Week 48: the final shot ...
Well, just a few minutes ago I injected my final dose of PEG-Intron.
So, here in a nutshell is the timeline:
-- In fall 1998, Dr. Bruce noticed I had two enzyme levels somewhat elevated. It was chalked up to stress.
-- In fall 1999, Dr. Guy noticed I had one enzyme level elevated. Again, chalked up to stress.
-- In fall 2000, Dr. Guy noticed two enzyme levels were again elevated and decided to do another set of lab works to see if they were consistent, and they were. Guy said he was going to schedule an ultrasound; however, I was headed to Guatemala for a mission trip. Lytle, a surgeon friend of mine who was also going, said, "Whatever it is, is likely chronic, so it can wait." (Wasn't the assurance I really wanted, but that's what I like about my medical friends: They cut to the chase and I can count on them to be honest.)
-- While in Guatemala, an anesthesiologist suggested I had Hepatitis C. She was certain enough that I called Donna and had her get with Guy and schedule a Hep C test; however, Guy wanted to see the ultrasound results first.
-- On Nov. 4, 2000, I returned from Guatemala and the next day went to UT Hospital for an ultrasound. On Tuesday, Nov. 7, the results of the ultrasound showed no major problems. The liver was structurally sound and there was no evidence of liver cancer. Praise God! The one thing that did show: The spleen was borderline enlarged.
-- On Nov. 8, I went to Guy's office and blood was drawn to check for Hep C antibodies. On Nov. 14, Guy called to say he had good news and bad news: The good news was that my liver enzymes were back down to normal, and my pancreas showed normal. The bad news was that the Hepatitis C antibodies were present. He referred me to a nurse practitioner at UT Hospital named Connie, who is supposed to be tops in the field. My appointment was set for Nov. 16, at which time Connie explained the possibilities ... and boy, were they dark. At the time, the "gold standard" was Interferon about three times a week, which was a nasty possibility for me. (I can't recall whether Ribabirin was part of the treatment.)
-- I returned on Nov. 30 and Connie gave me the results: my viral count was 250,000, which she termed “high.” She recommended a biopsy and wanted me tested for hemochromatosis, which is excessive iron in the liver. Having had enough of the woman I had come to call “Eeeyore,” I told her that I was moving my treatment to Parkwest Hospital. I was certain she was well informed, but her bedside manner left a lot to be desired. I later chalked it up to the rising number of cases she had to deal with. Still, with the medical professionals I had come to know who were at Parkwest, I knew I would be more comfortable there.
-- On Dec. 4, I went to the gastro-intenologist whom I was referred to by Lytle, Dr. Scott. He looked at my test results and heard my story and said I should have a liver biopsy, which would show whether there was any microscopic damage from cirrhosis. Given the nastiness of the drug therapy, and the fact that Pegasys, a more effective, less destructive drug therapy was looking to be just around the corner, I came away pretty much decided that if cirrhosis was present, I would have to start drug therapy immediately. If not, I could wait for the better treatment. Wilhoit agreed that if I had advanced cirrhosis or advanced fibrosis it would likely have revealed itself in some way on the ultrasound.
-- On Friday, Dec. 8, 2000, I had the liver biopsy. All went well and it revealed no signs of cirrhosis and and only slight fibrosis.
-- On Jan. 9, 2001, I returned to Dr. Wilhoit’s office and he agreed that given the level of damage I could wait for another blood test in May.
And so it went ... testing about every six months to a year until fall of 2004, when it appeared the virus was escalating. (If I recall, I had reached above 3.7 million, with a Log of 6.57.)
On Jan. 9, 2005, I began treatment for Hepatitis C with 150 mcg of PEG-Intron, which was the current gold standard of one shot a week, and 1,200 mg of Ribavirin a day. I responded at Week 12 by decreasing the viral load to 1,170 copies with a Log of 3.07. At 24 weeks, I was negative, as it was at about 34 weeks.
Now, 343 days after I first began treatment (the extension was due to a 10-day hiatus for exploration and treatment of a strange side-effect), I have done my last PEG-Intron shot. I have six more days of Ribavirin left. My last viral load showed negative. I see Dr. Scott in February and have a viral load around that time.
I have learned many things on this journey, some of which I may share in a Daily Times column after the turn of the year.
In the meantime, I give thanks for so many things: Ron, Martin, Paul and all of the other bloggers with whom I have a close connection. After all, brothers and sisters, we are part of medical history ... and I do not believe I am overstating that.
I also give thanks for the congregation of Green Meadow United Methodist Church for their prayers, support and patience ... particularly Nurses Bill, Amy and Joan.
I give thanks for my colleagues at The Daily Times, many of whom prayed for me, and all of whom supported me on this journey.
I also give everlasting thanks for my wife, Donna, and children, David and Elizabeth, who put up with so much during this time. "Greater love hath no other ..."
Last, but certainly foremost (after all, the last will be first), I give thanks to God, who revealed so much for such a time as this.
Grace and peace,
Buzz
So, here in a nutshell is the timeline:
-- In fall 1998, Dr. Bruce noticed I had two enzyme levels somewhat elevated. It was chalked up to stress.
-- In fall 1999, Dr. Guy noticed I had one enzyme level elevated. Again, chalked up to stress.
-- In fall 2000, Dr. Guy noticed two enzyme levels were again elevated and decided to do another set of lab works to see if they were consistent, and they were. Guy said he was going to schedule an ultrasound; however, I was headed to Guatemala for a mission trip. Lytle, a surgeon friend of mine who was also going, said, "Whatever it is, is likely chronic, so it can wait." (Wasn't the assurance I really wanted, but that's what I like about my medical friends: They cut to the chase and I can count on them to be honest.)
-- While in Guatemala, an anesthesiologist suggested I had Hepatitis C. She was certain enough that I called Donna and had her get with Guy and schedule a Hep C test; however, Guy wanted to see the ultrasound results first.
-- On Nov. 4, 2000, I returned from Guatemala and the next day went to UT Hospital for an ultrasound. On Tuesday, Nov. 7, the results of the ultrasound showed no major problems. The liver was structurally sound and there was no evidence of liver cancer. Praise God! The one thing that did show: The spleen was borderline enlarged.
-- On Nov. 8, I went to Guy's office and blood was drawn to check for Hep C antibodies. On Nov. 14, Guy called to say he had good news and bad news: The good news was that my liver enzymes were back down to normal, and my pancreas showed normal. The bad news was that the Hepatitis C antibodies were present. He referred me to a nurse practitioner at UT Hospital named Connie, who is supposed to be tops in the field. My appointment was set for Nov. 16, at which time Connie explained the possibilities ... and boy, were they dark. At the time, the "gold standard" was Interferon about three times a week, which was a nasty possibility for me. (I can't recall whether Ribabirin was part of the treatment.)
-- I returned on Nov. 30 and Connie gave me the results: my viral count was 250,000, which she termed “high.” She recommended a biopsy and wanted me tested for hemochromatosis, which is excessive iron in the liver. Having had enough of the woman I had come to call “Eeeyore,” I told her that I was moving my treatment to Parkwest Hospital. I was certain she was well informed, but her bedside manner left a lot to be desired. I later chalked it up to the rising number of cases she had to deal with. Still, with the medical professionals I had come to know who were at Parkwest, I knew I would be more comfortable there.
-- On Dec. 4, I went to the gastro-intenologist whom I was referred to by Lytle, Dr. Scott. He looked at my test results and heard my story and said I should have a liver biopsy, which would show whether there was any microscopic damage from cirrhosis. Given the nastiness of the drug therapy, and the fact that Pegasys, a more effective, less destructive drug therapy was looking to be just around the corner, I came away pretty much decided that if cirrhosis was present, I would have to start drug therapy immediately. If not, I could wait for the better treatment. Wilhoit agreed that if I had advanced cirrhosis or advanced fibrosis it would likely have revealed itself in some way on the ultrasound.
-- On Friday, Dec. 8, 2000, I had the liver biopsy. All went well and it revealed no signs of cirrhosis and and only slight fibrosis.
-- On Jan. 9, 2001, I returned to Dr. Wilhoit’s office and he agreed that given the level of damage I could wait for another blood test in May.
And so it went ... testing about every six months to a year until fall of 2004, when it appeared the virus was escalating. (If I recall, I had reached above 3.7 million, with a Log of 6.57.)
On Jan. 9, 2005, I began treatment for Hepatitis C with 150 mcg of PEG-Intron, which was the current gold standard of one shot a week, and 1,200 mg of Ribavirin a day. I responded at Week 12 by decreasing the viral load to 1,170 copies with a Log of 3.07. At 24 weeks, I was negative, as it was at about 34 weeks.
Now, 343 days after I first began treatment (the extension was due to a 10-day hiatus for exploration and treatment of a strange side-effect), I have done my last PEG-Intron shot. I have six more days of Ribavirin left. My last viral load showed negative. I see Dr. Scott in February and have a viral load around that time.
I have learned many things on this journey, some of which I may share in a Daily Times column after the turn of the year.
In the meantime, I give thanks for so many things: Ron, Martin, Paul and all of the other bloggers with whom I have a close connection. After all, brothers and sisters, we are part of medical history ... and I do not believe I am overstating that.
I also give thanks for the congregation of Green Meadow United Methodist Church for their prayers, support and patience ... particularly Nurses Bill, Amy and Joan.
I give thanks for my colleagues at The Daily Times, many of whom prayed for me, and all of whom supported me on this journey.
I also give everlasting thanks for my wife, Donna, and children, David and Elizabeth, who put up with so much during this time. "Greater love hath no other ..."
Last, but certainly foremost (after all, the last will be first), I give thanks to God, who revealed so much for such a time as this.
Grace and peace,
Buzz
1 Comments:
Congratulations Pastor Buzz, on your final interferon injection. My hopes and prayers for your svr.
Sue
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