It's hard to believe nine weeks have passed in a flash when the previous 48 weeks seemed to take forever.
The results of the biopsy on my forehead only showed some sun damage (well, he gave it a long name, but that's what he meant). He said if there had been a fungal or bacterial infection it had gone. All I know is that since I stopped applying their creams and finished my treatment it has disappeared on its own. Well, it is just visible but I can live with that.
The results of the ultrasound scan showed nothing untoward either and my blood test gave the ALT a reading of 19, which is promising for an undetectable result in January.
My weight has stabilised and stopped increasing, thank goodness. I still have the achey bones in my ankles which prevent me from walking too much and I get the occasional headache, which I never got before tx. I still get tired when i try to do too much, but I have learnt to recognise the signs now and I just slow down a bit. I'll never learn my limits because its human nature to try to do as much as possible!
My hair has just started to grow again and I see that posh spice has copied my crop, albeit hers is a different colour to mine!
I am now taking a daily supplement of vitamin b and milk thistle to help support the liver, I still drink plenty of water and herbal teas. I try to eat as much fruit and vegetables as I can everyday. I eat fish again but it still doesn't taste quite as good as it did before treatment. Sadly, there is still no way I could play a round of golf just yet, but I'm still optimistic I will be back playing in the springtime.
Twelve weeks into detox - that must mean I am about half toxed! I thought it might be interesting to make a list of my symptoms at this stage, as I did at the very beginning, and then again at the end of detox (if I remember!)
Bruising easily
Rheumatoid arthritis type pains in my joints
Forgetfulness
Weight gain - during but mainly after tx
Some improvement in my temperature control
Oedema
Sudden tiredness
Noise doesn't bother me so much anymore, I no longer need to find a quiet space to hide in.
I'm hoping that the above symptoms are the cirrhosis and nothing to do with the hep c, but it will be another three months before I know that for sure. A definate improvement from how I felt during treatment, although the memories of that time linger on. The treatment certainly slows you down and I don't feel 100% myself yet, but this is normal apparently and I shouldn't worry to much about it (they say). It's kinda like I know what I want to do but the body isn't quite ready to follow it through. Like feeling 95 in a 55 year old body. Or, the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak!
It was my three month post tx check up with Dr Sree today. Good news! Apparently my bloods are more or less back to normal, which is a good sign for getting an UND at the six month mark. Symptoms that I still have, such as the joint pain and oedema, I may have to learn to live with - a small price to pay - and is due to the cirrhosis as against the hep c. Dr Sree couldn't get over the amount of weight I had put on - 8kgs since I last saw him - and said we will have to keep an eye on that if it continues (thyroid problems? I didn't ask)
Perhaps swimming would be a better option than walking to help me get fit (easier on the ankles) I don't much like getting wet in the winter time but guess it might be worth a go.
I have rejoined the golf club as a full playing member as from the 1st October
and hope to play some holes this Sunday, weather permitting.
The date for my SVR (sustained viralogical result) is 7th January and I shall see Dr Sree in February for the results. If I get a negative or undetectable result at that time that is as near as I will get to being "cured".
All in all, I was very pleased with my visit to the clinic and remain optimistic for a negative result. the best bit though is that I am beginning to finally pick up the threads of my life and move on. Swimming, golfing, walking were not things I could even consider three months ago. So anyone still undergoing tx please take heart, things do improve although its hard to see your way through it at the time.
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January 2008