On 25th April I went for my final blood tests. Yesterday I called the hospital and got the results - no virus detected. I am cured. Or at least I have achieved a "sustained virologic response", aka SVR. 99% of people who have SVR three months post treatment are cured, though there is a small chance that the virus is hiding out somewhere. I'm not thinking about that though. I'm cured!
Next week I have a follow up appointment with the hospital. Then they'll have me back in a year for more blood tests just in case. My liver is in good shape, so I won't need to be monitored. That's it - my time with hepatitis C over.
Recovering from the treatment has been no picnic. Physically, I feel good. I have energy. I look younger, my eyes are bright and clear and aren't puffy any more (I had thought that was just a feature of my face).
My brain is mullered though (for those not familiar with that slang term, it roughly means beaten and battered.) Coming off the antidepressants is proving very hard. My brain feels weird; like I have tinnitus inside my head, it feels blank and taught. I am finding it very difficult to concentrate. Any work where I need to do anything new takes me hours. It's been over three months I've slowly been reducing my antidepressant dose, and I'm still only down to 15mg a day (from 40 on treatment) and I can really feel it, all the time, every day. I thought if I reduced it slowly it would be imperceptible.
I'm also very impatient. I feel I only have time for my big ambitions: my writing, my drawing. This morning I was disabled by confusion, there's a parcel at the post office that I need to pick up and that means I can't draw and arghh! I am very much looking forward to regaining some perspective. It makes a big difference though, knowing that my pulped brain isn't because the virus is hiding out there preparing for a counter attack. I will recover from the anti-depressants and feel normal again.
Mum nearly cried on the phone when I told her the good news. The women at work, who have looked after me through treatment, reacted the same way. I am happy. My heart feels big and warm. I am grateful. The shadow over my life is gone. It's good that this story is over, and has a happy ending.
