Giving back...

Happy Independance day!

This holiday (and all year) I will be celebrating my independance from Hep C. I've been carrying this virus around with me for most of my life and now it is gone...kinda weird but it's always been a part of me and now that it's gone...well, I can't quite put it into words yet, but it's weird.

Tomorrow starts our huge 5-day waterfront blues festival (Portland, Or) and I have been to the last 24 of the 25 years it's been in exsistance. Even while on treatment I hauled my sorry behind down there...alone. not once but twice! It was soooo far to the porta potties, lol. This year I am volunteering for the Caring Ambassadors Program (CAP) to give free HCV testing. This disease took such a huge part of my life away...it's time to change course and this is as good a place as any to start giving back.

peace,

Donna

Donna and all,

Happy 4th of July.

It is wonderful that you are working for an important cause.

Best to you,

Carol

hep93, I do have more energy, the problem is now chronic pain & fatigue associated with fibromyalgia...but fibro won't kill ya and hepc will. I still have stage 4 cirrohsis too and stopping the progression was a big part of why I did the Tx.

To all, I have read some very sad and heartbreaking stories on this site lately and I felt I needed to add something positive to the mix. Those stories about ESLD have especially given me a reality check to take better care of myself, not give up or feel sorry for myself and enjoy this thing called life before it passes me by.

Enjoy the day!

Donna

ok, the blues festival darn near did me in, lol. I had to wait for 7 trains before finding one that had enough space to get on and then I actually got a seat...it's an hour ride to my place so after fireworks and sardine can trains I didn't get home till almost 1 am. Today I am sore from head to toe, exhasted and have a headach but man it was fun ;)

I volunteered 4 hrs trying to get people to get tested for HCV. Here are some really classic excuses people had for living in denile...

I trust my friend who does all my peircings (this guy had alot of them)
I'm the same woman I was 20 years ago (huh?)
I had it and treated and my doc says I'm immune (quack!)
Do I LOOK like I have hep c?
I'm married so I can't get it
I just got vaccinated for it
my buddy did these tatoos, he learned it in prison
ain't that an OLD persons disease?

The list goes on and on...

I also met some amazing & inspirational people who shared there survival stories. Two guys were comparing transplant scars and stories while their wives got tested. One guy came over and said he got tested 2 years ago at the same festival, found out he was positive and wanted to thank everyone for saving his life. A youg man just wanted to know one way or another so he could deal with it.

So sore and tired? Yes. Worth every bit of energy expended? Absolutly! I am going to do it again friday...I am a glutton for punishment I guess! Today I will rest...

be well,
donna

I was blown away by how uniformed people were! We need a national campaign to raise awareness not some little blurb on the news about the CDC wanting baby boomers to get tested...HCV has killed more people than HIV since 1996 and yet still no outcry...where are posters, commercials and advertising on buses like they did for HIV/AIDS?

Don't get me started, LOL

d