Hey Sticker,

You're so right. Those old drugs were killing us. I've never been so sick... ugh! Looking forward to some good news.

Hey Sticker...still waiting on my RNAs too!  Since its a holiday weekend will probably be Tuesday.  Like you, I havent felt bad at all...knock on wood!  All my regular comprehensive labs are good so Im also hoping for a good RNA.

I agree with you guys, they are some promising numbers! I am anxious to know if Missus B comes out with some sweet digits from her labs too. I will post the PCRNA just as quick as I get it. This treatment is so surreal because I havent felt bad at all. The old treatments made us so sick that you almost felt reassured that the virus was being killed because it felt like the host was being killed. That is NOT how things went down though. Hep C was unfazed by all that poison I pumped into my body. Not this time.

Yay Sticker!!  Great enzymes!  Cant wait to hear what your viral load is...Im anxiouly waiting on mine too.

Awesome! Those are happy enzymes

Yay! Really nice Sticker, that your ALT/AST are finally within normal limits (for once - as you put it) - that has to feel reeeeeally good.  Won't be long now, your inevitable success is forthcoming.  : )  C.

Those are mighty fine looking enzyme numbers...

in B.C. they have to send the viral load tests to a different lab so it always took longer here too, the wait is excruciating...but those alt and ast paint a very good picture already 

oh yea, lets get the party started here! good liver enzymes are a great way to know that the medicine is taking over and eating up all those bugs. 

Nice ALT and AST, Sticker.  Can't wait to hear more.

Well only a portion of the labs have shown up so far! The result I was most interested in, the HCV RNA hasnt shown up yet, I have to wait a bit longer, dang! My liver enzymes were in a normal range for once:

AST 20

ALT 18

I will update the HCV RNA as soon as I receive it. Hopefully soon, Im waiting with baited breath!

Hey Mike,

Have you got those numbers for us? I’m sure they’re much improved!

Hey Sticker,

I have to agree, the dizziness sounds like a hydration issue. I was amazed by the action that simple water had on the side effects profile of these new DAA’s. When Harvoni became the first all oral weapon in this fight, we learned quickly that increased intake would eliminate most of the uncomfortable stuff. We discovered what most people consider normal intake, wasn’t near enough. I’m convinced that these drugs require water to be the friendly cure we all have sought through the decades. If extra water is all it takes, so be it! I think this recommendation, aside from taking your meds as ordered, is probably the most valuable.

I was in Amarillo a couple years ago and they had one of those prairie dog parks, too. I didn’t see any holes through the pavement though. That would be a hell of a pot hole to hit!

I‘m looking forward to your results. It’s always a joyous moment when you see those early results. They will be the confirmation you’ve been looking for. These treatments work. 

Glad you figured out that low water intake caused your dizziness....such an easy solution.  

Those Prairiedogs are adorable!

Am looking forward to your (and missusBs) lab results

Hi Sticker,

Look forward to seeing your lab results. Those little prairie dog critters look like they are waiting for something too...humm, your lab results? Glad to hear the dizziness resolved itself,,the water drenching helps flush that ole' virus out of the system...along with the Mavyret. I love those prairie doggies and I'm a meerkats fan too.

Keep drinking ye ole' H20 sticker!

If this doesn't come through, search meerkat math class on youtube..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjQ2V4CdSsg 

ps

5-1-18 they really were cute! I have to admit that I was kind of giggly.

Missus B, I will post those labs soon as i get em!

sticker, that is good to hear that your dizzyness resolved

and what a cute little critter that prarie dog is , thanks for sharing

Sticker...the dizzies probably was due to not enough water.  I have never been a big water drinker (until now) and I think Im staying hydrated for the first time in my life.  I actually feel better and plan to keep hydration a priority forever.  will be glad to get my labs drawn next week...like you, hoping for a zero but not gonna fret if its not.  I usually know my lab results within  a couple hours of getting them drawn.  Cant wait to hear your lab results!!!

I think it was no big deal Missus B, perhaps a one-off occurrence. I just wanted to post because I do think being dizzy was likely related to insufficient water intake. 

I just had labs drawn for the mid-point of Mavyret treatment. When I get the numbers back I will share. I assume that you will have 4 week labs as well? Tig has spoke about this before, that it is relevant to treatment and efficacy. I am hoping for a big fat zero on the PCR! Im not gonna sweat the results though. Either way, I am going to finish this course of treatment.

There was initially some small doubt in my mind about proceeding with treatment in particular due to the discomfort of my initial attempts to kill this virus. I certainly consider it worthwhile to slay this dragon though rather than attempt peaceful coexistence, who knows if it will attack me in earnest in the future; so lets murder it now. 

We can allay the fear of future complications, fibrosis, granulomas, cirrhosis, liver cancer. Additionally, it could allow me to increase my life insurance coverage upon SVR. I have a lot of fight left in me. 

Im one of those idiots who goes scuba diving. People on dive boats often ask about large dangerous marine life and I always think: its the sharks that need to watch out for me, not the other way around. Its nonsense of course; but it makes me feel better to believe that I am the threat, not them. Trust me, if a shark decides to bite me, there is very little that can be done about it. I apply that same logic, or illogic, in the case of this fight to slay the HepC dragon. WE GOT THIS!

Glad to hear your dizziness has resolved!

Sorry, I have been away for a little bit. I had to move my youngest daughter into a new apartment for her last semester at Texas Tech in Lubbock. She graduates with her bachelors degree in December. She took me to Prairie Dog Town, a city park created for the indigenous little critters. We hand fed them, it was really fun, lots of laughter!

No more dizzy spells. I think it was just a water intake issue, my BP was a little low that day. One of the benefits of my work is that we are all paramedics and have access to diagnostic tools not to mention a wealth of knowledge concerning emergency medicine. 

The second shipment of Mavyret arrived on time and I am on schedule with the meds. 

I appreciate everyone sharing their kind words about loss and grieving. It is a reminder that we are not alone in our suffering and provides some perspective for our own personal journey. Thank you!

-- Edited by Sticker on Thursday 22nd of August 2019 09:53:20 AM

-- Edited by Sticker on Thursday 22nd of August 2019 09:55:37 AM

Sticker -- I imagine your bagpipes were beautiful, wow. Impressed that you play them. Easy does it this week too..and I'm with Cheddy, keep making those memories of Eric. That is substance to hang on to. 

Gee Sticker, I wish I had known Eric.  The world needs more people like that, no less of them  I think it's good that you talk about him, too. You see, you are already carrying him forward.  One of the good ways to honor someone lost is to be more like him.  It's seems that he will always be a part of who you are.

aw, OBS (and Sticker), what lovely and tender and heart-felt things (through our loss experiences) we are all able to share with each other. What a nice bunch of caring people we have here in our community. 

I appreciated what both of you had to say about the loss of your Mothers.

Sticker, Maybe some days off are in order for you, why not?, some days days off from work and from the heat, pressures/duty would not be (at all) unreasonable, given you are on therapy. Maybe give it some consideration? C.  

Awww sticker, getting dizzy is not fun. I hope more hydration helps you avoid any more of  that.

Sorry you lost your mom.

It was odd timing for my mom to die on the day we had all been waiting for so long for.

She had been at home (out patient) but her blood pressure crashed during a procedure at the hospital and we couldnt bring her home again. She went quickly...just enough time for grandkids and kids to all travel to visit, the last thing she said to me was I just know youre going to get cured .  I wish shed seen me cured, she was my dearest friend 

Im very grateful that I spent time with her every day for her last 18 months. I gave her foot and leg massages most days back massages on other days and always baked treats and prepared enticing meals to get her to eat something (and make sure my dad ate too). 

I have all good memories

Hi Sticker --- same here. I had dizzy spells a couple of times and after increasing my water intake it went away. Easy does it friend --- don't forget to eat something healthy as well and get plenty of R&R. You've had your share of stress this last week and that could add to the mix as well. 

Toasting some bubbly club soda to you right now..

ps

sticker, i had dizzy spells at work, that is scary. yep, more rest and water and make sure it's not inner ear related.

i called early about my next batch MB. how scary that your first doses were on a road trip 

obs, that is sad   about all your timings of getting it and getting cured.

sticker, so will you have to miss a dose or get it in time?

My initial delivery date was delayed 5 days riding around in a UPS truck...Im going to call pharmacy well ahead of needing my 2nd 4 week delivery to make sure it arrives on time.  Either that or drive 2 hrs to pharmacy and pick up.

I wanted to mention that I received a call from the specialty pharmacy concerning delivery of my last 4 weeks of Mavyret. The medication will deliver a day late due to mechanical failure of the delivery truck shipping meds to the pharmacy. They called me to ensure that I had enough medication to last until the postponed delivery date. I am pleased that concern was given to the patient. 

I suffered a few dizzy spells at work yesterday, somewhat unexplainable. Perhaps I didnt get enough water throughout the day. Im home today and am already ahead of schedule on hydration. Hopefully there will be no further occurrence. 

Thank you Observer. Im sorry about your mom. Thats a tough one. I lost my mother as well, in 2006. Time has aided my memories, the faults and flaws have all faded and I am left with the happy memories. I hope this is true for you as well. 

give yourself all the time you need to grieve,  sticker.  

My healing journey was also flavoured with grief. I got HCV the day I became a mother and the pills to finally cure it, the day my mother died. 

Iris, youre a dear! Thanks for your understanding and encouraging me to share about my sweet departed one. Eric was a first class firefighter but by no means was he a knuckle-dragger. Did i mention, he was huge! 6 foot 4 and probably 270 lbs of muscle, an intimidating form. He was a renaissance man, a deep thinker, a philosopher and a gentleman. Not one for small talk about the weather or politics or the mundane, he wanted to talk about consciousness, the meaning of life, the existence of a divine creator, the importance of how we all mean something. While my views were more pragmatic, agnostic, maybe even utilitarian, we never clashed. We shared the ability to question one another without judgement. The first time he told me that he loved me, I was floored. Never had another man, particularly in our profession, been capable of expressing himself so honestly and completely, without shame or misgiving. I think modern men need more of that for I recognized it as a sign of considerable strength and fearlessness. He feared nothing, literally nothing.  We weathered tragedy after tragedy, seen so many lives shattered or simply taken away, seen things that nobody should have to see, grisly things. We bonded, inextricably woven together, unbreakable. Shemp was right, time will help, but it moves so slowly and the pain is so great. I know that in the future a day will come where maybe I forget to think of him, seems such a betrayal. It will be the first sign that I am healing. Right now, the HepC seems so trivial, inconsequential. Its going to be alright. Thanks for letting me type these words.

Oh Cheddy,

What I wouldnt give for some 80 degree days right now! I think the heat caused Cheryls she-shed to burn down and if she builds a she-sheir she-shed Im sure it will burn down too! I have 7-12 years to go to finish either a 35 or 40 year FD career, havent decided yet which I will go for. (It will probably be the 40 yr, still have one daughter in college!) After that Im gone baby gone! Im one of the lucky ones, I have a pension. I really want to focus on taking care of myself, staying active, exercising, eating clean. I have to get the house paid off and then chase my wife around it! She is the best! We will celebrate 29 yrs of wedded bliss this October, (I know, kids, right). Who knows what the future holds though. One thing I feel sure of, I will be free of HCV. Maybe Canada will have me?

Ah, round two coming up.  Yeah, what a difference in the new treatments, eh?  And you deserve it.  You are among the pioneers who went through so much to get us to the new DAAs. 

I know what you mean about waiting for tests.  Our brains are full of "what ifs" so try to stick to the facts when you can.  You're really doing great.

I am so heat intolerant.  I live in the Northwest and couldn't take the Texas summer climate at all.  It's been in the 80s and we are whining away up here.  The days are long and the night cools everything down.  It's really so beautiful here -  if you forget about the doldrums that come in February.

Keep up the good work, Sticker.  You've got this.

Thank you so much guys, I will move forward and honor his legacy to the very best of my ability.

I have ordered my second round of Mavyret to complete the eight week treatment. I will set up labs for the end of the week. Perhaps there is a huge difference in my lab values, perhaps not. I am determined to not feel discouraged if the numbers are not what I expect. 

I am continually surprised at how the side effects are virtually undetectable. You know the summer heat in Texas is so unfriendly, we have been having heat indexes around 107 to 113! My water intake is nuts, at least a gallon a day. When I retire from the FD I really think Im moving away from here! 

Sticker, I am truly sorry. It's never easy dealing with the loss of someone close to our hearts. How we move forward is what defines us. He is gone for now but, he will live forever in your heart I know it doesn't feel like it now but over time your pain will diminish. In the future when faced with a problem or task,you'll ask yourself What would Eric do. The answer will warm you and make you smile. Stay strong.

Nice, Iris.  You say it well.

Sticker,

it's a good thing that you speak of him. Not annoying at all. It helps to process with the tragedy... after all this man was family, your fire family. What an honor to be able to play bagpipes at the service, I'm sure he was beaming with pride, that instrument never fails to rip the tears out. 

And he will know when you reach SVR.

May the memories of his laughter, his smile and all you two been through stay green in your heart. Much light to Eric for his journey Home.

Bright Blessings, Iris

Thank you Cheddy, I suspect we have all dealt with loss before. This one feels so different to me. We dont get to choose our family but we do get to choose our friends and he was the best one I ever had. I am sorry that he will not get to see me free from this virus because I know that he would have been so happy, genuinely happy for me. I want to respond to all of you when you are offering your condolences but I dont want to annoy you guys by going on and on about his passing. I know that all of you have felt loss before or could be dealing with it right now. Thank you all so very kindly. 

How very sad for you, Sticker.  We are just never ready for a loss like this.  Carry on your good memories.  They help with that feeling of being kicked in the gut.  Ouch!!  So sorry.

Im back now, my hero is buried and I can truly have the much needed breakdown to spur my healing from this dreadful loss. Thank you so much for your words of sympathy and comfort. I managed to avoid alcohol and take my meds as prescribed and things are about the same concerning treatment, really good. 

I am paying attention to Polosilver and listening for positive results concerning hepatomegaly. I think we are all concerned because we just want to be entirely free of HCV and associated problems. I am pulling for you and sending good thoughts your way Polosilver! 

sorry for your loss sticker. i hope you manage well while you are still on tx during this sad time.

Sticker

I too am sorry to read of your loss. What wonderful memories you shared of such a dear friend and what an honour to play the bagpipes as a sendoff to a cherished friendship. He was blessed to have you as a friend, and glad that you can be there for his family through this difficult time. 

ps

Thank you for the comforting words. My departed friend was married to a woman who had  HCV. Years ago we all lived in the same town about 100 miles from Dallas/Ft. Worth and his wife was treated by a physician at UT Southwestern Medical Center, she was cured after a 24 month course of interferon/ribavirin. She is without a doubt a very strong lady. I was being treated locally by a doctor in our town and she encouraged me to go see her doctor in Dallas. Well, fast forward to today, I am now a patient of her former doctor. She will be thrilled when I tell her. 

I say all of these things to you fine people because, oddly.......it makes me feel better. Somehow it helps to type these words. Thank you for reading.

May the peace which comes from the memories of love shared comfort you now and in the days ahead. I’m so sorry for your loss...

Sorry for your loss sticker. 

Oh Sticker,

I am so sorry. Such a terrible loss. C.

So sorry for your loss

Hate to be a downer here but I wanted to let you guys know that I might vanish for a short time. My best friend passed away this past Saturday. He was a phenomenal firefighter, a true man of renown. When I began my career in the fire service, that first day at the station, he smiled and put his hand out and welcomed me into the family. He took me under his wing and showed me how to do it, all the tips and tricks. He taught me about selfless dedication and truly espoused the ideals inherent to the fire service. In my eyes he was 10 feet tall and bulletproof. The mold was broken upon his creation and there will never be another like him. The duration of my time on the job has been spent trying to become like Eric, all i can do now is try to pay it forward. 

So, I will be piping him home at his service this coming Saturday. I probably havent mentioned that I play the bagpipes. Eric always wanted me to play at his funeral and I would tell him no; I will play them for your 100th birthday! I need every ounce of stoicism that I can muster to get through this, he deserves it, I loved him dearly, he was my oldest and dearest friend.

I will try to check in when I can. 

You got this MissusB! I am guessing from the date of your diagnosis that maybe you did not have to take interferon/ribavirin? I could be wrong about that, I will have to go back and read your info again. I have nothing but good news for you! Mavyret has been far more kind to me than ANY previous treatment. This is going to work for us just like it has worked for so many others.