Friday, February 27, 2009

More About Hepatitis..chapter 2

If you have not visited my blog in a while, please scroll down and read the post the precedes this one first.

My Father is a Neurosurgeon. My brother is a Neurologist. My first career was as a Surgical Technologist (essentially a scrub nurse). NONE of us suspected Don had Hepatitis! As I said before, the only way you can contract it is blood to blood. Most commonly transmitted via a blood transfusion or sharing a needle. Don contracted his though when he was about 18 years old, on leave from the Army and decided to get a tattoo. When you first get Hepatitis, you may feel flu like symptoms for a few days. Most people treat the aches with over the counter meds and never see a doctor. The ones who do go to the doctor, many times, because of the symptoms, are misdiagnosed. This is how it starts for Hep.C. The viral forms have a few more symptoms and are a bit easier to diagnosis and transfer to others.

Once Don found out he had Hep C, he then had to be tested for what is called 'genotype' There are 6 different genotypes of Hep, C, genotype 1 being the most difficult to treat. If you have genotype 2-6, the chemotherapy drug treatment is essentially 24 weeks long. If you test positive for genotype 1, the treatment is 48 weeks and the doctor will schedule you for a liver biopsy.

Don tested positive for genotype 1.

20 comments:

Melissa @ The Inspired Room said...

Oh, wow, I will pray for him and for you as you both face this news and the treatment.

take care,
Melissa

kari and kijsa said...

Oh Julie, we will be praying for your husband and for you as you both walk throught the days ahead!

blessings, kari & kijsa

Debi Ward Kennedy said...

Julie, I will be keeping both you and Don in my prayers...

Unknown said...

OH Julie! I am so so sorry. I feel awful. You are both in my prayers sweetie. I am sending lots of hugs too!
Love,
Amy

Ginger said...

Hi Julie:
If I am understanding you right, this has just been dormant all these years? Darn, thats scary.
Keep us posted.
Ginger

Sometimes It's Good said...

Julie, I hope and pray that his treatment goes well and that things will look up.
Hugs, Susan

FrenchGardenHouse said...

Julie,

I will add your sweet Don to my prayer list. {and you, too!!}lots of hugs, too.

xo Lidy

bj said...

Oh, sweetheart, I am so saddened to read this. I have been out of leaving comments and reading many posts for awhile and I am sorry I just now am learning this. Oh, yea...I will pray for him..for all of you.
Stay strong for him and know that we all love you and are praying hard...REAL hard!
xo bj

bj said...

I just added a button on my sidebar requesting prayers, prayers and more prayers....

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Julie, I'm so sorry to hear about your husband's illness. I'll be joining you in prayer too that God will heal him.

Cindy said...

Oh, I'm so sorry to hear this! I hope everything turns out okay for him. It's good you posted about this maybe this will help others who don't know they may have it!

The Urban Chic said...

Julie,I will be saying prayers for Don and you, because I know from experience that this is a very difficult time for you. But just remember one great thing, the liver regenerates, so if it has shrunk, with diet, rest, and treatments, he will soon be well again. Love, hugs, and many prayers. Pat

vivian said...

oh dear..
I'm following you.. waiting to hear whats next.
I have both of you in my prayers!

bj said...

Julie, I am so glad Don let you post this because there is no other way we would have known to pray for him. The most wonderful part of blogging, to me, is that there's so, SO many people out there that are willing to pray for you when you need it. Don't you know God loves this blogging!!
I know Don will be ok...so many meds and techniques now and the liver rebuilds and repairs it's self...
Hang in there, girl!

CIELO said...

Hi Julie... I'm so sorry to hear that about your husband... you're both in my prayers.... “May God grant you always... a sunbeam to warm you, a moonbeam to charm you, a sheltering angel so nothing can harm you. Laughter to cheer you. Faithful friends near you. And whenever you pray, Heaven to hear you.” (Irish Blessing)

cielo

Gayla said...

I am so sorry to hear about your husband's diagnosis. You are both in my prayers. Hugs! Gayla

Wendy said...

So sorry to hear this Julie. Will keep you both in my prayers.

Justabeachkat said...

You and Don have been in my thoughts...and prayers. Keep us updated.

Hang in there sweet friend. Take care of YOU too.

Hugs!
Kat

Anonymous said...

My friend's mother, I spoke of in my other comment, was told she had the same Hep C as Naomi Judd.

She was quite ill for many years, is doing okay now, but is still on meds. In other words, she functions well and worked after diagnosis. She has other health issues and has had knee surgeries and other surgeries. She also became ill (heart) from the diet drug. The name escapes me, but you will know which one.
The transfusion that infected her with the virus was done at the time of childbirth.

Prayers continue for Don and you!

Vintage Linen Treasures said...

You are both in my prayers.
Patricia