If it's any help (about your work), on of my biggest obstacles was how to do this and not lose my job (or let them know why I needed to).
I ended up telling my boss that I needed to go on a type of chemo-therapy for 3-6 months. She did ask what it was over but I knew that I didn't have to tell her so I told her that I really didn't want to discuss it at work because I hadn't discussed it with my son so felt it was inappropriate and that I didn't want anyone at work to know about it otherwise it would affect my ability to do my job - that work was my happy place at this time.
While there may have been a few 'rumours' no-one has approached me :-). I have been there for 10 years and all of a sudden I'm on extended leave for 3 months - they will look at possible extension after 3 months (or are open to letting me work part-time).
I don't feel as though I've been dishonest; I've worked there 10 years and much like you, am going through a difficult time with my health - period.
Best of luck with this; I know I would've started tx earlier if I'd been able to get my head around the work obstacle without it interfering with my career prospects (well, they've been put on hold, but not demolished).
Now that I'm away from work, I'm not even too concerned about going back, but at the time, I really needed my options to be open. Good luck!!!
a biopsy is good for five years because it takes about 5 years to progress 1 grade,
of course that is if you haven't been drinking or smoking the vegatation,if so all bets are off and you nead a new one
Different doctors seem to have different opinions. Both my Hepatologist and Gastro said every three years. If you're going into the Vertex trial, it's every 1.5 years, which means before you enter the trial... Such was my case...
Magnum
It depends on the level of imflammation, age, and other genetic factors as to how fast your fibrosis progresses.
Your employer will not know about your Hep. You have a right to use your medical insurance. You've been paying for it for a least 20 years! Also if things go bad were you are too sick to work you can go on FMLA (if your company qualifies) they can't fire you while you are on medical leave. If you go on disability they can't fire you either. In California disabilty lasts at least a year.
Good luck.
Hector
At last bx i was stage 2....im just gettin nervous about doin tx a gain...its not really the sx im worried about,its that we are slow at work and i dont want to start tx and end up stopping halfway tru....ive been workn there for 20 years and i do have some sort of senority...i wonder if they will cut me off half way tru....i dot want to ask my employer about the insurance policy details because they thay will know about my hep...properly ill try phoning the insurance company...think ill do that right now
My Hepatologist told me as well as my pcp that it is nessesary for a liver boipsy one every 5 yrs. But depending on the condition of your liver, you may need one sooner. What stage/grade are you?