bucko

We have been on this site for almost two years now, since my husband was first diagnosed with HepC. He just started PegIntron and Rebotol last week. Let me just say, we did not enter into this treatment easily. Genotype is 1b, biopsy showed 3-4 for inflammation and 3 for scarring. He is 53 years old and most likely contracted HepC 30+ years ago (Vietnam, the biggest risk factor). Saying that, things didn't really look promising. We had so many questions and researched, researched, researched. I think I asked our nurse one too many questions. A week later, we received a letter from our dr. basically telling us to go to one of the liver clinics in our area. This is after a year and a half of seeing him. Through this site, Theresa suggested Kevin Mullen or Art McCullough. What a blessing. I believe we are in the right place now, even though I was devastated at first at receiving such a letter from our gastro.

Dr. Mullen and his team of drs. are doing the research, setting the protocols and getting the information out there to the myriad of gastros out there. Because of the damage done already to his liver, it was determined that a course of PegIntron was warranted. We were fortunate enough to get the meds fairly quickly (2 weeks) after being on a waiting list for this Access Assurance number needed.

To treat or not to treat is a GAMBLE. How fast will my husband move to another stage? 10 years, 20 years?
If we didn't treat, are we actually allowing the disease to progress faster? Even if the treatment doesn't eradicate the virus, we still may be able to cut the viral load and give his liver a break, a chance to rejuvenate some healthy liver cells and stop progression of damage. It has not been an easy decision to make.

There comes a point, after almost two years, where you have to put your faith and hope in one direction. With our doctors help, we are trying the PegIntron. I am so frightened of these side effects. This first injection was definitely not fun. He had a pretty good day yesterday, 5 days after the injection. I just keep wondering how his body can take these side effects week after week. But we keep getting reassured that the side effects are worth it even if the virus is not eradicated completely. We are told that we are in reality adding years to his life. I pray the nurses are right. He has always been healthy, never sick, never complains. This week was tough on him. But he has such a good attitude, I feel if anyone can get through it - he can!

I want to say thank you to Teresa Hanbey for suggesting this group of drs. to us. I truly believe they know what they are doing at this facility.

I also wanted to mention to those that are concerned about the cost of the treatment that I understand there is a reimbursement program through the Schering Company. I don't know how you qualify, but it would be worth looking into. We have a good health program and prescription plan, but I would hope that patients would not reject the idea of treatment for fear of the cost. I believe there is help out there. I read about this reimbursement program through info given to us in a kit from the Shering Company.

Well, prayers are needed from all of you. I will keep you posted on his progress.