I have known that about HCV for about 15 plus years. I knew I came in contact with Hep A 38 years ago, because at that time I found out I was pregnant and had HepA. Hep B and C weren't readily diagnosed at that time. I had a liver biopsy because my liver enzymes were found to be elevated during a physical years later. The biopsy showed that I had been in contact with HepA, B, and C. The biopsy clarified that I had Heb C 1A, lucky me, but while I was chronic I was not a carrier. That was a relief because I have been married now for 31 years, my husband has not tested positive for Hepatitis, and I have had four children, none of them test positive for the virus either.

My liver enzymes go up and down, right now my Alt is 222. I feel no side affects and am not exactly sure why it is so elevated. My case is a little more complicated, because now that I am 58 and post menopausal, I have been diagnosed with Hemochromotosis, iron overload, which is not good for my liver either. I have one okay gene and 1 not so good…so who knows what comes from what. I do get philobotomies every or everyother month to help keep my iron load down.
I have always thought I contracted hepatitis from using drugs when I was younger, but after reading everything that has been updated, it is very possible that I contracted Hep C from Rhogam shots. I have Rh neg blood so I have had a total of 6 Rhogam shots over my lifetime, all before 1990.

I do drink occasionally and I know should not. I take Chinese herbs that I receive from my accupuncturist and I beleive they help some. I am a nurse and completely understand my body. My doctor tells me to go with what I feel not my numbers. It has been suggested that I do drug therapy, but I don't feel I want to get into that right now.

I do have grandchildren and want to be around for awhile longer. I was told by a liver specialist years ago that I would not make it past 60… we'll see. I am really not sure what I am going to do. Being a nurse I have seen people die from this disease and it is not a pleasant way to go. I don't think I am hiding from anything, I am very honest about what I have and if people are offended or afraid of it so be it.

I do occasionally get pains in my right side and I get tired, but I also have a very busy life so what causes what. It bothers my that I am not sure how long I will live and what the end might be, but I don't dwell on it. Occasionally I cry but feel better after it's all out.

I am lucky in the fact that I have good insurance at this time and can work a steady pace. If I choose to do the interferon treatments, no one ever knows how they will react to them, but I know it is difficult to keep a busy schedule. The odds still are not in my favor with or without treatment, so for now I just live and do the best I can.