If I Should Die from Hepatitis C or Cirrhosis
When I came home from the hospital in 2010, I kept wondering how long it would take me to die after finding out that I had Hepatitis C. I woke up in the middle of the night many times and was surprised to see that I was still alive. My mind was a mess. I thought about my funeral service. I withdrew from my family and talked to sisters and friends about being a mom and grandma to my kids. I had to make peace with it. It was a heavy weight that I still carry at times. I have used many things to comfort myself. I want to share one with my Best Friends today. If I Should Die from Hepatitis C or Cirrhosis:
One of the ways that I made peace was through prayer and peaceful thoughts meditations. I used to pray this at bedtime as a little kid, and then prayed for all the soldiers in Viet Nam. Every night.
Now I lay me down to sleep.
I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
If I should die before I wake,
I pray the Lord my soul to take.
I modified the last 2 lines to Watch me safely through the night and wake me with the morning light.
Fear of Death
Death is something that none of us wants to think about. We take precautions while driving our cars. We lock our doors and set our security alarms. But once the diagnosis of Hepatitis C hits us, especially with Cirrhosis, we think about death more.
What do people who have Hepatitis C die from? My initial diagnosis was decompensated with bleeding varices. This list is not meant to scare you. Quite the opposite in fact. I hope it encourages you. It helps to know what I you dealing with. You know I am all about taking action against Hep C and liver disease.
By keeping your body stable through diet, exercise, and medication many of these conditions can be brought under control. If you respond to the Hepatitis C Treatment your liver, eventually your entire body, will get a break from inflammation.
If I should die from hepatitis c or cirrhosis
Portal Hypertension created varices in my stomach and esophagus. The varices can burst but you can get them banded. I bled out many times. Read about varices grade and treatment here.
Hepatitis and liver disease can also affect the health of other organs. When the liver cannot do its’ job, our other organs begin to suffer. The kidneys, pancreas, and even the endocrine system gives out.
Hepatic Encephalopathy is a condition where the liver is unable to filter toxins. It can lead to brain swelling, coma, and death.
If our spleen hoards platelets, one of the complications we can suffer from is internal bleeding. Water retention, called ascites can lead to an assortment of problems including infection.
The pulmonary and cardiovascular system are compromised which can pose a death threat.
Spots on the liver
Hepatocellular Cancer is another one of the things I have battled. You can use TACE or other treatments like ablations. Please be sure and get your regular screenings (ultrasound) if you have end stage cirrhosis. Catching a spot on your liver may not be cancer, but early is the key. Ask for an MRI if they find spots.
Notice how I lumped them all in here in no certain order. That is because I do not dwell on it. We have to be aware enough to take action and listen to our doctors. One thing I know for sure is that I savor every moment of life. That helps me to keep calm and have no fear of death. 
Yet, every night before falling asleep, I say my prayers and meditations.
Many people who have battled this virus do not die from Hepatitis C or Cirrhosis. They live on to a ripe old age. You and I will always talk to our doctor about the areas listed above. Those are real threats to us.
The good news is that Hepatitis C Treatment can potentially rid you of the virus.
The liver can regenerate or heal itself. Portal hypertensions, varices, Hepatic Encephalopathy, and ascites are treatable with medications in many cases. Liver Cancer is treatable with several options. You have some control.
I plan on dying from something other than a Hepatitis C related health problem.
Maybe you will hear of me dying while trying to learn to parasail, or disappearing on a sojourn in India. I might get electrocuted while playing an electric guitar in a thunderstorm! I can think of 1,000 ways to die besides Hepatitis C or Cirrhosis.
I know this for sure: If I should die before I wake, I’ll be looking for you in eternity. This life is temporary anyway. I am going to live every moment to it’s fullest. Every Single Day..xo Karen:)
Update: I’ve since battled liver cancer and had a transplant. I’m still here:
Pics via biblequotes.com, keepcalmomatic If I Should Die from Hepatitis C or Cirrhosis
20 thoughts on “If I Should Die from Hepatitis C or Cirrhosis”
Hi Karen, I’ve just started reading your blog and find it hard to get up from computer. It is so informative and insightful. I’m on my 5th. week of treatment and I feel sure I will be coming back quite often. Thanks so much !!!! Brenda
Aw Brenda – Thank You! I hope you’ll check back in. You are on your way! Let me know if I can help in any way.
Comments like yours make my day. Sincere xoxoxo, Karen:)
ihelpc.com@gmail.com
Karen, I enjoyed your post so much. Thanks for sharing your personal thoughts. @mnicholas
These last 3 have been reeeeally personal. Thanks for validating me on that. We are all concerned about the same things, aren’t we? You are too sweet. love you, K
Like a page taken right out of my thoughts. Thanks so much for being so open & sharing your life & experiences. I know I am never alone when I read your posts. 🙂
Oh sister, we will live out every moment of our lives to the fullest, won’t we? Cause we are so grateful! I think of you often. We should meet sometime! xo K:)
I have untreated hep c and genotype 1b. I have applied for a study that looked promising, but past bp issues untreated denied me. But I did find out I was doing really good. I know one day it will catch up with me. so what do I do in the mean time, continue to juice and use supplements and eat right exercise. Keep a close check on my liver and the activity of the hep c. Treatment is not right now but I will do it if this hep c gives me one bit of problems. But for now it is quiet and I am doing the right things. Thank you so much for keeping me outa of denial!
You are making some great choices by getting ready for treatment. I think it is what kept me alive! Ask about help with blood pressure medications like Propanolol or Nadolol. If you can get it under control, you can start sooner!
Your liver is quiet now. Yay! Keep taking good care of it and doing the right things. I really hope you will stay in contact because I will think about you and keep you in my heart and prayers. I hope you make the most of every day dear best friend. I am with you. Karen:)
ihelpc.com@gmail.com email me if you need anything k?
thank you for your encouraging words, and it’s always good to know that you are doing the right things I got my bp under control with banana mandarin orange, turmeric smoothie firs thing in the morning and it works good, but sometimes my bp does get high and nothing I do will help but I will go back to my clinic and get that straight I am still waiting for an easier softer way too! God bless all who are facing this and know that you are wonderfully and fearfully made by God
Your words are encouraging for me and all who read them. God knows we need good words when we are dealing with treatment and all of the symptoms! Your smoothie sounds delish! Get me the recipe and I will post it! Really! ihelpc.com@gmail.com
xo Karen:)
thank you for your encouraging words, and it’s always good to know that you are doing the right things I got it under control with banana mandarin orange, turmeric smoothie firs thing in the morning and it works good, but sometimes my it does get high and nothing I do will help but I will go back to my clinic and get that straight I am still waiting for an easier softer way too! God bless all who are facing this and know that you are wonderfully and fearfully made by God
I’ve never tried the turmeric in the fruit smoothie. Sounds great. You have such a sweet heart.
Are you getting the support you need from your clinic? Maybe the new all oral drugs will be here this year.
Our body works hard and yes, we were definitely created for a purpose on this earth.
You are living out your purpose even now while you are waiting. Thank you my friend, xo Karen:)
Another masterpiece you have written for all of us dealing with hep C.
Thank you so very much!
Susan recently posted…TACE for Liver Tumor from Hepatitis and Cirrhosis
Susan,
Hay girl, thanks so much. I wrote it from the heart, because it is part of our reality. No one can understand our mindset of living each day like we do. We plan every goal with an eye on our future. I’m happy to be your friend and know that we DO see life differently. AND we love more, Big smile.xoxoxo Karen:)
Thank you for your post, it’s was hard to read because it hits so close to home. Caring for my husband and living in this hep C world has been rewarding and challenging but God has guided us in many ways and we have been blessed in meeting so many strong inspiring people like yourself. My heart and prayers go out to you Karen. We learn many wonderful things from our walk and the walk others take in this life. In the end I believe God has his hand in it all, and he is guiding us through it and I pray he gives you strength and comfort .
Yes, we always can rely on His guidance and faithfulness. One of the best things is that when we can’t hear His voice, we can hear the voice of a friend. You’ve been that to me. I wish I could PM you. I’ll write an email in the morning. xo
We draw strength from each other, don’t we? I often think that those who care for someone with liver disease and Hepatitis related illness have a harder time. We move to a place of acceptance even while we fight on. It’s the caregivers who are left to deal with their emotions and loss even while they watch over us.
I love your faith and prayers. Knowing that others are praying during our dark hours dip down into my heart in the lonely place. It brings reassurance. I love you and hope that your sleep is sweet tonight. xoxo Karen:)
Hi Karen,
my very first facebook hep per friend!
Your blog was the first that drew me, I read ur blog and articles, cried some and realized there is always someone in worst shape then myself, the the difference was I was impressed by your wonderful aditude and way with words the enveloped me into laughing, smiling and crying…emotions I knew u understood in me.
Something that knows no age or time are thes horrific things we endure, I remember when I first found out about me having hepc I felt like time had stood still and I Was thinking how can this be when things are right where everything should be in my life…being a nurse I investigated everything and asked about everything …..but what I really what to share was when I realized I could die from this, and I stopped, as my body relaxed,I smiled and I thought..well Sharon heres something u can’t control….and it was ok, really ok….I know we need to do everything humanly possible for ourselves , I can only imagine as I think of u often how you do it….u are one courageous woman!
I remember well dear friend. Yes, we do understand each other like no one else can. You have such a wonder way with words yourself. I’m so happy to hear that my words enveloped you.. in love and encouragement.
Death is something that is not easy to talk about. We want to look at the bright side of our lives always. But once that shadow is cast by our diagnosis, we have no choice but to look at it. I just took my make up off and looked in the mirror. I see the same face that I’ve worn all my life, but it’s different. There is a longing for more years. I really like what you said about no control. You’re right, in many ways we are all given a time. But like you also said, we can do everything humanly possible.
You’re a dear friend sweet one. Much love and dream sweet tonight. xo Karen:)
HelloKaren,
Thank you for a frank article. I’ve been looking for different stages and trying to determind the stage that my husband is in. I like the way you laid out the symptoms for different stages. It is difficult to see, but it is something I know we need to face as he is feeling sick as each day passes with this awful disease. It is very difficult to watch someone go through each symptoms. From what I can tell with from the symptoms you described, my husband seems to be stage four. I feel scared for him and for our family but at the same time, I know what I can expect.
Thank you.
Hello and thanks for dropping by. I’m glad you were able to get an idea of where your husband is. I assume there has not been a liver biopsy or scan done? I don’t want to build false hope, but end stage does not have to mean the end. I’ve got a blog on here somewhere about my dad who was end stage and in a hepatic coma and pulled out of it. He lived another 20 years. I assume you are seeing some of the symptoms, and wonder if he is on any medication to control ascites, portal valve hypertension, and hepatic encephalopathy?
My mom was my dad’s caregiver so I know what you are going through from watching her. We all have to make peace with our own time and with that of our loved ones. I had to tell my grandkids the truth about the cancer recently. They know what it means and they know I will fight it all the way!
I truly hope you are taking some time for yourself. Do you have time to start a new hobby or revive and old one? Keeping yourself metnally alert during a loved ones illness is hard work. I’ll keep you in my heart dear friend,
xxoooo Karen:)
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