July 23, 2009

Today is the fourth anniversary with my new liver. The first 3 years were mostly recovery, but after going through the interferon/ribavirin therapy, I'm now undetectable for the past 19 months. For the last 6 months, I feel as good as before this whole bad dream began, about 12 - 13 years ago. I work as a tile setter and am back, lifting 50 pound bags of mortar, boxes of tile and working full time. My wish is for all of you to have the same good fortune I have. Especially Connie, who has always been there with sound advice for me and the rest of this forum. Be well. **David**

Yes David, be well.
Wishing you many more anniversary celebrations.

Emma

David. You are our inspiration!!! Full time work! Gasp. Fantastic. Keep up the good work!

Carol

Happy Anniversary David and echo your wishes and sentiments for Connie!

Jamie.

Happy Anniversary David!!

Thanks for the reply, David. And, as I recall, you were just on the combo, right? At any rate, it seems treatment is on the back burner for me for many months (see my post today in my blog.)

Hugs,
Connie

Yes Connie, it was the 2 part cocktail. I heard from my TC and the nurse practitioner (Abigail) who used to take care of me for my hepatologist. Abigail now works on the transplant team. When she was taking care of me, I had her email and phone number. She never took more than an hour or two to reply, when I called or emailed with a question or problem. Abigail was the best! I have been incredibly lucky to have had a local doctor took the time to learn about Hep C, and was on call at all times. He even gave me his cell phone number, in case of emergency. I only used it once. My hepatologist, Dr. Pratt and transplant team at MGH were always on the ball. My surgeon, Dr. Hertl is a whiz. I have been very lucky, along with the medical experts that tend(ed) to me.

SyXx,
As long as Ziff is hanging around, pork will be on the menu. Tonight it's going to be fresh fish.

Sorry I am late in the day adding our congrats! Such a wonderful milestone, David. May every day be a bit better than the one before.

 Love, themiz, and her mister.

Although we ended up going to Mayo, David, went thru eval at MGH first and just loved Dr Hertl, and who couldn't love Dr Pratt. They both exude confidence, mixing it with a tad of humour (I use the UK version here because I'm trying to cozy up to NiceLondonChap in hopes of securing a position in his entourage), and a splash of warm and fuzzy.

I believe that most Docs at MGH and BWH make up the Harvard "Partners" program.

Omg. Earplugs !

Good Morning, David! Did you celebrate? What a fun thread. It amazes me to hear the wonderful stories of various transplant centers around the country. Boston is lucky to have great medical community, and you are living proof. I hope Mae's Richard is able to do follow up in Boston and not incur travel, housing, and all that jazz. Florida has it going on with the low MELD transplants, for certain, and this is ever so attractive. And, to hear a wonderful story of a new friend's brother who has his own brother today...thanks to the Mayo Rochester team 17 years ago.

Hopefully, one day I will have a good news transplant story from the Southwest. Mayo AZ seems to be one terrific transplant center, as well.

Now, down to the serious stuff. What ARE we going to do about....Ziff?

Hugs all, themiz

That is wonderful news David! Sometimes all it takes is hearing a story with a happy ending to give everyone the encouragement we need to push on. Enjoy the rest of your wonderful life!!!

I'm not so hot on working but that's just me. I understand that some people enjoy that kind of thing.

"I thought I wanted a career as an accountant, turns out I just wanted the paycheck."

Doni

I remember your talking about Abigail way back when, David. You have indeed been blessed with wonderful docs. So have I, except I haven't been too enthralled with the transplant surgeon, as you know.

Hugs,
Connie