Fibrosis
So I went back to the doctor for my post-biopsy follow-up. My doctor's great. He's really caring and sensitive. The news was bad, but he broke it to me gently. My liver has "Stage 3" fibrosis. Fibrosis is measured in stages, from 1 to 4. Once you're up to Stage 4 your liver is pretty much unable to function.
I got a detailed report about what my liver's up to, but it's full of medical gobbledy-goop so I'll have to spend some time on the internet figuring out what it all means.
Bizarrely, there's some good news to come out of the bad news. Since I'm in such bad condition, I qualify to get the latest treatment - the one that's got an eighty percent chance of success. Ideally, I would start immediately. But I've got important job committments for the next year. So I can't start treatment for a year. In the mean time, I'll just look after myself as well as I can.
Speaking of looking after myself, I notice an interesting thing with my ALT and AST levels: I was just going back over my blood tests that I've been having every couple of months since I was diagnosed. The very first one shows that my AST and ALT levels are way above normal. After that first test, I went all out on a health binge. I changed my diet to mostly raw, fresh fruit and veges, almost no junk food or fat, drank plenty of water, got enough sleep and plenty of exercise.
The following two blood tests showed that my ALT and AST levels had dropped to almost normal! Then I fell off the wagon (as you do), slacked off on the healthy lifestyle, and the ALT and AST levels shot back up again.
To prove the effects of healthy living on enzyme levels, I would have to repeat the whole pattern - and I intend to. As my doctor said, healthy living won't get rid of the virus, but it can certainly do great things for the general health of your liver.
Since I have to wait a year to start treatment, it will be important for me to get back into that healthy lifestyle to maintain good health in the meantime.
...thanks again to everyone who has left comments on my blog. You're all great. Feel free to link to my blog wherever you wish...
I got a detailed report about what my liver's up to, but it's full of medical gobbledy-goop so I'll have to spend some time on the internet figuring out what it all means.
Bizarrely, there's some good news to come out of the bad news. Since I'm in such bad condition, I qualify to get the latest treatment - the one that's got an eighty percent chance of success. Ideally, I would start immediately. But I've got important job committments for the next year. So I can't start treatment for a year. In the mean time, I'll just look after myself as well as I can.
Speaking of looking after myself, I notice an interesting thing with my ALT and AST levels: I was just going back over my blood tests that I've been having every couple of months since I was diagnosed. The very first one shows that my AST and ALT levels are way above normal. After that first test, I went all out on a health binge. I changed my diet to mostly raw, fresh fruit and veges, almost no junk food or fat, drank plenty of water, got enough sleep and plenty of exercise.
The following two blood tests showed that my ALT and AST levels had dropped to almost normal! Then I fell off the wagon (as you do), slacked off on the healthy lifestyle, and the ALT and AST levels shot back up again.
To prove the effects of healthy living on enzyme levels, I would have to repeat the whole pattern - and I intend to. As my doctor said, healthy living won't get rid of the virus, but it can certainly do great things for the general health of your liver.
Since I have to wait a year to start treatment, it will be important for me to get back into that healthy lifestyle to maintain good health in the meantime.
...thanks again to everyone who has left comments on my blog. You're all great. Feel free to link to my blog wherever you wish...
posted by Filosofette at 11:10 am
6 Comments:
Hi Filosofette,
Biopsy results can be a bit scary.
Have you considered working full-time or part-time during treatment? A few of us are still working and managing OK, you have to take the odd half day off for hospital visits but it can work out OK.
I wish you all the best whatever you decide to do and will keep watching your blog.
Wendy
Hi Filosofette,
Are you really sure about postponing treatment? Plenty of people work through it, with few problems. You are gambling with very high stakes here. Liver damage is often not reversable and the margin between normal life, and being seriously ill is small. You only have one Stage to play with, and that can be eroded regardless of how careful you are.
In your situation I would seriously consider any path that would allow you to start treatment now! If work has to take second place then so be it. Your health is more important, and the risks are too high.
Treatment is easier to tolerate if you start while you are still well, and with a bit of luck you can come out of it virus free with a functioning liver. If you delay, you reduce your chances all round.
I really think that delaying treatment could be a big mistake!
Martin
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Blogger is playing up - three comments and pages of 'out of memory' errors from one post! The miracles of modern technology......!
Hi Filosofette,
All this info is certainly overwhelming over such a limited time period. I agree that maintaining a healthy lifestyle is absolutely helpful and proactive.
Just for input, I am, so far, able to work full-time and only 2 people I work with are aware of my situation, and only because I have told them: the physician in charge and an equitable work peer whose work and confidence I respect. I also advised our Occupation Health department, in order to comply with disclosure requirements at the Hospitals where I work. I am fortunate to even be able to set up my nurse appt's at 7:30 in the morning and liverdoc appt's on my lunch. Haven't missed any time for hepc yet. In fact, only time I've missed since starting treatment was for a bank appt that went way over time limit last Thursday.
Whatever route and time period of treatment you select, you know we're all here for support!
Sue
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