Tomorrow

[Cowboy]

Hi all,

I am starting treatment tomorrow.

I had a hard time typing that.  So many different emotions. Am I doing the right thing? Is my Dr really knowledgeable enough to treat me?  How bad will it be?  Can I still go hunting this week?  Will I be able to still ride my horse?

Biopsy indicated stage 3 liver damage. Out of 4? Am I going to survive this?

I also found out I have hemochromatosis.  At first Dr. was worried because of it, but now is not worried. Why?

30 years never went to the Dr.  Finally my wife talks me into a physical (something about being over 50 convinced me) Dang wife.... (kidding)

I am starting treatment tomorrow, and tonight I am drinking water.
 

[sweet sue]

Cowboy,

All your questions are indeed what we all asked ourselves. And here we are.

I just read a little about hemochromatosis, my guess is the interferon may reduce your iron level which is why the dr isn't that worried about it right now. From what I read on webmd they will be monitoring your blood work quite often. Not to worry, they did labs on me once a week.

Hang in there Cowboy, we're here for you.

sweet sue

[flamingo]

Cowboy, we all had the same worries before starting.  took me 2 years to decide to do it.  I think the build up to the start is the hardest, the what if's........
positive attitude helps a lot, not easy to do at times.
but we're here to support you and your wife anyway we can.  this a great bunch of people,  wouldn't have it without them.
drink that water and drink some more !!!!!


mari

[kab]

Cowboy, getting started is the scary part.  Lot's of people get through this without any major problems.  Hang in there - you can do this!

kab

[greyrocker]

Hi Cowboy. My advice is to try not to project negative thoughts forward. By that I mean don't let the thoughts of how bad it might get or whether or not you will be able to do certain things cloud your day. It will be whatever it will be and then you will learn how to handle it. Some, like banarep, had fairly minimal side effects while others got beat up. We're all different.

My good friend postcard was our biggest cheerleader while we were on Tx. His deep belief in positive thinking helped not only him, but a lot of others. So try not to think of what you can't do, but appreciate what you can.

We're here every day, someone will pick you up.

greyrocker

[pixie]

Cowboy remember to take the pills with food...eat half your meal then the pills you should avoid tummy upsets doing this...plenty of water keep hydrated..
Your skin might start to dry out and even if your a big boy your need to moisturize ask your wife for some advice if you don`t normally do this, something un-scented ...
Keep a positive attitude and remember the first few shots are what does the most damage to this virus so enjoy them.....
I did 48 weeks with no side effects, many are like me, and most others say its doable...
Keep us updated on your progress any Qs ask here...PX

[ipaqgps]

Hi Cowboy,

Wow a big day for you....  Seems like just Wednesday of this week I my first shot.. OH Yeah it was just Wednesday... I am doing very well so far. 

It is wonderful to be attacking this virus and with the stage of your liver you got to get to it.  Plus you have everyone here to help keep you going!!! 

You are doing the right thing...... Hope it goes well today and keep posting... I am only 2 days older than you.!

ipaq
 

[lynn]

Hang in there. This is something you can do. If I did it, you can do it. I am convinced you are doing the right thing before you have any more liver damage. You are on the right site and have lots of people that can help you along the way. There is nothing like having help that has been there and done that! Hang in there ...we are with you all the way.

[Hop]

Congrats on getting started.

It's hard not to second guess ourselves when it comes to treatment.
It sounds as if you and your doctor (with the support of your wife) have determined the proper time frame for you and your treatment needs. That is something to feel thankful for.

We're all different and our individual responses to treatment are different.
It would be difficult to predict, based on someone else's experiences, what yours might be.
Greyrocker is right when he says not to project negative thoughts as you move forward.

What means the most is that you and your support system will soon be figuring out
what your own responses and potential needs might be. My best advice is not to get to attached to any one side effect, should they show up, or any one feeling.

The only thing that remained constant for me throughout my treatment, was change.

Keep drinking more water than you think is possible - at least half of your body weight in ounces each day - and as Pixie mentioned, take the Riba with food.

Stay strong and please invite your wife to join us.
There's a caretaker's section that many have found valuable.

Best,
-Hop
 

[Cowboy]

I did it! 

I stuck a needle in my stomach!   Ok, so I think that spooked me more than anything....  So far I feel fine. No headache or pains, but I took ibuprofen before going to the doc.

 It is hard not to project negative thoughts. I feel a twitch in my big to and I am wonder is "it" starting?  I will work on it.

 Hop- wish we could predict. I would follow ipaqgps and know what is going to happen tomorrow!

Pixie- nice to know there is a possibility I can go through this with no side effects.   Enjoy the first few shots, I will try.

Thanks EVERYONE.  I will be around. . . . a lot.

Doc said to take Vit E,  anyone know anything about it.

[alice]

Good for you, Cowboy! That first step can be the hardest but now you're on that road, actively doing what you need to do to stop this virus from damaging your liver more than it already has. When I was on tx (I just finished yesterday), I felt good knowing that I was doing everything possible to make myself healthy. You know, take care of yourself so you can take care of others.

You asked...stage 3 out of 4 is correct. Stage 3 indicates significant scarring of your liver but, at this point, you should still have normal liver function. With successful tx and healthy habits, the scarring can be reversed. Stage 4 is cirrhosis. At that point, liver damage and scarring is severe, liver function is compromised, and it is generally believed that the damage is pretty much irreversible. Might want to give your wife a big ol' hug for getting you into the doc before things got worse. 

I don't know why your doc specifically recommended Vit E to you and, since all patients are different, this is something that you and your doctor should discuss. Vitamin E is one of many essential nutrients but, like most everything, more isn't always better. While you're on tx, your doc should be regularly monitoring your blood counts (sometimes referred to as CBC--complete blood count with differential). This test is simple and inexpensive but very important while you're on tx. It lets the doctor know if the tx medication is affecting your blood cells. If your platelet counts become low (this happens to some people on tx, definitely not all), your doctor might want to stop the vitamin E supplements... low platelets make it more difficult for your blood to clot and too much Vit E can make that worse, so can aspirin. Best to talk to your doc.

Good luck, Cowboy!
alice

[ipaqgps]

Cowboy.....Fantastic!  You gave yourself the shot?!!  Any little twitch does make you wonder! 

The monster in our head most times is worse than the one we encounter...  Hope that your weekend goes well and the first one is done!!! 

Keep us update with the feelings.... Oh my liver this evening has had some pain for the past 4 hours.  Nothing that I can't handle but it is annoying.

Have a great weekend knowing you are on your way to killing the dragon!

ipaq
 

[sweet sue]

Congrats Cowboy! The anticipation of that first shot tend to make us ridiculous after doing it. I guess we imagine that the shot is going to hurt and that we're going to feel like crap right away; and then it is so uneventful.

Looking forward to hearing how your night went.

sweet sue

[keith]

 way to go cowboy, stay positive about the sides and drink lots of water!!!     Keith

[hope life]

The first couple shots are the hardest more of a mind thing. Think positive not everyone has bad sx. If you have any questions no matter how dumb you think it might be ask some one will answer. That's what this place is for we are a family. There is also a caregivers site for your wife.


                                                                     hope life