Week 1: Treatment Begins

As an adult reflecting on the years of my youth, I don’t recall anyone taking the time when I was a young girl to explain the dangers a child can be exposed to in their own home and community. Back then some children were not privy to the risks involved when they were exposed to ‘drug use’ and ‘child abuse’. This responsibility was entrusted to the parents and extended family members who often felt too ashamed or uncomfortable discussing it. 

You didn’t see non-profit organizations, clinics or support groups delivering programs that would provide a safe environment for this information to be publicly shared in our communities. It was viewed as inappropriate. In some cases people believed, "That doesn't happen in this community!".

In the mid-70s the downtown streets of Edmonton and Calgary had a high population of drug addicts, dealers, pedophiles and pimps. Any child living on these streets was exposed to numerous risks including contracting viruses and diseases that the world was not yet aware existed. 

This week I was reminded of those times and as I remembered, I realized I have only experienced 15 of my 53 years of this life time without HCV in my body. No one warned me. No one prepared me.

   

Monday March 17, 2012 – Week 1

As far as the treatment goes, the week has been good.  Going with the information I have had access to regarding this treatment - there have been no surprises to date. 

Monday, March 12^th I started my first doses of  peg interferon, ribavirin, and telaprevir and waited for my body’s response.  Symptoms of nausea, low grade fever, a mild headache and muscle discomfort began within 40 minutes. Throughout the day I followed the schedule of meds, fat intake and plenty of water.

By 11:00 p.m. my body was responding in full swing.  I eventually took 2 acetaminophen, which I had been avoiding. With cirrhosis I've become conditioned to taking medication only when absolutely necessary because many meds are filtered through the liver. The nurse assured me that if the symptoms reach a particular level, the acetaminophen was recommended. By morning the symptoms calmed down and the after effects were more in keeping with the flu.

Some days I need to take each hour as it comes.  I find drinking plenty of clean filtered water curbs the nausea and dizziness. Healthy food helps me from feeling too bogged down. 

I am doing my best to remain physically and mentally active even when it is difficult to get up and complete a simple task like preparing a meal. 

Meditation helps my overall mental, physical and emotional state and I welcome those quiet, private moments.

Until next time,

Deborah