Hep C Discussion Forum

Hi Tig

I should post on a different thread. Is there a "post treatment" thread? I'm not computer savvy lol

The tests that are up and coming have nothing to do the virus, that I am free and clear of....hmmmm in saying that yes there are continual tests,  ultra sounds, fibroscan (Sept)  etc., all of which I have no concern whatsoever :)

LOL Packing people in my suitcase LOL  Wouldn't it be great to all actually meet and put faces to the names we communicate with here....we all share so much with each other, things others simply can't understand, quite frankly I would hope no one ever would have to again. On a lighter note, looking back we find humour in some of journey and we  all know laughing is a wonderful medicine 

Have a wonderful day Everyone...little drizzly here today

Ruby

Hi Tig and Canuck

I will enjoy my trip for sure!  I went to the Netherlands for 3 months,  5 years ago and popped over the border to Germany for just a day of shopping but nothing more.  This time I am planning to see as much as I can in 6 weeks.  Several countries are  close even within driving distance so I'm hoping to travel to one of them also...hoping to go to the Czech Republic.  I'm just going to go with the flow and enjoy all of it lol especially the food lol  I will be there for my Bday  definitely am going to celebrate life while I'm there.

Tig, you definitely have us beat with weather in beautiful Florida, I've only been there once but it's a trip that I really enjoyed!  

I will share a few pics, I will documenting this trip to the max!  Live in the moment is my motto from now on.  Crossing things of the ole bucket list.

Ruby

Stay well everyone!!!

Hi Ruth,

It sounds like you have some exciting plans and travel ahead of you. What a wonderful way to celebrate your successful battle against the beast! I would love to see the sights and sounds of Germany. Hopefully you can share a few photos and experiences with us after the trip. Have fun, but be safe in your international travels. The tensions are real...

Enjoy your summertime temperatures today! We have you beat down here in Florida. It's supposed to be 91 (33) and the humidity is already rising. Ugh... It was a fast and not as cool Winter here. It still beats shoveling snow, lol! 

Hey Ruth,

I remember the joy and then the adrenalin dump. Kind of a big head rush, whew! You deserve this landmark award because you earned it! You paid your dues, Sister! I'm so glad the people in white jackets didn't find you celebrating in a totally acceptable manner, tears of joy! Let them walk a mile in our shoes. It's not easy, but so worth it

The road ahead is clear. Take advantage of this gift and make the most of your Hep free future... So bright you're gonna need shades!!

WOOHOO MAGOO!!!!!! 

Congratulations and thanks for sharing your most excellent achievement! You battled a formidable foe and kicked it's butt all over the battlefield. All we need to do now is pick up the pieces and have Jimmy fire up the BBQ! Smoked Dragon Wings, ummmm good!! LOL!!

There was never a doubt that you would prevail...  

Perfect choice for dancing shoes!  Canuck I must say, you are quite talented in the dancing department lol

Thanks for dropping in and joining me for one of the best days of my life!!

The dragon is dead!!  I love those sweet letters  SVR!!

Morning Canuck

Not to sound too sassy but I reserved a spot at Club Zero when I took my first pill of Epclusa!  lol  I simply couldn't allow myself to think any other way  :)

Thank you for your supportive and kind words

Ruth

Thanks Tig. 0 is my new favorite number!

Ya, epclusians ARE very cool!  C.

How very cool is this thread?

JimmyK

Hey Ruby!,

There you are! So glad to here from you again. Missed ya.

Can't dance, nor sing, but I am sure gunna look forward to your EOT+12 UND party!!! I will think of sumpin special to help with the celebration to come. I think it may soon be standing room only in Club Zero!

I like the sounds of the level of care you have and are and will recieve, pretty dang fine, and only in Canada you say? Whodthunkit! Glad you will get scoped, sounded and fibroscanned, all valuable things that most people seem to have to fight for! 

We are the lucky ones!

Hey, wake up all our other cured and resting epclusians will ya?  C.

Hi Everyone 

It's been quite awhile since I've been here, I hope all my fellow Epclusa warriors are doing well and it goes without saying all who are on treatment.

Next week I go for my 3 month blood test after treatment, I can't wait!!

Doctors' appointments will commence this month with an ultra sound and I believe a fibro scan in the mix.  I'm hoping and of course praying that I have not developed esophageal varices. Our bodies are such a wonder but this gal is hoping my body didn't find the need to make this change   

Ruby

***we have been enjoying springlike weather in my neck of the woods and have been for quite some time now...this is my kind of winter 

Hi Ruby,

I'm liking the glow, too! The scope you speak of is an Endoscopy. It's an easy procedure and is one of the simplest to accomplish. Anyone with Cirrhosis needs to have that information in their toolbox of results. I'm curious, have had an abdominal ultrasound recently? I believe your Spleen size will explain a lot of the platelet situation. In time, we are seeing improvements following SVR, such as resolving inflammation and fibrosis reduction. It all takes time, but witnessing that will improve liver function, perfusion through it, resulting in less splenomegaly and an increase in platelets. Reducing Portal Hypertension is key. 

That's a beautiful Christmas message! Thanks so much  It's hard to believe another year has gone by! Merry Christmas to you and yours!!!

Thanks everyone for sharing in my happiness.  Tig, yes I have arrived at the station...I love the pic by the way. Next stop SVR.  I have been informed I have to have a scope to check out my esophagus and upper stomach due to my platelet levels.  Our bodies are miraculous machines. In my case since my platelets cannot sufficiently travel through my liver it may have decided to simply make another blood vessel to help out however it's route is not such a great plan.  I will deal with that in the new year, for now I'm just basking in the "undetected" glow lol

Oh Ruby, I am so glad to hear this news.  It's quite different when you realize it's behind you.  You've done some very good work here and I congratulate you.  I'm sure glad you are feeling better.  That's going to come in handy!  

What terrific news Ruby and the best way to end 2016!

First I'd like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and many blessings in the brand new year that's just around the corner!

I will be celebrating my first Christmas in many many years with blood results reading UNDETECTED  

My 12 week results are in.... and reads as my week four and eight results   NOT DETECTED!! whoohoo  I am a very blessed woman!!  I have to say, I'm feeling pretty darn good!!

Those that are still on treatment, hang in there...you've got this!!

Ruby

Thanks Mike for your words of encouragement!  I do know that I will be having blood work in March and can't wait for the next 12 weeks to fly by as the past 12 did. I was told  at that time all the other tests ..fibroscan/ultra sound etc will be scheduled then as well, and further blood testing I believe every 6 months for awhile...I could be wrong on the timing of that.

Hey a huge CONGRATULATIONS  on your SVR!!

Ruby

Sheesh Jed!

Whatever have you been up to? - major nose repair! I hope this was fixing an old, old nose injury and not a recent one!

I was just thinking of you today, reading about Ruby's up and coming platelets! And like magic, poof you appear!

Good you share these thing, so others know what can be handled, what we come back from, and how we improve.

You are a walking testament (among quite a few others that come to mind around here) who epitomize great comebacks! 

I am real happy to hear both you and Ruby's platelets have come up some! Good news all 'round (altho, I recall a few of your platelets were rather ovoid! hee hee).

I hope with improved platelets that equates to maybe feeling a wee bit better.  C.

Thanks Tig....you're awesome!!

When my WBC and platelets were very low I had terrible terrible fatigue blah blah etc etc ...but that took me to a hematologist, bone marrow test,ugh!! then back to the hepc which I had decided to let it run it's course after the interferon/riba fiasco.  So GLAD I didn't :)   2016 was a bit of a medical roller coaster but I'm glad I took the ride 

Thanks Canuck for being the loyal cheer leader!

Yes!! Completed treatment and blood work done.  I must say when my RN, Tammy,  called me on Tuesday and said "last day, your done"  it was a tad emotional. Just fact that the 12 weeks went so fast and whether I wanted to admit it or not there were days that were not that great lol  Tammy and I spoke all the niceties "pleasure working with you and I felt the very same way. Tammy offered if at any time I couldn't make an appt she would come to me!! Who gets that offered to them in today's screwed up medical system? Tammy and my Doc understood my anxiety of treatment past, you know the cruel interferon/riba and the horrendous report of the fail after all that suffering...and yes I mean suffering!  Working with someone who walked with me through this treatment and the end result the expiration stamp has now been removed. She got it!!  Although I will have an appt with her next week to receive my 12 wk VL results  and my final appt with my Doc on the  19th that will be the end with them, except the fibroscan in March when I claim SVR.  Instructions will be sent to my gp for all the scheduled ultra sounds etc after that.  

After all these years it's hard to get my head around that I no longer have to say "I have hepc" and after March the big red flag won't come up if and when I have to see another doc. I'm no longer "contaminated".....someone said that to me once and those words have never left me...UNTIL NOW!!  On part of me wanted to scream from the roof tops.  I know I don't have my SVR but I won't allow my mind to think any other way. 

I am truly thankful for being approved for the Epclusa and the unexpected  quick change from the already approved sov/dak. Hands in air with praise and a thankful heart for that and being an early responder at 4 weeks!!  I have been blessed!!

The first Canuck lol to be approved for Epclusa and now the first to finish lol ...that made me giggle.  I hope and pray others will have the same opportunity as myself to be approved for such a great warrior!

I have over the past months read others claim SVR and I have been so happy for them and of course have felt empathy for others struggling to being approved for treatment and again my heart goes to the ones who have been disappointed in diagnosis and feelings of discouragement. Prayers and encouraging words is all I have to offer.

So thank you again for all your encouragement and helpful information you have given me and others.  There are many of you, too many names to state (you know who you are) You're all a blessing...never forget that!!

FYI: Alt 37  AST 27   GGT 42   RBC 4.97  WBC 5.8  Platelets 91   Pretty Great results as far as I'm concerned.  Platelets are still low but 91 is a far cry from 49 earlier this year!  Even though my platelets are low they are a far cry from 49  which it was earlier in the year  

Forever grateful!

Ruby

Hey you 2,

WOOT! Congratulations on reaching the BIG day! It's hard to believe you could both be done already. Those 12 weeks are over quicker in retrospect than they are beforehand. You both handled this like true Warriors you are, well done!

We'll be waiting for all of those sure to be exciting numbers!! 

Congrats Ruby! It was a short 12 weeks for sure! I took my last one last night. It feels pretty good. I am sure you will still be undetected. No worries there. Keep us posted on how you are feeling as the Epclusa leaves your system. It will be interesting ! Good times ahead!