It takes a leap of faith to go through Hepatitis C treatment. With the new fast acting medications, you can be cured of Hepatitis C.  It still takes a lot of courage to start and take the drugs. You can Treat to Cure Hepatitis C with a short treatment that only lasts a few weeks or months. I was on the first wave of the protease inhibitors and took 2 medications and an injection for almost a year. It is exciting to know that many of you will be undected or  Hep C Free! I was going through some old books and ran across one that I first read years ago. One of the quotes that I had und ..read more

I’m going to blindly type these words in an attempt to dry my tears. The Hepatitis C Community mourns the loss of Randy Madera, who was a much loved patient advocate. So many long time Hep C advocates from coast to coast knew Randy personally. Each of them could add a different piece in the timeline of her work with fellow HCV patients. Since I learned of her passing yesterday through Robin Lord Smith who is with National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable (NVHR), I’ve been unable to rid myself of the tears, the lump in my throat, and mostly the ache in my heart leading me to write her story as I kne ..read more

I Don’t Want a Liver Transplant   Like a Rock. Sleep is kind of like a thought eraser that swipes the day clean. But I frequently wake up in the middle of the night and remember the tumor. One night last August I awoke with the image of big clamps all around my chest cavity. Eyes wide open now, I saw myself lying on a table surrounded by doctors and nurses, my face as white as the fish I had seen floating belly up on the pond last year. I could see my head arching back with a tube tunneling down my throat that clicked and whished while forcing air into my lungs. Blinking hard, I stared a ..read more

The Surprising Relationship Between Cannabis and Cardiovascular Health: Separating Fact from Fiction : Katie Pierce is a new guest blog by my friend Katie. I had read about the relationship and was happy to see her compilation of evidence. I think it’s wise to look at the results and then talk to your doctor about your personal use. I’m not here to judge. So post transplant, I’m working on heart heath and am choosing not to use cannabis. From a federal standpoint, cannabis remains an illegal substance in the USA. However, many US states have recognized its recreational and medicinal applicati ..read more

This is a total list of everyone that will be your support before, during and after the liver transplant process. Your liver transplant team consists of a healthcare providers and professionals who help ensure the success of your transplant process. Together, they provide wrap around services and comprehensive care to every patient. You will come to know who is on liver transplant team. After all, you are placing your life in their hands, and will become close to some of  them and at least be acquainted with others. I always wanted to be sure that they were impressed with my desire to l ..read more

Building strong friendships goes beyond casual hangouts. It’s about creating shared experiences that foster connection, understanding, and lasting memories. Here are some creative activities to deepen your friendships by our friend Katie Pierce.   This guide explores a range of creative activities specifically designed to deepen your bonds with friends.   Memory Lane Night A Memory Lane Night is a fantastic way to connect with your friends and celebrate your history together. Sample activities for a memory lane night include: Games and challenges: Play a guessing game where ..read more

We’ve all been wondering: Can Resmetirom cure Nash Mash or Fatty Liver? I know the language changed and have written about that here. But what patients want to know is if it really works to reduce fat? The answer is YES and it’s a miracle for many who have been diagnosed. I’ve loaded this blog with information about the dosage, how to get it, cost, video, and the website. The FDA just gave approval and liver patients are pretty excited. Resmetirom pronounced Res met er rawm is labeled as Rezdiffra pronounced Rez Diff Ruh. It was approved by the FDA last week and it is totally changing the way ..read more

Stepping into the doctor’s waiting room, I locked eyes with my childhood friend Dugan, and quickly squeezed into a spot next to her. As my story poured out in a flood, she wrapped her arms around me and let her shirt absorb my tears. Minutes passed, and then her words were a whisper, “Don’t feel guilty for living your life.” I pushed back to look into her eyes. It was the first time anyone had acknowledged how I was surviving survivors guilt after transplant. pt 1 I had just seen my doctor, and my hands clutched the signed paperwork proving that I was fit enough to travel to Spain and particip ..read more

We’ve all done it. That may be how you found my website. A thought or question pops in our mind, and within seconds our fingers type keywords into a search engine. One story leads to another until we have wasted hours reading about things that we can’t change. It’s called doom scrolling as it relates to local or worldwide news. Today, we will talk about what is medical doom scrolling and how to quit before we get over stressed and feel even worse. What is Medical Doom Scrolling? So doom scrolling is described as the habit of reading about tragic, sad, and depressing news. Medical doom scrolli ..read more

Sustainable Stocking Stuffers: Thoughtful Gifts for a Greener Christmas is a guest blog by my friend Katie Pierce. The holiday season is a splendid period filled with joy and festivities, yet it has also been overshadowed by excessive consumerism and materialism. While the tradition of exchanging gifts remains beloved during this time, it’s worth noting that it can contribute to heightened waste and environmental harm, particularly in the form of discarded plastic and wrapping materials post-holiday.   Nonetheless, by infusing a touch of creativity and mindfulness into the festivities, i ..read more