Re: A newbie introduces herself

[Guest guest]

My heart goes out to you. You will have to stay strong to help him. Hugs, VickieG

A newbie introduces herself

Here's my story:About 4 years ago Heriberto & I were married. I convinced him to have a physical since he hadn't had one in years (not having me to take care of him!). His blood work came back showing liver inflammation. They did more in depth blood work and that came back that he had Hep C. (He had a blood transfusion in Mexico when he was a baby-maybe that's where he got it-maybe not.)He had a liver biopsy. We found out his liver was in stage 4. He was put on interferon and was a non-responder. He was put on intergen and was a non-responder. His liver specialist and the surgeon from the Transplant Center say he has about a year before he's going to need a liver transplant. It's hard watching his health go down hill. He has esphogal varices and he started throwing up blood and had to have a blood transfusion 2 weeks ago. They banded two of the biggest bubbles but he is still spitting up

blood.MacKenzie Salinas

[Guest guest]

Thank you! I think what is happening with my husband is typical for Hispanics but it seems like we just recover from one blow and we get another.

Subject: Re: A newbie introduces herselfTo: HepatitisCSupportGroupForDummies Date: Wednesday, June 18, 2008, 9:54 AM

My heart goes out to you. You will have to stay strong to help him. Hugs, VickieG

[HepatitisCSupportG roupForDummies] A newbie introduces herself

Here's my story:About 4 years ago Heriberto & I were married. I convinced him to have a physical since he hadn't had one in years (not having me to take care of him!). His blood work came back showing liver inflammation. They did more in depth blood work and that came back that he had Hep C. (He had a blood transfusion in Mexico when he was a baby-maybe that's where he got it-maybe not.)He had a liver biopsy. We found out his liver was in stage 4. He was put on interferon and was a non-responder. He was put on intergen and was a non-responder. His liver specialist and the surgeon from the Transplant Center say he has about a year before he's going to need a liver transplant. It's hard watching his health go down hill. He has esphogal varices and he started throwing up blood and had to have a blood transfusion 2 weeks ago. They banded two of the biggest bubbles but he is still spitting up

blood.MacKenzie Salinas

[Guest guest]

Hi, Sounds like my story, except my husband Jeff did not do the interferon then, because he was worse off. This happened in 2005, that he was diagnosed. We were in and out of the hospitals all the time, you must stay strong for him. Jeff got his new liver in 2006. And then he did the interferon tx. His first bloodwork done after showed he was clear of the Hep.C. He goes next month to see if it still is or that it has come back. It was a nightmare for me then, as I am sure it is for you now. But, things work out. Jeff is back to work, and he seems to have better stamina and not tired like he was last year, when he was on the tx. Good luck to you.Sue

Subject: A newbie introduces herselfTo: HepatitisCSupportGroupForDummies Date: Wednesday, June 18, 2008, 8:48 AM

Here's my story:About 4 years ago Heriberto & I were married. I convinced him to have a physical since he hadn't had one in years (not having me to take care of him!). His blood work came back showing liver inflammation. They did more in depth blood work and that came back that he had Hep C. (He had a blood transfusion in Mexico when he was a baby-maybe that's where he got it-maybe not.)He had a liver biopsy. We found out his liver was in stage 4. He was put on interferon and was a non-responder. He was put on intergen and was a non-responder. His liver specialist and the surgeon from the Transplant Center say he has about a year before he's going to need a liver transplant. It's hard watching his health go down hill. He has esphogal varices and he started throwing up blood and had to have a blood transfusion 2 weeks ago. They banded two of the biggest bubbles but he is still spitting up

blood.MacKenzie Salinas

[Guest guest]

Hi Sue,

I had no idea they are going to put him back on the interferon after the transplant!!!! That was one of the worst years of my life. I'm sure it was much worse for Heriberto! It completely changed his personality-he was so mean and nasty to me all the time. Then once her got off the rx he was back to his old self. I hate that stuff-and after all that it didn't help him at all! I guess Hispanics typically don't respond well to the rx.

I'm so glad you husband is free of the virus! I hope you get good news from the blood work. The transpant prople said the new liver can last 30 or more years! How old is your husband? Mine is only 44.

I try to stay strong but sometimes I get so afraid he's going to die. People will actually tell me horror stories about people they knew that died of complications before they could get their transplant!

He's still working-bless his heart. The last hospital visit he was driving his truck-threw up blood in his hat-drove himself to the hospital and got transfused.

MacKenzie

From: msalinas65 <msalinas65yahoo (DOT) com>Subject: [HepatitisCSupportG roupForDummies] A newbie introduces herselfTo: HepatitisCSupportGr oupForDummies@ yahoogroups. comDate: Wednesday, June 18, 2008, 8:48 AM

Here's my story:About 4 years ago Heriberto & I were married. I convinced him to have a physical since he hadn't had one in years (not having me to take care of him!). His blood work came back showing liver inflammation. They did more in depth blood work and that came back that he had Hep C. (He had a blood transfusion in Mexico when he was a baby-maybe that's where he got it-maybe not.)He had a liver biopsy. We found out his liver was in stage 4. He was put on interferon and was a non-responder. He was put on intergen and was a non-responder. His liver specialist and the surgeon from the Transplant Center say he has about a year before he's going to need a liver transplant. It's hard watching his health go down hill. He has esphogal varices and he started throwing up blood and had to have a blood transfusion 2 weeks ago. They banded two of the biggest bubbles but he is still spitting up

blood.MacKenzie Salinas

[Guest guest]

Dear MacKenzie-- my name is Dorsey and I am on treatment right now..on my 23rd wk of a 48 wk deal...

I was reading all your story and your posts about your husband...I just read the last sentence about how he threw up blood driving himself to the hospital for his transfusion and suddenly I realized just how lucky I was and how sad I was for you and your husband and jjust how BRAVE A MAN AND WOMAN you guys are!!

Suddenly all my complaints about nausea, fatigue, my hair falling out on this damn treatment felt so foolish when I hear what you 2 are going through and my heart goes out to you both.

You will both will be in my prayers.. and I will remember how lucky I am when I feel like giving up.....

God bless you both....and welcome to our group...

Dorsey

From: msalinas65 <msalinas65yahoo (DOT) com>Subject: [HepatitisCSupportG roupForDummies] A newbie introduces herselfTo: HepatitisCSupportGr oupForDummies@ yahoogroups. comDate: Wednesday, June 18, 2008, 8:48 AM

Here's my story:About 4 years ago Heriberto & I were married. I convinced him to have a physical since he hadn't had one in years (not having me to take care of him!). His blood work came back showing liver inflammation. They did more in depth blood work and that came back that he had Hep C. (He had a blood transfusion in Mexico when he was a baby-maybe that's where he got it-maybe not.)He had a liver biopsy. We found out his liver was in stage 4. He was put on interferon and was a non-responder. He was put on intergen and was a non-responder. His liver specialist and the surgeon from the Transplant Center say he has about a year before he's going to need a liver transplant. It's hard watching his health go down hill. He has esphogal varices and he started throwing up blood and had to have a blood transfusion 2 weeks ago. They banded two of the biggest bubbles but he is still spitting up

blood.MacKenzie Salinas

[Guest guest]

Hi Dorsey,

I think you are the brave one! It's really cruddy being on the rx but worth it all if it gets rid of that darn virus. You're half way there! Go girl!

MacKenzie

From: msalinas65 <msalinas65yahoo (DOT) com>Subject: [HepatitisCSupportG roupForDummies] A newbie introduces herselfTo: HepatitisCSupportGr oupForDummies@ yahoogroups. comDate: Wednesday, June 18, 2008, 8:48 AM

Here's my story:About 4 years ago Heriberto & I were married. I convinced him to have a physical since he hadn't had one in years (not having me to take care of him!). His blood work came back showing liver inflammation. They did more in depth blood work and that came back that he had Hep C. (He had a blood transfusion in Mexico when he was a baby-maybe that's where he got it-maybe not.)He had a liver biopsy. We found out his liver was in stage 4. He was put on interferon and was a non-responder. He was put on intergen and was a non-responder. His liver specialist and the surgeon from the Transplant Center say he has about a year before he's going to need a liver transplant. It's hard watching his health go down hill. He has esphogal varices and he started throwing up blood and had to have a blood transfusion 2 weeks ago. They banded two of the biggest bubbles but he is still spitting up

blood.MacKenzie Salinas

[Guest guest]

Hi MacKenzie,

I'm SuZie & I'm in about the same place as your husband - in ESLD & going through transplant assessment right now. I've never had any bleeds thank the Gods but I have other problems, I haven't been able to work in four years & am on Disability. I too have tried tx(treatment) twice & not responded. I've had cirrhosis since at least 1990 when I had my first bx(biopsy)

I'm Canadian & live up in the GWN (Great White North, Thunder Bay, Ontario) The closest t p program is in Toronto, about 1,000 miles away so I have to do a lot of travelling - I've been there 8 times this year! Some of those were day trips - up at 4 a m, fly out at 6:30, back in town at 10:45. These are NOT fun but luckily Disability pays for it, otherwise I wouldn't be able to go.

I go back next Monday to meet with a social worker, an anesthesiologist, the t p co-ordinator & the doctor from Related Living Donors. I'm lucky, my nephew has volenteered to donate part of his liver, it speeds things up when you've got a donor rather than having to go on the list & have to wait for something to become available.

Welcome,

SuZie & Sir SpYke the Magnificent, Galactic Overlord In Training, Pest Control Officer & Boss! (also, cat)

Next time I'm coming back as a cat

Subject: A newbie introduces herselfTo: HepatitisCSupportGroupForDummies Date: Wednesday, June 18, 2008, 8:48 AM

Here's my story:About 4 years ago Heriberto & I were married. I convinced him to have a physical since he hadn't had one in years (not having me to take care of him!). His blood work came back showing liver inflammation. They did more in depth blood work and that came back that he had Hep C. (He had a blood transfusion in Mexico when he was a baby-maybe that's where he got it-maybe not.)He had a liver biopsy. We found out his liver was in stage 4. He was put on interferon and was a non-responder. He was put on intergen and was a non-responder. His liver specialist and the surgeon from the Transplant Center say he has about a year before he's going to need a liver transplant. It's hard watching his health go down hill. He has esphogal varices and he started throwing up blood and had to have a blood transfusion 2 weeks ago. They banded two of the biggest bubbles but he is still spitting up

blood.MacKenzie Salinas

[Guest guest]

Hi MacKenzie, I did not want to alarm you about the interferon treatment after transplant. This was just the case with Jeff. He never did any treatment beforehand. And, don't listen to all the horror stories, things have away of working themselves out. Jeff was 48 when he had the transplant. Your husband is young and still active. Mine was too, and the Dr's said being active helps tremendously. The only thing wrong with Jeff was his liver, thankfully. I am the care giver, like you are, you must try to just take one day at a time, don't start thinking about what if, cause it can drive you crazy. I was scared myself, Jeff was too, but we made it thru this, and hopefully you guys will too. Our prayers are with you.Sue

From: msalinas65 <msalinas65yahoo (DOT) com>Subject: [HepatitisCSupportG roupForDummies] A newbie introduces herselfTo: HepatitisCSupportGr oupForDummies@ yahoogroups. comDate: Wednesday, June 18, 2008, 8:48 AM

Here's my story:About 4 years ago Heriberto & I were married. I convinced him to have a physical since he hadn't had one in years (not having me to take care of him!). His blood work came back showing liver inflammation. They did more in depth blood work and that came back that he had Hep C. (He had a blood transfusion in Mexico when he was a baby-maybe that's where he got it-maybe not.)He had a liver biopsy. We found out his liver was in stage 4. He was put on interferon and was a non-responder. He was put on intergen and was a non-responder. His liver specialist and the surgeon from the Transplant Center say he has about a year before he's going to need a liver transplant. It's hard watching his health go down hill. He has esphogal varices and he started throwing up blood and had to have a blood transfusion 2 weeks ago. They banded two of the biggest bubbles but he is still spitting up

blood.MacKenzie Salinas