Hello Julie, what wonderful news and how good to hear from you again...many congrats on your SVR!! 

Sounds like you`re doing so well at 8 months post tx and moving forward in very positive ways in all areas of your life.

I love this bit.."My cousin said I lost a year of my life, and I told her I gained a year of my life"..although actually it sounds like you`ve gained a lot more than that in terms of your health, attitude and feeling of well-being!  And you look absolutely great too!! 

Actually, I think a lot of us feel that going through treatment has been a huge learning experience, and knowing that we`ve done it and coped with it is so empowering.

Thanks for the lovely inspirational post, Julie, and a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY in advance...you certainly have a lot to celebrate this year!!

Great to hear from you, sending a big hug!  Jill xx

(Ps - And don`t worry about turning 50...I`m fast approaching my 65th birthday and my memory is like a sieve!  If only i could turn the clock back!!  )

julie,

welcome back & congratulations on joining the svr graduating class!!!!

you look healthy, vibrant and full of zest!!!!

at 8 mo. eot it's grand to learn thet your cbcs are back to normal.

you're new attitude in life is what all of us need to embrace. we will probably never even know what normal is for the virus invaded our bodies for way too long. we must relish in the thought that we conquered the dragon!!!!

not only did you make my day but genuine tears of happiness swept my cheeks.

sandy,ucbgal

Hi Julie,

Glad you are doing well and enjoying SVR! Being smoke free is also a wonderful thing as you move forward in life!

Take care.

Hi Julie, yours is a message of hope and inspiration for those of us still awaiting the illusive SVR.  It is a joy to see others experiencing improved health and the prospects of a renewed life.  Congratulations 

Great news and update!   Gives us still on treatment hope.  Thanks.

Great to hear from you Julie. You made my day. Keep moving forward!!!!!!!

Hey Julie,

Wow! You look great! I'm so glad you checked in and shared all that great news with us. I've been wondering how you've been feeling after that scare you experienced and I'm so happy to see you're doing well. You deserve all that is good and showed us all what a fighter you can be when challenged! 

I wish you the very best going forward and look forward to all the positive reports in the future! Good luck...

Tig

I forgot to mention about my memory!  Isn't that funny!  hehe

Yup, I was going to say it is getting better!  There was so much to say I forgot!

Really, seriously now... the short term is better.

Not too sure about the long term, but then that could be due to old age...I turn 50 in 4 days!

TazKat wrote:

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congrats.. u problay gave me some insight on how long it takes to get back to at feeling a little good. everyone at my work thinks it is supposed to instant. that is because I try so hard. only to get downed or any little tiny mistake I make gets magnified.. I have been doing the job for 13  1/2 yrs, always have clean audits. to me that speaks volumes that I have tried very hard. even sick & being on 4 treatments in that 13 yr span. I just have to be grateful to my God that he has better plans for me & to give me most of my health back. ur story is inspiring..

Taz

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 Hi Taz!  as soon as someone says you are supposed to do something I get frustrated. as if they know what is supposed to happen!

You are cleared and that is the best news!  May the sun shine down on you from the heavens above.

Hi Julie,

Great to hear from you. It's all good from here on. Looking good! CheersXX

congrats.. u problay gave me some insight on how long it takes to get back to at feeling a little good. everyone at my work thinks it is supposed to instant. that is because I try so hard. only to get downed or any little tiny mistake I make gets magnified.. I have been doing the job for 13  1/2 yrs, always have clean audits. to me that speaks volumes that I have tried very hard. even sick & being on 4 treatments in that 13 yr span. I just have to be grateful to my God that he has better plans for me & to give me most of my health back. ur story is inspiring..

Taz

It has been almost 8 months post tx and I've been meaning to write this for a while.

I am still adjusting and think about everyone here almost daily.

Your support was unconditional and got me through the toughest fight of my life!

I am busy just keeping up with work and all that comes and goes in a day.

Life seems simpler somehow and I am grateful for all of you who helped me, put up with my rants and answered my questions.

It took my CBC's about 5 months to return to normal.

The latest stats from July 17 show:

ALT 30

AST 28

Breathing is back to normal, since the diagnosis of interstitial lung disease.

And since I quit smoking over a year ago, I find I don't run out of breath like I used to.

I ended up getting drug-induced myositis.

CK muscle enzymes peaked at 1574 in November and are now at 312 (normal is <140). 

The only pain and stiffness remains in my hips. I walk daily twice daily for 15 minutes.

Swimming, yoga, pilates and stretching work the best.

It is so wonderful to be able to ride a bike and walk again!

The most effective treatment so far has been acupuncture with amazing results! 

I am down to a 1/4 pill of citalopram for anxiety.  I cut down too fast and the anger flared so I have that under control now.

I had a lot of anxiety going back to work.

As long as my boss doesn't push me, my anxiety is okay as well.

I don't push myself, and if it doesn't get done...oh well!

I didn't vacuum or do anything for a year and the world did not fall apart!

I am down to half a sleeping pill (zopiclone) combined with 5mg of melatonin.

It took about 2 months after tx before I was sleeping through the night.

I started a gradual return to work and that did not help at all.

I am back to a full 40 hour week and sleep is very important.

I seem to have quite a bit of energy.

I dont do what I used to do in a day, and I dont think its important. I am way more laid back, and I dont nag at my husband anymore.

Work and sleep catches up with me on the weekends, so I need to nap and get to bed early.

I haven't noticed much of a change in hair. It grew like a weed for one month after stopping tx then it went back to normal.

My nails are amazing; they won't stop growing!

The ridges are gone, they are hard and not soft, and they don't peel off in layers.

That goes for the toe nails as well!  No more hang nails and in-grown toe nails.

They are so long that putting on a necklace or earrings is kind of awkward.

And don't tell me to file them down! I used to wear nail tips just to have long nails back in the 80's.

After surviving on yogourt, toast & pb, and oatmeal for a year, I can now eat everything.

And I mean everything!  Salty, spicy, oniony, and garlicy. Bring it on.

And I cannot stop eating or thinking about it.

It took about 2-3 months after tx for this to kick in, and the first thing I did was eat a huge plate of perogies with a ton of fried onions!  Yum!

Eyes are still very light sensitive, especially if I don't get enough sleep.

Ears are very noise sensitive.  I don't like anything loud, even driving my car on the highway with the windows rolled down with passing cars going by. I also wear earplugs at work as my boss' voice is too loud.

As for my mental state of mind: I am fearless!

I am peaceful and patient, and grateful everyday.  Almost grateful to have gone through this experience!

My cousin said I lost a year of my life, and I told her I gained a year of my life.

I will be getting a liver ultrasound in August and next year another biopsy.

Most importantly, I'm SVR and cured!