I live just with my 10-year-old daughter and it's perfect. I do not want to be around others; I find my anxiety is bad when I'm out around others and the peace and quiet of my home is just what I need. I've told my friends they really won't see me for about a year; I'm not up for visits. Many have asked and I'd just rather not see them until I'm normal again; I don't like the feeling of being easily overwhelmed and anxious. This forum is great; whenever you feel alone in your battle, just pop in and you'll find all your answers here. : )
AlexNY said
May 21, 2012
It's totally ok, I've done the whole thing by myself, and it probably even helped me to reduce anxciety levels
kiwi said
May 18, 2012
hey mark. jeez i thought i had a high vl with over 17million, but yours takes the cake.
yeh we all just have to do what we can to get thru this,
take it easy over there guys... winter settling in here in nz, brrrr good time for me to be hibernating tho. no worries.
innerview said
May 18, 2012
Hi bauhaus76 and welcome!
I see you are in Europe. I am American but I am living and being treated in Sweden. (I think we are the only 2 in EU on the forum at the moment). If I can be of any help and support just let me know. I still have at least 9 weeks on tx and perhaps much longer (dr is suggesting a longer tx because I was not UND at week 4).
You appear to be a strong young guy, and your liver appears to be in pretty good shape at stage 1, with a low VL (my VL was high at 32,500,000) ... you may get through this without too many SX. Even though I have had a rough time on tx it is still not as bad as I had originally feared.
Good luck with the tx. Wish you success and minimal Sx.
Mark
Grniiis said
May 18, 2012
I am going to take my 24th and last shot tomorrow night....I have a 14 year old that I adopted 4 years ago and he has no understanding of what I am going through and has made treatment much harder then it needed to be just by taking advantage of my weekness. I have had to deal with suicide feelings, resentment, (did I mention my Mom died the day I started treatment?!) anger...but I notice that when I get to have someone take him on weekends its so much easier for me...I dont want to be around anyone either and the way I feel is so out of character for me...although it feels like I am never going to feel good again...Usually I love life and I am so involved in my church but sadly to say not even they were really there for me. I wish I was able to do this alone without someone to take care of but it is what it is...my suggestion is that if you have a best friend ask them to research the effects and especially the depression part and ask them if they would be willing to support you during this...all they have to do is call you often and if possible they can help you clean your house on weekends and help with your laundry. Dont assume someone will step up to the plate because I found they will not...dont wait until you need someone desperately either because at that point you wont be able to ask...you might become resentful as I did and then shut everyone out...ASK FOR HELP IMMEDIATLY and see who you can get on board to be there for you. Even if you have to pay them to help you. Just my opinion but I feel very strongly about it. Also I wish I would have know about this forum because it is so helpful..everytime I get on and read I feel so much better and not so alone. Good luck!
bauhaus76 said
May 15, 2012
thank you guys for al the support and info!! im very happy to find you al because were i live i dont know anybody that as hep c and support groups are very far away.i guess i have made new friends hier that i can talk about my doubts and fears! thank you all i will keep in touch,my first appointment will the specialist will be vriday so i guess next week will be starting tx! wish me luck!
kiwi said
May 15, 2012
yup i live alone too. been working thru treatment. had 2 days off this week tho. feelin a little low.
ive managed. and like the others its good to be able to hibernate, and often i feel like not being around people anyways...
oh i suppose im not alone, my faithful blue heeler woke me up with licks this morning, shes been awesome... :)
krowdog said
May 15, 2012
Hiya B-
Like Shep and Kelly, I worked full time, and managed my basic chores without help. I did have less energy, but just learned to pace. Most people didn't even notice a difference in me, though I felt it.
I agree with Greenqueen, you should do fine. Plus, you're younger than most here, and that will help even more.
Go get'em!
Brad
Shep said
May 15, 2012
Yep--been pretty much on my own through tx, working full time and doing okay. I have managed to keep my house fairly clean, skipped yard work and have either hired people to mow for me or elicited volunteers. I have had to ask neighbors for help with heavy chores --like getting the 50lbs. bags of dog food. The only time I really felt I needed some help was when I got really sick with strep throat. I do have friends that help me out and I have just hibernated. Like Kelly--I feel better not having to deal to much with others.
It has been kind a lonely--but have not missed that much work which keeps me very involved with other people and their needs. Keeps the focus off of poor, pitiful me. It has been an intensive time to look into myself and figure out that I am okay and much stronger than I ever thought I could be. It has not been easy--got 7 more weeks to get through. But damn it I am doing it!
The people of this forum have also been the biggest source of support and really made me feel connected to others. Stay in touch, make connections.
Kellyw said
May 14, 2012
Hi
There are several of us on our own on this forum. My family lives far away but people at work have been great. I haven't really needed any assistance and I agree that I also don't feel like being with people and often worry I've. Even rude after the fact. But over all very doable for me. In fact i count myself lucky i dont have to keep up with anyone or feel guilty for not doing things i think i should be capable of. Just 1 mo nth left so far so good
greenqueen said
May 14, 2012
Hi bauhaus,
I was living alone when I did treatment and had very little support. I found a good forum and it was a godsend My sis had terminal cancer. too.
In some ways I was glad, but the negatives are that it's easier to get into obsessive thought loops, given the way the meds affect our minds. On the other hand, I found it hard being around people at times, so not many people were on the receiving end of my mood swings
There are many people who do tx alone and with the help of your family, you should be fine.
Here's some info that should help them to understand some of the things that it involves.
as i have mentioned before i will start treatment end of May and i will get support and help from family but still i will be great part of the week by my self,i was wondering if theres more people on my situation is it possible to manage on your own..?
-- Edited by bauhaus76 on Monday 14th of May 2012 04:31:18 PM
I live just with my 10-year-old daughter and it's perfect. I do not want to be around others; I find my anxiety is bad when I'm out around others and the peace and quiet of my home is just what I need. I've told my friends they really won't see me for about a year; I'm not up for visits. Many have asked and I'd just rather not see them until I'm normal again; I don't like the feeling of being easily overwhelmed and anxious. This forum is great; whenever you feel alone in your battle, just pop in and you'll find all your answers here. : )
It's totally ok, I've done the whole thing by myself, and it probably even helped me to reduce anxciety levels
hey mark. jeez i thought i had a high vl with over 17million, but yours takes the cake.
yeh we all just have to do what we can to get thru this,
take it easy over there guys... winter settling in here in nz, brrrr good time for me to be hibernating tho. no worries.
Hi bauhaus76 and welcome!
I see you are in Europe. I am American but I am living and being treated in Sweden. (I think we are the only 2 in EU on the forum at the moment). If I can be of any help and support just let me know. I still have at least 9 weeks on tx and perhaps much longer (dr is suggesting a longer tx because I was not UND at week 4).
You appear to be a strong young guy, and your liver appears to be in pretty good shape at stage 1, with a low VL (my VL was high at 32,500,000) ... you may get through this without too many SX. Even though I have had a rough time on tx it is still not as bad as I had originally feared.
Good luck with the tx. Wish you success and minimal Sx.
Mark
I am going to take my 24th and last shot tomorrow night....I have a 14 year old that I adopted 4 years ago and he has no understanding of what I am going through and has made treatment much harder then it needed to be just by taking advantage of my weekness. I have had to deal with suicide feelings, resentment, (did I mention my Mom died the day I started treatment?!) anger...but I notice that when I get to have someone take him on weekends its so much easier for me...I dont want to be around anyone either and the way I feel is so out of character for me...although it feels like I am never going to feel good again...Usually I love life and I am so involved in my church but sadly to say not even they were really there for me. I wish I was able to do this alone without someone to take care of but it is what it is...my suggestion is that if you have a best friend ask them to research the effects and especially the depression part and ask them if they would be willing to support you during this...all they have to do is call you often and if possible they can help you clean your house on weekends and help with your laundry. Dont assume someone will step up to the plate because I found they will not...dont wait until you need someone desperately either because at that point you wont be able to ask...you might become resentful as I did and then shut everyone out...ASK FOR HELP IMMEDIATLY and see who you can get on board to be there for you. Even if you have to pay them to help you. Just my opinion but I feel very strongly about it. Also I wish I would have know about this forum because it is so helpful..everytime I get on and read I feel so much better and not so alone. Good luck!
thank you guys for al the support and info!! im very happy to find you al because were i live i dont know anybody that as hep c and support groups are very far away.i guess i have made new friends hier that i can talk about my doubts and fears! thank you all i will keep in touch,my first appointment will the specialist will be vriday so i guess next week will be starting tx! wish me luck!
yup i live alone too. been working thru treatment. had 2 days off this week tho. feelin a little low.
ive managed. and like the others its good to be able to hibernate, and often i feel like not being around people anyways...
oh i suppose im not alone, my faithful blue heeler woke me up with licks this morning, shes been awesome... :)
Hiya B-
Like Shep and Kelly, I worked full time, and managed my basic chores without help. I did have less energy, but just learned to pace. Most people didn't even notice a difference in me, though I felt it.
I agree with Greenqueen, you should do fine. Plus, you're younger than most here, and that will help even more.
Go get'em!
Brad
It has been kind a lonely--but have not missed that much work which keeps me very involved with other people and their needs. Keeps the focus off of poor, pitiful me. It has been an intensive time to look into myself and figure out that I am okay and much stronger than I ever thought I could be. It has not been easy--got 7 more weeks to get through. But damn it I am doing it!
The people of this forum have also been the biggest source of support and really made me feel connected to others. Stay in touch, make connections.
Hi bauhaus,
I was living alone when I did treatment and had very little support. I found a good forum and it was a godsend
My sis had terminal cancer. too.
In some ways I was glad, but the negatives are that it's easier to get into obsessive thought loops, given the way the meds affect our minds. On the other hand, I found it hard being around people at times, so not many people were on the receiving end of my mood swings
There are many people who do tx alone and with the help of your family, you should be fine.
Here's some info that should help them to understand some of the things that it involves.
http://www.hcvadvocate.org/hepatitis/factsheets_pdf/Family%20and%20Friends%20Guide.pdf
Love Steff xx
as i have mentioned before i will start treatment end of May and i will get support and help from family but still i will be great part of the week by my self,i was wondering if theres more people on my situation is it possible to manage on your own..?
-- Edited by bauhaus76 on Monday 14th of May 2012 04:31:18 PM