Cirrhosis Support Group

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