Sandy and Spanky's Stories on Hepatitis C and Treatment

Sandy's Story

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I was diagnosed with PBC Primary Biliary Cirrhosis in May 09, after having pain from straining to move something at work.

In Jan 09 I experienced some pain from straining to move something at work. I kept having painful spasms that sent me to the ER, the doctors ran tests to diagnose the problem, they could not find anything and sent me to my doctor. During some repeated blood tests, with high liver enzymes, my doctor referred me to a specialist, he ran more blood tests and an MRI, in May the gastroenterologist sent me a letter informing me of PBC and RX a medication to take, I go to see him the end of this month to see how far this disease has progressed. This medication I'm taking could get me several years to live without later stage symptoms, the final treatment after I get to the later stages is a Liver transplant.  Hepatitis C treatment would have been much better than having to go through this.

Spanky's Story

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Richard "Spanky" Chapman had a dream to be a Police Officer & change lives. He succeeded in that, however, not before losing his partner's life and almost his own. Now in retirement, he reflects back on the adventures, good and bad. This story is meant to be an inspiration to those awaiting transplant and the life longevity that can be achieved by taking care of your transplant & ALWAYS taking your medicines. Even when you feel better.... NEVER STOP! He is post-transplant liver, 13 years & post-transplant kidney, 9 years and still going strong! The moral of his story, NEVER GIVE UP especially if you have hepatitis C.  Even if you can afford the liver medicine you can try to get it outside of the US.  Its worth it and it saves many people's lives.