The good news: hemochromatosis is fairly easy to treat, in involves bloodletting. That disease is under control, and does not require further treatment. There is now a treatment for the HCV which CURES patients. It has been approved by the FDA. This is a miracle treatment, it has the potential to save many lives. The best sustained results are within the group of people with Genotype I HVC, which is John. Also, John started back at work this week. Hooray for good news!
The unknowns: The HVC treatment has not been studied widely with patients on dialysis. The meds used to treat the HVC are filtered through the kidneys, so we are not sure how treatment will progress with the dialysis, which is an artificial kidney. Will too much medication be filtered out? Not enough?
John's doctor submitted his case to insurance today for the approval of the $84,000 treatment. He expects that we will be denied at first, and we'll have to fight. I am ready.
We are so grateful for the ongoing support. The financial support from the online fundraiser has allowed us to hold onto our mortgage while John has been out of work on disability. In addition to the normal bills, the copays from multiple office visits and medications are stacking up, and the insurance covers only part of some services. It takes a while to sort it all out and sometimes pushing back on insurance, but we end up with part of most bills.
Thank you for keeping up with us here, that support is appreciated, as well. Along with the snacks, texts, driving the kids, checking in, and the millions of other ways it shows up. Thank you!
Experiences like this have a way of bringing friendship and community into focus.
I was diagnosed as HEPATITIS B carrier in 2013 with fibrosis of the
ReplyDeleteliver already present. I started on antiviral medications which
reduced the viral load initially. After a couple of years the virus
became resistant. I started on HEPATITIS B Herbal treatment from
ULTIMATE LIFE CLINIC (www.ultimatelifeclinic.com) in March, 2020. Their
treatment totally reversed the virus. I did another blood test after
the 6 months long treatment and tested negative to the virus. Amazing
treatment! This treatment is a breakthrough for all HBV carriers..