Living Without HepC

One of the things that changed when I was diagnosed with HepC - I slowed down and looked at the world differently. And that led to taking photographs from a different perspective than before, and more prolifically too. I really discovered a passion for images and capturing memories.

Now that I have decided to stop keeping this so blog firmly focused on my treatment for HepC, I think I will share more of my photos.

It is just over a year now that I finished working in Plymouth and moved away from an idyllic place to live.

This is the view from my living room window – what I saw every morning drinking my coffee, coming to and getting up to speed for the day.
And in the evening …….

This is one of the views from outside the building – a quiet walk along the promenade most evenings looking at this vista, winding down from the hectic activities of the day.

Working in Plymouth was my return to the working world. It was a challenge – stressful work days, helping to mend an organisation that was “broke” and needed fixing, getting up to speed remembering legislation and policy, learning a new computerised database, absorbing details of cases and remembering staff and colleague’s names. Fighting the brain fog that kept hanging around – and the fatigue which lingered on and on.

Living at Royal William Yard and savouring the weekends with Carol - at the beach, exploring Cornwall and Devon, shopping for and cooking the wonderful local fresh fish. All this provided a welcome respite and contrast. And has given me many happy memories.

Today I am missing living in Plymouth.

Just opening this blog and not seeing “My ‘Hepatitis C’ Weblog” at the top of the page is so liberating.

Previously I have rigorously kept all my blogging ‘on topic’ about my experience of HepC. After treatment and recovery I felt like I have less and less to say because I no longer have HepC. Great gaps in time between blog entries illustrate that.

It’s only now that I see a different title to this blog I realise how much I did need to refresh and change the header. And that I still do have lots to say – about living without HepC. I don’t have to restrict myself to writing about HepC. There are other things in my life too.

This is the view from where I sit while I’m at work. Canal boats and walkers pass by occasionally.

I have just started a new consultancy assignment and I am enjoying my new work environment.

Technologically modern and sleek juxtaposed to the countryside and flowing water. Just thought I would share that.

Time for a refresh I thought, so out with the old look and in with the new.

Many thanks to Ben. As usual it took him two minutes to do what I had spent hours trying to begin. That’s why he’s a consultant developer to MySpace in Los Angeles and I’m not.

And time for a new title – and some other changes. One step at a time …

If you’ve landed here looking for my online diary of Hepatitis C treatment, click on the links below.

You can read it in two different formats - so choose which you prefer.
1. The original Blog format - written in reverse chronological order (ie - most recent entry at the top of the computer screen)
2. Book format - where the entries are arranged in chronological order

Good news! I have now completed the 48 weeks and successfully cleared the virus. I have achieved SVR as they say in the HepC world – Sustained Viral Response. SVR means the virus is undetectable in my blood each time they test it. The testing procedures are able to detect “down to” less than 20 copies per million. Until the tests are developed to detect down to 0 copies per million no one can be labelled “cured”.

That means there is a less than 1% chance that the virus is still there lurking and hiding. But, hey, there is a 1% chance that anyone walking about in the UK has the virus without knowing it, so I reckon my chances are about the same as anyone else out there.

1. BLOG FORMAT
Click here to read the blog in original format from the beginning…
When you click on the link you will be at the first entry. Read from the bottom of the page to the top and navigate to new pages following the Next Entries < < or > > Previous Entries hyperlinks (in light blue) at the top and bottom of the current page. Then use the Archives to open each months entries, clicking < < Previous Entries and scrolling to the bottom of the page to get to the first entries of the month.

2. BOOK FORMAT
Click on the link below to download .pdf file.

My Hepatitis C Treatment Weeks 1 - 48

You will need Adobe Reader to open .pdf files. (Get a free download copy from Adobe.com)
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on THURSDAY 6th DECEMBER 2007

Pauline Hennessey of the UK Hepatitis C Resource Centre recently sent me an email about this conference.

This event is FREE for anyone living with Hepatitis C. Friends, family, carers and professionals affected by hepatitis C are also welcome.

The event offers a series of talks from nurse, doctors and local agencies to give an update and overview on what is now known about Hepatitis C, its treatment, support, care and well-being for all concerned in layman’s terms. This event has played an important role in the past as it allows people to come and meet others living with Hepatitis C, listening to experiences and tips they have living with or overcoming the virus. Afternoon workshops on the day are chance to ask questions or simply listen to items of most interest.

A full programme and more information can be found at the UK Hepatitis C Resource Centre website

I am really sorry I cannot attend this year. Carol and I are going to attend some teachings from the Dalai Lama which we had booked months and months ago.

The first year I attended this event however stands out in my memory very vividly. I had been diagnosed for a few months and was still reeling with all it means to find out you have a serious illness. To spend the day with hundreds of others who have the same diagnosis was very special. I was not alone. I learned more about the virus and living with it - and met people who were going through treatment. It was a very powerful experience. So this event is one I would recommend to people.