A Lesson Plan for Hepatitis C and Cirrhosis
Most teachers enjoy the lazy days of summer. I am no exception. However, lesson plans do get spruced up during my summer break. It makes for a more interesting school day for me to present the same material in a new way when fall comes. As a result, my students benefit from my efforts because the delivery is a bit more passionate when I add new material or take away something that is less effective. Life is like that. Everything is a lesson if we allow it to be. It does not matter if it is old information from a different perspective or new information seen from a creative viewpoint. That is true no matter who is doing the learning. We are all lifelong learners, aren’t we? Let’s look at a Lesson Plan for Hepatitis C and Cirrhosis. I can promise it will not be too boring. I hate boring school lessons.
To be honest, I was a good student and loved school as a little girl. High school was more of a dud for me. The teachers bored me. I did not pay very good attention in class. I blew off important assignments. I had health issues and got behind. That was discouraging. You know how it goes. I was a typical teen whose main purpose in attending school was to have fun with my friends.
Students of life are no different. We start off curious and eager to learn. Then the lessons get hard. Decisions beyond our control, like a health crisis, a move, or a divorce in the family can mean that we get behind. It is hard to catch up. A wrong choice gets us off track. We keep going and trying to fit in. Some of us get help. Some copy from others. Some give up and drop out.
In an attempt to understand more about recovery from Hepatitis C treatment and the ongoing battle with cirrhosis, I have decided to do a lesson plan revamp on myself. I have learned so much the last 3 years about me, Hep C, and Cirrhosis. Technology has entered my life in a whole new way with the website, blog, Google+, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, and Blogger. All of this information floats about in my head. It has to be doing the same thing in your brain too. I think it would cool to try and nail down what we have learned.
I have been wrestling with thoughts regarding my life lesson plan revamp. When I have a lot to think about, I make lists. The list includes home, family, work, The Best Friends Guide, and most importantly – the ME list. Every morning when I look at my list, I arrange the priorities. Without my lists, I can waste time and all of the ideas that I thought about get lost in the shuffle. Of course, brain fog makes it a wee bit harder. Gotta have those naps on my list. I know for sure you understand.
Those lists are actually goals that I set. Some include home projects, like painting a room. Other goals are harder to pin down. Things like healing my relationships after Hep C treatment are a bit more vague. Researching post treatment, long term side effects, ascites, portal hypertension, hepatitic encephalopathy, varices, addictions, foods to avoid, foods to eat, transplants, Social Security, and on goes our list of things we need to know to stay alive! I like to set a goal that includes reading and improving my current situation. It requires a lot of discipline. I am really good at making lists and setting goals. I look at those lists every morning and then check on them again before I go to bed.
Questions! I have questions that my Dr can’t answer. Like, what next? I hoped to live and get the undetected from treatment. Now I need to stay alive! A lot of the goal-setting in my lists serve as a way to answer the questions that I have about life. Not only my life, but YOUR life too.
How can we organize our thoughts to integrate all of our ideas and information that we need to live our best life?
How can we apply what we have learned about Hepatitis C and Cirrhosis to our personal and family life? How does it affect our finances and work related situations?
How do we go about disciplining ourselves in the areas of diet and exercise?
What about medical treatments and procedures and our Allied Health Team of doctors, nurses, and specialists?
I have questions about how this changed my life. Before treatment I just hoped to live and get the undetected. I have to stop and take a breath. Do you see what I mean? Can you identify? I am not alone here, right?
Update: I wrote this on June 29th and started a series of blogs relating to it. Other things took my attention. Life got in the way. I am determined to continue it in spite of life’s struggles and set- backs. Like you, I have been given a second chance at life. I want us ALL to find purpose and meaning in what we are going though.
We have become Best Friends in this journey. I am determined to make sure that my life counts for something. I know that the same desire is in you. If you want something more from life, and you have made a decision to use the gifts and talents that you were given, let’s get real with it. Be on the lookout for some of my thoughts in this area. I don’t have all the answers and am prepared to keep learning from you and with you.
I do have a Lesson Plan for Hepatitis C and Cirrhosis. If you are too tired to think about it, then just stick by the rest of us while we work it out. Best friend’s do stick together. I’m here for you, and together we can dream big and plan a bright future. All of this has to count for something, right? Love from your friend, xo Karen:)
What Next? Let’s find out!
pics via Karen’s classroom just starting treatment, quopics, keep calm
13 thoughts on “A Lesson Plan for Hepatitis C and Cirrhosis”
I can really relate to what you’re saying eating right has made a world of difference. Rest is imperative I run out of energy quick and it scares me. I have spells of ” stop and lay down” I do this alot when Im on steep roofs they will drain you quick. I have a question: if the virus is cleared will the energy level get better? If I get this zapped this easily then what will it be like if im in treatment? I guess it dont matter because time will tell and hypothetical doesnt do nothing anyway! HA! I keep forgetting the most important thing of all “we have Now” and the Lord is in controll! Thank you that I have some one to type too!
Jody,
It almost seems too easy, doesn’t it Jody? Eat right and live longer. I can totally identify with the stop and lay down thing. I keep granola and nuts with me all the time!
Yes! Your energy will definitely improve when you clear the virus. That has been my experience at least. I still deal with cirrhosis. That is why I continue to learn more about how to make the diet and everything work for me. I hope that it helps others too.
The Lord is in control and what would we do without spiritual strength Jody? I’m happy to hear from you today and any other time. I sit here at this computer trying to sort it all out. It’s always great to connect dear friend.
Lots of xoxo, Karen
Feeling upset. Had a fibroscan about a month ago. Doctor hands me a piece of paper last Wed. showing a healthy kpa reading would be a 2.5 and my number is 22. Stage 4. Had been complaining about certain symptoms, doctor was not really listening or looked for a bandaid solution. That doctor moved and I got a new doctor, a very thorough doctor that started prescribing every test under the sun. Now I am in limbo waiting for the specialist that had the fibroscan done who won’t be up until the 30th of this month to discuss an action plan. I lead a very healthy life style so feel like something has taken over my body, had a party and I’m left with the hangover. I think the culprit was a prescribed drug called Crestor which of course they will never admit.
Hi there! What type of specialist are you seeing? Have you been tested for Hepatitis C? A stage 4 doesn’t just happen. Something is attacking your liver, either HCV or drinking. I don’t know about statins but I know they do not help an already damaged liver. I hope you get to the bottom of this very soon. While fibroscans have been used for a few years, they are not always reliable. The test that most liver specialists rely on is a liver biopsy. How is your blood work? In particular your AST, ALT, Bilirubin, platelets, albumin? This is also important. A specialist will look at your entire body. Are you having any swelling in your ankles or stomach? Do you have any cherry dots on your upper body with squiggle lines that look like a spider. Do you bruise easily? Are you nauseated? I’m trying to think of everything. I’m really sorry you have to wait so long. I know the feeling. Let us know how you are doing. Karen has some liver loving advice on here, diets, recipes. Drink water, don’t drink alcohol. Take Care, Dee
Thankfully I don’t drink, never really have. Drinking lots of water and trying to get more rest while I play the waiting game. I do get swelling in the ankles. I am on a water pill. Have has lots of blood work done, waiting on the results of the “exotic” ones as the specialist called them as they take longer to get back. Before I start my day I always take my blood pressure and blood sugars to keep track. Thanks for listening.
Have been tested for all the Heps, nothing showed up. Had all the vaccinations available. Did experience nausea earlier on usually first thing in the morning but thought it was blood pressure related and just had to take my meds. There was the odd day that I had to take some ginger just to get my day started and it would go away as the day progressed. Days that I had flu like symptoms got passed off as side effects of medications. (blood pressure, cholesterol, thyroid, type 2 diabetes, water pill) My brain kept screaming crestor at me to the point that I checked through my meds for something with that name and did not see it. When I saw the doctor later that day she said she wanted me to stop taking crestor. I had to ask what other name it would go by and sure enough it was in the mix. I do feel a lot better not on that med. I am on something in the same family but without loads of side effects.
Hi I am so happy to hear you are on something else. I just found out my sister had a terrible allergic reaction on a statin, I can’t remember name. I have decided I am not taking a statin. I looked it up and it said if you had liver problems not to take it. The doctor may decide the benefits outweigh the risk but I think I should also have a say.
I’m glad you are feeling better.
You were very smart to stop the Crestor. I got you this link. You can look up all your medications to make sure there is not a problem or dangerous interactions. I though the pharmacies were supposed to do that but I don’t think they do, again, take care, Dee
https://www.drugwatch.com/crestor/side-effects/
I love to hear that you’re listening to your body. Starting off the day by doing a head to toe self exam is smart. I’m interested in your lab values. Since you never drank and drink plenty of water, you’re playing it safe. Whats up with the ankle swelling? Maybe just after being on your feet all day? I had it too and wonder what stage your liver is in. Thanks for dropping by. xo Karen
Hi there! What type of specialist are you seeing? Have you been tested for Hepatitis C? A stage 4 doesn’t just happen. Something is attacking your liver, either HCV or drinking. I don’t know about statins but I know they do not help an already damaged liver. I hope you get to the bottom of this very soon. While fibroscans have been used for a few years, they are not always reliable. The test that most liver specialists rely on is a liver biopsy. How is your blood work? In particular your AST, ALT, Bilirubin, platelets, albumin? This is also important. A specialist will look at your entire body. Are you feeling tired or sluggish, having any swelling in your ankles or stomach? Do you have any cherry dots on your upper body with squiggle lines that look like a spider. Do you bruise easily? Are you nauseated? I’m trying to think of everything. I’m really sorry you have to wait so long. I know the feeling. Let us know how you are doing. Karen has some liver loving advice on here, diets, recipes. Drink water, don’t drink alcohol. Take Care, Dee
Hi , my husband on friday June 24 was told he had cirrhosis of the liver. His blood work looked really good on the Monday before. His stomach was swelling is the reason for blood work. He drank a little in his younger days, but is 57 years old and hasn’t done anything like that since he was in his 20s . He is now preaching and is a pastor . This is such a shock and my heart is broken. We have been together since I was 14 years old. I know this is not the end , but sure feels like it. He has the faith that God isn’t finished with him yet. What i have already begun to struggle with is the food. What is good and what is bad. Salt i know is bad. Learned 2000mg a day. I cook the old fashion southern way. Bacon grease, butter and salt. I bake all the time and Bobby ( my husband ) loves homemade sweets. He for sure not over weight . That was another thing. Sorry about rambling on , just so many questions . We go to a specialist tomorrow for the first time. Hopefully will find out what stage and for him to get his stomach drained.
Hi there, I hope your appointment goes well with the specialist. First I’d like to say, this is not a death sentence. I thought it was when I was diagnosed back in 2008. I was told that if I could stop what ever was attacking my liver I had a chance, if not I would need a transplant in 5 to 10 years. So..over 4 years ago I was cured of Hepatitis C and I am improving all the time.
Cutting back on salt is a good idea. Even more important is cutting down on red meat, processed food, fried foods. He could have it occasionally but not as part of his regular diet. Everything he eats or drinks has to be processed by the liver so if you can keep that in mind, it will help him. Increasing water consumption is best. Coffee is okay as studies have shown it can cut down on the fibrosis and scarring of the liver for some people. I hope you will let us use know how he is doing after the meeting with the specialist, Take Care HUGS Dee
p.s. click on the luv button when replying 🙂 I could not figure out how to add it, sorry.
Hi here is some more information that Karen has prepared to help people eat well
https://www.ihelpc.com/liver-loving-recipes/
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