Hi
there,
I
typically hate huge mailings but you are all waiting for
the same info so here it goes........
Well, C. and I just got back from the MD appt. (
follow up from the liver biopsy on 9/18 )
it was basically anticlimactic, the MD was arrogant and
non forthcoming with information and HATED the wife who
wouldn't stop asking questions. At first he non chalantly
said that C's liver was as bad as he expected 4/4+. He guesses
that C's cirrhosis is approx. 60% at this point but he is
holding his own with the other 40% or so. He recommends
an esophagus scope because of the risk of varicose (bleeding)
from advanced cirrhosis. ( I think C. agreed to that procedure,
he doesn't relish the thought of choking on his own blood!
)
The
MD feels the peg interferon should start after the phlebotomies
are finished in 3-6 months because with the phlebotomies,
C. is already anemic and the peg interferon will make that
worse. He wouldn't even hear that C. wouldn't choose interferon
or even have a discussion re: the statistical poor response
rate to interferon with genotype 1A or the iron overload,
from hemochromotosis. ( which hopefully will be better by
then ).
No
wonder Lloyd is so anti medical! The gastroenterologist
basically said diet makes no difference, vitamins and supplements
make no difference and herbs are a joke.
He even went as far as to say that my health insurance
company knows best, peg interferon is the only
thing they will pay for because its the only treatment there
is.
BUT
the good news is that he stopped signing C. up for the peg
interferon because of the phlebotomies for the next 6 months.
So, I feel like we have that time to continue the program
of herbs/supplements and vitamins and do some bloodwork
then and see if anything is better. The other good news
is that the MD didn't think C. was so sick that he would
immediately go on a transplant list. I tried to feel that
was hopeful. As a matter of fact he got irritated at me
again when I asked if C. would be a candidate for a living
donor transplant and said that that conversation was not
appropriate at this time. C. had to calm me down when we
left the appt.! I was really appalled at his attitude.
He gives Germans a bad name!
So,
that's the update. We are on hold. It feels ok to be on
hold at this point. We shall continue with our supportive
program. Keep us in your prayers.
Love,
H.
