hep c and drinking

Marketa, that's great that you can get Medicaid!  The fact of your having a minor child (or more than one?) and you meet the financial criteria, makes you eligible.  I have a good friend in TX whose son is a doctor, and he interned at a hospital out there where most of the patients were on Medicaid.  Don't be afraid of your test results.  Remember, knowledge is power!  The more you know about your situation, the better able you are to take care of yourself.  You are doing a great job!  The fact that you are still working tells me that you are not terribly sick.  That is a blessing.  You still have a really good chance at living a long life--if you stay away from alcohol and do whatever treatment is recommended.  Everyone on this forum is rooting for you!

Hugs,

Connie

June, it's odd...I have moderately severe pain from osteoarthritis and osteonecrosis (bone death), which necessitated hip replacements.  Even though I have active hep C and cirrhosis, and had surgery for liver cancer just a year ago, the doctors have never suggested I not take pain meds.  I am on Lortab, which is probably better than some meds as far as the liver is concerned.  They were more concerned that I get off HRT when the cancer was found (which I did), and also that I stop smoking (which I did 5 1/2 years ago.)  Smoking inhibits healing.  I had stopped drinking decades prior to the ON, although that is considered the reason I got it.  Years ago, I was put on ibuprofen 800 mg 3 x a day for arthritic pain and I took that amount for years.  Only recently, I was able to cut that down to prn, which was about one or two a week.  Naturally, the docs have been happy about this.  But again, they have never told me to stop taking any pain meds.  The liver filters everything...so everything that goes through our bodies can potentially harm the liver.  In my opinion, though, quality of life is more important than how long I live.  I can't enjoy life if I am in the horrible pain I once was, when I could barely function.

Hugs,

Connie

Dansbrother;
I believe it was you who recommended reading about Near death experiences. I have been reading it and find it quite interesting, and comforting. I know I have my angles and in times of crisis or good times such as births, weddings, or cristinings I have found that a very caring beautiful stranger is alwasy there (at the time I don't know why that person is there I don't know them. But when I look back I have had that experience many times. I know it was one of my angles. If you were the one that suggested reading on that subject. Thanks june

Hi dansbrother,

I have ESLD; I've had Hep A and Hep B (40 years): I currently have Hep C (30 years) and cirrhosis; and I will need a liver transplant to survive. So this support forum is important to me, my health and my well-being. I don't think that I am alone in this.

I don't oppose your having opinions or disseminating advice, but I would appreciate your turning down the rhetoric, anger and patriotic fervor a bit. Unless I'm mistaken, this is the second outburst of righteous indignation you've taken to this level. I think the last one ended with you saying goodbye to the forum and posting, "I'm moving on to greener pastures."

I am not suggesting that you leave the forum because I think that you are a caring and valuable person. And I think that after you moved on in April, you returned because this is a very special forum, managed well by an excellent moderator with valuable input by a treasured RN. So I am confident that a little constructive criticism suggesting that you tone down the rhetoric will not kill you, while liver disease will surely kill me.

The forum shouldn't add unneeded stress to my life -- in addition to the day-to-day life management challenges as my own caregiver; in addition to the financial challenges of not having an an adequate income and needing expensive health care; in addition to the ever-present specter of disease, life-shattering symptoms, and death. I sincerely hope that you will find a way to manage your anger issues without creating confrontational threads on the forum. I would prefer an environment of respect and tolerance, where we can support each other. "Can't we all just get along?"

I too am an American, protected from governmental censorship by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Fighting about censorship on a private forum that you did not create seems just a little arrogant. If it is something that you cannot live with, you can create a web site run by your rules.

I do not want to offend you. I hope that you will see this as my version of an intervention. Your passion can be either positive or negative. I like the positive better.

On this forum, I will support our moderators and other forum leaders, who are volunteering and helping in the best possible ways. I hope that you will give them the respect that they deserve.

Be well, John

Hey John

You ROCK

Who are you listening to tonight

How about the Rolling Stones!

JoAnn

Hi Connie,

I just read your post on your condition so you don't need to rehash it for me. Again I say, "you really know how to navigate the trials and obstructions. Keep it up."

Be well, John

John  I have no doubt that your neighbors will be crazy about you in no time just like we all are. You will have your own person physicians next door.  I bet they will love your music too.  Even if they are young.  How about the Eagles tonight!!  Sleep Well

JoAnn 

 Hello dansbrother,

It has been a while since I last post,how are things? I have really been going through a struggle these past weeks. All has been real heavy, my job is stresing me out,without and beyond words. I did last Friday have a beer after work,two beers and I felt some bad the next day. I guess my conscious was working on me,because I had this guilty conscious. I thank God that I acknowledge God's presence. I am working hard to get through this and live. It may not seem like I am fighting,but this angle of drinking is a challenge. I refuse to give up though. I been reading some of the post on the forum and everyone has their opinion. All I have to say is that you have been a inspiration to me and I give thanks for all the information I have recieved on this forum.What you do for other is rewarding and I hope that you will continue to post on this forum. I look forward to hearing from you and all others. I went to my appointment for the medicaid and it wasn't good,was told that I am unable to get it, because my child isn't in my household. He will be 17 in Sept and live with his father. I think every young man need to be nurture with father care when he does not want to listen to their mother. I am looking into other options and if you know of anything please let me know. As always be blessed and remember nothing we do is in vain. Looking to hear from you soon.

Hi John

Just a quick note.   I need to get to bed lots to do tomorrow.  First when you have your weekly dinners is it low sodium food.  If so I would really like some new recipes.  Jerry is burning out on the old ones.  He seems like a pregnant woman.  He craves something like schrimp for a month or so then can't stand it any longer.  It changes constantly.  I thought maybe you or any one else on the forum could share low sodium recipes.  Just a thought.

Also I have to admit one of my favorites is Bette Midler.  If you know her I'm going to be dripping with envy!  Have a nice evening.

JoAnn