Day 281

Hello Folks

Well as i said last night this roller coaster is a live and running full speed with all its inconsistencies and twists and turns, today Sx were different again and much lighter then yesterday, really cant lock this down, as if it goes from week to week, then day to day and hour by hour at times.

I have mentioned Pandora's Box before in my diary and as far as I am concerned that's exactly what it is, you really never know what your in for till you open it. Its not all bad and actually some days I have felt the best I have in years, so the taste of a life without these two virus's will be very welcome and something that I will cherish dearly to be able to participate with my family, friends and be at ease with myself.....

Got some blood results back today...... HB 107 -- Wcc 1.2 -- Neuts 0.65 -- Platelets 58

Soldier On everyone

John

Day 280

Hi

I just cant seem to get rhyme or reason to the effects of TX, there doesn't seem to be any, up till about a month or so back the Sx after the Injection didn't seem to come on till Tuesday and Wednesdays being my worst days. Lately the next day after the Injection it hits me like a ton of bricks and have to stay in bed nearly all day, it's getting that bad and very hard to combat. I do get some relief late Sunday night and things aren't as intense, thank goodness.

I am still in for the long haul with this and I will finish this TX. A bit of irony here is that the Med's that are helping me to get better are making me so sick at times, I suppose its the way it is and things could always be a lot worse without TX and progress into some other not so nice conditions....

Take Care and Have a Good Week ahead...

John

Day 279

Hi There

Tonight I had my 40th Injection and at times it felt like it was eternity away, but now it has come and gone and on with the show, had a good day today and went out with my brother and a friend for a drive down to an old heritage restored railway station from 1910. There was the old part of the line still there and 6 carriages on show and being restored, also had a look at the old turntable

where they used to turn the Locomotives around. After that we made our way back to town along a road that follows the Brisbane River and the mountains and scenery was terrific with lots of cattle and new born calves every where, some in paddocks and others by the sides of the road.

Feeling a bit glassy eyed as I write this tonight, nothing unusual about this as its a regular thing that happens 3 or 4 hours after my Injection, but all is well and feeling sort of Ok so far...

I must say I really enjoyed today and made a nice change indeed.....

Rest Easy

John

Day 278

Hello again

Today I had a fair sort of day and managed to get some more unfinished jobs inside the house done and finalised. Slept in the afternoon and awoke with a headache which took some time to settle, all good now and hopefully get a good night's sleep.

I was thinking about all the Meds and associated third party meds that go with Tx, not only is there the Interferon and Ribavirin but you have to have Panadol, Anti-Depressants, Sedatives, Rash cremes and potions, Hand Wash, Special Shampoo, Thrush lozenges, Eye Drops, Lip Balm and the occasional Anti-biotics and Mouth Wash.

With all this one could be considered to be well armed in the fight of a life time and all these Meds each play an important roll. Some figures on just the Tx side is there are 48 PegIntron Pens and 1689 Rebetol Capsules to be taken approximately, no wonder people on Tx rattle after a while LOL ...

On to the weekend all ready and I hope you all have a good one.....
John

Day 277

Hi

Had my bloods taken today in preparation for next weeks Liver Clinic appointment and the lady collecting the samples had some difficulty with my veins and had to do it a couple of times with different size needles and then it was stop start, so have soreness and bruising there. Just par for the course these days .... LOL.

Looking forward to next weeks visit with herpetologist to see if I can find out what is going to happen with my TX, whether it finishes at 48 weeks. I have 8 needles to go after this Saturday night and its a good feeling knowing that if I finish at the 48 week mark, I can look forward to getting well and returning to some sort of normal life again, although what is normal at times, I don't remember....

John

Day 273 to 276

Hi Everyone

Haven't posted for the last couple of days as I have been totally exhausted riding on this merry go round of TX Sx, you just never know whats in store next, the cruelest lucky dip I have ever bought into. My energy levels and aches, pains and headache's have been very severe and my liver area is swollen, GP seems to think I maybe having a flare up of virus activity with the HBV and I am off to see Liver Specialist Friday 4th December and will be getting him to check things out.

It's a good life if you don't weaken as they say and at times I have been so week cant even get out of bed, but hopefully things will improve and I can knuckle down and get back on with it....

We had some visitors stay over for a few days and that was good and I enjoyed the company, it was a nice change because even unwell I managed to get some laughs and that always cheers you up...

Stay Strong Everyone...

John

Day 271 and 272

Hello all

Well the last few days have been complete washouts and have had no energy whats so ever, all I could do was just rest and take it very easy. It certainly is a wake up call after having some relief from Sx and it goes to show you who is boss when it comes to Interferon.

Had my 39th Injection tonight an I am now officially into single digits, only 9 to go, Hopefully tomorrow will be be better then the last few Sundays and will be keeping a positive attitude in that direction. I still reckon laughter and good friendship are the arch enemy of Tx Sx and many

times it is more effective then any third party meds that are supposed to be helpful.

I have had a big improvement in my moods and emotional sx with the Lagactil that my Liver Specialist prescribed and the family is also happy with my progress with this. I know that many medicines are described not to be taken by people with certain diseases, but many times the benefits out way the risks and give much needed help to various medical or mental situations.

Well I hope everyone has a great weekend and remember if you cant say anything nice, don't say anything at all......

Your Mate

John

Day 270

Hey there

Another hot day today ending with the usual summer storm, felt a bit better again today and went out to the next town to do some things. Its was good to get out and about for a while, the reflux is getting better and making me feel more comfortable.

Not sure whether I have a blood test this week or not, so will have to check that, still get plenty of brain fog and I have to have lots of notes to remind me..... LOL

John

Day 269

Howdy

Another very hot day again here today with temps in the 40's and it was 45 C yesterday, so not much chance in venturing outside, way to hot. Sx were reasonable and have started some reflux meds and also back on the Thrush Lozenges also, have to get these things under control. I am still taking my Lagactil medicine and it has helped my anger rages a lot, my Liver is still quite swollen and at this stage all I can do is virtually rest and take it very easy.

Well Thursday all ready tomorrow and this week is almost gone and Needle number 39 coming up this Saturday night, count down is on once I get to single figures, seems like an eternity at times.......

Be Good
John

Day 268

Hi

Today I went to my GP and told her about some swelling and discomfort around my Liver area which is quite tender at the moment, this isn't the first time I have had this, I used to get it before TX as well, each time this occurs it seems to be more so then the last, so I thought better get it checked out. While there She had mentioned to me about another Biopsy at EOT to see where my cirrhosis is up to and also may have some tests for cancer, mmmmm will wait and see on that front, one thing at a time, flat out getting through TX at the moment and at times is not easy for me. I guess I will stack it with the rest of the crap and just get on with it....

Stay Strong Everyone

John

Day 266 and 267

Hello

Well Sunday wasn't too bad a day and we had two lots of visitors over and had some good laughs also Sx was relatively kind and overall a good day. Still having trouble with my cracked tongue

and thrush, but making some headway with that with Meds...

Monday was a complete wash out, think I have been hit by a freight train, well it felt like it, I had absolutely no energy and was a weak as a kitten, I helped my wife change the bedding and I changed four pillow cases and was feeling faint and out of breath, think my bloods may be dropping again. The rest of the day all I could do was sit or lay down and just take it very very easy, better days to come....

John

Day 264 To 265

Hello Again

The last few days have been a bit of a wash out, usually Friday and Saturday's are my best days but this week for some reason, it's all different, just luck of the draw with Tx I suppose. Anyway I just rested and rolled with it and got through them.

Tonight I had my 38th Injection and so far so good, starting to feel it working and probably another night of restless broken sleep, but hey, I am used to that and soon better times are coming and will be looking forward to those. The Tx is sure one mixed bag of events and mystery......

Stay Strong

John

Day 263

Hi

Today was a mixed sort of day, overslept this morning and was feeling drained, had my shower and brekkie and my Ribas and picked up a little. Decided to just take it easy and watched some TV which I am usually never in the mood for while on Tx. In the afternoon went outside and did some very small jobs and within an hour I was exhausted totally and aching, it wasn't as if I was carrying bricks or anything strenuous, just picking up some small sticks and twigs after the recent storms.

I have also noticed some discomfort around my Liver area again, don't know why that is going on and will talk to Gp about it next visit. The days are warming up here but the nights are still cool.

Have a good day

John

Day 261 and 262

Hi Again

Tuesday night I slept all night for the first time in ages and it helped me feel better the next day and also gave me some solid rest instead of the usual creature of the night. Wednesday was also an interesting day, I felt in the mood for something to do outside, so I spent some of my good feeling catching up on the chores. A friend of mine on the Australian HepC Forum has started her second round of Tx and I would like to wish her well on her quest to rid the virus from her system.

Not to sure whether its the extra meds I am taking or the Tx, but my rash has been acting up again
and causing me some discomfort, back to the drawing board and the box of lotions and potions
again....

John

Day 259 To 260

Hi Everyone

Everything well here and moving on from quite an horrific episode at a Forum lately where I was silenced for standing up for peoples rights and defending myself against false accusations. The problem with these places is that after a while certain elements only want things certain ways and have no problem eliminating or discrediting anyone who doesn't tow the party line. Anyway I am still here and not going to let people like these ruin my Tx, I went to the Gp over the last few days
and bloods are hovering and at this stage I have been told to stay on the .4 Interferon dose for now.
I also lost a bit of weight this week back down to 62.9 Kg which isn't too much of a loss. Gp gave me Lagactil Tablets this time around as its easier then the syrup and more readily available here.

Hope Everyone has a great week....
John

Day 255 To 258

Hi Everyone

Well the last week has been quite a mix of events and some changes for the better in many ways. Overall have had one of the best weeks for sides since I started TX, although my concentration seems much to be desired lately, cant blame TX for old age I suppose LOL....

Had my 37Th Injection tonight and only 11 to go if they don't decide to extend my TX, cant wait for single figures on the needle count., I really feel for those on 72 weeks and those who have gone through multiple TX, in saying that, the length of time no matter what it is, is a battle and a half and something we all understand and can relate to....

So looking forward to some more good days ahead and wishing you all a great weekend....

Your Pal
John

Day 254

Hello All

I have had an excellent day today and Sx have been good, except for tonight when I read some posts referring to one of our own members and the anguish I felt for this person as I said in a previous post about this topic, I felt as though when the chips are down at times, as they can be for us all on Tx or not, its at these times we need a helping supportive hand up. Many times I have been there in the depths of depression and emotional wilderness wondering which would be the best way to escape it all and to be totally honest I saw only one way out.

So lets not be too quick to assume who does what and why and the blame lays with whom, for whatever reason we have the diseases and illnesses we have, we certainly don't deserve to have them or be told that its your own fault due to someones behaviour or practices....

Be Kind to Each Other, You never know when you may be in the same Boat...
John

Day 253

Hello Again

Well went to my Monday Gp appointment this morning and I have actually put on more weight, I am now 63.4 Kg and that was a pleasant surprise. The sides are going well and have been feeling not too bad really overall, Did have some Siesta time in the afternoon, but that is par for the course at times and I just roll with it. While in town this morning also went and looked around at the shops and generally just relaxed.

My Bloods results which I got a copy of have in fact dropped a bit, but nothing too severe I don't think. The Gp asked how I was feeling with the Dose Reduction of the Interferon and I told her I felt much better for a Monday after the Injection, Tuesday and Wednesday seem to be the nasty Sx days after needle, but I have a feeling even these will be better, anyway time will tell..... Touches Wooden Head just in case.....

15/10/09---------------------------------29/10/09
HB----------120-------------------------HB----109
WCC---------1.8-------------------------WCC---1.3
Neuts-------0.96---------------------Neuts----0.68
Platelets---76-------------------Platelets----71

Take Care
John

Day 249 To 252

Hello All

Sorry about not posting for a few days, everything AOK here, I had to go down to the Gold Coast to visit my Daughter and Partner and my little Grandson, had a good break and lots of enjoying moments with them all. I also met up with Cock Sparrow, Helga, Bec and Linda who runs the Australian Hepc Support Forums here in Oz, we had a great lunch and lots of laughs and discussions and a great time was had by all. This is the first time I have met up with other people on TX and there support people, was terrific to just be among our own kind so to speak.

Had my 36Th Injection Saturday night at the dose of .4 on the Redipen, owing to the liver clinic contacting me Friday and letting me know the Specialist said not to increase as my bloods have taken a hit again, wont know what they are till Monday when I go to the GP appointment and will get copies off her, also was told to have another blood test next week to keep a check on levels.

All in all a great weekend and looking forward to an even better week...
Take Care and Thanks to all my Mates
John