It's been a long journey to SVR

[HectorSF]

I just got my 12 week post EOT (End of Treatment) viral load result tonight...

NOT DETECTED!!! SVR12!!!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
HEPATITIS C RNA, QUANTITATIVE BY REAL TIME PCR
Collected 2/18/2015
Result 2/24/2015
Component      Standard Range Your Value

HCV Real Time    <12 IU/mL      <12
Not detected

HCV Log IU/mL;    <1.08           <1.08
Log10 IU/mL
Not detected
-------------------------------------------------------------
45 years in the making!

Infection 1970, Cirrhosis (2007), Peg-IFN/RBV, HCC liver cancer (2011), Sovaldi/RBV (48 weeks), liver transplant (11/16/2013), Sovaldi, Olysio/RBV SVR12 (2/24/2015).

New 36 year old healthy liver and Hep C free!

Hector :-)

[mzkity]

Wow, this has been some ride for you. We've all read and waited for this.You more then earned it Howie....CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

Kitty

[neptune235]

Congratulations, Hector!   You've been inspirational to so many here...this is just the best news!

Somehow, the universe has been shifted to a better and more just place.

--Paul

[can-do-man]

Congrats Hector. You now join an elite yet small group of warriors here that circled all the bases and won. And like them you did not let anything stop you. The determination paid off.

Best to you,
cando

[Rbeth]

Howie~

Just literally burst into thankful, happy tears!

From all I know & have heard about your journey..... Well, I agree with Paul!

Thank you for fighting so hard, helping so many and CONGRATULATIONS!!

All best,
Randy
Definitely dancing for you :-)

[keepingOnkeepingOn]

Oh Hector you are on your way. That's very good news! Congratulations.

[hepcandme]

I am Incredibly happy for you!

I too am crying with joy

that is the best news EVER!

Wow, just. Wow!

[Ekkiemom]

OMG HOWIE!  I'M SOOOOOOOO INCREDIBLY HAPPY FOR YOU!  I TOLD YOU THAT YOU HADN'T COME THIS FAR  TO NOT GET THOSE WELL DESERVED THREE WONDERFUL LETTERS "SVR"!!.......

OK HOWIE I HAVE MY POM-POMS READY...
2,4,6,8  SVR SURE IS GREAT!!!

MIRACLES DO HAPPEN!
PEACE & GREAT, GREAT KARMA
DEB

[ejoli]

   I'm so happy for you Howie!   You kicked that dragons butt!!!  

[flyinlynn]

I cannot find any words  to express how truely happy and overjoyed I am for you in FINALLY beating the heo C Dragon!

wishing you a long and healthy life

[susan400]

So happy for you Hector!  This is a well deserved gift! You've helped so many people and have been such a trouper.  Yahoo..., Yippee!   Susan400

[pooh55811]

Hector, this is fantastic news!

You persevered against all odds and all obstacles and you won the prize.

Congratulations!

[48weeks]

This is fantastic news.  You go out of your way to help us all in a lot of ways, and words fail me how excited I am for you.  

[AWorriedMom]

Tears just welled up. It couldn't have happened to a more deserving guy! HUGE congratulations!!!

[virt111]

Hector,

While I don't post very often on the forum, I've been on here a lot in the past 7 years and have followed your journey. I'd like to congratulate you and wish you all the happiness that your SVR will bring you. I could not be any happier for you.

Thank you for all of the insight you've given through the years. The information you so generously share along with your positive attitude, is an inspiration.

V

[Willy50]

Well, I've been waiting to read this a LONG time. You kept a lot of people on pins and needles too many times.

Now that waiting is over. I'm happy to be able to tell you congrats, and thanks for your many excellent posts, and for providing a model for people to witness.

I think you are a great and amazing guy, and I'm REALLY happy for you.

And damn, if you didn't work hard for it too. : )

One day I hope to be able to buy you a coffee.

...until then old friend.....

~W

[Tr1gger]

I can only imagine how overjoyed you and your dear ones must be feeling right now.  What a happy place you have struggled hard to reach, and seen a lot of sadness along the way.  May you revel in your SVR status, and always find deep joy in saying it, or repeating the letters in your mind.

Warm regards from another soul who you helped on your journey.

[patra_]

Howie!  

More tears of joy for you, here.  My husband just asked me what was wrong - I told him nothing, it is what is RIGHT!  

I know this kind of thing is not something we 'earn', but, never mind that, you EARNED this!  

Now please step up on that platform, and proudly receive the Insignia and Scepter as Commander in Chief  Supreme of Warriors and Dragon Slayers Above Supreme!!

You have been leader, inspiration, teacher, calmer of anxiety and dispenser of knowledge, not to mention role  model to all of us at one time or another.  

CONGRATULATIONS!!! I pray that your life from here on will be cancer free, full of love and joy and all good things!!

Pat

[Dee1956]

Dear H, I am so very very happy for you.  You have fought a long hard war with this awful virus.  And...you so kindly brought the rest of us with you, holding us up, supporting us all the way to SVR!
I am  thrilled to hear that you are SVR....cured!
I bet everyone you know is so happy for you!
Gosh I want to fly some flags for you, Hector is cured!!!!

WOO HOO!!! Deb, get your red dancing shoes out, Hector is cured!!!

[Dee1956]

Hey I love what you said....covered all the bases, that is the truth!!  :)

[bassetgirl]

I'm so happy for you.  I'm pretty new here but want you to know that in the year I've been posting here the information you brought to the forum helped me alot. I was terrified last February when I was diagnosed with Hep C, Cirrhosis, and a liver lesion that was rated  80% likelihood of malignancy- I had never even heard of Hep C and knew NOTHING about it.( I treated with Sovaldi/Olysio for 12 weeks and am 24EOT SVR as of Jan 21st)
Your posts in particular helped me to educate myself about my situation. And your wonderful fighting spirit gave me inspiration when I was so scared last year.
Thank you, and congratulations!!!!!!

[hepc4Sandi]

Congratulations Hector, what a long battle you have had! I am so glad to read of your results. You have been a leader of our band of heppers, and it is only right that you finally slay your own dragon! Live long and prosper!
~Sandi

[jules2551]

Congrats Hector!  You definitely have been through hell and back.  You are the definition of persistence and determination.  I am very happy for you!

Jules

[Bilrac]

Wonderful news.  New here, but I can see that you are an incredibly well informed and helpful mainstay on this forum who has been through every permutation of hep c hell.  I wish you all good things.

[HectorSF]

Thanks everyone for the well wishes!

Phew, I’m tired but very relieved. A good, satisfied tired.

I am very, very lucky and happy now to be finally free of the virus and its life-threatening consequences and be able to focus on my post transplant recovery and my second chance at L.I.F.E. !

Thanks to all the progress that has been made in the treatment of hepatitis C future folks won't have to go through what myself and my fellow hep C liver transplant friends have. But there are still many other conditions and diseases that people suffer with that cause liver disease and liver cancer and I hope that progress can be made with those conditions and diseases similar to what we have seen with the hepatitis C virus in the last few years. Meanwhile I will continue to help and support those in whatever way I can.

I found out yesterday that a friend, after a long wait, got her transplant on Sunday morning. She was on treatment and hopefully will remain free of hep C. I will be going to visit her and her husband this afternoon.
I also have two friends that will be going into surgery tomorrow to have a living donor liver transplant. The son is donating a part of his liver to his mother. Wow, talk about a hero!
Having been there myself recently I am very grateful to be able to help others recover their health and lives.

Get tested, if infected, get treated and cured.
Hector