I have a dear female friend that's like a sister. She's had Hep C for over 20 years. She has scarring of the liver and is scheduled for a Varices test. I told her about the offer of free medicine (Harvoni) from Gilead, if she meets their criteria. This was four months ago. She applied for and received the papers for her and her doctor to sign. Again, four months ago. She has yet to fill them out and take them to her doctor.
Why some people don't feel this is important is beyond me. We speak at least every other day and I've mention to her to fill out the papers at least a dozen times. Her answers: "I'm going to do it first thing tomorrow", "I have to take care of a couple of things first", and so on.
I don't know what to say to her anymore and have mostly given up. The thing that hurts, is that it's very possible that when she has Cirrhosis, it will be too late. Her husband is very aware of this situation and has not only tried to prompt her to fill the papers, but also offered to help her fill them out. I just don't know what to say anymore.
A few years ago, my Gastro in Las Vegas told a story of a 62 year female patient of his who was diagnosed with Hep C, no scarring, no Cirrhosis. Within 6 months, the Hep C progressed so rapidly, that she developed Cirrhosis, was on the transplant list, and died before a liver was found. All within 6 months. This is why I'm so concerned about my friend. I told her this story, but apparently it hasn't sunk in, because she has yet to fill out the papers. I've heard her say a few time "I feel good" and other times "I'm so tired, I think I'll eat and go to bed early".