Hi anonymous

I'm so pleased people have found the blog has given them some encouragement. The apprehension of the unknown is hard to deal with before starting treatment & it was really important to me when I heard some accounts that it could actually be ok. Up to that point all I heard was how awful it was & I visualised myself in bedridden hell for 11 months. It couldn't be more different (for me at least). I think I have appeared completely well too. I don't think anyone who didn't know I was on treatment would guess that I was. The other female members of the team where I work are mystified (& fairly jealous I think!) at how I seem to eat so much but stay slim. I'm sure they'll be pleased when I mysteriously gain weight in a few weeks! I think I've probably lost about half a stone during treatment, though my appetite has remained the same. Not much comes between me & food.
I've done my last injection now & stop the tablets next week. I'm looking forward to dying my hair & it resuming it's normal thickness as it looks pretty scraggy (anyone starting treatment don't panic - no bald patches!)

week 46

Things are much the same. I'm not itchy but am a bit tired so I take it easy & rest when I need to. I've had quite a few twinges in my liver over the last week or so which is disappointing. I know that doesn't necessarily mean it's the virus but I would feel more hopeful of success if that wasn't happening in the last weeks. I've planned a couple of trips away for when the treatment ends. I wonder if I will feel more energetic when it's finished. I'm not sure what normal is really.

Thank you anonymous for your encouragement! I've resolved to not try & do everything at work - the world won't fall apart if I don't. I have a few days off next week & had a go at belly dancing last week - the best fun I've had in ages. I also watch old Upstairs Downstairs episodes on Sunday mornings - great for de-stressing!

week 44

I'm feeling a bit stressed as my manager has gone off sick for the next few weeks & I'm going to have to manage everything at work. There is a lot going on at work & I feel tired so I'm worried about being able to care for myself properly. I want the last few weeks of treatment to go well. I'll be finished in 5 weeks.