Jimmy,   So happy for you. Glad things are going well this time.  You got this.  Take care.

Blessings!   CC

Big smile on my face.  Way to go! Anna

That's excellent news Jimmy. Better get used to it, you'll be seeing more over the next 20 weeks and right on through to SVR...

Hiya Northern Sister.

Yea I know. I bounce around a lot. I try and read it all but must confess I don't always get to. I am working from home and may be in the middle of something here and then the phone rings and they need something.

"....wooda never guessed YOU were superstitious!..."

You must have missed my opening disclaimer. I sleep under a ladder.  LOL

I never said, to my knowledge, everything is bigger in Texas.

That in and of itself is an impossibility.

Case in point. I am in Texas. I am 6'4" tall. If everything in Texas were bigger, then I would have to be smaller than everything else here but that can't be because I am in Texas, ya know what I mean?

"....Linux has photographic proof, of a reeeally BIG lizard for you - ask him...."

No this is a family site.

"..... better than the best steak you can find down there.."

  Shear blasphemy !

".....P.S.  Was that the KIA you were driving!!.."

Me? No way that was a Dodge Ram 1500! I have a reputation to keep for crying out loud.

;)  Love ya Sis!

Jimmy

Hey bro,

I never know where to post for you anymore!!

This seems like the happy place today.

Wrote you last night under "Harvoni", so will just move it over here ...

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Jimmy,

wooda never guessed YOU were superstitious! Must have been the little green fella that was spookin' ya. Heeey, wait a minute, speaking of "Great leapin'lizard's!", I thought EVERYTHANG was bigger in Texas!! You saaa-id! Linux has photographic proof, of a reeeally BIG lizard for you - ask him.

While you are twiddling, waitin', waitin', waiting for your VL, go like Linux - deep breath .... oooooom Alt 25 (OMG!!), oooooom Ast 27 (hysterical glee hee hee), oooooom plates. 313 (creamy bliss), ooooom hgb16.7 (pppht! better than the best steak you can find down there)!

You're on a Harvoni roll this time bro. You and the Mrs. Yer gunna have a done deal! I can't wait either!! Sis.

 P.S.  Was that the KIA you were driving!!

-- Edited by Canuck on Tuesday 17th of May 2016 05:01:03 AM 

______________________________________________________________________________________

Now for my updated congrats. What a dif a day makes eh! Couldn't happen to a nicer guy. UND, only 4 weeks! YOU do EVERYTHING in a BIG way! I am so happy and relieved for you. She must be over the moon!! Just flow with that weird stunned new feeling. It's special, from now on. Love, Sis

YAAAAAA ... HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

Yay Jimmy, Most Excellent, Wonderful News my Friend!! The Big Guy's done it ... nothing but cleaning up a dead dragon carcass now, Roosters beware!

Dave

I relate. And my saying for that is... it is odd or is it God? 

Thanks much.

I am a bit stunned. Since I cleaned up 32 years ago I have always had Hep C. Prior to finding that out I kind of lived life on the edge in and out of Prison or nodding off in a corner.

This is weird I guess.

Excellent!!  Congrats Jimmy... I`m very happy for you!!   

NICE!!!!

wendyo wrote:

---

SWEEET! music to my ears ....best thing all day!

---

 Our ears are in sync. 

Sydhanrahan wrote:

---

Ohhhhh Jimmy. You not only have this nailed, it's sanded, painted and about to take pride of place in your psychic lounge room.

Syd

---

 I was not quite expecting this news today. I had little doubt it was coming, but not this fast.

I know some folks don't believe as I do and I try not to push. But the fact is my Prayer all along has been.

"Please LORD, Carolyn first and then me."

I still find that amazing when I consider I started and failed. Then she started and got the Golden UND. It is as if HE said, "As you asked, so have you received."

I appreciate what you said Syd, but I honestly believe it is HE and not me that has nailed this one.

Warm Regards my Sister!

Jimmy

SWEEET! music to my ears ....best thing all day!

Tig56 wrote:

---

Hey Jimmy,

This doesn't bode well for your Dragon! Look at what just showed up with a Christmas Tree in tow...

Spoiler

---

 Oh man I think I just trashed a monitor and a keyboard! LOL!

Ohhhhh Jimmy. You not only have this nailed, it's sanded, painted and about to take pride of place in your psychic lounge room.

Syd

Hey Jimmy,

This doesn't bode well for your Dragon! Look at what just showed up with a Christmas Tree in tow...

Spoiler

Most outstanding news Brother! 

Further Update:

Doctor just called. I am UND at 4 weeks with 20 weeks remaining from that point.

This may put a damper on my nervous clowning around.

That is all.

JimmyK

Man, those are great Jimmy. Love your comment about the lunesta. The past 2 days I have been awake since 4am. UGH I attribute it to hormones. Never been a great sleeper.

And I agree with Syd, you can't fool us, under the exterior is a man of gold. Love you bro!

Update from Blood Draw 05/13/16, at four weeks into treatment. Highlights only.

ALT prior to start was 64. As of 04/29/16 ...25,...05/13...26

AST prior to start was 45. As of 04/29/16 ...27...05/13...26

          Platelets Prior = 241. As of 04/29/16 ...313...05/13...302

HGB now up to 18.0. Hep C RNA VL is not yet back. So in the two weeks between tests not much to report beyond normal fluctuation. Pretty boring visit to be honest in that he VL is not back yet. I am assuming in that the ALT/AST remained virtually unchanged although both within the good range of normal from the two week test, my VL will come in with a significant drop but still detected.

With 20% of my treatment plan now behind me, yet another 135 days of Harvoni remaining, I think I am on track to the cure.

In my Doctors Office they have one reported failure but that is clearly attributed to compliance issues. They offered me Lunesta for my insomnia and I told them I prefer to be awake.

I will update again when the VL comes in.

JimmyK

Hi Syd,

This Harvoni stuff must have emotional side affects because your post kind of put a lump in my throat. I will be glad when done with treatment in that kind of thing can be bad for one's reputation.

Yes I am not sweating the 24 weeks to EOT. I am sweating how long until we get to take the trip together! LOL.

Thanks Syd. You have a very special place in my heart and prayers.

Jimmy

Hey Jimmy,

you're one tough dude and it's inspiring to see you counting your blessings. 24 weeks can seem a long time - I'm up to 22 and in some ways it seems like I've known you guys forever, but in other ways it's been the blink of an eye. And I know you have all taught me in your very unique ways, how important positivity is, how powerful the mind is and how when it's all said and done, we're not very different from each other - regardless of age, gender, country. 

Im so happy to know you are planning a trip in October and that foremost in your mind is that Caroline will have her SVR+12 news to take with her.

Take care you brisket grilling, Harley driving, pop culture aficionado.

Syd

Hi Jimmy, great looking labs at 2 weeks in, you have every reason to be happy and confident.  I predict one dead dragon! 

Take care and stay safe!

That is a fact Tig. The song fits in many ways.

I have always been very conscience of the cages around me. I tend to ride their mirrors. If I can see their face I know they see mine. Also the cell phones. Those things are the cause of many a youngster lost and it is sad.

Shut up and drive already!

JimmyK 

Appropriate song selection Jimmy! Steven Tyler HAD Hep C too and successfully treated it years ago. He's "Back in the Saddle" again in more than one way! You still need to watch out for those drivers though... 

Thanks guys and yes I am good with the numbers. At only weeks 2 with 22 remaining I am very happy and confident.

Oh and about the Bike. You got that right! I have been getting back in the saddle and there is nothing like it for me.

Oh come on now, y'all knew it was coming, right?

 Hopeless

JimmyK wrote:

---

The current treatment is the bomb

---

 Yes it is. If it can cure an old co-infected cirrhotic like me then you are just a little bump in the road for it.

I'm glad you got 24 wks Harvoni and I expect nothing less than what it did for me with a smooth ride to boot.

Oh, and speaking of ride, you can ride your bike safely now with no riba-road-rage worry's. Ching, ching!

Hi Jimmy

       Great numbers.  Your hgb is very good---and your platelets 313 Are really good  Your lft's all look good. Your on your way!    

On my second treatment I was all over my AST-ALT numbers looking for the pattern your talking about.  It took 8 to 9 weeks for me to go UND on my first treatment, and 4 weeks on my second. on both treatments my AST-ALT ran high.  RC

What we have here, is failure to communicate.

My Confidence level is 100%. The fluctuations were during the LAST treatment. I am looking at THEM to see if there is a pattern with other folks who breakthrough.

The current treatment is the bomb, it is no problem, and I am a happy camper. 

James K,

I'm sending a drone with the Google/Bing scrambler installed. It's easy to get into the over analyzing frame of mind, we all have been there and done that. Especially those of us that failed one or more courses of treatment. It does however make things pretty sweet when you finally achieve your goal of SVR. Do your best to dispel the doubt, it's self defeating. You are on the new gold standard of treatment. It's absolutely effective and you're on 24 weeks of it. You've got the best chance possible and really, using the word chance with 24 weeks of Harvoni is an oxymoronic statement! You're going to slay the beast, focus on that.

The lab values will fluctuate and you may hope your viral load is undetectable at first test, it may very well be. If it isn't, no big deal in the big picture. We have had members go 12 weeks and still be detected, albeit much lower, but are SVR at EOT+12. That's why some doctors don't do a VL til that date. These are advanced medications and they work differently than anything before. Bottom line is, stay confident, positive and as has been said time and again, just let these incredible medications do their job. Your numbers are excellent, don't let minor fluctuations instill doubt. You're going in the right direction. From here you're looking good Brother, I like what I'm seeing... 

wendyo wrote:

---

looking good bro! And the plans sound spectacular. 

I always think of you now when I hear Alice in Chains Rooster (from our previous postings) and when I almost put up the video. Good times. 

---

 That is awful sweet of you to say Wendy. Thank you!

Jimmy

looking good bro! And the plans sound spectacular. 

I always think of you now when I hear Alice in Chains Rooster (from our previous postings) and when I almost put up the video. Good times. 

Thanks Dave,

No worries here. With the 24 weeks the treatment plan is extremely extensive. The time itself does not bug me because swallowing a pill at 5:55a while laying in bed is hardly a task. Biggest problem there is holding off for about 20 minutes before my first cup of coffee.

The length of treatment is a moot issue as the side affects are zip.

My looking into things on a micro level are just a matter of trying to detect a pattern that may help others that potentially may be on the same path towards breakthrough. Going forward there will be little to look at in that regard. The first 4 weeks is where some of the oddities took place on the first round. After that there is no data to compare.

Shoot I am in Texas, brand new mega-grill in the backyard, a Harley in the garage and I always have "The Other Place", so no problem having nothing to do.

Going to plan a Cruise again for this October. This one will be different. Instead of taking it BEFORE treatment and not wanting to get bogged down with the Ribo thing while in Cozumel , this one will be either 2 or 4 weeks after EOT. Carol will have been declared SVR by mid August, I will be done and waiting on SVR on or about 12/23/16. Perfect plan and I have no doubt it will pretty much go just like that.

I have a Rooster to hang this year! 

Hi Jimmy,

All looking very good, very nice to see, you're doin' good my friend.

It's nice to have mileage markers along the way but do (I already know you do) be cautious about reading TOO much into each and every detail of your labs. It's natural to want to micro analyze to be SURE everything is going exactly as it should, especially with past relapse, but remember that LOTS of factors have an effect on many of these tests, you know what I mean, any bug you may encounter that your body needs to fight off etc (like from that trip to the grocery store where you grabbed the shopping cart handle that some sneezing, coughing soul just touched), among other things.

I know, long boring ride ... just don't get hung up on the gum stuck on the seat in front of ya and take time to look out the window at the Beautiful Scenery along the way. I have no doubt that you will, just kind of reminding ya ... as a friend and all (that's what friends do).

It will be interesting to see the VL, mine was still detected at 4 weeks but I have no doubt that the meds just took some time to do their thing.

I guess my NOT getting as many labs along the way as I would have preferred, may be a blessing in disguise. I've been forced to just let the meds do their thing and trust that all will be fine ... human nature makes us wonder, but as I recall, you told me to just let the meds do their thing (as I had doubts along the way). I'm not saying you have any doubts at this point but you will, somewhere along the way ... that's natural, the labs and your view of things will ebb and flow some throughout the voyage ... not to worry, they just do that ... so when you see any gum on the seats ... glance but don't get out the microscope (I know you brought one with you on the trip ... you say you travel light but I saw the receipt for one of those that you plug into the laptop) ... ya, I've got a few drones of my own (mad wringing of hands). This may be a first ... lab results being compared to gum on a seat ... I know ... I'm a strange bird ... squak!.

Still partially Unhinged (and proud of it),

Dave

Update from Blood Draw 04/29/16, at two weeks into treatment. Highlights only. 

ALT prior to start was 64. As of 04/29/16 it is now 25, v

AST prior to start was 45. As of 04/29/16 it is now 27. v

Platelets Prior = 241. As of 04/29/16 they are now 313. ^

Glucose pretty much unchanged 105 vs 109. Guess I will lay off the gummy-bears. <sigh>

HGB unchanged at 16.7.

Next Friday, the 13th I will do the RNA and get my VL. It appears things are going OK, and in that I do have 147 of the bomb remaining I am feeling fairly confident this time. Wait, I was confident last time too.

One thing I did notice and only because of my previous failure I am kind of picking things apart to see if I can detect a pattern.

On 11/17 during the V-Pack treatment my Platelets were 388. A month later during the breakthrough they began dipping and went to 350. They seem to have continued from that date 12/15/15 on a downward spiral dropping to 241 just before I started the Harvoni. Then two weeks after start they started climbing again gaining to 313 at week two.

I think it will be interesting to watch them. I could be way off but I think, or it seems to suggest that the breakthrough had a direct impact on Platelet count in a negative way. Again I could be full of beans but I am like I mentioned trying to detect a pattern here by comparing numbers during the 1st SX and the present SX.

The ALT pattern during the 1st SX was strange.

10/29 or two weeks into treatment both ALT and AST plunged to 19. Two weeks later rose to 27 and 24 respectively. One month after that 52 and 37 respectively. By stop treatment test 12/15/15 37 and 35 respectively.

So during the first SV the ALT and AST scores were virtually a roller Coaster ride and no one has noticed that. I realize they fluctuate but from 19 to 52 in less than 20 days?

In that I am a weirdo, a breakthrough oddball, I believe they should look at the numbers closer than they do so that they can be compared to other breakthrough occurrences. This way if they could develop a definite pattern perhaps they can learn to stop treatment sooner. I went to the point of 6 days remaining of a 12 week regiment before they threw in the towel.

Anyway next stop Friday the 13th! 

Good thing I don't believe in that garbage! 

JimmyK

Understood.  And if you're tolerating the Harvoni pretty well, which it seems you are, then that makes all the sense in the world.

singsong wrote:

---

Jimmy, I was surprised at the 24 wk call unless it has to do with the fact you had prior treatment. If you clear quickly, is there possibility they would take it back to 12 weeks? Just curious.

---

 Good morning.

For me there are three factors regarding the 24 weeks.

1) I failed and was stopped at week 11 of V-Pac and RBV.

2) I take Omeprazol which affects Ledipasvur.

3) My Doctor thought 12 weeks with RBV may do the trick but I told him he really did not want me anywhere around him if I were to go into another episode of RAGE and then realize if I were on a straight 24 weeks with no RBV all his neat equipment, furniture, fax machine and one particular Nurse would still be in one piece.

He tended to agree and here we are.

LOL actually he was most concerned with the Omeprazol combined with the failure. The failure created some RAV's and he just wants to throw the entire series at it.

If I do clear at 4 weeks, I will still insist on the additional 20. Almost everyone is UND on Harvoni but there are cases of relapse at EOT + 12. No breakthroughs mind you but relapse yes so the entire regiment was insisted on by me, agreed to by him and approved by my Insurance within 6 days of submitting to them for review.

Warm Regards

JimmyK

Wow, that was quick indeed!  Great news, Jimmy, I'm glad you're getting the full 24 weeks too. 

Not long before you take your seat on the Harvoni train, it's been waiting for you!  

 That's what I'm talkin' about! Yes sir you are on your way on the best train on the tracks for the whole ride. I'm happy for you Jimmy. Let the recovery begin. Congrats!!!

Greetings,

Just got the call and I was approved for 24 weeks of Harvoni. Next call will be from Pharmacy to arrange delivery. I am thinking about setting SOT for Friday April 15th. Traditional Tax Day here.

I must say I am a little surprised they went for the whole enchilada so quickly. Request was made 6 days ago.

New adventure/ add water.

JimmyK

Linuxter wrote:

---

Jimmy wrote:

"So just in case. NO FARTING."

HA, was thinking that exact thought just before I read the above ...

LOL ...

 

Life is Good,

Dave

---

 "Great Minds and all..."

Jimmy wrote:

"So just in case. NO FARTING."

HA, was thinking that exact thought just before I read the above ...

LOL ...

Life is Good,

Dave

 Wow Jimmy, you've got good news coming from all directions at your house. I'm looking forward to seeing you and Harvoni do your thing. Let us know when you are ready to jump on board the dragon slaying train.

SF it would be an honor to be sitting next to you on the train. Fact is it may come down to my taking your seat after you have arrived at the station. That also would be an honor. So just in case. NO FARTING.

LOL and thanks!

 Zit Damn fool I tell ya.

Just saw that ... Most Excellent News!

NICE!!

Great news Jimmy

You will be riding that train with me. I have 28 more days after today. The seat is ready.

SF

Thanks Dave,

Today is turning out rather good here! In particular for My Girl!

Jimmy

Hi Jimmy,

Wonderful to see all the ducks gettin' in a row.

Won't be long now

As Tig mentioned, tests are looking pretty darn good so Tx is going to be very effective.

Made my day seeing ya on your way!

Dave

Thanks Tig!