3 more shots....

I have three more shots of interferon left. Then after that, a week of ribavirin. This weekend was not bad. My husband woke up while I was sweating the night I got my shot. I usually sleep through the side effects but woke up when he did. I'm tired today and I think it's because I over did it this weekend.

We will be driving two days to Arkansas starting tomorrow. We'll stop halfway and stay the night somewhere. I haven't been home in a year. I know I'll be tired, but I'm looking forward to a visit with the family.

tired this morning

Whoa. I'm tired this morning. The shot went fine last night, but I feel like I've had about 20 benadryls. Dry, thirsty and sleepy. Oh well. I got to keep trudging on. 4 shots to go.

Giddy Friday

I get giddy on Fridays. Friday is the day I give my shot of Pegasys. This will be #20 tonight. Woo hoo. I don't like the way I feel the next few days. The extremely dry mouth gets old. Oh well. Not too much longer now. But, it's another peg down.

*added later
I want to add that I received my last box of pegasys and ribavirin today from Caremark Pharmacy. (well, that's if I achieve SVR and don't have to ever do this stuff again). Unbelievable. Only 4 more shots after tonight's.

Looking back

I changed my profile picture. It's me standing at the top of a tunnel that was dug out of some rock on the South Island of New Zealand. My husband took it from the bottom of the tunnel. I think the picture is a metaphor of what it's like when one is nearing the end of treatment:

I see light at the end of the tunnel with myself standing at the end. I'm looking back down the path I climbed from, reflecting on the hard times. I'm still standing.

Yes, there is light at the end of the tunnel. It's gone by faster than I would have expected. Like life, really.

I was talking with a friend the other day about getting the new puppy about the same time I was diagnosed with Hep C. It's strange, really, how all these stressful things have come about at the same time. But, the upside is that the puppy just turned one and is starting to calm down a bit, and the treatment is almost finished. I will have energy soon and a couple of months of summer to enjoy without taking pills and getting shots. I'm glad I'll be over this stuff soon. I'm determined to start running once I can without getting out of breath or having leg pain. I am going to take my life back and make the most of it. I have learned a huge lesson from going through this and I won't waste it.

Doctor's appointment and shot #19

I saw Dr. G yesterday. I have blood work in two weeks. All in all, I was doing OK. The rash is still there on my chest and legs. My scalp is still a little itchy. The mood is steady thanks to Paxil 20 mg. We mostly talked about my trip to New Zealand and he told me he was worried that the trip would be stressful. I assured him that, for me, travel is something I thrive on. He could see it. He and the nurse thought I looked so much better compared to the last doctor's visit. He was really worried about me.

My husband has been more understanding and patient since our trip. I told him about the appointment yesterday and I'm not sure he still gets it about how serious the depression was.

Tonight I will administer shot #19. Roll on July. I'll be done with you, Pegasys and Ribavirin.

a little tired, but feeling OK

I'm meeting with the support group tonight. There are three of us. We're trying to get this going but I guess there aren't a lot of people in this area interested. I'm not in an urban area so that might be part of it.

Molly Maid Service came on Monday. I am so glad I got them. I'm going to keep them through the summer while I continue treatment. I just can't do it all right now.

I worked Monday and then had a softball game that night. I totally overdid it. It's two days later and I'm still very tired. My legs felt like lead Monday night.

I have noticed that my side effects are getting better. My dry skin (rash, itching) is so much better! I can't wait to get back to "normal!"

I'm seeing the nurse practitioner today at the counseling place. I was so moody yesterday but I think it's due to the fatigue from working on Monday. (not to mention having to be at work by 6:45 am).

All in all, this week is looking up.