Week 24 - Monday
As usual, I did not post recently as my part-time ‘work week’ leaves me feeling like a break from computers! On the weekend I visited the blogs and did some work with my son Ben on constructing a Discussion Forum for this blog. At the moment I am testing this out and will let you know when it is ready for general use - soon!
Today I went for my hospital clinic, blood tests and pharmacy visit in the morning. Then Carol and I went to Oxford Street for shopping in the afternoon and met Phil after work for a meal. Home for my injection and, shortly thereafter, bed. A considerable achievement for me. Before Christmas, when Carol went shopping in the afternoon following a clinic appointment, I knew I couldn’t face all this activity so I went home alone after the hospital visit part - and spent the afternoon recovering from the trip out!
My hospital visits are becoming routine now. BP and weight steady. No new symptoms to discuss. I think Mynurse is struggling to write down much in my notes (possibly not, but that’s my fantasy). We discussed this phase of treatment a bit - the next 24 weeks and I heard the forewarning that the last part of the treatment could become a slog - getting through to the end.
We discussed viral load tests; some people want these at Week 24 as well as Week 12 but this is not standard at my hospital. I am ok with that; I would rather not know at this point. Last test showed I am PCR negative. If a further test showed differently, where would I be? I wouldn’t stop treatment and I would be going around knowing the virus is back again in my blood stream. At the moment I do derive encouragement from knowing it was PCR negative and gives me reason to hope that it will remain so.
Blood tests today included those for thyroid - monitored because the medications can impact on its functioning.
As I was leaving the clinic I said hello to another HepC patient (well I guessed he was, sitting there waiting!). He was about to have his first injection in a third treatment attempt; both previously had been monotherapy of interferon alone, and he was wondering what impact the second medication - ribavirin, would have on him. I can identify with that - I suppose a number of us wondered, worried even, about the impact of these drugs on us before we started. I wished him well on the treatment. He had already read my blog and said he will email to let me know how it goes. (Not using names as I didn’t ask permission to mention him here and wish to respect privacy)
April 26th, 2005 at 4:45 pm
Hi Ron,
Nice to see that you have overcome your temporary computer phobia. We miss you!
If you would like any help testing the forum I’d be delighted to help. The ‘third timer’ who you just met gets my full vote of sympathy having ‘been there’ as far as the additional effects of the ribavirin are concerned. It makes a lot of difference, and comes as a bit of a shock having sailed through monotherapy with virtually no problems.
Nice to see that you are getting mentally prepared for the final push. How are you going to celebrate when you get SVR?
Martin
April 28th, 2005 at 1:53 pm
Could you tell me what PCR and SVR mean please? Glad to hear all is weel Ron. I must confess I got a shock when the ribaviran side effects hit, having been through mono therapy. I feel pretty grotty most of the time. Breathless and dizzy and my legs feel so weak I find walking difficult. I must confess I am getting a bit depressed, I feel very flat and have little or no interest in anything. I have started crying at the least thing and sometimes at nothing at all! I am going to see my G.P. on Monday so hopefully help is at hand. Sorry to be so negative.
All my best wishes to everybody.
Christine