Not a Question

[Datura417]

I feel horrible. I dropped the bomb and told my Mom that I was Hep C positive. To make matters worse I'm 500 miles away and had to do it on the phone. I was going to tell her when I went home in October but with Drs. appts and everything else I'm not sure I will be able to go,

[LookingForward12]

Yes, you are lucky your mother cares. Mine could have cared less. I'm glad she died before I had to undergo treatment. It would have made treatment that much worse.
I am grateful for my friends and the support of this Community....without those two things, I may never have been able to complete treatment.

[adamben101]

I tricked my mom into coming for a weekend visit.  It was the hardest thing to tell her just because I've always been the dependable one with no issues in the family.  I cried and she didn't, which was surprising on both ends.  She gave me the best response I could ever have imagined - a hug and a request to teach her about it.  My sister has her own issues, so we decided not to tell her unless things changed for the worse.  Well, I treated for 56 weeks in a trial.  No side effects so no reason to tell anyone else.  Finished about 6 weeks ago.  I've told about 5 other people, but my mom was always there to discuss and ask how I was doing.  Having her know about my experience made me feel 1000 times better.  But then again I have the greatest mom on earth.

[ceanothus]

I love your attitude! I've also told nearly everyone I know. Maybe it is because I refuse to carry a stigma, but I really haven't noticed any really bad reactions to the news. I think those who are uneducated and MIGHT have negative associations with the disease are also people who tend to find straightforward and unfearful honesty to be really disarming, so instead of a negative reaction they are surprised but also feel empowered by that openness and they ask good questions and learn about it. At least so far it's worked that way and I hope it always does.

[JDB1964]

Stay strong and happy! I have told almost everyone I know that I have this and many strangers! I personnally will not accept the stigma associated with this! It is a VIRUS not a character trait! I have been blessed to get in a trial and I beleive beat this virus. if I do not tell others, how can I help them do the same?

Jill

[Dee1956]

Hi there, I know how you feel, when I received my diagnosis I was a basket case for 3 months, it took me so long to wrap my brain around it I was a mess by the time I told my parents and children
As time goes on you will feel better about it
My best to you
Dee

[Datura417]

I have only told 3 people that I have Hep C.One is my Mom and the other 2 are very close friends of mine. People are so uneducated Hep C. Also  I work in an office and if I did tell my employer everyone would freak and I am afraid that I would lose my job . Oh I also told my family Dr.

[kittyluvr420]

My mom was the first person I told. I moved in with my elderly parents four years ago to help care for my father. I was so shocked when I got the phone call with my diagnoses. I decided not to tell people because I was embarrassed, plus I didn't want people to be afraid of catching it from me. It was very lonely in my room for 6 months with no one to talk to. Tell every person close to you. You will need a lot of support during tx. This is a great place for info on tx & support. Good luck!

@8nick- Sorry about your dads comment. It's people like him that make me afraid to come "out". I keep telling myself I'll come out after my 6 month lab comes back UND in January.

[Datura417]

I am so sorry to hear about your Dad's response. I am very  lucky because my Mom and I are very close. Although I do have to admit it wasn't always like this.I was very wild when I was in my teens and early 20's . Mom was really upset when I told her but I stayed calm and told her everything I knew about it, which wasn't alot but it made her feel better . She said that since I had a good attitude about it that made her feel better. I do admit I called her 3 more times that day to check up on her.

[his3707]

So sorry to hear that response that your dad had.  It stung me just to read it.
:(

[8nickers8]

You are so lucky to have parents who care.  I did this treatment all alone.  My mother stopped being involved with me when I was about 15 and really packed me in when she ended it with my Father.  Dad, well, I was afraid to tell him so I told my brother and my brother told me he would tell my Father for me.  Brother told him and brother told me that my Father said, "She deserves what she got."  I can only assume that comment was because I messed around with drugs as a teen.  Yes, it hurt alot.  It was great finding this community.  

[Ironpony]

This will feel better as time goes on...It is a lot to take in when finding out we are HCV positive and when telling others we care for it stirs up many emotions.

I found my parents did better with it after they saw I was emotionally stable and starting treatment.   I also had to explain this disease to them as well...so they would not panic as they were both very uneducated. My mother did not even know what hepatitis c was! After I told her we didn't talk about it for years...and then one day she asks me,"How are you dealing with your HIV?"     lol. ...  still correcting some family members she told what exactly I have!!  

[orphanedhawk]

I should have put a LOL, in my post. I don't remember and it really doesn't bother me, I just thought it was kind of funny.
What I do recall was my sister telling me about a student of hers who did tx, and cleared. The rest is a blank.

[Idyllic]

No you aren't a bad person to not remember how & why you told people. Neither can I. No child wants to see their child ill & vice versa so I can more than appreciate that aspect.

Still, I tired to keep it optimistic, drama free and be matter of fact about it. I was aware of the myths and misconceptions related to HCV  from the outset so I was more focused on explaining HCV & treatment in an easy to follow manner.

________

Datura417:

I hope feeling horrible subsides the more you learn. Who knows, perhaps it is all part of the acceptance process. We are all here for you!!

[his3707]

My parents are gone but I sure wish my mother could have been here when I was going thru treatment!   I was worried to tell my mother in law.  Yes she was concerned but very supportive!   I did not tell her until I was getting ready to start treatment.  I dont know why I thought  she didnt need to know otherwize. I did tell my sister the day I found out.   I have never gotten a bad reaction from anyone.  At least to my face.   Now that I am done with treatment and on my way to SVR I tell almost anyone.  I just feel more confident in being able to say, yes, I had this, yes, it is treatable!!!!  Go get Tested!!

Orphaned , No you do not require a time out..  :)

[orphanedhawk]

Am I a bad person ? I can't remember how or when I told anyone !

[mykids247]

I agree that once you get it off your chest you feel so much better. I had to wait to tell my kids because my daughter was pregnant and didnt want to give her anything else to worry about and didnt want to tell one and not the other. When I did tell them I felt like the weight of the world was off my shoulders. This is a difficult journey but its definatly worth it. You will need there support. Good luck and stay strong.

[uncledudeness]

i feel for ya. when i told my kids i felt so much better. like a load was lifted off my shoulders. with the new meds today, a cure is in sight....go for it and stay positive.