Yay Ziggy

Im so so so happy for you. That dragon is well and truly gone.

HUGE one year congrats Zig! Ched said it all - what a year it has been for you, you deserve an easier time of it. More reward and a lot less trouble! Things have to get better now. 

Do not sweat the no smoking thing, it will happen. Glad to hear you will not be doing the Champix (as long as you are certain it does not help), i certainly had a bad experience with it (at least I think so, my opinion of course), maybe you did find it helpful (I am not sure what your critique of Champix was, overall). I was EVER-so-hopeful that Champix would make things easier for me, as it has for others i had heard about, but ... it seemed to have had detrimental effects for me. I think the smoking-cessation hypnosis session i had was helpful though, and everything else i did (basically all at the same time - double/triple whammies, everything I could think of that might be helpful) - something worked, I think mostly my desperation to be successful in quitting worked best. I said I had only had one shot at stopping my chain smoking, and so far I have had not one puff in just over a year, except for in cruel dreams. 

They say ... those who have quit, but then start smoking again, and then try to quit again/and start again, etc., etc., ... that seesawing back and forth, they will eventually win the battle and quit for good - I am betting you are going to do just that. 

Man, if lifelong chainsmokin-me can do it, you will too some day. You have already done it and know you can do it - so you will do it in future. When the conditions are right you will. I hope your Mom will be able to as well. 

I am glad you and your Mom have a place now. : )  C. 

yay ziggy! cured

Outstanding Ziggy! I am so happy for you. That is the nail in your Dragon's coffin, let it disappear into the flames. The one year SVR confirmation was an important and meaningful landmark in my quest. You did it my friend, well done!

Mega HOORAY, Ziggy.  You can lay that to rest now.  I hope all the rest is coming along, too.  What a year you have had.

Got my one year after treatment blood work results in.

RESULTS:. CURED.

Will be posting blood work soon.  

Cold Turkey, the only way to go! Your smoking stress story is probably a common one, don't be too hard on yourself, we cope how we can.

So glad to hear you have a roof!!! What a relief! , but sad about your town. My grandparents had lived there once upon a time. Actually Magalia.

Best wishes as you move forward through this tragedy, I am heartbroken about your photos too, what a loss.

Bb, Iris

...

Hi Observer, 5-1-18, Cheddy AND TIG!!!

Well, I don't want to waist the board with my fire story.  This forum is about Hep C.  Not sure if I explained before what happened.  Did any of you accept my suggestion to join me on Facebook?  If so, you would have known what was up every step of the way.

We were in a motel for a month with my daughters family....6 of us.  My daughter and granddaughter, husband and their mother in law relocated to another county in Northern CA.  They were all homeless for three months.  My mom and I stayed near Chico where my other job is.  (I lost the one at the hospital due to the fire).  So yes, I'm still working part time.  I was homeless for 5 months.

Five months is a long time.  There already was a housing crisis before and after the fire, 52,000 people came off that hill and became homeless overnight.  There are still THOUSANDS still living in RVs and trailers, hotels, their cars and couch surfing like we were.

I lost ALL MY PHOTOGRAPHY.  This is what stabs me in the heart.

Anyway, I still haven't written my story yet, but should do it soon.

But I have my own roof over my head now, so time to get on with it.  

Starting to make Drs appointments now including my bloodwork for Hep C.  I had just done my 3 month bloodwork just before the fire.  The fire was on Nov 8th, 2018.  So I passed the 6 month period while I was homeless.  

The bad news is .......  I started smoking again.  As soon as we got out of driving alive through the fire, we all lit up.  Even my 75 year old mother.  Ekkkkk.....

GOALS:  Doctors appointments and quit smoking.  But this time I'm not doing the Chantix.  Hell no.  lol

I'll catch up soon with bloodwork results.  

Peace.....

Ziggy

It is wonderful to hear from you, Ziggy.  I knew you were out there struggling your way back to shelter but didn't know much else. The loss of cell phone explains a lot.  

I'm sooo glad you have a place to live.  Make as cool as you can.  Whatever it is, it's YOUR home.

Excellent news that you are HepC Free!!!!  One less big thing to worry about.  Have you found work?

With the new, effective DAAs, we aren't in demand in the way we once were.  People are cruising through nicely these day. Still, it is nice to hear from old friends and survivors.  And you!  Your are a Triple Star Trooper for sure!

Best to you and your mother, too, Ziggy.

Hey Ziggy!

Welcome back! We wondered how you were coming along and I’m so glad you are starting to get things back in some degree of order. I hope you and Mom are both enjoying that roof over your head, it doesn’t matter the type or size, it’s yours!

How sad there are so many people still suffering. Natural disasters can be devastating while they’re happening, but the suffering tends to come afterward, as you can attest. You have shown us that you’re a survivor and a compassionate one. Your Mom is blessed to have a daughter like you, she probably agrees whole heartedly!

I look forward to hearing from you soon 

good to hear from you ziggy , and so glad to hear you have a home after all you've been thru.

Oh Ziggy, 

it is such a relief to see you again  

Boy oh boy you sure did get cured just in time. Cant imagine how difficult it has been for you  being homeless. 

Its so great and exciting that you have a roof over your heads and can start anew. 

Oh lovely! THAT's more like it - a good ole report (in full)! I am glad to hear your good news (thats fer sure) and along with many others I am still lamenting the bad fortune you have been having to endure. But I'm sure glad to hear from you though, I wondered when we would. So nice to hear the tickity-tackity of your digits tapping across the keyboard again - keep us posted just when and as you can. 

You got cured just in time, didn't you, before all life as we know it changed so radically and all hell broke loose.

Yes, long and difficult (I'll say)! I am soooo glad for that roof over your head. Later, when you can. So glad you wrote.  : )

CANUCK !!!!!!!!!!

OMG you guys....I have been trying to find this site for so long.  I must of googled 50 sites to fnd this one.   So much has happened since the California Paradise Camp Fire which burned our whole town down.

First, my cell phone I had for 3 years died.  Perfect timing right?  While I'm homeless, dealing with survivor mode, etc...  So I finally get a new phone.  That's why I lost contact with you guys.  

But..GUESS WHAT?  I just found a place to live on April 5th!!!!  My mom and I got the keys.  We were homeless for FIVE STRAIGHT MONTHS.  So fortunate we found something cause there are still thousands homeless here from this fire.  Nothing for rent anywhere.  Been looking from here to Oregon.  Nothing.

I'm going from a huge three bedroom stick home, 2 car garage, huge yard to a small, crappy single wide trailer.  But we don't care.  We are so happy to have a roof over our head.

I just wanted to update you guys on my situation.  And special thanks to you who helped me during my time of trial tribulation.  You know who you are.  

Not sure when my next bloodwork will be.  The hospital is out of service.  I will have to contact my Dr somehow.  I'll keep you guys updated now that I got your link back on my cell.

Yay!  Not homeless anymore.  This was a long, difficult one.  CATASTROPHIC. 

Peace...

Ziggy

ZIGGY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   : ) 

Huh, what? (Women of few words) - nice to hear from you, but .... where IS the rest of your "update" aside from the title of "update" you wrote here? I'm just a dying to hear more good words from ya!  :) C.

Congratulations Zig on your UND (and the other good bloodwork). I am glad you found a facility to get your labs done. Your UND is one piece of very good news for you (and for all of us), at least a comfort for you after the other such terrible times you and your family have been forced through because of the fires.

Good, you at least received those verbals, that all your labs were normal. Nice your iron load has resolved itself. With your 8 weeks of Mav ending June, this UND actually adds up to being 6 months later, so technically you are SVR24! I am so glad you are cured up - one less thing (one less really big thing!) that you don't have to deal with anymore - you need all of your strength, will and attention to deal with the rest of what is happening to you right now - so good you have no need to fret about having a hep c infection anymore.

Thank you for keeping us updated here, on this part, and, via your go-fund-me-page updates.    https://www.gofundme.com/camp-fire-homeless-victim

You are smart and strong, and resilient (for sure!), as proven by how MUCH of a survivor you have been and are - keep pulling, we know you are doing your very best and that is all one can do under these difficult circumstances. You will get things sorted one way or another, but i am sorry for the troubles you have now. One small HUGE thing is not having HCV on top of anything! Thinking you you, and wishing things would start going easier /your way. I am so happy you have this UND under your belt. C.

Ziggy,

Very glad to hear your bloodwork is outstandingly perfect

It sucks that you lost your records and medical history, but what matters most is that you are a survivor.

Thanks for letting us know. 

I hope 2019 will be a good year for you

Hi Ziggy,

I‘m so glad you checked in. How’s Mom doing and the rest of your family? Please let them all know your cyber family is thinking about them!

I know you’re relieved to get back all of those excellent test results. I‘m sorry you lost all of your personal records and journal. The results are what’s most important today and they’re perfect. I think the old records will be in the Cloud somewhere and recoverable. Your insurance company should be able to track down some, if not all of them. The one that’s most important has been determined, Undetected and that alone is reason to celebrate!

Keep us updated when you have two minutes to yourself. I imagine there aren’t enough hours in the day right now to even think straight. We’re always here for you

ZIGGY Good to hear from you!

So glad about the SVR, Congratulations!...you did good. One your way to "outstanding" health , perhaps those bad memories can be left in the ashes. Thanks for checking in'

BB, Iris

so glad you can continue forward knowing that you are cured. maybe there will be some online lab reports you can get copies of when you find home base.

cured... what a nice word. hang in there

Hey Ziggy!  Congratulations of the SVR12!!!!!!  "Outstandingly perfect" is what we all want to hear when our doctor reports our labs.

So much was lost in the fire.  Sooo sorry  It must be strange to lose those personal accounts.  You will soon be a certified expert in leaving the past behind to create the future.

My congratulations and my sympathy.

Thanks so much for checking in.  We've missed you.

Update:

I found a lab and did my bloodwork.  My Hep C DR called me and said ALL my bloodwork is.....outstandingly perfect.  Even my iron levels are normal.  No viral load...etc...

Due to my whole town burning down, there is no hospital up there...no medical records.  I think I may have found a place where I can get my records.

All my medical records of my whole life are gone now too.  All my breast cancer and...I had a whole notebook with all my HEP C stuff, all organized in order.  When my whole house burnt....that went too.

But...I guess I can get the last results that shows....I am a survivor, 3 months after my treatment.

Thank you EVERYONE ... That has supported me.

Be back soon with results bloodwork.

Love yas...

-- Edited by Ziggy65 on Wednesday 26th of December 2018 01:28:43 AM

Thanks for the update, Ziggy, and for checking in.

Talk about one day at a time! You just keep taking steps in the right direction.  This is such a huge thing to rebuild but you will rebuild it. I guess you are forced to give it time.  Give yourself credit right now for your strength and compassion. 

                        We will continue on your GoFundMe campaign as we can afford to.  I know ever dollar counts.

Are there any job prospects out there, other hospitals?  

Let us know when you get your bloodwork, but don't fret. Keep planning the party.

Cheddy

Hi Ziggy,

Thanks for the update. I check on you daily and am relieved to hear from you. Thank goodness you have found a place to land, even if temporary. Recovery starts with baby steps and you’ll be running in no time, I’m sure of it. Your daughter is made of the same steel you are, together you will both succeed. Hopefully you’ll be able to put your heads together now that you have made this first step and can find the lodging she will need. 

If you can get back to work in a larger facility, maybe they’ll have lab services that can do your blood work. Either way, you’ll get it done and the results will be party worthy! I’m sure of that, too!

thanks for checking in with us Zig 

Stay strong Zig. You CAN do this - YOU can do anything!, and you will, because you have to. Keep pulling, there is only one direction to go - forward. Keep trying, keep fighting, keep looking - you will get there, it will come, bit by bit - first steps first, you are right to concentrate on getting at least you and your Mom better situated. We can only imagine how hard this all is for you (and many), thank goodness you are made of such strong resourceful stuff. WE are all so sorry for all you are having to go through. There will be a time when this starts to turn, at least a little bit, more and more to your favour. I hope very soon. Hang in there. We know you are doing the very best you can - proud of you for being SUCH a survivor. C.

Thanks for checking in Ziggy. Ill continue sending you my very best wishes during this horrible time. And much love and admiration for your courage and grace too

UPDATE:

Greetings my lovely Hep C Family.

We all have 2 more nights here at the hotel.  I am going to have to split up from the rest of family, take my 75 yr old mother and go live in a strangers bedroom so I can go back to work.  It is a (spiritual) sister...so we will be safe.

My daughters family on the other hand still have no place to go.  They are looking for a 3 bedroom house to rent.  But there seems to be nothing left in Chico due to 30,000 others that have become homeless due to this disaster.  Therefore...I am on edge..leaving them here at this hotel.

We can't get anything done here for this hotel is on top of a mountain, no cell phone reception and no gas station.  You have to fill up before you get up here.

IThe hospital burnt down but I think I found a place I can go get my....3 months after treatment....bloodwork.

I will update soon.

Love you ALL!!!####

Cheddy wrote:

---

Done. 

If you can afford to help, here's the link to get Ziggy on her feet and into a home (somewhere).  It also provides more information about her situation. 

                            https://www.gofundme.com/camp-fire-homeless-victim

If you can't afford anything - no guilt.

 

---

 bumping for ease of use

Very good you did the go-fund-me page. Wish we had additional ways to help. Just keep doing whatever you can and the best you can to find a new locale for you and your family Ziggy. We already know how strong and diligent you are - be steadfast. Please check in when you are able. C.

Hey Zigs,

We’re one big family... Our bond is forever! Hold onto hope, Sister.

Thankful because

                        "I'm alive"    ...

Oh my gosh you guys...

You are all angels sent from heaven.  Everyone that is helping us are nearly strangers.  You guys, Facebook associates, RedCross, FEMA.  I dont know what to say.

Feel free to add me on Facebook so you can get my uodates if you'd like.  Just make sure you put from Hep C Forum so I know whom you are.  I don't add if I don't know who they are.  Most of the peeps on there are my music festival friends.  I go by (River Jaye) on FB.  

I am thankful today to have my family with me and were all alive.

I guess Im a survivor of breast cancer, Hep C and a survivor of life.  Almighty God must want me here for a reason.

I not going anywhere. I will always be on this forum.

Love you all.

Peace!

-- Edited by Ziggy65 on Thursday 22nd of November 2018 02:48:36 PM

Done. 

If you can afford to help, here's the link to get Ziggy on her feet and into a home (somewhere).  It also provides more information about her situation. 

                            https://www.gofundme.com/camp-fire-homeless-victim

If you can't afford anything - no guilt.

Hi Ziggy,

So glad to hear from you and to know you’re safe. Far from okay, but safe and that’s important. I’m happy that you’re with your family and have a roof over your head. We all wish we could take some of the weight off your shoulders. It must be terribly stressful right now. Don’t let those old habits take over your line of thinking. Do your best to drop the smoking, I know how easy it is to slip. 

Don’t worry too much about your blood work. It will continue to be undetected, I’m sure of that. Don’t forget to keep taking care of yourself, hydrating and rest, when time permits. I can’t imagine how much you’re juggling right now. I’m thankful you are able to spend Thanksgiving safely and with your family.

Thanks for the funding information. I encourage everyone than can afford to help, to do so. Every dollar helps! This will help Ziggy (River) and those she is taking care of. 

Ziggy's Help Line

Sending you all my best prayers and well wishes Ziggy. Hang in there darling.

on it zig. so glad you added the link. hope i can help more after the weekend.

i'm so sorry this is happening to you and your loved ones.

5

ZIGGY!!!

Am I ever glad to hear from you. I cannot begin to imagine this devastation. It's like I have smoke in my own eyes. So many of you!  Are people coming together?  Are there any decent public resources?  Insurance?  Are you working?  Nurses have got to be in high demand.

I will check out your GoFundMe page for a means of lending a hand.  Learn to except help.  Fact is, everybody needs it. You give it all of the time.

Keep that River flowing. If at all tolerable now, put out the cigarettes, girlfriend.  Won't help. Maybe that's another time.

All the best to you and yours.

BTW, I read a good article in the New York Times today online.  I think it's called Giving Thanks Without Rolling Your Eyes.  It's excellent for the details and there is something for everyone.

More to you soon.

Cheddy

I was suppose to do my blood draw this upcoming week.  The hospital burnt down.  The whole town.

I'm devistated.  Everything is gone.  It was a nightmere trying to excape fir the whole town was blowing up everywhere.

I hate excepting help.  But I do have a GoFundMe thing going on.

https://www.gofundme.com/camp-fire-homeless-victim

Part of my story is on there.  I go by River.

I am at a hotel with family.  We made it out alive. Tomorrow us Thanksgiving and the town is bringing us dinner.  Then we all have to split up and go find places to live.

Ill updatelater

PS:  I started smoking again.

Ziggy

Oh how awful Ziggy. I'm so sorry. We all want to try and help in any way we can. Please do (when you can) do the paypal thing Tig suggested, or some alternative like that, and/or PM Cheddy, so we can all try to figure out how to help. Do what you have to do, I know you already are. Our hearts and minds are with you. C. 

Oh Ziggy, I am saddened for you by this news. It is hard to imagine how hard this must be for you. I asked a large group today before meditation to remember you, Iris and others in California. Please be as gentle with yourself as possible..as I write that I wonder under the circumstances if it could sound trite..but know my intention is in the best way for you to be gentle and kind to yourself and accept the help that comes your way. I'm with Tig, if we can help let us know. Thinking of you with empathy and compassionately.

ps

Sending all my prayers and well wishes to you Ziggy and all the other people suffering from these fires and tragedies. Please do let us know how we can help financially.

Listen to Cheddy! Provide us with a PayPal link and we can try to help you get through this. Let us know what you need. We’re here for you... 

Ziggy,

You must be inundated but when you have a chance please let us know how we can help.  If it is with emergency funds, we will need some personal information.  You can send me a private message and I'll see what I can do.

Oh dear Ziggy, I'm so sorry to hear your bad news. I do hope you will find somewhere to sleep. Perhaps the hospital down in Chico will have a job or resources?

Sad sad news for you and your town, such a beautiful place too, my bio grandparents had lived Magalia when they were alive. Didn't know that town burned too, the coverage down here is not good as the are focused on the Woolsey fire in the news. 

Say, did the Honey Run bridge burn too? Can't remember how far it was from Paradise but it didn't seem far. That would be a tragedy too since it's the only covered bridge in California.

Sending you healing energy. Animals ok? >>hugs <<

Iris

Hey Ziggy,

I‘m so saddened by your news. The pictures I’m seeing each hour this fire continues it’s wrath, the worse they get. Is there anything that we can do for you, individually or as a group? I know there are members in your area that might be able to shed more light on available resources and as Cheddy mentioned, we can mobilize ourselves individually and send some things to help. How tragic for all involved. Iris mentioned being close to the danger, too. There are fires everywhere. 

Please keep us informed, when possible and above all else, stay safe. You are in our hearts, thoughts and prayers...

Ziggy 

well holy sh!t I am so so sorry for you. Hope you got pets and ones away from the fire. Weve been seeing footage on our news, terrifying, heartbreaking and horrifying...looks like hell instead of paradise.

I sure hope you can find a safe place to be.

Oh Ziggy, I hope you are coping, just don't know how in these circumstances. The worse possible consequences for someone caught up in a fire, I have had fire go either side of my house so know the fear, but I didn't loose everything. All my thoughts and prayers.