I wanted to let everyone know that Kay's husband James and their son Kaleb were successful on June 07th. They set out that morning and reached the summit of Mount Rainier approximately 7 hours later. Congratulations to all of them! It qualifies for one great big  WOOT   

Congratulations and thank you on behalf of everyone affected by HCV !!!     Tig

Isiscat2011 wrote:

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Huey wrote:

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I gave an empty Sovoldi bottle to my grand son for show and tell when they go back to school in the fall. I told him to show it to them and then tell them how much it cost.  That outa shake it up a bit,

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 LOL   Humor is hard to translate on a message board but I guess my sense of humor is as twisted as yours, Huey.  

I think you should alternate sending them off to school for show and tell with empty medicine bottles and empty booze bottles.  Variety is the spice of life.

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 I have four, so I could send them like the four horsemen, one with a boose bottle (Pestilence) ,a gun (Death),maybe a used needle for  (Famine) and Sovaldi bottle for (War) Being a Catholic School I am sure they will get the meaning

Huey wrote:

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I gave an empty Sovoldi bottle to my grand son for show and tell when they go back to school in the fall. I told him to show it to them and then tell them how much it cost.  That outa shake it up a bit,

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 LOL   Humor is hard to translate on a message board but I guess my sense of humor is as twisted as yours, Huey.  

I think you should alternate sending them off to school for show and tell with empty medicine bottles and empty booze bottles.  Variety is the spice of life.

Tig56 wrote:

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Huey, I'd be very cautious about sending medication bottles, empty or not into your grandson's school. I would clear it through the school nurse or medical office. There are specific and strict regulations on bringing anything, even containers that contained these types of medications in them. There can be residue remaining in the bottle and that's enough to bring attention to it. We had an issue here in our local school system because a child had an empty ibuprofen container in his possession. They wouldn't take his word for anything. They had concerns that the student may have distributed the medications until they were gone, it had to be investigated. Just sayin, it might be a good idea to clear it with the school. A picture might serve just as well.

Tig

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 Good advice and just so you understand, my grand kids go to a private school and the teacher lives across the street, see them every day, so the teacher would know about it way way before hand and your also right about the photo.  but they would never take me seriously about a thing like that, or attempt it,  

                                                                                                 Oh well a touch of Gray, sorta suites me anyway  Huey

Hi Kay,

I see from this moment, there is 1 day and 17 hours left before they set out on the climb!! I'm so excited for you and want to send my best wishes out to James, Kaleb and the entire team! I'll be following the climb and wish them all the best of luck!!  WOOT!!!!

Tig

Huey, I'd be very cautious about sending medication bottles, empty or not into your grandson's school. I would clear it through the school nurse or medical office. There are specific and strict regulations on bringing anything, even containers that contained these types of medications in them. There can be residue remaining in the bottle and that's enough to bring attention to it. We had an issue here in our local school system because a child had an empty ibuprofen container in his possession. They wouldn't take his word for anything. They had concerns that the student may have distributed the medications until they were gone, it had to be investigated. Just sayin, it might be a good idea to clear it with the school. A picture might serve just as well.

Tig

I gave an empty Sovoldi bottle to my grand son for show and tell when they go back to school in the fall. I told him to show it to them and then tell them how much it cost.  That outa shake it up a bit,

thank him from TazKat! very awesome man u have there..

Thank you Isiscat, truly there is no need to apologize I really appreciate your posts. I do need to talk so thank you for encouraging that. 

JS thank you for supporting my husbands climb! I have been so encouraged by the support here and from all the liver disease community.

SuziQ ****Forgiving others is not about them.****  that is profounds and I am learning very true. So sorry about your son  (((hugs)))  bless you for releasing that new mom from her guilt (as much as you could). 

James and the kids hung out at Walmart yesterday passing out literature and talking to people about liver disease I am really proud of my family!

Hi Kay and Family,

Over 40 years ago I started law school.  By the end of the first year and after studying Tort Law, I decided that it was NOT for me.  My Grandfather was an attorney and his practice, way back then, was not about suing people.  it has become very different.  I DO understand your decisions to the degree I can--I have not walked in your shoes. 

Compassion is a wonderful trait to possess.  Forgiving others is not about them.  It is about our personal beliefs and convictions.  When my son was killed in an auto accident years ago, The girl who crossed the center line and hit him called several months later.  She was pregnant and passed out on the way to a doctor's appt.  She was crying and apologizing.  I told her what I wanted from her was to live the best life that she could and raise her new child well.  Her insurance had covered the basic expenses and I had no desire to add to her pain--especially financially. 

I have tremendous admiration for you and the courage you have shared with us.  It is wonderful to read.  My day is easier knowing there are people like you.  Thank you for sharing. 

SuziQ

Kay your an inspiration to me.  I can only wish the best for you and your family.  Perhaps someday I will have the honor of meeting you and your husband.  Will be with him in spirit every step of his way. 

Hi Kay:

You have endured a nearly unimaginable amount of suffering and I think it is a positive thing that you have finally opened up about it.  I hope you will continue to talk about what you have and are still experiencing with someone.  What you have been through is traumatic.  I can see that you are feeling vulnerable and alone and I wish there was something I could do to help.  

The intention of my post was not to judge you, but to explain a little bit about the legal process when someone is injured by a doctor's mistake.  

Please write again if/when you want to talk about how you are doing, how you are feeling, or even how the weather is where you are.   Everyone here understands some of what you are going through and we are not here to judge.  I'm so sorry if I hurt your feelings.  

Thank you for posting Isiscat because I want to make clear that my situation was unique and complicated with so many dynamics at play including my family, my personality, my convictions, the Dr (who made a mistake but like I said before I don't feel was intentionally negligent and I didn't feel I needed to protect him from others) my health and so one. I certainly don't want anyone to read my posts and feel like they are immoral. Not my intention at all. I took a risk posting my heart here concerning this ordeal. Its personal. Something I have never shared, but I felt like I could here because though I don't know you guys I really feel a connection ....I guess because there is such a stigma attatched to Hep-C ...that alone makes me feel a special connection....we have all wondered if we are outcasts ya know? So thank you for posting so I could clarify.

I really did try to call some of those lawyers. I guess most of them that deal with injury are the ones on the TV commercials, the creeps....surely you agree those guys are snakes? Its a nasty system.

Bloodsucking lawyers don't/didnt want to help they want to make money. The Dr wasn't intentionally negligent and Im ok with permanent and life threatening injuries. That is something else I faced. Death. Up close and immenent and I was ok with it. At peace. Sorry if you feel like I should of been paid, or that my post condemns others, that wasn't my intention and really even after you've pointed it out Im not too worried that I have condemned others, or made them feel immoral, if anyone feels this way I am happy to delete this thread.

The whole thing was full of dilemmas about what to do and how to proceed. I do feel victory in come areas and shame in others. It tested a lot of people in a lot of ways.

I posted my experience, I understand it is unique.

Thanks again for allowing me to clarify and like I said I LOVE YOU guys just because we are connected by liver disease.

Kay wrote:

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I won because I didn't give into that corrupt, awful, litigious, scoundrel, system of bloodsucking lawyers and lying insurance companies. Wasnt gonna mingle with those snakes. I tried. Called some, some called me....yikes talk about needing to take a good shower. So corrupt. _______________________________________________________________________________________________

Perhaps I am missing something here, but from my point of view, it was bloodsucking lawyers who wanted to help after the negligent doctor caused life threatening and permanent injuries.  Just wondering about that.....

Sadly, most American families would be financially bankrupted from the medical and other expenses associated with a catastrophe of this nature.  Receiving financial compensation is a necessity not a choice for them.  The legal system can never replace what has been taken from someone who's health has been damaged through no fault of their own; all it can do is award money damages. Money for some people is the difference between eating and not eating; getting medicine and not getting medicine.  

Negligence actions are not about punishment; they are about compensation.  Many states have statutorily prohibited plaintiffs from seeking punitive damages, so even if the negligence was outrageous and extreme, the defendant cannot be punished.  

Doctors carry medical malpractice insurance because mistakes do happen.  Mistakes are not the end of their careers but if those mistakes happen repeatedly, and they cause injury to patients, the public should know about it.  

It isn't my intention to upset you, Kate.  But, many people read these posts and they should not feel that seeking compensation for injuries that occurred due to no fault of their own is an immoral act.  

While litigation can be extremely taxing it doesn't need to be accompanied by anger and bitterness.  The truth is that as humans we are likely to have negative feelings when something bad happens to us especially when we didn't cause it.  How we deal with those negative feelings is what is important.  I am very happy your family has turned tragedy into triumph.

Kay wrote:

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I have faith in Someone much bigger than myself or any Dr and I trust Him to sort out all the details that I am too little, dumb, sick to sort through. I trust I will reap what I have sown or at least reap what I should.

It made me feel good to pass up money for something more important, to make something more important than money. I won because I didn't give into that corrupt, awful, litigious, scoundrel, system of bloodsucking lawyers and lying insurance companies. Wasnt gonna mingle with those snakes. I tried. Called some, some called me....yikes talk about needing to take a good shower. So corrupt.

 Thanks for asking about that....that was the first time I wrote that out. I am in tears because its a hard thing to think about and honestly there is no one I have spoken to about it because it is personal so thank you for letting me share.

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 I'm without words, Kay. If we had more people with the faith, understanding and obvious compassion you have, this old world would be a friendlier place indeed. I tip my hat to you and am honored to meet someone with your qualities. My very best to you and your family. 

Tig

kay,

you , your family & story are truly an inspiration for us all!!!!

i only wish the best that life has to offer for you & your family.

will be following your husband's journey & cheering him on.

finally i admire your ability & wisdom to turn negativity into such positivity.

you've already won 1/2 the battle in mastering that life lesson!!!!!

sandy,ucbgal

Thank you all for the warm welcomes! Thank you Tig for posting the links and encouraging people to read. Im sure your careful about people promoting things so was a little worried about posting our story. Thank you thank you!

 Honestly my husband has become quite an advocate on behalf of our community. The American Liver foundation has partnered with us and promoted our story/his climb. They invited us to speak a couple weeks ago at their annual fundraising event. There were about 200 in attendance. Gilead reps, many leading liver Drs, the man who started the American Liver Foundation. I know that some of these people are considered the enemy for various reasons. Please don't hate me for having dinner with them.Our heart is to help do what we can to end liver disease....im really not smart enough to sort out who may be an enemy.

Thank you for asking about my liver biopsy ordeal. It happened 2 years ago and am always worried about posting about it to you guys because what happened to me was SO VERY RARE. It never happens,  please don't imagine this will happen to you... it most very likely wont. Anyway for those of you who don't know, I went in for an outpatient CT GUIDED liver biopsy and the Dr cut an artery in my liver then tried to send me home. They re-scanned me and nothing showed but I was in so much pain and behaving so crazily they kept me....good thing too because my hemoglobin went from 14 to 7 overnight I was bleeding to death internally... rushed to ICU .....spent a month in the hospital and a year in bed. Was on oxygen for 4 months....all this with an 8 week old baby and 5 other children. My husband COMPLETELY stepped up to the plate...well, my youngest does need caps from too many bottles and my 4 year wont wear underwear because husband was in survival mode and unders didn't seem like life or death....lol, but we all survived and are well. I do have permamnat nerve damage in my liver... still hurts to take a breath, the hematoma has yet to completely resolve but is shrinking steadily.

As far as suing the Dr. No I didn't. The insurance company came to the hospital and offered me 100 dollars a day I was in there.. not to be associated with whatever legal matters I would bring forth in future....basically an admission of guilt and good will....I refused that as a matter of principal for a lot of reasons...

I was so very sick. Too sick for lawsuits and too tired to be angry and bitter. Did you know its about impossible to sue without being resentful and bitter? I kept considering it but was unable to be kind and loving to all the people and Drs involved AND sue them at the same time. Forgiving for my OWN health was more important than money.

 I honestly didn't have the emotional strength to let all that turmoil swirl around in my spirit.

Im too lazy to hold a good grudge.

The Dr is young and seemed genuinely sorry. He came to my room just about shaking. Apologizing. I know it really hurt him to see me hurt. I know he lost sleep. He said he was sorry and I forgave him. He DIDNT intentionally hurt me. I think he will very likely be extra careful now. I don't believe I needed to protect him from others. Just a fluke mistake. I didnt want to ruin someones medical career, family, life, livelihood because they made a mistake. These things can ruin lives....this man likely got into this profession to serve people I didn't want to disrupt that.

I have faith in Someone much bigger than myself or any Dr and I trust Him to sort out all the details that I am too little, dumb, sick to sort through. I trust I will reap what I have sown or at least reap what I should.

It made me feel good to pass up money for something more important, to make something more important than money. I won because I didn't give into that corrupt, awful, litigious, scoundrel, system of bloodsucking lawyers and lying insurance companies. Wasnt gonna mingle with those snakes. I tried. Called some, some called me....yikes talk about needing to take a good shower. So corrupt.

Thanks for asking about that....that was the first time I wrote that out. I am in tears because its a hard thing to think about and honestly there is no one I have spoken to about it because it is personal so thank you for letting me share.

Hi Everyone,

I took some time and read about Kay's ordeal and it's chilling to say the least. Her husband James, has set out to do what nobody has done on our behalf before, bring attention to liver disease and Hep C by climbing Mt Rainier, which is no small feat. I encourage you all to read Kay and James story, it will help you appreciate not only what Kay means to James and their family, but how important it is to get the word out about this disease and what one person can do to achieve that. I've included a couple of links that I feel are important. Good luck to both Kay and James McGuffey! See you at the top.....

Tig56

http://www.climbingforcarleen.com/

http://go.liverfoundation.org/site/TR?pg=fund&fr_id=1480&pxfid=51520

Hello Kay, a warm welcome back, good to hear from you again! 

Your husband is a real hero for doing this climb, what a brilliant way to raise some much needed awareness of Hep C and we`ll all look forward to hearing more about this amazing challenge!  I shall certainly be following his progress on Facebook too. 

Please do keep us updated on your own progress too, we were all so concerned when your biopsy went horribly wrong back in 2012 and your husband was a star for keeping us updated. 

Sending all best wishes to you both!  ~ Jill

Hi Kay,

Thanks for letting us know. Fantastic effort.

I just read your biopsy story from early 2012, just before I joined the Forum. You were desperately unlucky, and hope you get one of the new, easy treatments when you are ready. Cheers.

Hi Kay:

I remember you from a few years ago.  I am so glad you are doing better and are committed to making the best of everything.  What your husband is doing is incredible.  Climbing a mountain not only figuratively but literally.  I love it.

I recall that your husband was posting on your behalf while you were in the ICU after the biopsy disaster.  If you don't mind my asking an indelicate question:  Have your injuries from the biopsy resolved and did you speak with an attorney in your area about getting those expenses covered?

Groovy!!

Hi Kay,

Thanks for checking back in with us! That's a very considerate and worthwhile effort on your husband's part and I appreciate his effort on our behalf! I'll follow his journey on FB and hope you keep us in the loop here as well. I wish him the best of luck and a safe climb...

Tig

That is fantastic. I wish you and your family all the best.

Havent posted in a while so a quick reintroduction: My name is Carleen/Kay I have had Hep-C for over 20 years. I had a blood transfusion in 1988 but also lived a very wild life so could of gotten it from too much partying. I have 6 kids and have been married for 25 years. James my husband wanted to do something for me, for all of us in this liver disease community, and has decided to climb Mt Rainer on our behalf to raise awareness, decrease the stigma and promote education for those with Hep-C. Here is a little more about us and him. http://www.climbingforcarleen.com/

Please consider joining us on Facebook to get updates about the climb! https://www.facebook.com/climbingforcarleen?ref=hl