I was first diagnosed with Hepatitis C in 1992 when giving blood for a surgery I was to have. The Dr, in passing, told me, "Did you know you have Hepatitis C?" Well of course I didn't and asked what it was. He could only tell me that they didn't know much about it. I went home and called the CDC to see what they had on it and they faxed me half a sheet of paper, telling me they didn't know much about it.

I spent the next 6 years forgetting all about having HepC. I told the Dentist, and other Dr's but nobody seemed to concerned. I also continued drinking because no one told me this would damage my liver more.

During the time from 92 to Dec. 97, I noticed myself getting more and more forgetful. I would get home from work and fall into a dead sleep, exhausted. I was an insomniac. My concentration faltered and got worse and worse. I would get fatigued doing even the smallest of household chores. My liver hurt. I had terrible sinus problems and headaches.

In December 1997, I came down with a terrible flu. I thought it was just a cold but it really knocked me down. I was unable to even get up off the couch for 4 days. My Primary Care Physician suggested another enzyme test. He then sent me to a Gastroentrologist.

We did the biopsy in February 1998. I also was forced to quit my job, as an Office Manager, because I could not remember how to do the work expected of me. The biopsy showed fibrosis with bridging cirrhosis. (Stage 3 going into Stage 4 liver damage) It's a miracle there isn't more cirrhosis considering how long I drank. I didn't quit drinking for good until January 9, 1998.

We started Intron A in March 98. I was a 'Partial Responder' and went right into the Combo, Rebetron. We did another PCR the beginning of Nov. 98, but I still had viral load detected. We decided to continue treatment and see if I would respond to this in another month or so.

I did not respond after a year on the combo. After taking the summer of 99 off, we started up with daily dosages of INFERGEN. After 7 weeks I was UNDETECTED for the first time. We dropped down to 15mcg 3 days a week and planned to be on this for a year. The daily dosing really made me sick but it was well worth it!

The INFERGEN caused major heath issues and my liver enzyme levels soared to over 700 within 2 weeks. I wound up in the hospital. Suffice it to say that the Dr and I decided to quit the treatment and wait to see what the Pegalated Interferon would do.

In August of 2000 I started the HALT-C study at USC in Los Angeles. I did 24 weeks of Pegasys plus Ribavirin. At that point, I was still showing virus so I was put into the control group of the study. The point being to see if those who did nothing would progress faster than those who did low dose maintenance treatment. This is a 4 yr study and has been extended to 2007.

We found out in October 98 that my husband has HepC as well. He was in the Marines and in Vietnam. The Gamma Gobulin shots at that time were tainted with HepC virus. He has had an endoscopy done, with the results being no varices!! His biopsy also showed very minimal damage. His viral load was 1,628,000. He is planning to wait and see what better treatment may come along and keep checking on the liver enzymes. He drank much longer and more than I. Luckily, the only symptoms he has at this point are fatigue, muscle and joint pain, and some memory problems. Since he is the only one working now, he knows the Interferon could knock him for a loop and cause him to not be able to work. We will now fight this Dragon together and pray we come out the winners.

Larry had another PCR and a genotype test done in June 1999 and the viral load has dropped to 373,490 and his genotype is 1a. We attribute the drop in viral load to the fact that he hasn't had any alcohol since Arpil 98 as he is not doing treatment.

I started a Support Group in our county and it shocked me to see over 60 people at the first meeting. We were over 100 strong and growing each month. Unfortunately, I moved out of the area in 2001 and the group I had started was shut down.

 I've been online for over 10 years now and am still finding it fascinating. This is my first attempt at a Web Page and I have learned so much about making them. It's alot of fun and the best way I can think of to get the word out about Hepatitis C. I have a beautiful 29 year old daughter, Erika, who has kept me on my toes for nearly all of those years! She has made me a Grandma on August 19, 1999. I'm too young to be a Grandma but what the heck! I had prayed that I would be around to see my Grandchildren so I guess the good Lord decided to give me one now! *BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR!* Our "baby" is now 7 yrs old and such a tomboy! Her name is Arianna and she is a living doll! we live in Central California and love it here!

I was in the Army from 74~77, stationed in Ludwigsburg, Germany for 2 1/2 years. I fell in love with the country and hope to return someday. It's sad to think the Military gave us this awful disease, but now the fight is on to prove it. It's scary to think the Goverment used, and still uses, its Armed Forces as guinea pigs for this kind of testing.

My husband, Larry, and I have been together for 23 years this year. He has become a wonderful source of support for me throughtout this ordeal. He had a tough time understanding HepC for awhile there, but I don't know what I would do without him now. I wonder, sometimes, how he does it. (Putting up with me throughout all those treatments) But I am grateful that he does.

We got a Harley Davidson ElectraGlide Ultra Classic in 2003 and have had a fantastic time with it. We have been to Sturgis, SD for their rally twice and are planning another trip there for 2008. We have done more vacationing since getting that bike than we ever did before and we LOVE it!

We have 2 additions to our family as well. Larry got me a puppy in May '98! He is a cocker spaniel and I named him Sam, after my favorite Grandfather. We then adopted Crystal from the Humane Society. She was a 3 yr old when we got her in 1998 and is also a cocker. They are both parti-color and look related! Both of these doggies give us such joy, love and happiness. It was the perfect idea to keep me in good spirits as I struggled through all of the treatments. Sam is still "my baby" and Crystal has latched onto Larry. They are so good for both of us and keep us hopping too! It was a coincidence that they both are parti-color but they do look like brother and sister! They behave like brother and sister as well!