The
best place to start is back in 1986. I was 26, partying
heavily (drugs, booze), and no real responsibility to speak
of. I married a wonderful loving man, quit drugs, and started
to settle down.
In
1989, I had my son Wesley who is my world. I had a very
difficult cesarean delivery, got an acute staph infection,
and had to have a blood transfusion. That's probably is
where I got Hepatitis C. (Although I feel the "where" is
not that important, it's the "what to do about it" that
matters.)
Then
tragically in 1991, my husband was diagnosed with brain
cancer. Somehow a melanoma (skin cancer) on his lip went
to an infected tooth and directly to his brain. Three months
later, he lost the fight. I am grateful that he was taken
quickly, and I'm thankful that I had the chance to love
him, bear his son, and be loved by him.
At
the time, I had a very dear friend that would help me with
repairs around the house and other odd jobs. Turns out,
he really helped through the grieving part of my husbands
death. I would come home to a clean house, laundry done,
food cooked, and flowers on the table. He even helped with
my then 2-year-old son. Wow! After almost two years of him
being at my side, we got married! I never thought I could
love deeply again, but I did. He was my soul mate. A wonderful,
caring man that took my son as his own. Who could ask for
anything more? Finally, life was worth living. I was clean,
sober, and happy.
On
May 8th, 1999, tragedy struck my life again. My husband
and son were in a single car freak accident. (wind/sandstorm)
My husband suffered a broken neck and was killed instantly.
As the car flipped several times my son was thrown from
the car. When the car came to rest, it landed on my little
9 year old boy.
He
was airlifted to the nearest trauma hospital, with several
injuries to his lower body. After 8 surgeries, he is my
little angel. He struggles, but is an inspiration to us
all. Out of his wheel chair, back to school, and giving
me that big grin…makes my life all worthwhile.
With
all this going on, I went to the doctor because I was depressed,
fatigued, had achy joints, and couldn't sleep. I thought
it was stress from the accident. Tests came back positive
for Hepatitis C. Just what I needed, another cross to bear.
My
numbers are considered low, I have a few symptoms, but it's
not something that's going to consume my life. I have it,
I'm dealing with it. I WILL FIGHT IT!
You
see, now that you know part of my life, you know that I
AM a survivor. And you should be too. Take it from me, life
is way too short to let things get in the way of just living
your life the best you can. Look at what you value, hug
your family, live healthier, find support (like this website),
make a difference in something you do, and above all, FIGHT
TO SURVIVE.
With
hope and healing light, Linda (aka: wannabalive)
| 
I suppose
the reason I'm publicly posting part of my life is to let
fellow "heppers" know that I too, wanna-be-alive.