Chapter 2 – How I Found Out

Hopefully by now you have searched several websites and have gotten up to speed with the risk factors involved in contracting HCV. As for me, I do not know where I got it, but have reviewed the possibilities over and over in my head several times. The following timeline is a list of major events where I suspected it was possible that I could have acquired the virus. I give each one an Exposure Possibility Rating (EPR.)

1973 – Rh sensitization – my mother’s Rh negative blood was attacking my Rh positive blood at birth so I was given a full blood transfusion. EPR 10%

1974 – 1992 – Random exposure via the adventures of growing up. EPR 1%

1993 – Tattoo – As a result of overzealous drunken activities a small tattoo was added to my body following a fraternity initiation celebration. EPR 40%

1995 – 1997 – Exposure to communal sharp objects – numerous exposures to communal sharp knives (X-acto blades), needles (NOT drug related), and other injury causing tools during my college years related to my Industrial Design curriculum. EPR 45%

1992 – 2002 – Exposure from sexual activity – I had various exploits and relationships, but with a low number of different partners. EPR 4%

I stopped at 2002 because I was diagnosed in September 2002. So how did I find out? This is where my life-changing adventure begins, but let me take you back a few years to set the stage.

I graduated college in 1997 and moved to Birmingham, Alabama to help grow a new business with some friends from college. While working there I met another friend and we decided to branch off to start our own small business in late 2000. I got married in 2001 to my first wife who I had been dating since late 1996. Business did well until 9/11, and then we struggled to keep it going until early 2002. By summer 2002 my business partner and I were making some strides again and decided that it might be time to get some life insurance to protect our personal and business assets.

We had the insurance company send out one of those folks who does off-site blood tests. I remember vividly feeling very confident that I would pass with flying colors. I also remember a small feeling that maybe my cholesterol would be elevated a little, but I had been pretty satisfied with my self care, health, nutrition, and exercise over the years. Hell…besides one major bout with depression and anxiety in college, I may have had the flu four times my entire life. And I am aware of only two allergies.

The insurance blood test was done during the second week of August 2002. I got my results back by the end of the month. Inside the envelope I found three pages, a denial of insurance notice and two pages listing my blood test results. I remember that scene today in Technicolor. It was dark outside I was sitting at my computer in the basement going over some email. I just stared at the blood test results in shock. I kept looking at my AST and ALT levels then looking over at the Hepatitis C Antibody test. I kept thinking, this has got to be wrong…wouldn’t I have symptoms?

Go to Chapter 3 – My Hepatitis C Symptoms

You are reading the FREE first six chapters from 48 Weeks To Freedom – A Successful Hepatitis C Treatment Story…please send any questions you have to needmoreinfo [ at ] healhepatitisc [dot] com