"I've had Hep C diagnosed over ten years ago, mutated I imagine from Hep B which I dealt with in 1970. It went away after one opisode and I had no reason to believe that I had liver problems as I has quarterly blood tests for several years. Then it became very news-worthy to have Hep C so I got tested and found I had it. I declined a biopsy because I had no symptoms. But I have a feeling it will raise it's head one of these days, and I don't want to be alone. I know I'm not alone -- there are thousands of us, maybe hundreds of thousands of diagnosed Hep C patients. Some things are changing in my body and I have a feeling the time is now but I'm just so afraid to ge that test and find out. I pretty much decided to decline treatment unless the cure rates get better and the treatment isn't a year of almost-chemo. In fact, it may be. I will go in one of these days and be tested, probably because my doctor leaves me no choice. The last several years, I've only been tested annually and it's that time again on the calendar. I can't do this. I can't do this alone. I'm getting old, a baby boomer, and would like to have my own home and my own things around me. Enough whining. So hello out there. Would like to make some friends in my situation. (It's not just Hep C, there's more ... there's always more, isn't there?!"

"The grieving continues, and for me it's been over five years since my husband passed away. It certainly changes and continues to change ... a part of life. It surely makes us more empathetic of others."

"Seeking patients present or past users of Buprenorphine (Suboxone or Subutex) and OXYcontin."