Lost another friend to Hep C

[kmatucson]

Today is the funeral for a friend that lost the battle.  I have lost two other friends to this horrible disease, but they flat out said that they were not going to change their lifestyle, continued to drink and party, and as a reuslt lost their lives. Not that they deserved it, but they did nothing to try and help themselves.  However, Hilda is a different story..  She was a mother, a friend, a coworker, and a wonderful person.  She did not drink or party, was extremely sweet and kind.  Everyone loved her.  She tried SOC and failed because she could not tolerate the drugs, and was ultimately placed on the transplant list.  
I had just sent a note to her manager and asked that she let Hilda know that there are new drugs in the pipeline that she might be able to tolerate which should be out in a couple of years.  I was hoping she could hold on until then, but sadly, two days later I heard back that she had multiple strokes, was in ICU and the prognosis was not good.  That was during the last week of my 24 weeks of triple therapy.  I was so excited and then it all turned into one big bummer.  Now I am experiencing survivor's guilt.
Shortly after I heard about Hilda, another friend with Hep C who is a Viet Nam vet, also had a stroke and is currently in the hospital.. and again, the prognosis is not good.  
Then today, I rec'vd news about another friend that lost her battle with cancer..
I'm not sure what else to say.. except that I am very sad and yet trying to remain positive that in 2.5 months I will get my next UND labs.  
Keep up the fight everyone.. We need beat this horrible disease.  

[Interfurgen]

That so sad !!!! Here I get told i'm stage 4 and my wife has hep-c and will not tx or stop drinking , and eating every unhealthy thing she can , it is the drinking that should have taken her out by now.She even thinks the treatment meds are worst then the sickness.Any way sorry got on the soap box. Lost a friend last year.he frought , my oldest friend has Hep-c got it the same time i recived my wounderful gift. What he do , goes into beer making and told me he does not want to hear about it.... It just down right **** you off ....

[starshine1ca]

My sincere sympathies on the loss of your dear friends.  My heart goes out to their families.  I too lost a friend two years ago as he ended  up contracting Cancer of the liver after doing treatment.  I am sure that Hilda is up there watching over you through this treatment and would never want you to feel any form of guilt.  Sending you big hugs, Anita

[orphanedhawk]

Although health care in this country is so ridiculous, I feel in my unique circumstances, I saw the best surgeon on the planet.
My portal vein was entirely blocked. He did an experimental surgery which was very successful. So I'm lucky, really.

[kmatucson]

Thank you Dee..  I really wish the recent news reports about Hep C would have been more accurate, and more was done to spread the word that Hep C does not discriminate.  I also wish it would not take so long for the drugs to be released.  The very drugs that could have possibly saved my dear friend's life.    

[Dee1956]

I am so very sorry to hear of  you loss.  It is so sad
My best friends brother died of complications from HCV and lymphoma and it w+as a shock.
Sending you hope and a prayer
Dee

[kmatucson]

Thank you everyone..  
Orphanedhawk, I know you have been through a lot, but I had no idea that you had to go out of the country for your transplant.  That is soooo sad in so many ways.. but, I'm so happy you went and are still here to chat with us today.  You have been an inspiration for me and I'm sure for a lot of other people on this forum.

[orphanedhawk]

This is so sad.
And it was almost what happened to me.
It's frustrating that people die while waiting for a donor, when a solution is available.

I didn't have insurance and my husband and I went to Taiwan with our adult daughter who was my live liver donor.
This hospital does over 100 live liver transplant per year.
They claim no donor mortalities.
Some transplant centers do them here but few people even know it is an option.
They are doing it successfully in Taiwan, we can do it here too.

[jules2551]

I am sorry for all of you losses.  It seems like when it rains it pours.  I know you are going through a terribly rough time but hang in there.  (I know easier said than done)!  Just concentrate on SVR you can do it

Jules

[leebambee]

  Im sorry for your losses. It happens to the best of people sometimes. Unfortunately it takes so long for the drugs to come out.
  On the other side, I hope you achieve SVR and live a healthy life.