Hepatitis C Support Group

Hepatitis C is a blood-borne viral disease which can cause liver inflammation, fibrosis, cirrhosis and liver cancer. The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is spread by blood-to-blood contact with an infected person's blood. Many people with HCV infection have no symptoms and are unaware of the need to seek treatment. Hepatitis C infects an estimated 150-200 million people worldwide.

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ralop 09/27/2012

My name is TerrieAnn. I am 52 years old, and 5 years older than my kid brother. My nick name in a different support group is 'Stubborn,' & I wear the name proudly. ( Most of the time.) I am hoping to find accurate information and honest communication from any one in the group who's willing to help me to help him. My Brother is in the diagnosis process with liver biopsy next Tuesday !0/02/2012. I am completely ignorant about any of this other than having friends who've passed away from it or complications from it. I am frightened. I am trying to be supportive of what ever his decisions are. Afraid I need to educate myself in a real hurry, but have no idea where to go on internet for accurate information. I have been a member of D.S. (Daily Strength) for many tears now for my own illnesses and know that there is no better place to go for support. So.... I am here asking for any/all of you, who are willing to be candid & truthful about yourselves, experiences & anywhere else I should go for info or support., I Also want to tell you in advance how much I appreciate what help I know I will find here. He was diagnosed very late,(possible years) not knowing he was sick, or with what or why, because of lack of medical insurance. He was also misdiagnosed by a couple of docs in past 2 years when he did find enough funds to try to see someone. I am frightened, but working hard to stay in the moment. Thinking mostly about how I can be of help & support for what ever is coming next for him and the rest of the family.. I cannot sit & type for long because of my own disabilities, so I will go now. I just wanted to begin to get not so darn ignorant as quickly as possible. I don't know how fast this is going to all happen and I want to be the big sister I have always been and be there for him no matter what. We became suddenly abandoned when mom died when I was 16 & he was 11, so we have been very tight, & through a lot of life together. Hoping you all have the best night possible (or day) depending where you are on this earth of ours.

In Love, Light, Truth, & Service,
"Stubborn" TerrieAnn
ralop

jester18 09/27/2012

Welcome to our wonderful group, TerrieAnne. You and your brother will find much info and advice here. First of all try not to worry too much - hep C is a slow moving disease. There are a couple new treatments available that are very effective and some even better ones with fewer side effects coming in a couple of years. Your brothers doctor will decide what to do once the biopsy results come back. In the mean time read some older threads here to find out about the new treatment (called triple therapy). Many people here are doing triple and some (myself included) have finished already. Treatment lasts 24 or sometimes 48 weeks, and isn't pleasant but in my opinion is very much worth it. Good luck to you and your brother! Please let us know how the biopsy turns out.

Jess

jester18 09/27/2012

Here's another DS support group to check out, for new members:

http://www.dailystrength.org/groups/newbie-corner

deleted_user 09/27/2012

Hi ralop.................welcome to the group:):)...........The guys offered some good advice...................learn all you can, read the older threads, ask questions................lots of good folks here:):)

Sorry you have to be here, but glad ya found us:):):)

Sarpsis 09/27/2012

Hi ralop,

This is a great site to learn from. Lot's of facts and education about HCV on it. Some people here post from this site when there's new treatments coming. I have been reading their site for years and highly recommend it.

http://www.hcvadvocate.org/

Other wise, we're all here to help, so ask any specific questions that you may have. There are no dumb ones at all!
Take care,
kelly

deleted_user 09/27/2012

Wlcome TerrieAnn

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