HEALTH UPDATE: AUGUST 4, 2005
Tony,
I've been off treatment for the Hep C for three months now and see my doctor at the VA Hospital next Tuesday. Mary might be taking me if her schedule permits. I'm hanging in there, have a lot more pain at my liver, but feel better off the treatment medicines. I'm certain that my viral load (virus level) has probably gone sky high again now that the medicines are completely out of my system. I'm sure the doctor will have a blood test done for this next Tuesday to see what is really going on.
The Porphyria Cutanea Tarda that started showing up on me last fall and winter is much worse lately. This is a skin disease that's due to a defective liver enzyme that can be caused by the Hep C and the Veterans Administration has determined it to be a presumptive condition for Agent Orange exposure and my having been infantry makes me a prime candidate for this. They want to start Phlebotomies as soon as I can see the Hematologist at the VA. They'll take 500 cc's of blood out of me each week for six weeks and this should help bring it under control for me, but not cure it. In the mean time I'm to stay out of the sun as much as possible, cover up when I am and use a sun block with UVA and UVB ray protection.
Despite all of this, I'm out there every weekend with my friend and my race car racing it at Maple Grove Raceway's NHRA Drag strip. I own a 1972 Chevy Nova that runs the quarter mile in 9.40 seconds at speeds over 140 mph. We were doing really well the last session, but last weekend began a new points session with two race days and only came away with one win.
Mary has been busy building a website for me and she's doing a wonderful job and you can tell it's a true labor of her love for me. I love that lady so much and thank God every day that I found her.
Well, I hope that this finds you and Maria well and your week going great. Both of you have a good remainder of your week and a very nice weekend. Keep in touch and write again soon. Say, "Hello" to Maria for me.
Take care my brother,
Dennis