tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14193260465749361112024-03-12T19:01:07.786-07:00Ricki's JourneyJust my personal story... mostly medical to keep family and friends updated on my condition. I will be having a liver transplant due to liver failure caused by being born with a virus called Hepatitis C. Now that I have found out that my only son carries the disease as well, it means there is some HepC butt kickin' coming up! In honor of my liver, whom I have named Larry, we are trying to stop organ donation shortages and we are banning together to keep livers everywhere healthy. hehehee**Ricki**http://www.blogger.com/profile/12146407591469035613noreply@blogger.comBlogger180125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1419326046574936111.post-73910623478408280172015-08-13T17:16:00.002-07:002015-08-13T17:16:50.206-07:00The Long and Winding Road
Every time I took my son in to the doctors, I would pretend that it was just a regular checkup, but I knew that eventually, his blood work would probably come back with an elevated liver panel. In April he had his physical and we got that news. Needless to say, these last few months have been pretty tough for me. It is so different when it is your child. Today was his first**Ricki**http://www.blogger.com/profile/12146407591469035613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1419326046574936111.post-47166388106906394052014-12-16T18:31:00.001-08:002014-12-16T18:31:43.789-08:00Officially CuredIt has been a while, and a lot has happened. Today I received confirmation that the Hepatitis C virus is no longer in my body. My newest liver is no longer being attacked and can live out the rest of its life as a happy, normal liver should. I am still planning to have a biopsy done (possibly in January) to see if any of the damage has been reversed. I'm hoping that I don't have any **Ricki**http://www.blogger.com/profile/12146407591469035613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1419326046574936111.post-34367709775982107402014-06-01T18:16:00.000-07:002014-06-01T18:16:05.389-07:00Sick girl for hire.I got this lovely letter from social security yesterday. According to the government, you only need arms and legs to work, so I am fit for duty!
I knew when I walked into that chiropractors office for my social security "internist" appointment, and all he had me do was move my arms and legs, that I was in trouble. However, I was even more worried when he didn't seem to understand most of what I**Ricki**http://www.blogger.com/profile/12146407591469035613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1419326046574936111.post-90674988292555513982014-05-19T12:27:00.000-07:002014-05-19T12:28:43.270-07:00Surviving vs LivingA lot has happened in the last few months. Not only did I start the Abbvie clinical trial, but I am 2 months down, and I am testing as Hepatitis C FREE! I am still amazed every time I say it.
That was the biggest news, but secondly, we had the Donate Life Run/Walk on April 26th, and I smashed my goal of 25 team members! 35 Team Albertonians this year!! Hehe. It is always an amazing day, but **Ricki**http://www.blogger.com/profile/12146407591469035613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1419326046574936111.post-65359067455607218072014-03-09T13:49:00.003-07:002014-03-09T15:45:45.142-07:0048 DAYS LEFT......and we've got some stuff planned for you! Since my treatment didn't start Friday as planned, my sister, River, and I got together and thought of some ways to spread the word even more this April. Friday, April 11th is National Blue and Green day (it is, I didn't make it up) and we want you to dress in your most spirited outfit on that day, snap a picture, and post it to your social media pages**Ricki**http://www.blogger.com/profile/12146407591469035613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1419326046574936111.post-57785969940892787342014-03-07T23:10:00.001-08:002014-03-07T23:10:26.569-08:00Abbvie trial start dateI'll just consider today a dry run... A few sleepless nights in anticipation and a drive to USC today, to find out that the new medicine won't be delivered until Tuesday. Well, I've waited 33 years, what's 5 more days? I did get to find out all of the side effects and stuff, so now I can just think about those possibilities until Wednesday. Just kidding, I'll enjoy my weekend, especially since it**Ricki**http://www.blogger.com/profile/12146407591469035613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1419326046574936111.post-7437803797744087432014-01-11T22:43:00.000-08:002014-01-12T10:15:11.456-08:00Abbvie clinical trialI got an email today from my doctor at USC... I'm not going to have to go to Arizona or Texas for the Abbvie "Sapphire" trial after all. I was accepted, but they are letting me do the treatment at USC. I'm so excited. A little nervous, but mostly excited. My doctors have to file some paperwork with the FDA or something, it's all very official. So it will probably be a few months, before I **Ricki**http://www.blogger.com/profile/12146407591469035613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1419326046574936111.post-82905643410123826312014-01-05T11:47:00.000-08:002014-01-06T22:13:43.545-08:00Hello 2014!Happy New Year everyone! I'm going to make a big prediction and say that this is the year that I beat Hepatitis C. I'm not going to lie, 2013 was a little tough. I was all about being positive last year, and then the gastroparesis started again, the fibrosis advanced, and then treatment? No, no treatment yet. It could have been worse though. And on the bright side, my tummy issues are a **Ricki**http://www.blogger.com/profile/12146407591469035613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1419326046574936111.post-45081606356730036592013-10-10T14:22:00.001-07:002013-10-10T14:22:55.268-07:00Team Albertoni, 2014We're starting early this year, so you can plan ahead and join us for the Donate Life Family Run/walk on Saturday, April 26th 2014.
You must know by now how important this event is for me and my family. Not only do we get to honor all donors and their families, but we also get to celebrate this gift that I was given, together, with those I love.
So please, come walk with us... And if you are one **Ricki**http://www.blogger.com/profile/12146407591469035613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1419326046574936111.post-36929360983075384572013-08-26T22:14:00.001-07:002013-08-26T22:14:46.931-07:00Hold yer horsesMy doctor emailed me this morning. Unfortunately, they are no longer accepting new patients for the Arizona clinical trial. :( Some other interferon-free trials should be coming out soon, and he seems pretty confident that it will be out before I get too sick. At the end of his email, he told me not to let this preoccupy me. "To live life fully, until treatment is possible." But oh, I already had**Ricki**http://www.blogger.com/profile/12146407591469035613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1419326046574936111.post-16814040955829919982013-08-10T23:07:00.000-07:002013-08-11T06:36:58.582-07:00Treatment... AgainFriday's clinic appointment went pretty well. I left feeling much better than I did after my July appointment. Mostly because I had taken River with me to that one, but hearing that they wanted me to treat my Hepatitis C (again) sooner rather than later, was also quite nerve-wracking. After River asked my doctor what "rank" he was in the hospital, explained military ranks to him, and informed him**Ricki**http://www.blogger.com/profile/12146407591469035613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1419326046574936111.post-39701182323532574422013-07-13T10:40:00.000-07:002013-07-13T10:43:18.750-07:00Happy liverversary, Nancy! I still can't believe that someone could do something like this for me, but she did it! Three years ago today, Nancy was already in surgery, and I couldn't stop puking long enough for them to get an I.V. in me. I was so scared that they weren't going to be able to do it, and I kept pleading with my body, that if it would just cooperate for 2 minutes, it would be really happy in about 10 hours. **Ricki**http://www.blogger.com/profile/12146407591469035613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1419326046574936111.post-20952727557356858062013-06-13T13:20:00.003-07:002013-06-15T11:02:08.984-07:00Depression and Hepatitis CI have been trying to write this post for a long time, but certain recent events made me feel like I had to get it out now. Depression and anxiety are very common with Hepatitis C. Studies (like here and here) show up to 70% HCV patients experience some form of it. I was diagnosed with depression at the age of 14. Just 2 years after being diagnosed with Hepatitis C. It wasn't until years later **Ricki**http://www.blogger.com/profile/12146407591469035613noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1419326046574936111.post-35981421768726895362013-05-20T23:02:00.004-07:002013-05-20T23:02:32.098-07:00It's MayWow, a few things have happened in the last few weeks. The Donate life walk was a success, if I do say so myself!
I also got my biopsy results back. They were not as good as I was hoping. My newest liver has advanced to bridging fibrosis. Unfortunately, if it keeps progressing at this rate, I may only have a few years left with my newest little liver, but again, only if it continues **Ricki**http://www.blogger.com/profile/12146407591469035613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1419326046574936111.post-92175792503761359252013-04-20T23:17:00.000-07:002013-04-20T23:19:41.759-07:00Birthday celebrations and doctor appointments.
It has been another busy April so far. I am still working... And pretty tired because of it, so I was relieved when River said he wanted to go to Legoland, instead of having a party for his 7th birthday. Thanks to his Ahma, Papa, and some very dear friends of mine, we were able to make a week out of it. The Saturday before his birthday, he went to Knotts Berry Farm with his Grandparents and **Ricki**http://www.blogger.com/profile/12146407591469035613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1419326046574936111.post-91327052460013966312013-03-10T21:02:00.001-07:002013-03-10T21:02:47.835-07:00That time again!!
Hey guys! It's that time again, the 11th (and our 4th) annual Donate life run/walk! Our team name this year is.... Three Livers and a Lady. :) in honor of all my livers. This is such a special event for me and my family, to show how grateful we are for this extra time I was given. So many people don't make it.
There are 18 men, women, and children that die every day, waiting for a **Ricki**http://www.blogger.com/profile/12146407591469035613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1419326046574936111.post-49765384140716964072013-02-28T10:50:00.002-08:002013-02-28T10:52:22.301-08:00RA... Squared.I finally had to address my arthritis with my doctor. It was a while ago that my USC doctors asked if wanted to see a specialist, but like I keep saying, I just needed a break from all of the medical stuff... Besides, I figured it was just a little arthritis.
Today I got the call (from a very nonchalant receptionist) that my Rheumatoid factor came back positive. She then gave me the number to a **Ricki**http://www.blogger.com/profile/12146407591469035613noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1419326046574936111.post-41862092102845314182013-02-02T09:38:00.001-08:002013-02-02T09:38:28.502-08:00A little late, but good news. Well! Just a little update. I had my clinic appointment the week before last, and got better results than I thought. My labs were actually a little better than they were 3 months ago! I was shocked, and so happy.
We are not sure why, but I have made a few changes over the last 2 months that may have something to do with. First, I was weened off of my Wellbutrin. This is proving to be difficult **Ricki**http://www.blogger.com/profile/12146407591469035613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1419326046574936111.post-64350549667993567232013-01-03T06:49:00.000-08:002013-01-03T06:51:25.526-08:00Happy New YearHappy, happy new year everyone! I am sorry for such a long hiatus. I think I needed a break from everything medical. Honestly, I even stopped tracking my labs and daily weight/temp/BP routine. I know, I know... But during these last few months, we have had some fun times! I have really been able to fully enjoy being with my family without being sick, and that is all I asked for.
River is **Ricki**http://www.blogger.com/profile/12146407591469035613noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1419326046574936111.post-12418820288331655032012-09-01T14:12:00.000-07:002012-09-01T14:21:01.469-07:00New beginningsHey guys! I hope everyone had a great summer. It was definitely one of my best summers in a long time. Amusement parks, county fairs, beach, BBQ's, a trip up North for our 10 year wedding anniversary, my one and two year liverversaries, and all while feeling good!
A few weeks ago I went to visit a very good friend of mine at my old job, and took some cupcakes to everyone. They must have really **Ricki**http://www.blogger.com/profile/12146407591469035613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1419326046574936111.post-46585073140530147902012-06-11T09:39:00.000-07:002012-06-11T10:31:14.430-07:00Sunny Days
Hello :) It has been a busy month for us so far. River had his promotion to yellow belt in Karate, and Tuesday he graduates from kindergarten. Where has the time gone? Jason has been working some long hours, and weekends too :( but at least he is working. He wasn't for a while, and we are still trying to catch up with the bills... My little trip to Oregon kind of contributed to that pile up too**Ricki**http://www.blogger.com/profile/12146407591469035613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1419326046574936111.post-39692864966341023232012-05-02T06:57:00.004-07:002012-05-02T06:57:55.582-07:00Another April.
Wow! Another April in the books, and with very few medical distractions! River turned 6 on the 14th, and since this year I felt the best I have since he was born, I decided to throw him a Super Mario party. Big success from the homemade mushroom and mustache pops to the pin the mustache on Mario game... It was so much fun, River liked it too. Hehehe. Then we had Jason's and my moms birthdays...**Ricki**http://www.blogger.com/profile/12146407591469035613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1419326046574936111.post-88304000083953290182012-04-01T04:05:00.000-07:002012-04-02T10:42:08.308-07:00Organ Donation awareness month 2012
Whoo hooo! It is Organ Donation awareness month! I'm sure that I don't need to go over all of the facts vs myths with you, right? You know that there are over 107,000 people waiting, that 18 die waiting every day, that you are never to old or to sick to be an organ donor, and you also know that no one is going to purposely kill you to harvest your organs... At least not here in America. It is **Ricki**http://www.blogger.com/profile/12146407591469035613noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1419326046574936111.post-54068696827984181252012-03-15T05:18:00.002-07:002012-03-15T05:28:18.732-07:00The curse of the Albertoni vacation....Whaaaa'??? Three posts in one month, crazy. Anyways, I actually wrote that last post earlier in the month, so i got some rest in between, hehe, but these last few days I haven't been feeling as good. :( What worries me is that I have noticed a pattern over the years, and it all started right before a trip we took to Vegas over 10 years ago... (fade to black) teehee. Two weeks before our trip I **Ricki**http://www.blogger.com/profile/12146407591469035613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1419326046574936111.post-8187132469849822702012-03-13T09:54:00.000-07:002012-03-13T10:02:09.832-07:00Still swimming...Why hello again! Sorry it has been a while, but not much has really been going on... Well ok, there is always a little something going on, but I haven't been in the hospital or anything. I did have a biopsy last month because my liver counts were still on the rise. There was no rejection or cirrhosis, but my liver was inflamed and there is fibrosis throughout. This hurts. I also found out that **Ricki**http://www.blogger.com/profile/12146407591469035613noreply@blogger.com0