casperclaudee

Well - back a couple of months ago I was asking if CDC got my stats as being diagnosed with Hep C. Hmmm. turns out it is more than my stats they have -- they have my name, address, and phone number, etc!

I got a call from my County Health Dept - the Hep C unit. I joked with the woman saying, well, you answered one of the questions I had -- are my stats anonymous? (She did say, however, that my name is confidential??)

Anyway, she asked a lot of background questions (man they just love that '70's intravenous drug use thing and I at least got to list my prior fiancee who died of cirrhosis of the liver last year and my dentist that I left because of what appeared to me to be unsanitary conditions. They won't follow up on the former fiancee (records are confidential, you know - dead or alive), but they took the dentist's name.
They also asked if I had ever given blood in the past ... which I had many times in the '80's ... but they won't be following up on that, either.

Hmmm - not much help in trying to trace Hep C, I'd say. But one of the nice things that came out of the call was how pleasant, encouraging, and helpful she was. She offered her services for anything I needed in the future regarding Hep C, made sure I was vaccinated for Hep A and Hep B, confirmed I was in a dr's care, was glad my stats and tests where all good, that I wasn't a drinker ... and concluded her call by telling me that most people will never be bothered by this disease in their lifetime, so not to worry about it.

Actually, as much of a surprise as it was to get the phone call, it was a pleasant, very human and warm conversation.


Anybody else get a phone call from their county health department? It sure surprised me!!

Keep your spirits and attitude HIGH!

Diane