Re: Treatment Decision

[Guest guest]

i had to get off..i was gettting so wiereded out by the effects on my brain i couldn;t drive to my neighbor;s house.i am still not normal

[Guest guest]

Hi

I know that this reply may be a little late.

I have been through two rounds of treatment. The first time in 1996 was

Interferon only as Ribavirin was not approved yet. The second was Interferon

and Ribavirin. The Peg Interferon was not yet approved so still had to have

3 shots per week. I might be starting my third round in June when I have an

appointment at the VA with the Gastro Dr. Both times I was able to tolerate

the side effects pretty easily. Was rough at first but things improved with

time. The most common problem was constant fatigue.

[ ] Treatment Decision

> Hi Everyone,

>

> I'm new to the group and it has been informative reading a lot of

> the posts! I test positive for Hep C but have no symptoms - yet. I

> found out that I had it about 17 years ago. I am now 50. My gastro

> doc has given me the option of going on pegylated interferon with

> ribavirin and I am trying to decide. After reading about the

> possible side effects I wonder if it is worth it. How do you make a

> decision to take something that may have these side effects when you

> are currently feeling fine? I know I may not stay fine and the

> treatment may be the right decision in the long run. Anyway, I

> would like to hear from others about how they made a decision to do

> it or not to do it. Thanks!

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the info. Did you have liver damage or other symptoms

before starting treatment?

> Hi

>

> I know that this reply may be a little late.

>

> I have been through two rounds of treatment. The first time in 1996

was

> Interferon only as Ribavirin was not approved yet. The second was

Interferon

> and Ribavirin. The Peg Interferon was not yet approved so still had

to have

> 3 shots per week. I might be starting my third round in June when I

have an

> appointment at the VA with the Gastro Dr. Both times I was able to

tolerate

> the side effects pretty easily. Was rough at first but things

improved with

> time. The most common problem was constant fatigue.

>

>

> [ ] Treatment Decision

>

>

> > Hi Everyone,

> >

> > I'm new to the group and it has been informative reading a lot of

> > the posts! I test positive for Hep C but have no symptoms -

yet. I

> > found out that I had it about 17 years ago. I am now 50. My

gastro

> > doc has given me the option of going on pegylated interferon with

> > ribavirin and I am trying to decide. After reading about the

> > possible side effects I wonder if it is worth it. How do you

make a

> > decision to take something that may have these side effects when

you

> > are currently feeling fine? I know I may not stay fine and the

> > treatment may be the right decision in the long run. Anyway, I

> > would like to hear from others about how they made a decision to

do

> > it or not to do it. Thanks!

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

The Exorcism of Nicola Aubrey

by Father Müller, C.S.S.R.

It is indeed a remarkable fact that, as the devil made use of Luther, an

apostate-monk, to abolish the Mass and deny the real presence, in like

manner God made use of his arch-enemy, the devil, to prove the real

presence. He repeatedly forced him publicly to profess his firm belief in

it, to confound the heretics for their disbelief, and acknowledge himself

vanquished by Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. For this purpose God

allowed a certain Mme. Nicola Aubrey, an innocent person, to become

possessed by Beelzebub and twenty-nine other evil spirits. The possession

took place on the eighth of November, 1565, and lasted until the eighth of

February, 1566.

Her parents took her to Father de Motta, a pious priest of Vervins, in order

that he might expel the demon by exorcisms of the Church. Father de Motta

tried several times to expel the evil spirit by applying the sacred relics

of the holy cross, but he could not succeed; Satan would not depart. At

last, inspired by the Holy Ghost, he resolved to expel the devil by means of

the sacrament of Our Lord's body and blood. Whilst Nicola was lying in a

state of unnatural lethargy, Father de Motta placed the Blessed Sacrament

upon her lips, and instantly the infernal spell was broken; Nicola was

restored to consciousness, and received holy communion with every mark of

devotion. As soon as Nicola had received the sacred body of Our Lord, her

face became bright and beautiful as the face of an angel, and all who saw

her were filled with joy and wonder, and they blessed God from their inmost

hearts.

With the permission of God, Satan returned and again took possession of

Nicola.

As the strange circumstances of Nicola's possession became known everywhere,

several Calvinist preachers came with their followers, to " expose this

popish cheat, " as they said. On their entrance, the devil saluted them

mockingly, called them by name, and told them that they had come in

obedience to him. One of the preachers took his Protestant prayer-book, and

began to read it with a very solemn face. The devil laughed at him, and,

putting on a most comical look, he said: " Ho! Ho! My good friend; do you

intend to expel me with your prayers and hymns? Do you think that they will

cause me any pain? Don't you know that they are mine? I helped to compose

them! "

" I will expel thee in the name of God, " said the preacher, solemnly.

" You! " said the devil, mockingly. " You will not expel me either in the name

of God, or in the name of the devil. Did you ever hear of one devil driving

out another? "

" I am not a devil, " said the preacher, angrily, " I am a servant of Christ. "

" A servant of Christ, indeed! " said Satan, with a sneer. " What! I tell you

you are worse than I am. I believe, and you do not want to believe. Do you

suppose that you can expel me from the body of this miserable wretch? Ha! Go

first and expel all the devils that are in your own heart! "

The preacher took his leave, somewhat discomfited. On going away, he said,

turning up the whites of his eyes, " O Lord, I pray thee, assist this poor

creature! "

" And I pray Lucifer, " cried the evil spirit, " that he may never leave you,

but may always keep you firmly in his power, as he does now. Go about your

business, now. You are all mine, and I am your master. "

On the arrival of the priest, several of the Protestants went away - they

had seen and heard more than they wanted. Others, however, remained; and

great was their terror when they saw how the devil writhed and howled in

agony, as soon as the Blessed Sacrament was brought near him. At last the

evil spirit departed, leaving Nicola in a state of unnatural trance. While

she was in this state, several of the preachers tried to open her eyes, but

they found it impossible to do so. The priest then placed the Blessed

Sacrament on Nicola's lips, and instantly she was restored to consciousness.

Rev. Father de Motta then turned to the astonished preachers, and said: " Go

now, ye preachers of the new Gospel; go and relate everywhere what you have

seen and heard. Do not deny any longer that Our Lord Jesus Christ is really

and truly present in the Blessed Sacrament of the altar. Go now, and let not

human respect hinder you from confessing the truth. "

During the exorcisms of the following days, the devil was forced to confess

that he was not to be expelled at Vervins, and that he had with him

twenty-nine devils, among whom were three powerful demons: Cerberus,

Astaroth, and Legio.

On the third of January, 1556, the bishop arrived at Vervins, and began the

exorcism in the church, in the presence of an immense multitude.

" I command thee, in the name and by power of the real presence of Our Lord

in the Blessed Sacrament, to depart instantly, " said the bishop to Satan in

a solemn voice.

Satan was, at last, expelled the second time by means of the Blessed

Sacrament. On leaving, he paralyzed the left arm and right foot of Nicola,

and also made her left arm longer than her right; and no power on earth

could cure this strange infirmity, until some weeks after, when the devil

was at last completely and irrevocably expelled.

Nicola was now taken to the celebrated pilgrimage of Our Lady at Liesse,

especially since the devil seemed to fear that place so much.

Next day Father de Motta began the exorcism in the church of Our Lady at

Liesse, in presence of an immense multitude.

He took the Blessed Sacrament in his hand, and, showing it to the demon, he

said: " I command thee, in the name of the living God, the great Emmanuel

Whom thou seest here present, and in Whom thou believest. "

" Ah, yes! " shrieked the demon, " I believe in Him. " And the devil howled

again as he made this confession, for it was wrung from him by the power of

Almighty God.

" I command thee, then, in His Name, " said the priest, " to quit this body

instantly. "

At these words, and especially at the sight of the Blessed Sacrament, the

devil suffered the most frightful torture. At one moment the body of Nicola

was rolled up like a ball; then again she became fearfully swollen. At one

time her face was unnaturally lengthened, then excessively widened, and

sometimes it was as red as scarlet. Her eyes, at times, protruded horribly,

and then again sunk deeply into her skull. Her tongue hung down to her chin;

it was sometimes black, sometimes red, and sometimes spotted like a toad.

The priest still continued to urge and torture Satan. " Accursed spirit! " he

cried, " I command thee, in the Name and by the real presence of Our Lord

Jesus Christ here in the Blessed Sacrament, to depart instantly from the

body of this poor creature. "

" Ah, yes! " cried Satan, howling wildly, " twenty-six of my companions shall

leave this instant, for they are forced to do so. "

The people in the church now began to pray with great fervor. Suddenly

Nicola's limbs began to crack, as if every bone in her body were breaking, a

pestilential vapor came forth from her mouth, and twenty-six devils departed

from her, never more to return.

Nicola then fell into an unnatural swoon, from which she was aroused only by

the Blessed Sacrament. On recovering her senses, and receiving holy

communion, Nicola's face shone like the face of an angel.

The priest still continued to urge the demon, and used every means to expel

him.

" I will not leave, unless commanded by the bishop of Laon, " answered the

demon, angrily.

Nicola was now taken to Pierrepont, where one of the demons, named Legio,

was expelled by means of the Blessed Sacrament.

Next morning Nicola was brought to the church. Scarcely had she quitted the

house, when the devil again took possession of her.

The bishop who was requested to exorcise Nicola, prepared himself for this

terrible task by prayer and fasting, and other works of penance.

On arrival of Nicola in the Church, the exorcism began. " How many are you in

this body? " asked the bishop.

" There are three of us, " answered the evil spirit.

" What are your names? "

" Beelzebub, Cerberus, and Astaroth. "

" What has become of the others? " asked the bishop.

" They have been expelled, " answered Satan.

" Who expelled them? "

" Ha! " cried the devil, gnashing his teeth, " it was He whom you hold in your

hand, there on the paten. " The devil meant our dear Lord in the Blessed

Sacrament.

The bishop then held the Blessed Sacrament near the face of Nicola. The

demon writhed and howled in agony. " Ah, yes! I will go, I will go! " he

shrieked, " but I shall return. "

Suddenly Nicola became stiff and motionless as marble. The bishop then

touched her lips with the Blessed Sacrament, and in an instant she was fully

restored to consciousness. She received holy communion, and her countenance

now shone with a wondrous, supernatural beauty.

Next day Nicola was brought again to the Church, and the exorcism began as

usual.

The bishop took the Blessed Sacrament in his hand, held it near the face of

Nicola, and said:

" I command thee in the name of the living God, and by the real presence of

Our Lord Jesus Christ here in the sacrament of the altar, to depart

instantly from the body of this creature of God, and never more to return. "

" No! No! " shrieked the devil, " I will not go. My hour is not yet come. "

" I command thee to depart, Go forth, impure, accursed spirit! Go forth! " and

the bishop held the Blessed Sacrament close to Nicola's face.

" Stop!, stop! " shrieked Satan; " let me go! I will depart - but I shall

return. " And instantly Nicola fell into the most frightful convulsions. A

black smoke was seen issuing from her mouth, and she fell again into a

swoon.

During her stay in Leon, Nicola was carefully examined by Catholic and

Protestant physicians. Her left arm, which had been paralyzed by the devil,

was found entirely without feeling. The doctors cut into the arm with a

sharp knife, they burnt it with fire, they drove pins and needles under the

nails of the fingers, but Nicola felt no pain; her arm was utterly

insensible. Once, while Nicola was lying in a state of unnatural lethargy,

the doctors gave her some bread soaked in wine, (it was what the Protestants

call their communion, or Lord's Supper,) they rubbed her limbs briskly, they

threw water in her face, they pierced her tongue till the blood flowed; they

tried every possible means to arouse her, but in vain! Nicola remained cold

and motionless as marble. At last the priest touched the lips of Nicola with

the Blessed Sacrament, and instantly she was restored to consciousness, and

began to praise God.

The miracle was so clear, so palpable, that one of the doctors, who was a

bigoted Calvinist, immediately renounced his errors, and became a Catholic.

Several times, also, the Protestants touched Nicola's face with a host which

was not consecrated, and which, consequently, was only bread, but Satan was

not in the least tormented by this. He only ridiculed their efforts.

On the twenty-seventh of January, the bishop, after having walked in solemn

procession with the clergy and the faithful, began the exorcism in church,

in presence of a vast multitude of Protestants and Catholics.

The bishop now held the Blessed Sacrament close to the face of Nicola.

Suddenly a wild, unearthly yell rings through the air - a black, heavy smoke

issues from the mouth of Nicola. The demon Astaroth is expelled forever.

During the exorcism which took place on the first of February, the bishop

said:

" O accursed spirit! Since neither prayer, nor the holy gospels, neither the

exorcisms of the Church, nor the holy relics, can compel thee to depart, I

will now show thee thy Lord and Master, and by His power I command thee. "

During the exorcism, which took place after Mass, the bishop held the

Blessed Sacrament in his hand, and said: " O accursed spirit, arch-enemy of

the ever-blessed God! I command thee, by the precious blood of Jesus Christ

here present, to depart from this poor woman! Depart accursed, into the

everlasting flames of hell! "

At these words, and especially at the sight of the Blessed Sacrament, the

demon was so fearfully tormented, and the appearance of Nicola was so

hideous and revolting, that the people turned away their eyes in horror. At

last a heavy sigh was heard, and a cloud of black smoke issued from the

mouth of Nicola. Cerberus was expelled.

Again Nicola fell into a death-like swoon, and again she was brought to

consciousness only by means of the Blessed Sacrament.

During the exorcism which took place on the seventh day of February, the

bishop said to Satan:

" Tell me, why hast thou taken possession of this honest and virtuous

Catholic woman! "

" I have done so by permission of God. I have taken possession of her on

account of the sins of the people. I have done it to show my Calvinists that

there are devils who can take possession of man whenever God permits it. I

know they do not want to believe this; but I will show them that I am the

devil. I have taken possession of this creature in order to convert them, or

to harden them in their sins; and, by the sacred blood, I will perform my

task. "

This answer filled all who heard it with horror. " Yes, " answered the bishop,

solemnly, " God desires to unite all men in the only holy faith. As there is

but one God, so there can be but one true religion. A religion like that

which the Protestants have invented, is but a hollow mockery. It must fall.

The religion established by Our Lord Jesus Christ is the only true one; it

alone shall last forever. It is destined to unite all men within its sacred

embrace, so that there shall be but one sheep-fold and one shepherd. This

divine Shepherd is Our Lord Jesus Christ, the invisible head of the holy

Roman Catholic Church, whose visible head is our holy Father the Pope,

successor of St. . "

The devil was silent - he was put to shame before the entire multitude. He

was expelled once more by means of the Blessed Sacrament.

In the afternoon of the same day the devil began to cry: " Ah! Ha! You think

that you can expel me in this way. You have not the proper attendance of a

bishop. Where are the dean and the archdean? Where are the royal judges?

Where is the chief magistrate, who was frightened out of his wits that

night, in the prison? Where is the procurator of the king? Where are his

attorneys and counsellors? Where is the clerk of the court? " (The devil

mentioned each of these by name.) " I will not depart until all are

assembled. Were I to depart now, what proof could you give to the king of

all that has happened? Do you think that people will believe you so easily?

No! No! There are many who would make objections. The testimony of these

common country-people here will have but little weight. It is a torment to

me that I must tell you what you have to do. I am forced to do it. Ha!

Cursed be the hour in which I first took possession of this vile wretch. "

" I find little pleasure in thy prating, " answered the bishop; there are

witnesses enough here. Those whom you have mentioned are not necessary.

Depart! then; give glory to God. Depart - go to the flames of hell! "

" Yes, I shall depart, but not to-day. I know full well that I must depart.

My sentence is passed; I am compelled to leave. "

" I care not for thy jabbering, " said the bishop, " I shall expel thee by the

power of God: by the precious blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ. "

" Yes, I must yield to you, " shrieked the demon wildly. " It tortures me that

I must give you this honor. "

The bishop now took the Blessed Sacrament in his hand, and held it close to

the face of the possessed woman.

At last, Satan was compelled to flee once more.

The next morning, after the procession was ended, the Holy Sacrifice of the

Mass was offered up as usual.

During the consecration, the possessed woman was twice raised over six feet

into the air, and then fell back heavily upon the platform. As the bishop,

just before the Pater Noster, took the sacred host once more in his hand,

and raised it with the chalice, the possessed woman was again whisked into

the air, carrying with her the keepers, fifteen in number, at least six feet

above the platform; and, after a while, she fell heavily back on the ground.

At this sight, all present were filled with amazement and terror. A German

Protestant named Voske fell on his knees; he burst into tears; he was

converted.

" Ah! " cried he, " I now believe firmly that the devil really possesses this

poor creature. I believe that it is really the body and blood of Jesus

Christ which expels him. I believe firmly. I will no longer remain a

Protestant. "

After Mass, the exorcism began as usual.

" Now, at last, " said the bishop, " thou must depart. Away with thee, evil

spirit! "

" Yes, " said Satan, " it is true that I must depart, but not yet. I will not

go before the hour is come in which I first took possession of this wretched

creature. "

At last the bishop took the sacred host in his hand, and said: " In the name

of the adorable Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Ghost - in the name of the

sacred body of Jesus Christ here present - I command thee, wicked spirit, to

depart. "

" Yes, yes, it is true! " shrieked the demon wildly; " it is true. It is the

body of God. I must confess it, for I am forced to do so. Ha! It tortures me

that I must confess this; but I must. I speak the truth only when I am

forced to do it. The truth is not from me. It comes from my Lord and Master.

I have entered this body by the permission of God. "

The bishop now held the Blessed Sacrament close to the face of the possessed

woman. The demon writhed in fearful agony. He tried in every way to escape

from the presence of Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. At length a black

smoke was seen issuing from the mouth of Nicola. She fell into a swoon, and

was restored again to consciousness only by means of the Blessed Sacrament.

The eighth of February, the day appointed by God on which Satan was to leave

Nicola forever, arrived at last. After the solemn procession, the bishop

began the last exorcism.

" I shall not ask thee any longer, " said the bishop to Satan, " when thou

intendest to leave; I will expel thee instantly by the power of the living

God, and by the precious body and blood of Jesus Christ, His beloved Son,

here present in the Sacrament of the Altar. "

" Ha, yes! " shrieked the demon; " I confess that the Son of God is here really

and truly present. He is my Lord and Master. It tortures me to confess it,

but I am forced to do so. " Then he repeated several times, with a wild,

unearthly howl: " Yes, it is true. I must confess it. I am forced to leave,

by the power of God's body here present. I must - I must depart. It torments

me that I must go so soon, and that I must confess this truth. But this

truth is not from me; it comes from my Lord and Master, who has sent me

hither, and who commands and compels me to confess the truth publicly. "

The bishop then took the Blessed Sacrament in his hand, and, holding it on

high, he said, with a solemn voice: " O thou wicked, unclean spirit,

Beelzebub! Thou arch-enemy of the eternal God! Behold, here present, the

precious body and blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ, thy Lord and Master! I

adjure thee, in the name and by the power of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus

Christ, true God and true man, who is here present; I command thee to depart

instantly and forever from this creature of God. Depart to the deepest depth

of hell, there to be tormented forever. Go forth, unclean spirit, go forth -

behold here thy Lord and Master! "

At these solemn words, and at the sight of our sacramental Lord, the poor

possessed woman writhed fearfully. Her limbs cracked as if every bone in her

body were breaking. The fifteen strong men who held her, could scarcely keep

her back. They staggered from side to side, they were covered with

perspiration. Satan tried to escape from the presence of Our Lord in the

Blessed Sacrament. The mouth of Nicola was wide open, her tongue hung down

below her chin, her face was shockingly swollen and distorted. Her color

changed from yellow to green, and became even grey and blue, so that she no

longer looked like a human being; it was rather the face of a hideous,

incarnate demon. All present trembled with terror, especially when they

heard the wild cry of the demon, which sounded like the loud roar of a wild

bull.

They fell on their knees, and with tears in their eyes, began to cry out:

" Jesus, have mercy! "

The bishop continued to urge Satan. At last the evil spirit departed, and

Nicola fell back senseless into the arms of her keepers. She still, however,

remained shockingly distorted. In this state she was shown to the judges,

and to all the people present; she was rolled up like a ball. This bishop

now fell on his knees, in order to give her the Blessed Sacrament as usual.

But see! Suddenly the demon returns, wild with rage, endeavors to seize the

hand of the bishop, and even tries to grasp the Blessed Sacrament itself.

The bishop starts back; Nicola is carried into the air and the bishop rises

from his knees, trembling with terror and pale as death.

The good bishop takes courage again; he pursues the demon, holding the

Blessed Sacrament in his hand, till at length the demon, overcome by the

power of Our Lord's sacred body, goes forth amidst smoke, and lightening,

and thunder.

Thus was the demon at length expelled forever, on Friday afternoon, at three

o'clock, the same day and hour on which Our Lord triumphed over hell by His

ever-blessed death.

Nicola was now completely cured; she could move her left arm with the

greatest ease. She fell on her knees, and thanked God, as well as the good

bishop, for all he had done for her.

The people wept for joy, and sang hymns of praise and thanksgiving in honor

of our dear Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.

On all sides were heard the exclamations: " Oh, what a great miracle! Oh,

thank God that I witnessed it! Who is there now that can doubt of the real

presence of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Sacrament of the Altar! "

Many a Protestant also said: " I believe now in the presence of Our Lord in

the Blessed Sacrament; I have seen with my eyes! I will remain a Calvinist

no longer. Accursed be those who have hitherto kept me in error! Oh, now I

can understand what a good thing is the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass! "

A solemn Te Deum was intoned; the organ pealed forth, and the bells rung a

merry chime.

The whole city was filled with joy.

This great triumph of Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament over Satan

occurred in the presence of more than 150,000 people, in the presence of all

the ecclesiastical and civil authorities of the city, of Protestants and

Catholics alike. I have published a lengthy account of this extraordinary

affair in a little volume entitled, " Triumph of the Blessed Sacrament. "

These facts are well-authenticated by the accounts published in various

languages - French, Italian, Spanish and German, as I have shown on pages

13, 14 and 15 of above-named little volume.

_________________________________________________________________

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