I found out back in the spring of 2000 that I have Hepatitis C, I had just changed physicians and my new doctor (who is also my current) is very thorough. My ensymes have been consistantly slightly elevated all these years and yet my previous doctor didn't know to check for HCV. More than likely I have had the virus for about 28 years but could have been infected 18 to 21 yrs ago or even from birth. It really doesn't matter how or when I contracted it, only the fact that I have it and need to deal with it.

I knew absolutely nothing about HCV and I was terrified at first. Thinking the worst, fearful I was going to die soon. I was scheduled to see a specialist, a gastrologist, knowledgable about HCV. Many blood tests were done. One confirmed the fact I have HCV and I had a viral load of almost 800,000. Not knowing this is a relatively low number I thought it to be extreamely high, under a million is concidered low and I've heard of readings well over 18mil.

I since have learned that the viral load has no correlation to the amount of damage or lack there of to the liver. I studied and had my list of questions to ask every visit which was once a week at first and then every 2 for awhile to see if my LFT's or more specifically my ALT and AST readings were fluctuating. I now have them tested twice a year and alternate between my internist and my gastro every six months. I had read about genotyping but it wasn't being done on a regular basis yet when I was first diagnosed. A few months went by and then they tested for my genotype which is 1a, one of the hardest types to treat. So far all my blood work had been normal with the exception of my slightly elevated enzymes. So far I was a good canidate for treatment. The best way to find out the condition of my liver was to have a biopsy done, which for me was less painful than going to the dentist. The anxiety beforehand was the worst part. The biopsy showed that I had no damage and very little inflamation. Treatment at that time consisted of interferon and ribavirin with a 25 to 30% of clearing for 1a's. A hard regiment to say the least. It was recommended that I wait for better treatment.

A relatively heathy 44 yr old with no damage to my liver, I opted to wait. I wasn't ready physically or mentally to tackle treatment back then. One of the best things I did for myself was quit smoking after a 30 yr addiction. It's been fifteen months today since a cigarette touched my lips. My old smokers cough is non existant. I don't miss it at all or the way I smelled. My liver thanks me too. So does my purse… I eat mostly fresh veggies and lean meats, nuts and fruits when they are in season. I have a hard time drinking enough pure water, I feel best when I drink more. I do take a selected group of supplements. One fact that I keep holding onto is that 80% of people with HCV die of something unrelated. Although it's been slow going they are developing better treatment and better ways to deal with the side affects of the current treatments. I'm hopeful for the new protese inhibitors on the horizon. Hopefull for studies on herbal treatments people have used for centuries like milk thistle.

Summer before last I had a second biopsy three years after the first one. I was lucky by chance to have the same doctor that preformed and read the results of my first biopsy. It showed no change or possibly a slight decrease in inflamation. Again I opted not to treat and remain naive.

The first people who knew about my HCV was one of my sisters, her husband and my husband who since has become my ex. Our marriage had been rocky for some time but I'd be lying if I said the HCV didn't have an impact. Within a month of my diagnosis my husband wouldn't touch me and we separated within a year. It took me over a year before I could bring myself to tell my teenage boys. I had had them tested without their knowledge, convincing their doctor that I didn't want them to worry. No one in my family was infected. That was one hugh relief. Since then I have told my other siblings and allowed them to tell their significant others. I couldn't bring myself to tell my mother who had emphysema and has since passed. I don't see any reason to tell my Dad, he's 80. There are a few chosen friends at work that know but I would be afraid of loosing my job if the word were to go further. People tend to have difficulty understanding that transmission is strictly blood to blood. Other strains of hepatitis that spread easily has scared the uneducated public into believing that the same is true about HCV.

I was so afraid no man would want me because of my hep C. Almost four years now since I separated from my ex and I have recently started seeing someone. He just may be the one! So to my fellow single heppers there is hope for love and ways for many of us to keep the dragon from rearing it's nasty head by simple lifestyle changes and taking care of our aging bodies and minds. I thank all that have needed to brave treatment. I'm thankful for those that are cured.

My first connection to fellow heppers was just before my second biopsy through WebMd's Hep C support groups. If only I'd had that connection when I had first learned of my infection! The worry I wouldn't have had…. I've learned more from my fellow heppers than any text book or physician has taught me and I've learned alot from them as well. I've made life long friends too. Read all you can on the subject, stay calm and live life today like it might be your last!

"You cannot find peace by avoiding life."