Day 13

I have had a few days off blogging as my period came and with it a load of brilliant work days, filming about herbal medicine….but also many anxieties and fears surfaced in the background. My head was deep into film scripts and costume changes but playing around in the background where questions bobbing about in the waves.

Why 12 weeks treatment? 



With genotype 3 many people are given 24 weeks treatment, I understand that this is assessed through the fibroscan results and the more fibrotic or cirrhotic the liver is the longer the treatment. 








How effective and accurate is the Fibroscan?

For years, I refused to have the diagnostic liver biopsy that was offered to me on the NHS to determine the health of my liver. My reasoning was mainly that I didn't want to lie on my side in a hospital gown for 4-6 hours, which apparently you have to do because after the big needle, going into your liver and taking out some cells, there is a risk of trauma with internal bleeding…I didn't fancy it. 

Also I couldn't really understand the science in the method, the liver, being a massive large organ. 

How did they choose exactly where to stick the needle?

What if one bit of my liver was worse/better than the other bits?

What would one sample show?

Would they need to do a series of samples to show progression?

What if it was during a stressful time? 
Would that be a different result to a different time?

So I waited until they had a better less invasive diagnostic 
the Fibroscan which uses elastography, a technique similar to ultrasound. But I do not really know how accurate it is. I read on a forum one lady had 3 completely differing readings done within 2 months! This is important as the level of fibrosis determines the length of treatment…


What are the relapse rates after treatment? 

I have read that patients with my genotype are the most likely to relapse and the virus comes back stronger and resistant to the new therapy. I have also read that in Australia, 16 weeks to 24 weeks is the normal treatment timings for my genotype, with the aim to prevent relapsing. I have an appointment with the consultant on Tuesday, so will have my growing list of questions!


Why have I been sent an appointment for a CT scan?

I got a letter in the post inviting me to come and have a CT Scan, I assume this is to investigate further the 'thing' on my pancreas…So I started to research CT scans - computerised tomography scan uses X-rays and a computer to create detailed images of the inside of the body. 

I don't really want any radiation via the X-ray as I personally do not like the idea of this - I don't even have a microwave, another thing to discuss with the consultant.

Do I start preparing for the idea of having pancreatic cancer? NO NO NO (I can hear Amy Winehouse singing this for me!)
It is a benign cyst that I have had since birth in my mind….

We were meant to travel to a mates wedding this bank holiday weekend, I delved deep into my inner wisdom and listened to the fact I needed to be at home, so instead we went out to a local pub with a DJ for a boogie, I felt the need to shake my thang; It was a typical British Town, full of folks getting pissed having fun with their friends, not my crowd, not my scene at all, but I picked out the positives, the music was not my taste, when one track I liked came on - 
D and I cleared the dance floor for it, dancing wildly, with comedy and total release, we drew a crowd, getting lots of whoops n cheers, both of us attention seeking, dance divas! 
After the abandonment I felt fucking mental, I realised that this was the first time I have been out and about and that normally, I take my medicine my HnH, and then go to bed. 
My abdomen felt awful, really tight and I had a sharp pain in my left shoulder, I felt nauseous and needed air, the beer garden was a court yard full of smoking people, no fresh air at all, my head was filled with doubts n fears about health, it wasn't good; so I have decided whilst on this treatment- 
NO GOING CRAZY ON THE DANCE FLOOR AFTER TAKING HnH !!!!