anything. It's probably more

> > a case of adjusting the Coumadin dosage.

> >

> > When I asked about side effects, they told me nausea and tiredness, but

> > now I'm seeing hair loss is also a concern. Neither the NP or doctor

> > mentioned this. I'm also concerned about having to give myself an

> > injection. I never did that before. I went for my first " info

> > gathering " session yesterday and I'm making myself a nervous wreck about

> > this stuff. All the info was just so overwhelming and intimidating.

> > Right now we're waiting to see if I have to have colonoscopy first (the

> > NP has to check with the doctor) and I had to make an appointment with

> > my cardiologist to get cardiac clearance (that's scheduled in 2

> > weeks)...then I have to have a sonogram and blood work. Everyone is

> > telling me this will be alright and nothing to worry about but, although

> > logically I'm sure they're right, they aren't going through this. So, I

> > thought I would join a group where others have experienced what I'm

> > going through and understand my feelings.

> >

> > On a positive note, if all of this treatment works...I'll be cured.

> > it's just getting to that point that can be a little overwhelming.

> >

> >

> >

>