March 2003
Want to keep receiving this Newsletter? This will be the last of our 2003 funding and subscription renewal campaign will occur. To those of you for whom we have a mailing address, we have sent a Statement Envelope. To stay on our subscription list, mail back that envelope (or respond by email). If you can, please include payment as noted in the box at the lower right.
March 19 -- Cara Bruce and Lisa Montanarelli or...

Support Group Members Interact - SCC Classrooms 3 & 4
Hopefully we will have, as guest speakers, the co-authors of The First Year Hepatitis C: An Essenmtial Guiode for the Newly Diagnosed

Upcoming Agendas:
Meeting Agenda:
6:30 p.m. (sharp) - Theme Song: I Will Survive
6:35 - 6:45 Announcements
6:45 - 8:15 as noted above
8:15 - 8:45 (or earlier) questions/answers 'til we adjourn

April 16 -- Rm 220 -- Roche provided health professional
May 21 -- Clsrm 3&4 -- Dr. Wakil
Quarterly Business Meeting -- 5:30 p.m. March 19

Immediately prior to our March meeting, the leaders of I Will Survive will meet to conduct their quarterly business meeting. All are encouraged to attend and to consider taking a more active role in our group.
More News
Our Meetings: 3rd Wednesdays of every month; at SCC (Sutter Cancer Center, aka: Buhler Bldg) classroom 3&4 or Room 220; 2800 L St (@ 28th & L: kitty corner across from the 2-story parking & across L St. from Sutter Hospital)
Contact Us: Phone number: (916) 444-6996
Our Web Site> www.sacmall.net/transplant/hepc.html
Email: dck@innercite.com (include "I Will Survive" in subject line or your message might be delected before being read).
*Time to renew your subscription to I Will Survive. Members who could not contribute last year want to thank those of you whose paid subscriptions made it possible for them to receive this newsletter. Hopefully, some more of you will be able to provide financial AND leadership support for 2003.
If you want to be included on our mailing/emailing list and you can afford to include a donation, make it to "I Will Survive, The Effort", P.O. Bx 2180, Loomis, CA 95650 for:
$24 if you want the Newsletter by U.S. mail
$15 if you get the Newsletter from the website (if you wish, each month we'll email a link to you)
$ 0 if, right now, you can't afford to pay dues. In which case "I Will Survive" will mail monthly Newsletters to you. Please contribute to the "Donations" Box at the meetings as you are able.

From the March 2003 HCVAdvocate:
Following are tips collected from hepatitis C patients who have successfully completed treatment. Perspective and attitude can be powerful allies.
...Support, support, support: Self-disclosure is a complicated issue but, even without full self-disclosure, patients can ask for help. Since HCV treatment can have some psychosocial side effects, telling family members and close friends is a good idea.
...Positive thinking is a term we often bandy about without really following through. Seeing the "bright side" is both an art and a discipline.
...Do not let lab results or other people tell you how you feel
...Establish and review your goals: Make them broad and flexible. Include objectives such as "improvement of quality of life" or "want to give treatment my best effort," rather than only focusing on permanent eradication of virus. Reflect on these goals on days when treatment presents challenges.
...Try to lead a normal life: There is more to life than interferon and ribavirin.
...Aspiring to climb Mt Everest (or even Mt. Shasta) is all very well and good, but not during treatment. If you are one who has never missed a day of work, now might be a good time to use some of that accumulated sick leave.
...Do not make decisions during the night: few of us feel courageous and strong while tossing and turning. Save assessments and decisions for the daytime hours.
...Do not make any unnecessary life-changing decisions during treatment: Seek advice from those you trust before implementing major changes.
...Challenge your thinking and self-talk: Try not to over generalize or turn difficult moments into catastrophes.
...Look at the big picture: Some days will probably be harder than others. However, assessing the broader picture may actually provide a different perspective.
...Do not blame everything on treatment: Look around at people who are not receiving treatment for HCV. It is likely you will notice that they get sick, complain of headaches, sore throats, fatigue, and occasional aches. Learn to recognize signs of illness that may require medical intervention.
...Maintain balance. Establish healthy and regular eating, sleeping, and exercise patterns that are attainable.
...Consider that bravery is an action performed while feeling afraid: When find yourself feeling scared, remind yourself how courageous you are.
...Seize the opportunity for humor: Laughter feels great and may have a positive effect on the immune system.
...Do something enjoyable every day: This is a time for healing. Healing is more than just taking medicine. Do something that is rejuvenating on a daily basis.
...Do something for someone else to keep from becoming too wrapped up in self-concerns and maybe for your sense of purpose. However, do not neglect yourself. Find balance between helping others and staying healthy.
...Talk to the winners: Many people have completed treatment and have great insight as well as hindsight as to how to succeed through the process.
...Try not to fear discomfort and uncertainty. Fear can be more uncomfortable than the object of fear.
...Remember that all journeys are an opportunity for self-knowledge. Enjoy the adventure.
...One patient commenting on treatment said, "It&Mac226;s like being at high altitude, without the scenery." Another expressed it as, "It felt like a preview of what it will be like when I get old. The only difference was that I felt great when it was over." A third patient said, "It felt like I was swimming in very deep water during a triathlon. I found out I was a good swimmer after all." Whether you feel like you are swimming, aging, or hiking, know that you can do this.

If you have no money or insurance call:
Sacramento Clinical Trials
Schering's Commitment to Care 1-800-521-7157
Infergen's Safety Net Program 1-888-508-8088
Roche's Patient Assistance 1-800-443-6676
Dr. Gish, et al, call: Pacific Hepatology, (916) 443-0503
Dr. Pimstone UCD Med Center, (916) 734-1557
Dr. Rossaro UCD Med Cntr, call: Katherine Suggett (916) 734-8696



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