How to Help Someone with Hepatitis C

 How to Help Someone with Hepatitis C

A Thank You Message – I get a lot of messages from people who are caring for a husband, wife, mom, dad, friend or family member with Hepatitis C. They express their frustration regarding the emotional rollercoaster that they ride on daily while working to help their loved one deal with the diagnosis. They suffer right alongside the patient who is struggling to manage symptoms and side effects. They perform many selfless tasks from grocery shopping to buying medications. They clean and cook, tune out the complaining, and listen to the fears. They are our heroes. Over and over, many caregivers for Hepatitis C patients express to me their desire to help their loved one.

keep calm hero hepatitisCaring for a loved one who has Hepatitis C can be a thankless job. When those of us who have the virus or are in treatment are doing our best to survive the barrage of symptoms and side effects, we are in a somewhat helpless state. We need you. Too often we do not say thank you enough. I have a dear online friend who is caring for a spouse who is on treatment. Riba Rage has hit with full force. Even though this person’s Viral Load is undetected, their side effects are definitely loud and clear. It is not always pretty.

I recently wrote a message expressing thanks to this Best Friend whose spouse is in the battle against Hepatitis C. I decided to expand and share it for all of the care-givers who valiantly do their part – day in and day out. If you have Hepatitis C, are on treatment, or living with the cirrhosis or liver disease, read this to your loved one who has helped you. For those who are caregivers, please read this as though your loved one who has the Hepatitis C Virus had written it just for you. If they were able to express their feelings, this is what they might say:

I know that you did not ask for the Hepatitis C Virus to invade our lives. We had other plans and hopes for our future. When I got the diagnosis, my hopes were put on hold. You put yours on hold too. Hang on to those hopes. Deep inside, I am still dreaming of our future.

I am sorry you are forced to live through this even though you do not have the virus. I am sorry for the burden it places on you. I see all that you are putting up with. I notice all that you do not just for me, but for the entire family. I am not able to be the support that you all need right now. Some day I will be strong again. I will make it up to you. I promise.

I see all that you do around the house. I see what needs to be done. It weighs on my mind. My body is just doing all it can to heal. Please let some of it go until I can help you. Do not try and do it all yourself. Just do what has to be done.

I know that we are paying a high cost for the medications. It is overwhelming to think about. I do not know where the money comes from. I worry about it. You do too. You have done so much to try and stretch the budget. If I seem picky when you spend money on something I do not agree with, please forgive me. You need to go buy yourself or the family something new. You should be able to splurge on pizza or a movie even though I cannot always eat it with you! I want you all to go on with your life. Have some fun. No one hates the penny pinching more than me. I would give you the world if I could.

I’m listening. Almost every thought in my head goes toward fighting off fear and pain. My mind is so distracted. The medications make it worse. I try and live a normal day. It does not work for very long before a side effect interrupts my thoughts. I cannot swat the frustrations away fast enough. It takes every ounce of energy just to keep positive thoughts. When a hopeful thought does come, it is usually because you reminded me of it. Even if I seem to ignore you or argue with you, keep saying hopeful things.

I’m selfish. It is a selfish time while I am on treatment. If all I do is sit around reading on the internet or channel surfing, please do not take it personally. I am not trying to escape from you. I am trying to escape from myself. Please forgive me and understand that if I take care of me right now, I will be here for all of us later. Wait for me.

i'm sorry riba rageI hear you make excuses for my bad behavior. Riba rage coupled with anxiety brings on depression. It is a bad cycle. The medications bring out the very worst in me. I may not even realize it at the time. I am trying to get out of the dark cycle. I am learning to control my anger and fear better than ever before. I will do my best to bring those lessons into the rest of my life. Do not let me turn into a tyrant. Set a limit and tell me when you have had enough. Please try and do it when we are not in the middle of a fight. I can hear you better when I am not mad.

I’m not dead yet. The Hepatitis C Virus and the damage it causes my liver is like a seed – a dead and lifeless seed. I know that from a dead seed, new life can come. A new me will come out of this. Sometimes all you can see are the weeds, but there is new life – and a new attitude – that can come from this. Like a seed planted deep in the dark soil, I am pushing toward living. I want this experience to make me better, not bitter.

I feel sorry for myself. Self pity is a pit that I fall into most days, but I cannot stand to see you pity me. I need your sympathy because I am pathetic a lot of the time. However, I need you to see my strengths. I still have them. They are just out of reach for now.  Your strength is what is holding us all together. I never dreamed you could be so strong. I’m glad that you can show your strength, even though I envy it sometimes. I will try to borrow some of your confidence til I can find my own again.

I honestly need you to ignore me some days. When I become childish and morbid, or if you see me spreading a negative cloud over our lives, send me to my room. I mean that. Keep me from casting that dark net over all of us. I do not promise to thank you for it, but I will get over it.

Tell me the truth. I am sick. I am gloomy. I am too tired to lift a finger, so I am lazy. I am depressing. Do not always try to pretend it is okay. Call it what it is. I may not like it, but I can live with the truth when it is spoken in love.

I am trying to eat healthier. It is a learning process. When you buy groceries, or suggest foods that will help me, I know you are being wise. It is hard work for you to rearrange the kitchen to suit my body’s needs. You put a lot of work into it. The extra time and money you spend are good for me, and for our whole family. I will try not to complain so much. I know you are trying to help. Just because I am sick, does not mean you have to eat the diet that helps me with Hepatitis C, treatment, or cirrhosis. We can work together on this.

I am not that smart. I always thought that I was. I am learning more every day. The truth is that I do not always know the right thing to do or say. Having the Hepatitis C Virus has shown me just how little I know. I was not prepared for this, but I can handle it. I have learned a lot through the years, and will make it my aim to use that knowledge to help us all to get past this. I may not be that smart, but I am willing to learn. I am grateful for the way you have tried to learn about the Hepatitis C Virus. I know that you have so many other things to learn about that are more interesting to you. We can learn together. love never fails hepatitis c liver

I am thankful. It may not seem like it. Honestly, it is hard to be thankful some days when so much is going wrong with my body. I am learning gratitude. I am grateful to be alive. I am grateful for the medications and the doctors. I am grateful for you. I have seen the best side of you since my diagnosis. You are such a strong and giving person. You amaze me.

Some day, it will get better. I will finish treatment, and get more balance in living with liver disease. I will still have to be under a doctor’s care. I will still need your help and support, but I will stand on my own two feet as much as I can. I will look back on all that you have done and are still doing. I will realize what a gift you have given me. I do not know how I can ever repay you.

I may not say it out loud, but you have helped to save my life.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Your Best Friend and Loved One with Hepatitis C, ___________

I think you may find this Youtube on Caregiving and Family helpful. Click here to be magically transported into my living room.

Do you sometimes feel like a burden on others with all your health problems?

Thank you for standing by me,
and lending an ear,
For helping me out
by just being near.

Thank you for cheering me on,
or saying a prayer.
For holding me up,
and showing you care.

Thank you for making me laugh,
and giving me hope.
For showing support,
and helping me cope.

Thank you for all that you’ve done,
and all that you’ll do.
I am so very fortunate,
to have someone like you!

By Linda Nielsen @choosehope.com

thank you heart hepatitis caregiver

You Wonder How to Help Someone with Hepatitis C – You Help in More Ways Than You Know – ps. you have a husband with Hepatitis C (this is for you sister)

pics via Freeiloveyou.com. keepcalmandtumblr.com dailydevotionals.com facebook.com buriedeepinmyheartblogspot.com

Share

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
WhatsApp
Email

12 thoughts on “How to Help Someone with Hepatitis C”

  1. Sweet reminder and timely as I am now starting to reconnect after finishing treatment. Your words stir me to act more graciously.

    1. Lucinda, I can’t imagine you as anything other than gracious. Hepatitis C gives us all a chance to appreciate the precious people in our lives who stand with us. I am so thrilled that you are now Hep C free. It was great just reading your sentence: “finishing treatment”. YES!

  2. I don’t know how this works I just got a posititve antibody test for hep c I’m a 25 year old mother of a four year old been with my boyfriend for almost 8 years just started my career last January as a hair dresser iv never been a drug user or heavy drinker how is this happening to my life right now? I’m so scared I don’t wanna die I wanna see my son grow up I do t wanna feel as though I’m “infected” and looked at like I’m a drug user! Im such a mess! I’m glad that there’s hope and your not cured 🙂 congratulations <3

    1. Hi,
      I’m sorry to hear that you go slammed with this right now. But let’s break it down.

      First, get a confirmed test that you have HCV. Having positive anitbodies means you have been infected. Do you have a viral load?
      Second, you have the potential to live a long life. Your son and any other children that you have can have a healthy mom. And your boyfriend sounds like a best friend if he’s been around for 8 years. My guess is that he will see you through this.

      A diagnosis of HCV is shocking. It doesn’t matter how you got it. What matters is that you get rid of it. Your emotions will calm down as you get more information. Keep reading and talk with your doctor.

      I hope my experience helps, but remember – I was 53 when diagnosed. You’re so young, your liver is probably healthy! Please let me know if you have any other questions. My email is on the contact me page.
      xoxo Karen:)

  3. I just reconnected with an old love, and have discovered that he has been suffering with hep c for over 30 years now, he had a liver transplant 8 years ago and has now been told
    that the virus has come back in the new liver. he has a very rare blood type AB- so getting another transplant is probably not going to happen although I pray every day for a miracle for him. f
    What I would like to know is how can I be of any help to him, I live 4000 miles from him but would be on a plane tomorrow if he needed me. I am not a compatible blood match for him or I would be a living donor.. is there any place where there is a list for donors , living or deceased??? thank you for listening .

    Paticia

    1. Patricia,
      I’m so sorry to hear about your dear loved one. Sadly, when you get a transplant, the virus can still be in your blood and eventually begin to destroy the new liver. You might ask if they have given him a stage of cirrhosis. If his liver is not in too bad of shape, perhaps they will allow him to treat to get rid of the virus.
      If his liver disease is advance, find out what his MELD score is. A higher MELD score would mean a transplant will be necessary. His doctor will know how to get him on a transplant list. I have heard that a rare blood type can actually help a person get one quicker in some cases!
      I hate this for you both. To have found each other is amazing. It sounds like you are doing the best thing possible, and that is to love him and support him. I hope this helped and let me know if you have any more questions.
      xoxo Karen:)

  4. Can’t tell you how much I enjoy reading your words. I know I have been very hard to take at times through all of this and I am very fortunate to have the support of family & friends that somehow manage to stick by me and help me on my darkest days. I do need to be more thankful & remember to tell them how much they mean to me.

    1. Cyn,
      You have an awesome heart – as a friend, wife, mom, and especially as a grandma. Your health has caused you so many problems, and yet you seem to glide over them most days. I know the truth is that you fight through them with determination. When I hear your stories about the grandkids and all the fun you have, it helps me realize that we can NEVER give up. Like you say, even on our darkest days, we can look around and see our friends and loved ones who stand by us.
      My family has suffered through all of this. It is hard on them, and I know yours has too. I agree with you that the best thing we can do is express our thanks to them and let them know that we are doing the best that we can. Right?
      I will say this: Your family is blessed to have you as an example of strength and love in their life. I’ll never forget the day we met and messaged all morning early last summer. Wish I had more free time, but I AM going to make it up to meet you.
      I love you girl and am thankful for you,
      xoxo Karen:)

  5. I love this a lot, Karen. It reminded me what heroes my wife and kids have been during my two tilts at the Dragon. Thank you very much.

    1. Dallas,
      You and your family have been through a lot! I’m so happy to see that you are finally getting the treatment and it’s working. There will be many years ahead for healing. Much love goes your way today dear friend.
      Thanks for the comment. It means a lot coming from you.
      xo Karen

  6. Thanks for writing this my husband was my caregiver and I don’t know how he was able to do all he has done and continues to do. I had my transplant. almost 4 years ago in April. I was sick for years before my transplant. I was several transplant list we tried many things from trying for a living donar my husband and my niece went through all the test and were unable to be approved which was upsetting to them. When I finally got my transplant it had cancer on it which caused careful following for two years after transplant. I also had to go on treatment for 48 weeks of triple treatment which was horrible. My husband was there for me to cook, drive me to appointments, get my meds in order and making sure I don’t run out. He had his hands full and never complained. I did clear the virus and am cancer free and back to enjoying life. Thank you Karen for all you do.

    1. Hay Glenda!

      You sound like you’ve got a jewel of a husband. Your comment made me cry thinking of all the love he gives to you. You’re so blessed to be in a committed relationship. I know that many of our best friends are probably envious… in a good way. I hear from so many that are alone in their struggle, or at least it puts a big strain on the relationship.

      God bless your dear husband for standing by you through transplant, cancer, and then treatment. You are a walking miracle thanks to your niece and your loving and supportive family. That’s the way life should be, don’t you think?

      I appreciate you for all of the support you’ve offered to me in my journey. It’s still ongoing and I’m sure when I get the transplant, I’ll be looking for advice. Thank YOU for being there for me.
      xoxo Karen:)

Comments are closed.

Related Posts
MASLD vs MASH: Where are you on the spectrum karen hoyt ihelpc

MASLD and MASH: Where are You on the Spectrum?

There are no FDA approved medications for those with fat MASH or MASLD liver disease. You can learn about the stages or find out where you are on the spectrum. I’ve beat liver cancer and love to encourage others to learn more about how the liver tries to heal itself. I’ve written for over a decade and have plenty of stories that can help you in your liver disease journey.

Read More »
New liver language 2023: MASH and MAFLD nomenclature terms karen hoyt

New Liver Language 2023: MASH and MAFLD

The global liver community chose new terms or nomenclature for the various types of liver diseases. The new terms are more accurate and also less stigmatizing for the patient. Although it will take time to work them into every area of the medical community, here is a copy for people who have liver disease to start with. There is no more NASH, it will be MASH, NAFLD becomes MASLD, MetALD is a new term, and SLD is the overarching term for steatosis.

Read More »
Liver #1 fan karen hoyt

Can Resmetirom Cure Nash MASH or Fatty Liver?

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. Let’s peek closer at how it works in our body.
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 we look at the future with a diagnosis of Mash. By starting with the root of the accumulation of fat in the liver,

Read More »
Make a Donation

Donate Now

Other Amount: USD

Receive the latest news

Subscribe To Our Weekly Newsletter

Get notified about new articles