oops i pushed the button too quickly ...eager beaver:P
I am wondering this because i am reading a bit about Hep C on the websites and none really mention what people can do to actually support someone they all tell you about the symptoms and causes etc but they don't say gee go smack your buddy's bum and yell tag your it...only jokes they don't really talk much about what family and friends can do to make you feel good when you feel like shit!

i mean Tattman and Kathren give me loads of shit cause it makes them laugh...lol!...but what does everyone else do?

just be there for them,i am sure is priceless....(like this site)

Just be there to listen and when the patient gets weepy, let them cry. When they get angry, let them vent. When they are tired, let them sleep. Keep it simple:)

Everyone's right. You just have to have a good support system. Don't be afraid to tell everyone close to you. And educate everyone you do tell. Give them the link to this site.

my family really disappointed me while i was on tx. they never offered help. they were there but not very helpful. i was sick, tired and depressed. my house was dirty constantly. it was a struggle to go buy groceries! i need some one to help me with every day things and emotional things. be there fore them listen, but also offer to help w/ everyday chores. if they say its not necessary tell them you are doing it anyway, no one wants to be a bother, so he/she may be reluctant to accept. i am writing this b/c it really hurt me when my family did not even offer to help me. hope this helps.

For me, just having someone give me an ear and listen, to validate my feelings through just letting me feel the way I am feeling at that moment, not always trying to find the positive, on those days I just need to experience the sadness of having a life threatening illness, and to just trust the person will find there way back to the positive, and not always rush us to get there, validate validate validate! Good for you for asking, you are a great person! Thanks

Just be there for them, if they need something, get it for them, ect...

I remember when on tx, I didn't want anyone around.

When my bedroom door was closed, they (family) knew not to disturb me, especially with that ribarage, they didn't dare bother me, believe me....lol

No but, being on tx, there are lots of things we struggle on doing, so even just ask if they need a water bottle, or ask if they need anything brought up to them.

Laundry, I remember my mom would come and pick up my laundry, believe me I appreciated that one.

Answering the phone was a no no for me, I didn't want to talk to no one, and please no visitors.

A good website for a person on tx, is a must.

A daily journal also really helps.

Just be there for that person, little things makes a hugue difference when your soo sick that just getting up to get something to eat or drink can be hard on some days.

Offer to do the food shopping, see I did isolate myself during my journey, so the less people around me was the best medicine for me.

Unfortunately I let treatment control me instead of me controling the treatment.

Good luck
Mckenzie
one day at the time

McKenzie is right ya know.(She's the Bomb) But One thing I love about you is that ever since I have met you!! Not once did we ever talk about Me and Hep/C or whatever about my sickness!! It keeps my mind off of my shit in my body. Its what makes our relationship so special to me. Just like ALL MY DS friends here. Luaghter is the best Medicine Sister, And I cant type all my 117 friends here on this post but they are all special to me and everyone else here on DS too.So with that Rambling of mine I love ya sis!!

One big one for me. Don't ask me how I am doing and then try to invalidate my answer by making comments about me being negative when I feel like crap and tell you so. I agree positive thinking goes a long way but sometimes we fell so bad that it just doesn't cut it. There is one couple who still does this to me. I know they mean well but it got so I don't even want to talk to them about it because I know they don't really want to hear how I feel, just how they want me to feel.

Help with chores. We had a couple who came by and cleared and burned off our garden when the season was over. They also mowed the lawn and picked up our mail and newspapers the whole time that I was in the hospital because Vickey was staying with me. When it was time for me to come home, they bought fresh milk, O.J, and other basics for us so Vickey wouldn't have to leave me alone the first couple of days home.

Those things mean so much when you are feeling like crap from tx or other illness.

Very good ?. I agree w/everything said by all...my best support is hubby cause he is always here for me doing everything he can in way of emotional/physical support...also family, small things like daughter bringing me doggie bags of food, just hugs from friends and support....I also tend to isolate and when w/groups don't want to go into details about all that's going on-prefer to just say I'm doing good...if I want to go into details w/someone I will and I appreciate people understanding that. I sent email to all family/friends explaining this and all have respected...just knowing you are not alone and that you have love/support of others w/o being smoothered is important to me....also writing in JI and sharing details there I won't burden family with. I wish you the best of luck and know that we at DS are all here for same reason-to support each other on this journey!

My God! My wife Margaret starts tx Jan 18th. I've learned a lot so far about being a caregiver to her, but I wonder how I'm really gonna be. I have so many health issues too. It's gonna be a wild ride and I'll try and do my best.

You whitty character, ribbing us, your lame 80's music. Just be you your doing great

Hey Keyz-as I said in my hug I got her tx date on my calendar and will be following both ya in your journey as best I can...I know you will do well as you have such a big heart-(hint-just keep plenty of your xanax handy (lol) I know it will be hard especially w/your kids too....but me and DS friends will be here for ya dear xoxo