What is Cirrhosis
Cirrhosis is a consequence of chronic liver disease characterized by replacement of liver tissue by fibrotic scar tissue as well as regenerative nodules, leading to progressive los...
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the stigma of hep c
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I will be going for a visit to my hometown in Chicago in a month. When I first found out that I had Hep C, I told my Mother, Father & Sister. 3 yrs. later I visited my parents & someone said that I drank out of my nephew's wife's glass. (not true). She was pregnant at the time. The next thing I know I am restricted from home get togethers, but not restaurant family dinners where apparently everyone can sit very far away from me. I was humilated & just plain in a stupor that these so-called intelligent people thought I was contagious by a hug, a kiss or sharing of a glass. I left abruptly. My Dad asked me to stay. He had some tears -- the first time I saw that since my Grandfather died. Sadly, this was the last time I saw my Dad. Now my great neice will be 3 yrs. old. My Mom said how excited she was that I was coming to see her. Then she said if Arlene, (nephew's mother-in-law) is there for the birthday party, she will stay home with me & we will have our own birthday party for her later. After Dad died my neice, Michelle, hugged me & said everything was her fault because her mother, Arlene, has liver problems, that she told her how "catchie it is. Mmm, I thought, wonder how she has those health problems, but did not question it.
Has anyone else experienced the stigma of Hep C? I don't seem to be able to get over the anger of stupid people & their ideas about Hep C & because I let them run me away, I never saw my Dad again. I should have stayed. I just didn't know Dad would leave us..... and it hurts .... patti Posted on 06/23/09, 02:06 am |
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While I have not had that experience with others acting like you have "cooties", I wanted to tell you how sorry I am for the loss of your Dad. That loss along with the other treatment makes the loss even worse for you (I would imagine).
YOu would think with all the info available these days that people would try to educate themselves a little when a loved one has any type of illness or disease so that they can be supportive in whatever capacity they can....even with just the family get togethers. Again, let me say that I am sorry for what happened to you. Its such a shame and people should think about the fact that NONE of us know what tomorrow brings and we have no guarantees. Any of us can become ill or have an accident that leaves a disabilty, etc. Its just sad that so many people choose to be in the dark about health issues. 
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the best thing you can do is educate them. If you recall people were ignorant about AIDS as well....
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Hi Patty,
Sorry to hear about your Dad....my condolences. I know how bad it hurts when something like that happens. After telling my mom I had hepc she invited me over for a family dinner. After dinner she went to do the dishes. I noticed she took out a bottle of bleach and put some into the wash water. I was stunned! She never washes her dishes in bleach and I could'nt believe what I was seeing. When your family won't take the time to educate themselves about a disease and then acts that way can be very hurful. I'm sorry you had to go through that.
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Just reading your replies has made me feel better. You are all so kind. I have sent many educational material to my sister, nephew & neice in-law. My Mom is not the problem. Mom still is confused about Hep A, B, C & all the alphabet. Gotta love her, she's 83 & very fieisty.
Nanniegea, I can't wait to tell my Mom about dishwashing w/bleach. Washing dishes is actually the only thing I was allowed to do around my sister. So, I think I'll just sit that dance out!! Thank you for letting me vent. And I am looking forward to visiting my Mom & my neices. God Bless You All.
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My husband was diagnosed with Hep C about 4 years ago. We told very few people. We have school aged children and worried that this would have a negative impact on them. Last fall my husband progressed to liver cancer. I did let people know he had cancer but disclosed to very few that it was secondary to hepC/cirrhosis. In recent months I have been telling more and more people. I approach it in a very matter of fact way. I do not apologize for it. I do not want my kids to feel they need to be ashamed of their dad. It is one less burden I have to carry. People will say/do whatever they are going to say and do. I can't control that. He is getting closer to transplant and it is more likely that people will find out about HepC. I would rather they hear it from me. And if they shun us? Well it's like mom always said, "If they are really your true friends it shouldn't matter. If it does matter to them, who needs them!"
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It's just crazy. Anyway I don't tell anyone I have cirrhosis, cause they will think it was because I was drinking too much - and I was.
Both my hep and my gi said that, although the drinking did not help my situation, but by any standard, I had not drunk long enough for it to be the cause - My wife made sure to tell him exactly all about my drinking habits - and since I was well beyond overweight for the last 15-20 years, they put all their money on fat as the cause. That said, I was drinking too much and have cirrhosis, so I feel it is no use advertising it just give a mile long explanation that people won't feel inclined to believe.
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My advice is to just keep quiet.There are so many people who just don't understand much and when you tell them you have Hep C they act like you have AIDS! I am not in your situation (but I do have Hep C) so I cannot really give a lot of advice, BUT did you ever tell them that it is a blood to blood transmission and not from hugging and sharing a glass?
Also I personally stay away from conventional doctors because they just issue death sentences. From reading thousands of alternative articles on cirrhosis, I know it is reversible. The liver is the only organ that is able to regenerate itself and I like to use a starfish as an example. Cut off a leg and it will regrow. It is all about immune systems being in tip top shape. Also many, many people have gallstones (whether you have liver problems or not) which cause the liver pain and I have a simple recipe that will REMOVE gallstones OVERNIGHT without surgery like the doctors LOVE to do. Message me if more info is desired. I have pictures of the gallstones expelled from my liver last year. I feel the pain again and and know I must do another flush. People with cirrhosis will have gallstones even if 'doctors' tell you that you don't. They are not God and do not know much. They treat symptoms instead treating the "cause" of symptoms.
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I'm not commenting on the original post in anyway and I hate the stigma attached to liver disease in general, but You all need to know this.
Hepatitis can be passed in all the same ways as Aids. It is possible to get hep c by sharing a straw or dollar bill to snort cocaine or anything else. That being said your families reaction is not rational. Do some research and present them with the documentation and tell them you expect to be treated reasonably from this point forward. stand up for yourself and then tell them you will be responsible to make sure you do nothing to put them at risk. If they don't agree fire them.
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I think there is a stigma of any type of 'cirrhosis' - just mention the word and people assume you are a chronic alcoholic. I'm not sure most people would even associate cirrhosis with HepC. I'm also not sure most people know what HepC even is!!!!
I have no issues about saying that I have cirrhosis and that it was caused by alcohol. To head off any negativity, I also add that anyone who is predisposed to the disease can get it just by having 2-3 drinks a day. This approach is extremely effective especially when used around people who are drinking, cos all you have to do is to look at the drink in their hand and ask them when they last had their liver enzymes checked!!! :-) This of course leaves you standing on the moral high ground and leaves them wondering how much they actually drink!!!! Craig
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Psyops!
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