Hi Guys

Shivering, aching, lack of energy and it’s only the end of day 3 for the Hep C treatment…

It’s the end of the April.  This diary marks a year of writing for the What Next? website.  I feel very privileged to have the opportunity of sharing with you. 

So I started treatment for my Hep C on Friday.  A small injection of a drug called Interferon once a week and 5 tablets a day of Ribavirin.

I had my first injection Friday afternoon and took my first tablets in the evening.  Nurse Dean warned me that I could get flu like symptoms for the first 12 hours or so… That didn’t happen until 24 hours later.

I felt like death last night.  Shivering, cold sweats, fever… I was lucky that a close friend was over.  He gave me hugs and let me flop about feeling sorry for myself. 

I felt better this morning – the aches have come back again this evening.  I am allowed to take paracetamol to ease the side effects… trying not become to reliant on them though.

I have been told that the side effects last for about a month.  So far it’s manageable – hopefully I’ll be OK at work.  My boss knows what is going on so hopefully she’ll continue to be supportive. 

On a change of subject I moved at the end of March and I must say my bachelor pad is great!  I absolutely love my new place.

I have been lucky enough to be able to buy lots of lovely new things which is always fun!  I feel very blessed.

I am living very close to my family now and work is just around the corner and being near a very green area I get to see lots of trees and green.  The view from my living room is of blossoming cherry trees…I challenge anyone not to take pleasure in that!

I’m going to sign off now… hopefully next month I’ll be feeling stronger again.

Until then I wish you health, happiness and good fortunes.

Andre –x-