| Colin's Story |
 |
 |
 |
|
My name is Colin. I am 55 years old. I have the Hepatitis C virus. I was diagnosed with it in September 2001. I contracted it from a life saving blood transfusion in 1979. I was showing symptoms which I could not explain. Following a visit to my GP and a subsequent blood test, my GP informed me I had the virus. I was not really shocked by his news, as I did not know what Hepatitis C was. I was really only aware of the "high profile" illnesses like cancer, MS, leukaemia etc. However, when I want to the Royal and met Dr Callender, he spelled things out and I then realised that I was in a very serious situation. Coming to terms with my condition took some time. I will not go into all the details of medical experiences, but I was given a chance to try a combination treatment to eradicate the virus. I was on this for twelve months, from June 2004 until May 2005. For me the treatment did not work. In September 2006 I began to feel really ill. I was admitted to the Royal on Boxing Day 2006. It was then that Dr Neil McDougall became my consultant. I was diagnosed with chronic Hepatitis C and liver cirrhosis. Dr McDougall then told me that I had the option of a liver transplant. In February 2006 I went to King's College Hospital, London for a Transplant Assessment. This takes about a week to complete. I returned to Belfast, but one of my liver function tests (LFT's) began to improve. The result was that I was not put on the transplant waiting list. I will not be considered for the list until all my LFT's are at a certain level. This cannot be helped as the number of donors on the Donor Register is low. It would be very easy to get very depressed about my situation, but I have great support from my family and friends. I must thank all the Committee Members of the Support Group all of whom have given me unstinting support all through my illness. At the moment I am in reasonably good health and try to keep myself busy. |