2017 Update on the New Medications

As you may recall back in December, I set out on a new journey to better my overall well being, lifestyle and treatment regimens for my chronic illnesses. First and foremost, I began by seeking new therapies for my Hemophilia treatment. Having been on the former treatment for 14 years, I was horribly overdue for a fresh set of eyes on my case.

I'm happy to report since I started Adynovate in December, I haven't had any break-through bleeds, and I'm physically doing better. Though I have permanent joint damage and partial muscle atrophy, the twice a week injections are working exactly as the doctor said they would. I have noticed a slight increase in overall activity including walking, doing more around the house and being just overall more active in my day-to-day routine. I realize my case and situation isn't everyone else's, but I can speak now on behalf of the newer generation anti-hemophiliac factor VIII concentrates that they do work. I was skeptical, like most at first, but now seeing the results of these drugs first hand, I realize the benefit they offer. I haven't really noticed any side effects as a result of the new treatment plan.

Also, being on a new HIV drug called Triumeq, which I began taking on December 15th, 2016, has also been part of a new overall health treatment upgrade. After a month of taking just one pill a day, from my previous 5 pills a day, I officially got my lab work back this morning to see how the new drug was working in my system. View the results below.



I don't expect everyone to understand what those results indicate, but "Not Detected" or "Undetected" status on an HIV viral load test indicates the medication is working, and my HIV is controlled to a non-readable status by modern tests. This is great news, because if the test were to show a viral load number result, that would mean the drug is ineffective and I would have to try something else. I don't regret changing my anti-virals after 12 years to more refined and modern drugs, and the results speak for themselves.

So there you have it, a 2017 update on my overall health and well being. I'm doing wonderfully! And just a side note, I have been following up with a liver specialist at my new Hemophilia Treatment Center, and I'm undergoing two scans next month in February to see how my liver health has improved since being cured of Hepatitis C in 2014. Since I'm a hemophiliac, I cannot undergo a liver biopsy, rather a FibroScan and standard abdominal ultrasound. This will determine if I have any liver issues like fatty liver or scarring that I've inherited over the past 30 years of living with a HCV and liver inflammation. That's all for now, see you soon!

Today, My Life Changed Forever

It's pretty astonishing to think about it, and I'm still attempting to process the real scope of things surrounding the past year of my life.

On January 21st, 2014 I began a journey that would ultimately change my life forever, I treated my Hepatitis C with a new breakthrough drug called Sovaldi. Rapidly within 4 weeks of therapy, my virus went undetected, indicating that treatment was working and I was on my way to 20 more weeks of medication, lab work, doctor visits and a plethora of side effects. By the end of treatment on July 7th, 2014, I was still undetected and on my way to hopes of a possible cure.

My infectious disease doctor told me treating with Sovaldi and Ribavirin, I stood an astounding 94% chance of being cured even co-infected with HIV.

Having previously treated with much more toxic and brutal drugs in 2006, this new therapy was a breath of fresh air, but also had it's own mess of side effects. But in the end, the side effects weren't severe, and I powered through treatment like a iron arrow going through the heart of a dragon. Not just any dragon, the king of all dragons, Hepatitis.

The results are in today January 12th, 2015, 6 months post treatment, and officially I can say I am cured of Hepatitis C once and for all. My dragon has been slain, and my life is forever changed. I'm still sitting here processing the events of the past 24 hours of my life after getting this spectacular news. Sovaldi truly works, and the words cure and HepC can now be uttered in the same breath with confidence. Click on the graphic to see the lab work for yourself.

As I pause in this time of reflecting, evaluation and focusing on God more, I am truly humbled by the events of the past year of my life. Never again will I lie sleepless in my bed pondering my own fate. No more weeping in the pillow of my own mortality, and the fate of my beloved wife. To never fathom again the thought of liver transplant, end stage liver disease, cirrhosis or liver cancer is for the lack of better terms, new.

But, I can't forget to give credit where credit is rightfully due. If it wasn't for my persistent faith in Jesus Christ, my surrounding band of brothers and church family, my amazing wife and the endless sacrifices of my parents, none of this would be possible today. Thanks to my caregiver Dr. Katherine Smith for treating me, and lastly to Michael J. Sofia who developed this new miracle drug called Sovaldi.

My blogs will continue, as this is just the beginning of a new era for myself and I Strive 2 Thrive. I am working on a new video documentary as we speak, and I hope to share it with you hopefully by Spring of this year. Forever grateful, eternally humbled and delightfully changed, thanks to everyone who has been a part of this amazing journey with me the past year.

In His Holy and Blessed Name,
Joe Burke (I Strive 2 Thrive)

7 Weeks Post Treatment

In 2006 I treated my Hepatitis C for the first time with PEG-Interferon and Ribavirin. Through a grueling six months I endured side effects no human should suffer, with a less than satisfying outcome. It took me roughly 16-17 weeks to go undetected on a 24 week therapy that should have been 48 weeks, with only a 34% chance of a cure. In just 3 weeks post treatment, I had relapsed. Emotionally I was drained. Physically I was pushed to my limits.

Fast forwarding 7 years later, and the drug Sovaldi was approved by the FDA in December 2013. By January 21st, 2014 I was on treatment with the new drug, and in just 4 weeks my Hepatitis C was gone! Not only was I a rapid responder to the new drug, but I remained undetected for the duration of my 24 weeks to July 7th.

On August 18th, 2014 I was due for 6 week "post treatment" labs to be drawn. Given my previous history in 2006, I was more than just anxious, I was on edge. The results are to your left (click image). 6 weeks post treatment, and I'm still undetected.

I can't begin to tell you the feeling deep inside. Pure joy, and knowing that God is always in control. It's easy sometimes to loose sight of Him, and it just takes a split second to look down. Not only does this serve as a reminder to me that God is still in control of my life, but He still is in the healing business. Psalm 41:3 says, "The LORD sustains them on their sickbed and restores them from their bed of illness."

Clinically, my status cannot be called a cure until 6 months post treatment, which is January 2015. But, I'm off to one heck of a start, and I know "God's Got This."

On a side note, I had reported a few weeks ago that I was experiencing some digestive issues post treatment, especially with diarrhea. After talking with my doctor, she recommended I try a daily probiotic to balance out my stomach and restore the good bacteria in my digestive system. She explained that Hepatitis C treatment often can kill or damage the good bacteria needed to break down foods.

After just two days in taking this supplement, my diarrhea had resolved, and I was back to some sense of normal again. So if any of my fellow dragon slayers are experiencing digestive issues during or after treatment, I highly recommend starting a daily probiotic. I still have random occurrences, but usually it's based on my diet.

I'm Rebooting

Today, July 28th, is #WorldHepatitisDay, and as we mark today with global awareness, I want to share some pretty awesome news from a visit to my liver doctor today. I had a follow up visit with my Hepatitis C physician Dr. Katherine Smith in Orlando, Florida. It's been over a month since I last seen in her clinic, and this visit was my "post treatment" visit. The virus still remains undetected at the end of therapy, and I will follow up with Dr. Smith on October 20th for my 3 month post treatment visit. Here is a look at my recent lab sheet from the viral analysis.

I told the doctor about a few symptoms I've been having; restlessness, insomnia (mind going a million MPH), and, not to be too informative on this one, but for the sake of the #HCV community I'll list it, diarrhea. She said it was not uncommon for patients who have totally cleared the virus to experience waves of energy, motivation and strive. and the restlessness and energy at night is my body attempting to adjust to a new normal. For so long my body has been used to fatigue, lethargy and a general run down sluggish feeling that I haven't had much energy to do much day to day. Now, I'm hard wired to and ready to plow ahead. As for the random moments of dysentery, same thing applies in my digestive tract as well. My body is rebooting from the inside out. My liver is regenerating, my metabolism is rebuilding itself, my digestive tract is adjusting to a new function of normality, something I'm not used to. Dr. Smith stated that over time, the body will eventually level out, and my symptoms will become less and less enhanced as the weeks go on post treatment. Pretty amazing stuff. I never fathomed my body literally healing and regenerating, but now, it's really happening. I'm a new man, walking in a light and a new victory, leaving my dragon to nothing more than ashes of ruin and a vague memory in the vastness of the future that lies ahead.

As if my life couldn't get any better, this research was published on July 21st, 2014 about a possible upcoming cure in the fight against HIV/AIDS. As if my life couldn't get any more fantastic, the actual word cure and HIV are now being spoken in the same sentence, and the research is under way. Take a moment to watch this amazing and informative video on the new science that could possibly make HIV a thing of the past. To read the official release from the research at Temple University, click here.

Day 100, Recovery & Moving Forward

Since my two ER visits last week, I have since completed my antibiotic therapy and am recovering slowly from the sinus infection from last week. Some lingering after affects from the ordeal have left me with sore lymph glands under my chin and neck area near my throat. Even today, it hurts to swallow food and water, but I must press on and continue with the daily fight. My wife, the RN, is keeping a close watch on my tender and aching glands under my neck, as it's typical for those areas to become tender considering the trauma I've went through the past week. I'm no stranger to glands swelling up by the way. It's not uncommon for someone like myself to experience these types of occurrences after an infection has been sited. When I lived in Kentucky, during the Spring, my glands would swell so bad, they were visible from just looking at my neck and jaws. Spring time in Kentucky I do not miss at all. Florida is green all year around, and we have mild Springs in January through February. Yet another reasons why I love the sunshine state.

I can't believe today is officially day 100 of treatment. It's been such a journey just getting here, and now, next week, I'll call the pharmacy to order bottle #5 (month 5) of therapy. I had a follow up doctor's appointment with my liver doctor this past Monday the April 28th, and my CBC labs looked great. No decline in white blood cells, and my immunity is at an all time high since I've been keeping track. My liver enzymes were also at an all time low, ALT-14, AST-15. I guess with the swollen glands, I take that as a good sign, not a bad. If my immune system was compromised, I would not and could not have the bodily defenses to attack and fight back. A doctor at University of Kentucky once told me, "...swollen glands, though scary and painful, for you are not a bad sign, it's a good sign that you have immunity and that your body's defenses are doing their job." My liver doctor whose treating my HCV asked to see me next month for follow up and labs. I asked her before I left, given my unique case, what is her protocol for calling me cured post treatment? She told me given my complex medical background, a viral load would be taken at 3 months, 6 months and 1 year post treatment. The true definitive gold standard in her eyes is I'm still undetected at 1 year post treatment, that would be the declaration of a cure in her eyes.

In terms of moving forward, amazingly as I literally knock on wood, haven't had any major side effects to report in the past 2 weeks while on liver treatment with Sovaldi and Ribavirin (800mg). Sure I have the afternoon waves of lethargy, moments of zoning off into Neverland, but overall, everything can easily be managed with drinking lots of water, eating right, and taking my Ibuprofen as needed. I give credit for all of this to God in Heaven. Truly He's looking over me during this whole treatment process, and I know for sure His Mighty hand is orchestrating this entire journey to mold me into something far more greater. It's time for the Slayers to awake, it's time for our dragons to die, it's time for lambs to become lions and lead the pack. We're on the cusp of this exciting new era in liver treatment, and I for one don't fail to give God all His rightful deserved glory daily!
I thought I'd never hear the words Hepatitis C and cure uttered in the same breath, but truly these are remarkable times we're living in. Stay fruitful, and strive 2 thrive in everything you do daily! #IStrive2Thrive

Day 93, Feeling Better!

Just an update on my condition. My sinuses are almost completely cleared thanks to the antibiotics, my eyes are healing up day by day. I'm feeling a lot better, no more chills, fevers, aches, cramps, shakes, headaches etc... The worst is over, now to get on with life. Thanks to everyone who over the past week has sent up prayers for both me and Alex. Words can't express our gratitude, love and humility for our fellow brothers/sisters/friends. We love each of you so much, and are thankful to have you along this journey with us of healing, restoration and replenishing. Too Blessed to be Stressed!

Here is a great video talking about the new drug I'm on to cure my Hepatitis-C, check this out. Pretty amazing I'm on this drug and on the road to a permanent cure. I love seeing editorials like these despite the enormous cost of the therapy.

Day 92, 12 Week Lab Work Just In!

Click Lab Image to view larger version.

Well, "proof is in the pudding" as they say. I went in for my 12 week HCV viral load check and sure enough, it's undetected just like at week 4! I got the results today from my routine 12 week visit to my doctor, and I must also report that my immunity is at it's highest since I've been keeping lab records. Proof that Sovaldi is working, proof that the virus is gone, my system is rebounding after years of fighting and dragon slaying, and now these bones can thrive! Everything on my labs came back amazing, AST & ALT were all normal. Officially going into week 13 of treatment, almost into week 14, it's amazing to look back at these blog posts at the road I've traveled the past 12 weeks to get here to this point. How amazing the times we're living in where the were HepC and Cure can now be uttered in the same sentence with assurance and confidence. Again, this is not my story, it's God's hand undermining this entire therapy. I'm just a vessel for His testimony and message, and I can't wait to end therapy and share with the world my story of being cured!

Day 36, Undetected (Dragon Slain)

After 4 weeks of therapy, it all has come down to this one moment, this breath of fresh air. Waiting patiently in the examination room, I was praying to God, listening to Coldplay's new Midnight track on YouTube and just lifting up God's amazing power.
It was in that moment the rustling of papers at the door distracted my silent moment of worship as my doctor entered the room. Not reading my results yet, we both sat down and first went over my basic CBC and liver functions, all of which are normal range. Then, as my doctor turned to the next page, she chuckled, and just said, "Wow, that's just amazing!" It was that moment that I realized the outcome and the grueling past 5 weeks of therapy have not been in vain, that my dragon was slain, my giant was overcome and the cloud of gloom lifted from my head. No longer do I live in the shadow of the human struggle to fear one's own mortality from complications stemming from HCV. The journey is winding down, 4 and a half months left of therapy, and this beast will be slaughtered into an oblivion.

I am officially undetected of the virus after 4 weeks. That means there is 0% of the Hepatitis C (HCV) in my blood samples. Not only is the is stellar news, but also means that I had a rapid virologic response (RVR) to the therapy, which results in an even more increased chance of cure above the already 92% with just the standard therapy. Click on the image to the right to view the larger version of the actual lab work analysis. The HCV RNA is the virus itself, and the result is showing below 15 copies, which is how far modern day testing can measure to. This is astounding, and the work of a mighty God who is always in control of our lives, regardless of good news or bad. This blood test proves that not only miracles do happen in modern day, but just adds volumes to the power of the living God, and what can be done if one simply surrenders all to Him. I still am not praying for a cure, although there is nothing wrong with that to pray to be cured.

Therapy continues until the duration is complete. My HCV viral load will be checked again at week 12, week 24 (end of therapy) and 6 months post, then one year afterwards. This is not my story, I'm just the vessel, it's all God and his craftsmanship. I am his artwork, his sculpture and painting, likened in His own image. I humbly bow, worshiping Him, glorifying His name. Rest assured, I'm still blogging through the duration of this therapy, documenting my highs, and lows, so I'm not going ANYWHERE! Ya' Here!?