Re-Biopsy after SVR

[newleaf09]

I just got the results of my post-TX biopsy.  Re-biopsy is not typically recommended but I have plans to move away from good health care and needed verification that I will be safe.  I was biopsied and started TX as a genotype 1 in November 2008.  The '08 biopsy was very bad; grade 3 inflammation, stage 4 fibrosis.  The pathologist called it 'probable or incipient cirrhosis'.  Scared me to death!  I went through a very rough 28 week TX and am still not recovered from it.  My doctor recommended that I wait one full year after the end of TX (June 1).  Here are the new results: Grade 1, Stage 2-3.

I had hoped for 2 stages of regression and then got scared of being overly optimistic and jinxing myself.  The doctor was astounded, I am astounded.  I asked if, since the biopsy was done so soon after TX, he thought I would continue to heal and he did not have an answer because it's so rare for SVR patients to re-biopsy and there's just nothing to compare to.  He thinks more regression is likely.  I also asked him if I could stop worrying about liver cancer and he cautiously said that he thought so, that he thought HCC, the type of liver cancer we HCV patients worry about, was highly associated with both cirrhosis and HCV together and since I had lost both I was probably safe now.  Not for sure, but 'probably' is good enough for me.  

This may be my last post on the forum.  When I get the hard copy of the biopsy report, I'm thinking of adding it to my inch-thick file and burning the whole thing.  It's over.  Happy, happy, happy.

[Diane12855]

That is SSSSOOOOO Great!!! I'm really happy for you!

I don't know if I'd burn that file or not. I'd be tempted to.
Thanks for sharing that with us... it is good to know that there is a chance of our liver being better than it was when we started tx. I know it isn't guaranteed... but then we don't have a guarantee that we'll wake up in the morning either.

I hate for you to leave us too. I've always enjoyed reading your posts. It is understandable that you'd want to put the past couple of years behind you and move forward though.

Whatever you do, I wish you the best.
(:-)
Diane

[portann]

Cool wow.

What we all hope for.

TTYL.

Susan

P.S. I planted a magnolia tree this year and it's doing great. What a beauty.

[jelise]

Wow, that is awesome news!!!  Congratulations - I am so happy for you!

Best wishes for getting on with your life my fellow Saints fan, and thank you very much for all of your help with my tx  :)

[ArthursMom]

Great News!!!  Thanks for sharing it. This is one crazy disease that we (some of us) have! The best to you in the future!

[nygirl7]

That is absolutely fantastic news newleaf I am very happy for you - stage 2/3 means you did great.

I wish you the best of luck in where ever you and go and whatever you do. You've been a tremendous asset on the forum and I am sure everyone wishes you well in life.

[JennyPenny2009]

Hi there. Congrats on the great news. I had a talk with Dr Shiffman about improvement in histology scores when he biopsied my friend who was in the HALT C trials. She was Stage 4, cleared, and had her biopsy 7 years post treatment. She went from a Stage 4 to a Stage 0-1. He told us that the liver continues to improve for quite a number of years. I am very happy for you.