A New Dawn

The labs are in for my 3 month post treatment, and remarkably, I'm still undetected! I can't begin to tell you how enthralled I am at the power of these new wave of Hepatitis C drugs; They work!

The proof of seeing cure in black and white is surreal, almost like I'm living a dream in a fantasy world that I never want to wake up from. But of course, it's not fantasy, it's reality and I'm living the life I only dreamed of as a teenager.

Never to worry about liver transplants, end-stage liver disease and all the horrific complications that come from chronic Hepatitis C. It's as if God Himself waved His hand over my life and gave me a second chance to thrive.

My liver is also showing signs of healing, as various levels like platelets, alkaline phosphatase are resolving. My alkaline phosphatase at 6 weeks post treatment was 177, now down to 153 with a normal range of 119. ALT, AST, bilirubin, albumin, HGB, HCT are all now normal range and have been since the 4th week of treatment.

With the healing of my liver and the second chance on life, it's now time to fix the damage of living with Hemophilia for over 30 years. On Thursday October 16th, I went in for X-rays of my bad right knee. What the doctors saw on the scans (shown to the right) left them speechless. They realistically didn't understand how I was able to even walk or move the knee as good as I did.

The cushion space as shown in the normal leg are unremarkable, while my target joint right knee is all deformed with barnacle like bone structures and literally bone on bone grinding. No wonder I suffer from chronic pain.

Within the next 4 months, I will be seeking a full knee replacement and rebuilding my body since my liver is now healed. My goal, by the time I'm 40 is to have all my injured joints fixed or replaced and push my body to limits never imagined before. I want to compete as an athlete in cycling and running competitions. They say 40 is the new 20, so we'll see! My orthopedic appointment is set for October 27th, 1PM, and I'll be sure to blog the post visit information here on this web site.

On October 10th, oddly enough my wedding anniversary, the FDA approved yet another Gilead Sciences behemoth that is boasting up to 94-99% cure rates for Genotype 1 Hepatitis C patients.

The future is here. Gilead have now combined Sovaldi (sofosbuvir) and the newer formulated drug Ledipasvir.

Harvoni is a daily pill that includes Gilead’s NS5A inhibitor ledipasvir plus the company’s nucleotide analog polymerase inhibitor sofosbuvir. The latter drug was approved in December 2013 under the brand name Sovaldi, which quickly became a blockbuster. As some of you may or may not know, Sovaldi is the drug that cured yours truly.

The future is here, the Dragon Slayer nation rises! Makes me wonder how far away we are from an HIV cure? Months? Years? With my cured healing liver, a possible repaired physical body, all we need now is a cure for HIV, and AIDS will officially be no more.

Finally, here is a song I wrote in 2010 on my second album called "A New Dawn." Little did I know 4 years later, that title would have a lot more significance to me. Hope you enjoy the song, and if you like my music, head over to my iTunes, Amazon or Spotify pages for a listen.

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.

Day 168, Final Day of Liver Treatment on Sovaldi & Ribavirin

Sitting down with my lovely wife, we reflect on the past 6 months of treatment, offer words of hope and encouragement to those on treatment or soon to be; and celebrate as I take my final pill.

The Final Day

My final day of liver treatment, holding the final pill of ‪#‎Sovaldi‬. 6 months completed, and my ‪#‎hepatitisc‬ is gone. ‪#‎dragonslayer‬ ‪#‎hcv‬ ‪#‎hepc‬ ‪#‎hiv‬‪#‎hemophilia‬ ‪#‎hemo‬ ‪#‎ribavirin‬

Day 148, Officially 20 Days Left

Around 5PM today, I took my Sovaldi as usual and realized that I had already ventured an entire week since my last post, and thus 7 more days complete. Today, officially I have 20 days left of treatment, and yes, I'm totally rocking a countdown to the big day coming up on July 7th. Wow, it's amazing how time flies when you're caught up in work and spending quality time with family over the weekend.

God blessed me to see my mother-in-law this past weekend as she stayed with us from Friday to Monday afternoon. I was so happy for my wife, Alexandra, to be able to spend some much needed time with her mother before their move to South Carolina at the end of June. They've lived in Cape Coral, Florida since 2002, and now are heading back to their old hometown of Anderson, South Carolina. Family was important this past weekend, and having Mary in our home and running around Central Florida with us was a blast. Having Mary spend a few days with us helped to pass time, and helped the days go by quicker while on treatment. I found myself not even thinking about Sovaldi, treatment or the end of therapy. Rather, I was basking in the joy that comes from sharing stories with family, having dinner dates and going to church. God sends people in our lives just when we need them, for an extra boost of motivation and zeal.

As for side effects, I have been clear for the past 7 days of any sinus related congestion. No more headaches, no chills, no fevers, no mucus and more importantly no swollen lymph glands under my neck. Albeit, I've had moments of lethargy in the afternoons around 4PM, and a short nap usually gets me back on track. My wife has also pinpointed some of my absentmindedness at times with brain fog, and in those moments I just "zone out." Just like the song from Oasis, "Champaign Supernova," I catch myself riding the comet trails of brain fog, and caught in daydream like moments. It's sometimes pretty funny actually, but thank goodness, all of this will end shortly in less than 3 weeks.

An idle mind is a playground for negativity, so keeping myself active, focused and busy has really been one of the main mental paths that has allowed me to get through some tough nights with side effects. When you surround yourself with productivity, no matter if it's gardening, pottery, painting, graphic design or just spending time with family, at the end of the day these things deliver a lot of joy and focus. Let's face it, focus and a hobby of sorts could benefit a lot of us while on treatment of any kind or with any medical condition that come with limitations and boundaries. Take the time to find your niche, and allow it to be a part of your day in some way. Philippians 4:8 says this, "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." Apostle Paul was one of the New Testament's greatest authors, not only did he write passionately, but his words echoed giving God glory in all we do.

Like I've said so many times before, "You are not your disease!" Keep Calm and keep slaying that dragon!

Day 140, The Final Countdown

Well, it's been a long winding road filled with twists, turns, bumps, setbacks, side effects, ER visits, doctor's offices and countless needle sticks, but the end is finally in sight. Today officially marks my final 28 days of treatment on Sovaldi + Ribavirin (800mg). If some of you don't recall, I'm a genotype 3a, with hemophilia and HIV. Having gotten both HIV and Hepatitis C when I was a child around age 2 or 3, it's been an uphill battle both physically and mentally. Not only has this new "non-injection" Hepatitis C therapy been a blessing, but a breath of fresh air. I treated previously in 2006 on PEG-interferon and Ribavirin, only to go undetected around week 17 of the 24 week therapy, and relapse shortly thereafter 3 weeks post.

Living with Hepatitis C has been a constant drain on me physically, dealing with bouts of lethargy and minor digestive issues like acid reflux. Also, the psychological aspects have been draining as well, as the cloud of gloom and doom of my own mortality was left uncertain and unsolved. I don't want to say I lived in the fear of the disease itself, but it definitely played a huge role in my overall outlook on life to some degree. For example, I was hesitant to even drink my own champagne toast at my wedding in fear of damage to my liver. Sure it's only only a small glass of bubbly, but small things, special occasions and socially I knew there were boundaries in which I dared not to cross. But I did do the toast with my lovely wife on that day back in 10-10-10, and didn't let that fear cloud the moment of joy and happiness with my wife.

Now, looking back over the past 5 months of my 6 month treatment, it's been a blessing with this new treatment on Sovaldi. Yes, as you've read over the past few months, I've had my fair share of side effects, ER visits and stumbling blocks with insurance, but being cured is my prize at the end. Simply how I got on treatment has been divine intervention by God, as I technically shouldn't even be treating right now. Since I've moved to Florida back in 2009, I've bounced from doctor to doctor, seeking treatment for my Hepatitis C, and some offered the old standard injection based therapy, but I waited for something better. From one doctor, to another, to another, I felt like a kid lying on the floor of a bounce house just tumbling and rolling on the constant waves knocking be back and forth. No progress, no forward motion and no treatment, until Sovaldi came along. I was originally referred to my current treatment doctor from a friend of a friend of a doctor, and basically she was my last hope. She informed me on December 3rd, 2013 that she was going to treat me on PEG-interferon and Ribavirin and to come back in 1 month to go over a treatment schedule of up to 48 weeks. I was not happy. Then on December 6th, 2013 Sovaldi was approved by the FDA and during my next visit the following month my doctor was ecstatic to put me on the brand new drug. By January, 14th 2014 the treatment was outlined, scripts were written for the medications and 5 days later was approved by insurance and on January 21st, I took the first pill to begin my 6 month journey.

As we count down these final 28 days of therapy to July 7th, 2014 together, I would like to take this time to thank all those who have commented, read and kept up with my progress over the past 6 months. Not only have you given me strength in low times, but your prayers and uplifting spirits have literally carried me through the roughest of times dealing with side effects and insurance woes. Keep them coming! I'm sure I'll need them now more than ever as we approach the final 4 weeks of treatment. To those on the fence about treating, DO IT! What are you waiting for? Just because you feel okay now doesn't mean you won't be in the same physical state in a few months, or couple years down the road. Time does damage with Hepatitis C, and it's nothing to take lightly, so treat now, and save yourself pain and misery in the future. This is just the beginning of my Strive 2 Thrive blogs, as we enter the post-treatment era, I'll be blogging continually as this web site will be an ongoing resource and central location for my health, well being and that of others. We've only just begun!

Day 128, Feeling Better / Doctor's Visit

I can't begin to thank you all so much for you prayers over the past couple of days. I'm feeling much better after my bout with another treatment related sinus induced, yet pharmaceutical enhanced side effect driven illness; [Dang that's a mouth full]. The swelling of my glands is now gone, and even though I'm still left with a nagging cough and some lingering yellow junk secreting from my head's membranes, I'm doing terrific. I feel the best today I've felt all week since I started coming down sick again on Monday, and I know it's a God thing and He's healing me once again. I'm almost certain though I haven't seen the last of things #RibaFunk, as I still have one more month left of Sovaldi and Ribavirin, with a total of 39 days remaining. We all know though, in the end, it will so be worth a few months of headache to thrive with a life free from something damaging my liver. After over 30 years, my dragon will be slain, and I've made this Dragon Slayer Shield logo to commemorate those who are close to, or have completed Hepatitis C therapy. God Bless our slayers, pill takers and valiant warriors around the world.

Today I had a doctor's visit on my 5 month check up into treatment. Wonderful news, good vibes and great results all the way around today. All my vitals and lab work came back astounding, all in normal ranges, especially my liver and immune functions. Talk about being blessed beyond measure! Even though this treatment regimen has given me ups and downs, #RibaFunk, #RibaRage etc... the end is almost within grasp, and the finish line is ever so close now. For those of you outside the Hepatitis C community, RibaRage is a slang term for the harsh side effects induced by taking Ribavirin, one of the companion drugs to Sovaldi to act as a 1-2 punch to the virus. Check out my previous post from two days for more details and links on Ribavirin side effects. Upon the end of my visit this afternoon, I was given a 2 month post-treatment appointment slip and lab work to be done at the end of treatment. Wow... My doctor informed me that HCV RNA viral loads will be check at 3 months, 6 months, 1 year and 2 years post treatment for 100% confirmation. But I'm sure with a relapse rate of 2%, the odds are in my favor being a Genotype 3a.

So here I am, finishing up bottle 5, and my final shipment will be in hand next Thursday. I never knew what 2014 would bring for me in terms of health, treatment and overcoming, but wow has it been a wild ride, but in a good way. God has delivered on time, and gave me a treatment that I can tolerate, and in the end be cured once and for all from Hepatitis C. The future is wide open. No more lingering thoughts of liver transplants, cirrhosis or end stage liver disease. I can't begin to tell you how joyful that makes me feel, and blessed!!!

Before I go, I just wanted to share this video with you from contemporary Christian music artist Kari Jobe, and her newest release called "Let The Heaven's Open Up." This song got me through a lot yesterday as I played it over and over on loop. Amazing how uplifting your spirit can become when you draw closer to Him.

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 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 67, Aloe Vera Juice To The Rescue

Well, the mild but subtle side effects continue on. After dinner tonight, I had an overwhelming pain and pressure in my upper chest. Almost felt like my heart was going to blow right out of my chest cavity. Luckily, and thank God, my wife is a Registered Nurse, and she assessed me and ruled out any sort of heart related issues, which only left GERD or acid reflux, which I have been having on and off while on treatment. But tonight, man... the worse night I've had in a long while with acid reflux. After taking two Gaviscon tablets (no relief), then taking my prescribed Protonix (no relief), the only tool in the box left was raw pure Aloe Vera juice. If you suffer with acid reflux, indigestion, GERD, irritable bowels, diarrhea, constipation or anything involving the digestive tract, then Aloe Vera Juice is the answer you're looking for. Within 2 minutes of drinking 8oz of the juice straight up, I felt the cooling and the acid neutralize in my stomach, and the heart throbbing sensations in my neck and chest finally went away. Keep in mind, the stuff tastes down right atrocious, so I recommend mixing it with a grape or cranberry juice to control the harshness. I'm accustomed to it, so I drink it straight up (don't breath, hold your breath and down the hatch). I keep a gallon of this juice in the fridge at all times, even before treatment we keep it stocked up just for such occasions. Take it from someone has has multiple stomach issues, and also my wife who swears by the stuff; within 2 minutes, RELIEF!

Day 64, Morning Sickness

I realize the title is a bit misleading, but it actually is bearing true for me today. I woke up this morning with a very unsettling feeling in the pit of my stomach, and I haven't eaten a lot today because of this queasy feeling. My alarm went off this morning like it always does to remind me to take my morning dose of Ribavirin. But this morning was a little different. I awoke to a unsettling feeling, and waves of nausea. It was the Ribavirin wreaking havoc again on my stomach. The hardest part about this morning was the fact I knew I had to drink water, and eat something small so I wouldn't become even more sickened from taking Ribavirin on an empty stomach having just woke up. It was literally all I could this morning to eat a granola bar. Every bite was gut wrenching, as waves of nausea hit me. I'd chew small bites, then stop for a couple minutes. Take another small bite, then stop. Finally I got through the whole bar, and my morning dose was down the hatch. 

The hard part, just two hours later, I had to eat lunch so I could take my other antiviral medications, two of which require some sort of substance to help with proper pill absorption. Knowing what I was up against, I bit the bullet and ended up taking a Zofran tablet to combat my waves of stomach sickness. It helped... some. Even the smell of food makes my stomach turn upside down... Icky feeling indeed.

Lunch today was light, and no pun intended on word play, but a bit hard to swallow. But, knowing I had no choice and I had to literally force myself to eat (which I didn't feel like doing), I did it anyway. When you're up against a wall, and you know you have to take something to save your life, at the end of the day it becomes mind over matter, in this case will power over bodily nausea. Is it easy? I wish... Nothing in life is easy, but surviving and thriving to me is worth fighting for. There is a reason why I'm on liver treatment, there is a season why I am suffering, and a purpose to which I must be refined and endure. I may not understand the scope of the situation now in the present, but one day, I can glimpse back and reflect on this time in my life when I fought dragons, and won! Even tonight as I write this, just an hour after taking my last nightly dose of Ribavirin, I'm still somewhat unsettled in the gut. My face is also a little flush. I may have to take another anti-nausea tablet to help with overnight. I was reading tonight in James 5:16 (NIV), "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective." Continue to pray for me, and I will do the same in return, and remember, every day / every pill / every dose.

I Strive 2 Thrive The Video Testimony

One man's struggle to overcome obstacles and challenges he was born with, and how God delivered him from a towering giant of persecution, rejection and self doubt. Many said I couldn't get married, I couldn't work, I couldn't thrive, my life would be cut short, but Christ had other plans. #istrive2thrive

Day 60 of Sovaldi

Day 60, and it feels just like a week ago I began treatment with Sovaldi and Ribavirin. My current dosing for treatment is Sovaldi one tablet daily, 800mg of Ribavirin daily; 400mg in the morning and 400mg at night, and I take Sovaldi mid day around 4-5PM. It's not been an easy road, and side effects to this day still come and go, but no where near as severe as they initially were at the beginning of therapy. Hope you enjoy the video, and be sure to check out my Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and YouTube pages!

Day 59, 2 Months Complete

Yesterday I started Sovaldi bottle #3 which means I just finished two full months of therapy. It's mind boggling to think that in my mind, it seems as if I just began liver treatment only a few days ago, but that's how life and being busy goes. Before I know it, therapy will have ended, and I can simply move forward from this phase of my life with a breath of fresh air and new light. Still no side effects, and nothing new to report. But I'm going to take this chance to give some Praise to my Boss upstairs.

I was thinking the other day about our lives, and how we all get caught up in the rhetoric of life; the unending cycle of events, obligations, appointments and commitments. I was listening to a song from the new Casting Crowns album called Thrive, and truly we were made for so much more than just ordinary lives, we were made in God's image, an image to Thrive. This song kind of goes perfectly along with my "I Strive to Thrive" aspect of life these days, that we're meant to do so much more. Proverbs 11:28 says, "Those who trust in their riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf." This challenges me, invigorates me to do more, impact more and let God do more through my life and hands. With this liver treatment, not only with second chances be given, but a chance for my roots, tree and body to thrive in Christ. Trust me, not a day goes by that I don't reflect upon my own healing, and give account to truly where the miracle came from. Doctor's and scientists may have invented the drug, but God gave them the wisdom to change lives, and in a way the seeds were planted of knowledge, and they came along and water the ground and the drug Sovaldi came to be. Today, make it your primary focus to thank God for all He's done for you, whether it be healing, marriage or finances. Even more, Praise Him for the trials you're going through, because it's those trials that will mold you to be the child of God you were destined to be. We all have to be refined by the fire of life before we can truly begin to shine like a diamond for God and this world.

Day 54, Literally No Side Effects

I assume my body has finally adapted to liver treatment, as for the past few weeks I've had no side effects at all. Early on I reported brain fog, some difficult to describe sensations in my head and some muscle cramping/aching. But now, 2 months into treatment, I feel fine, refreshed and rejuvenated. I have my typical bouts of lethargy that hit me after lunch hour, the mid-day slum, but other than that, feeling fantastical. It's amazing how well the body adapts to medications over time. But I also know beyond any doubt, the Good Lord in Heaven is guiding me through this entire process, so I know He's probably looking out for my best interest.

The cold sore on my lip is doing much better after doing a topical ointment treatment on it. It's finally crusted over and in the healing phase now. Those things are so annoying and painful, especially in the corner of you mouth on your bottom lip. I purchased the highly recommended $20 tube of ointment from CVS called Abreva, and it's specifically for cold sore topical care. It's a lot cheaper on Amazon.com, but when you're suffering from cold sore, you need relief ASAP, so I couldn't wait for the whole shipping process. The stuff actually works, it's cut in half what a normal cold episode would take to heal. So, I highly recommend this product if you're like me and get the occasional cold sore on the lip.

 Just an FYI to my online friends who follow me on these blogs and this journey together, I've starting a Facebook page, Google+ and Twitter account for "I Strive 2 Thrive." God's really been speaking to me lately, and this will be the title of my autobiographical journals and memoirs when I'm done with my book. Please take a moment to Like and Follow me on both networks to help spread the word about my therapy, testimony and blogs.

       

Day 51, Cold Sore

I was in Cape Coral and noticed a tingle on my lip. This particular spot on my lip has been prone over the past few years to be a target spot for cold sores. I had chicken pox when I was kindergarten and then around age 22 came down with a round of shingles around my abdomen. Weird to have it so young? Not when you have a compromised immune system on top of treating a liver damaging virus. The initial bump, which appeared to be nothing more than acne, healed and went away. But today, that tingle was back, and this time with 4 more bumps around the old one. I knew right away it was my old friend, the cold sore coming back. Now, I'm not sure if this has anything to do with my liver therapy, a coincidence or just my luck of the draw, but at any rate, I have to treat it. So I got some topical ointment from CVS, which was $20 a tube, and started treating it tonight. What's interesting, I haven't had this cold sore thing in over 4 years. It's been a long time because my body and immunity have doing very well. But all of a sudden, oddly, in correlation with liver treatment, this cold sore aka (herpes labialis), is now throbbing on my bottom lip. No I don't have herpes, HAHA! That's just the name of the chicken pox/shingles/fever blister virus that lies dormant in your body regardless of your age. Luckily for me, it's shaped like a hidden Mickey... GO FIGURE!

Aside from this, I am doing incredibly well on liver treatment. No side effects to report, headaches, brain fog and that delusional feeling has seemed to slowly fade away as my body adjusts to the treatment; I know show no signs of ANY side effects. I am 5 days from finishing bottle #2 and month 2, and pretty excited to finish bottle 3 as that will be the halfway point, and another round of lab work.

Day 49, A Time To Recharge, Reflect & Reboot

This 4 day get-away has been such a blessing for me, and could not have come at a more perfect time in my life. This past Friday, I received bottle #3 of Sovaldi, and came to the realization that my journey on this new therapy is almost at the midway point, and I'm halfway home. Just a few more days and tablets separate me from completing bottle #2, and then it's onto bottle 3 and month #3 of therapy. With that being said, a weekend trip to Cape Coral, Florida to visit my in-laws has been a breath of fresh air, long nights of rest and just downtime that I've been needing to catch up on my thoughts and reflect over the past few months since starting treatment for my liver.

To those who are close to me, know that for the past 8 years, I've been working and reworking on my life's story in autobiographical form. Last night, I took a long hard look at things, and realized I needed to not focus entirely on my story, but God's story through my life. With that vital epiphany now a prominent part of my everyday life, letting God lead and being his vessel for His testimony, I sat down for the first time in over 6 months and took a refreshing look at the story I had conceptualized before. I spent several hours last night, up to 2AM, brainstorming ideas, and renaming, rearranging and adding new chapters, new stories and content. It wasn't until this past Winter that I realized the biggest part of my testimony, the Dragon Slaying of the HCV, was probably the highlight of my life. Now, I don't have to worry about facing a liver transplant, cirrhosis or end stage liver disease; even worse liver cancer. Having slayed this dragon with the help of God my Father, and the miracle drug Sovaldi, I have done and continue to do just that day to day. I re-wrote many of my chapters, and made an all new chapter outline of my story, this time with focus on my healing, story, but a greater focus on God and living the life we were called to live.

With all of this, now my wife is starting a new job on March 24th as a marketing rep for a healthcare company, and for the first time in her 7 year hospital working career, she can have freedom to work at her own pace, spend more time with me at home with a M-F job, and weekends/Holidays off. It's a Godsend. March has already been a breathtaking month, with my undetected status at week 4, to my wife's new job, to a re-visioning of my memoirs, God surely has blessed my family, and continues to do so. Sure there's "bumps in the road" as my mom always says, but it's nothing my God can't handle, so I leave my struggles up to Him and I focus on more important matters than fear, doubt or worry. Psalm 55:22 (NIV) states, "Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken."

Day 47, Counting My Blessings

Floridian Sunset March 7, 2014

Yesterday was one of those days where God just poured out a bounty of blessings for both my wife and I. She just got the news of a new job and starts work on March 24th. After over 6 years working as a floor nurse in the hospital, she finally gets a chance to spread her wings a little and become independent as a nurse and marketing rep for a Southern based home healthcare company. Combined with my recent good news of being clear of HCV and undetected, we came down to visit with family in Fort Myers area of Florida, 3 and a half hours south of Orlando. It's Saturday, and already I feel rejuvenated, refreshed and well rested. I got a full 8 hours of sleep last night, and spent the morning reading my daily bible devotional and reflecting on how awesome God truly is. This weekend, this get-away, is all about hitting the pause button from our busy lives, and catching our breath. A refresher if you will.

I was reading Psalm 84:2 this morning, and it says, "My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God." In a generation where try to thrive, obligations and commitments tie us down, even in those moments our very beings cry out for the truths and righteousness that is only from God. Don't let the world cloud your joy in serving God, in any capacity! Rather let your joy shine like a beacon through the overcast sitatuations to clearer horizons ahead.

Day 44, Break Every Chain

This video reminds me a lot of the my own walk, journey and the struggles of dealing with one's own mortality. With tears of joy this morning, I write from my heart on how blessed I am. With this new found hope in my liver treatment, the miracle drug of Sovaldi, my chains have been broken, I've been set free from the prison that Hepatitis C had on my mind and liver. No longer do I have to worry about undergoing a liver transplant or do I have to fear the worst of end stage liver disease. The song states, "There's an army rising up." It reminds me of the people who have been on this journey with liver disease, dealing with HCV and now taking this new medication, there's hope and truly an army of dragon slayers rising up out of their own ashes like a glorious phoenix. This morning, I praise God, I worship His name and give Him all the glory for my liver therapy, because of Him, I can live to tell my story with everyone. This is the gift that has been granted to me, a second chance, and Hallelujah my chains and shackles are broken and I'm free from this wretched disease. Sometimes, I just need to praise His name for all He's done for me. Whether I get cured or not, I praise Him for this season of reflection, understanding and patience. Amen!

Day 43, March is Hemophilia Awareness Month

Every March is time for reflection, in the advancements made, we count the losses from those who lost battles, and we pray/hope/dream of one day having a cure for hemophilia;  or at least leaps forward in treatment options and therapies. Many people don't truly know what Hemophilia is, how it's passed from mother to child, and the complications of the disease stemming from the individual. In the 80's, many Hemophiliacs were subject to the horrors of the pharmaceutical world, and even great terror of parents administering what was thought to be a life saving infusion, and injection of death. The 80's gave us the "Hemophilia Holocaust," and it was well documented in the amazing work by Marilyn Ness in the film, Bad Blood; (Bad Blood is on NetFlix as a Streaming Movie) As a result, Hemophiliacs worldwide who contracted HIV, Hepatitis C (or both) from negligence that could have been prevented. So in March 1986, President Ronald Regan signed into law the Proclamation 5442, that from that point forward, the world and nation would remember the small 12,000 group of Hemophiliacs that were infected and left to suffer.

As some of you know, I am now treating my HCV, and just recently for the first time in my life am walking around with no virus attacking my liver, and undetected thanks to the miracle drug combo of Sovaldi and Ribavirin. By the end of my 6 month treatment, I will be walking away a new man, with a new outlook on life and ready to tackle the world without the cloud of the sleeping dragon attacking my liver hanging over my head. I too was a victim in the 80's, but that doesn't mean I need to sit by and not let my voice and testimony be heard from my walk. When you see me, you see proof that God works wonders and miracles in modern day, don't deny it. I should not be here, but somehow, by His Grace and Mercy, I'm here to tell the tale and share the gospel of Jesus Christ.

So to my fellow fallen soldiers, I take this moment to reflect on my own losses and gains, and focus ahead to a brighter future filled with joy, longevity and God's Grace.