Emerging Courageous Online Magazine - Stories/Testimonies

My Journey with Hepatitis C

I contracted Hepatitis C in 1991, after a blood transfusion I received because I lost too much blood after
my daughter, Stephanie Angel, was born too soon, at only 6 months gestation. It all happened so fast, the
labor, my water breaking, the labor, the birth and death of my little girl, and the hemorrhaging. After an
emergency D and C (right on the bed I gave birth on, awake)! The bleeding slowed down, and it was
shown my hemoglobin was at a 6, very anemic. I was given 2 bags of plasma and while I suppose I felt
better, I couldn't feel anything but heartache for months and months.
My milk came in, my arms ached so much for a baby to hold, it was the worst pain and saddest time of
my whole life, and always will be, no matter what could ever happen to me.

About 18 months after that, I felt fatigue like you can't describe! My arms and legs felt like LEAD and I
was exhausted 24 hours a day, no matter how much I slept. After months of testing, I found out I had
received blood tainted with the Hepatitis C virus, and I was finally diagnosed.
Hepatitis C comes with so many other illnesses and side effects, I almost wish the exhaustion was all there
was! But it's not. There is chronic pain in my legs that I need strong medicine daily to keep me out of a
wheelchair and walking. I have lost so much memory, I have to write down everything, or I can't
remember even the smallest things. I'm asleep every night at 6:30 because I can't keep my eyes open any
longer than that. And I also feel like I'll just collapse from exhaustion by then. The hardest part is the
depression that comes with Hep C, even in people who never were depressed before! And ten there is the
fear we all live with, when will my hepatitis lead to liver failure/cirrhosis/cancer. (meaning really, how
much time do I have left with my family?)
The good news. I found I could not tolerate the standard treatment of Hepatitis C (which is only about
40% successful anyway, at best.) SO I treat myself like this, and I can be there for my small children
(who do NOT have the virus). I eat three small healthy meals a day, no matter what, even if I'm not
hungry. I never eat candy, drink liquor, or junk food. I walk 30 minutes a day no matter what, too. Even
if my legs are screaming in pain. I take a big nap every day. Up to two hours long. And At night I sleep 9
hours, every night.
Because of these small changes, I can live with this disease and function with my kids. I can remember
things better. I don't feel a bit depressed, and sometimes, I even forget that I have it, and that my viral
load is sky high. That's OK. I can't control things like that. But the things I can control, I do. And that
makes all the difference!
My kids are my prize, so I set my goals with "my eyes on the prize"!
Thanks for letting me share.
(c)BrisaTrue

[email protected]