Wayne's World is a weekly blog composed by Hep C treatmentclient client Wayne. Wayne's blog is his way of sharing his experiences with Hep C treatment, an often lonely and physically challenging medical process to rid one's body of the potentially fatal virus. Here is his journey in his own words.

WEEK 31

This week (January 16th) seemed to drag on for me for some reason. I am so happy that I've come this far in my treatment over thirty weeks! This week I did my injection in my upper right thigh. I have a bunch of circular bruises on that are of my leg. I did the shot on Friday night just before bed and ate all of my medication at once. I made sure I ate well before I took all of this medicine. When I woke up on Saturday I felt actually fine for side effects. I was still feeling the tail end of my cold though. I think I got the cold from my girlfriend because she had a cold. This week I was feeling a lot better than last week. I was sick and had many side effects from the medicine I am taking. This week I actually got my appetite back and I'm not scratching my skin off any more. This week I have not done to much because it's pretty cold out so I don't feel like going out unless I have to like today. I have an appointment with Keri at the AIDS Clinic. Today I also have to do my pee test at the methadone clinic. I have to pee twice a week, once on Monday and once on Thursday. I also have come a long way with my memory. I'm writing stuff down which is helping.

WEEK 30

This week (January 8th) was still a bad week for me I’m still not feeling that good. I did my shot as usual on Friday night just before going to bed. I did the injection on my lower left stomach this week. It left quite the bruise this week. I hope it goes away fast because I feel embarrassed with my shift off in front of my girlfriend. Also I have to gain some of my weight back. I’m starting to look sick from all of the weight I’ve lost. I’m starting to feel lost in my clothes as well. I have to wear a belt now for all my jeans. I also miss my body. I hope after treatment that everything goes back to normal like my weight, my memory, and my mood. A lot of things in my life has changed but in the long run it is so worth it. I will feel so much better about myself. My drive will be back because to do things and accomplish things I want now, I know now is I can go through this treatment and cure myself of Hep-C I can do anything. After I’m done treatment I think my self esteem will be much better. I feel that I will be able to get off disability and go out there and get a good job. I can’t wait. I’ve been so bored lately, but I know I can’t do much or I don’t have the energy to do much right now.

WEEK 29

This week (January 1st) I was not feeling the greatest. I did my shot on Friday night as usual just before going to bed. I did my shot this week on my lower stomach, right side. It didn’t seem to leave that much of a mark. This week I was not feeling that good, and my mood was horrible. There was a bit too much drama in my life right now and I was having a hard time dealing with it. I think what upset me the most was not being able to see my son for Christmas. On New Year this year I did not go out. I just stayed in for new years. I had a bad cold and just wasn’t feeling good. This week I noticed that my skin felt itchy all the time. I also noticed that I’ve lost a lot of weight since I started treatment, at least 20 pounds. I know it is because I never feel hungry, and I barely eat. So I’m going to have to force myself to eat at least three times a day or eat small portions but eat many times a day. My memory problem has been a bit better since I’ve been writing stuff down on paper every day. This treatment I find is a struggle for me but I know I am strong enough to get through it. It feels like I’m dying, but I know I have to do it so I can be healthy again.

WEEK 28

This week (December 26th) was a good week for me. I did my shot on Friday night just before going to bed. This week I did my shot on my upper left thigh. It left a circle like a bruise on my leg. When I woke up on Saturday morning I felt fine just a little tired. This weekend is Christmas. I love this time of year. It’s full of fun and laughing, and just good times. This year I didn’t have any last minute Christmas shopping. I’m so happy about that because I dislike shopping when you’re bumping and walking into people because it’s so busy. This year I decided to do all my shopping on Boxing Day. I guess I was very busy when I went shopping on Boxing Day, but not as bad as the day before Christmas, what I was use to doing. This year I didn’t get to see my son on Christmas but I get him for a few days after Christmas. I’m so excited to see him. I have not seen him for months because his mom moved down south, and neither of us drives right now. I can’t wait to get my license back so I can go get him every other weekend. On Christmas Eve I went to one of my friends for dinner and on Christmas day this year I spent it with my girlfriend’s family. That was different for me because I just started going out with my girlfriend, and I was invited to their Christmas gathering. I was a bit nervous to go but went anyway. I guess I’ll have to meet her family eventually. I had fun with her family. It was a good time. On Boxing Day I went shopping to get everyone gifts that I was buying for. I was disappointed to find out that my son never made it up to see me this year. I had to get my mom and sister to drive and give him his presents.

WEEK 27

This week (December 19th) was a very good week for me. I did my shot as usual on Friday night just before going to bed. I did all of my med’s at this time. I did my injection on my lower stomach on the right. It left a colorful bruise this time on my belly. I rotate injection sites every week. I use the left side of my upper thigh, and the lower right and left side of my stomach. This was a good week for me because it’s getting to Christmas, one of my favorite times of the year. I am getting a bit nervous to meet my new girlfriends’ family. My girlfriend invited me to go to her families Christmas dinner but I am a very shy person, but it is Christmas. I am going to have to meet her side of the family eventually anyways. I noticed that my new girlfriend and I are getting along really well lately. We are starting to fall for one another hardcore. It feels really good to be loved. It’s the feeling I get when you just start to really love someone. It’s awesome. In my last relationship I was treated badly. I was verbally, mentally, and emotionally abused by my ex. She would put me down in front of people we were out with. I am so glad that my new woman treats me with respect and truly loves me. She helped me a lot with my treatment by keeping me eating, and taking meds. Also in many other ways.

WEEK 26

This week (December 12th) I did my injection on Friday night just before going to bed. I also took all of my pills for Friday at this time as well. I made sure I ate something before taking all of this medication so I wouldn’t get an upset stomach. I am going to name all of the medicine I take daily. I take one Cipralex a day, and one Mirtazapine. These two medications are for depression. I also take three Prochlorperazine a day for my stomach and nauseous feeling. I also take six Copegus (Ribavirin) pills a day. I take three in the morning and three at night. I take a multivitamin and vitamin B as well. That is 14 pills a day I have to take. I usually take them all at once just before sleeping because I find if I take them during the day I feel sick and tired. If I take them before going to bed I don’t feel a thing. I also take the injection once a week (Pegasys). This week when I woke up on Saturday I felt pretty good. This weekend was my family’s early Christmas dinner, and a gift exchange. It was at my younger sisters’ house. I had a big appetite. It seemed I was eating the whole time I was there. I had a good time at this event, almost the whole family showed up. I have four sisters, and they all have kids. This week I had a few appointments to go to. I also have to finish Christmas shopping.

WEEK 25

This week (November 29th) I did my shot as usual on Friday night just before going to bed. On Saturday when I woke up, I felt fine. I didn’t have any side-effects this week from the medicine at all. This week, I did my injection on my upper right thigh in the muscle. It left a bruise the size of a quarter on my thigh. This weekend, I didn’t do that much. All I did was watch a few movies that I just bought. I am slowly getting over my last relationship. My ex has not even called yet to properly say it is over between us. I know it is over, but it would be nice to have closure between us. She separated with me by stopped seeing and talking to one another. I feel that being with the new girl I have met has helped me a lot to get over my last relationship. This week is a busy week for me because it’s pay week. I have lots of tasks to accomplish this week. I have to start looking for a new place to live again. I want to change everything from my last relationship. No I don’t have to be reminded all the time of her. I am going to start decorating my place this week with Christmas decorations. I am going to put up my fake Christmas tree.

WEEK 24

This week (November 22nd) was a good week for me. I did my injection on the Friday night just before I went to bed. I feel that when I do it this way I don’t feel the side-effects of the medication. This week, I didn’t feel any of the side-effects that this medicine can cause. I even felt fine throughout the weekend. This weekend I didn’t do that much. I just hung out with my new girlfriend trying to get to know her better. This week is somewhat busy for me.  I have quite a few appointments and things to accomplish. For instance, I have to see my methadone doctor on Tuesday to renew my script. I have to do a urine sample twice a week. I pee on Mondays and Thursdays. I am hoping to get all of my carries soon so I don’t have to come to the clinic every day to get my drink. I have finally found a stable dose for my methadone. I find that 45 mg of methadone does me good, and I don’t withdrawal or crave to use drugs. I also do blood work every other week. I usually go on Wednesdays. I dread going to get my blood work taken because I hate seeing needles. I also have two different counselors. I see one for my hep c treatment and one for methadone. This helps me out with the day to day problems I face. Well I have to see my hep c counselor this week as well. This was my week! It was a good week for me.

WEEK 23

This week, (November 16th) I did my shot as usual on Friday night. The next day, I felt fine for once. I am still feeling the effects of my break up last week. This break up caused me to relapse a bit. I tried my hardest not to but the feelings I was getting I just wanted to go away. So I went back to my old ways to forget and numb the pain. This lasted until I was with a friend of mine that just found out I was single. She helped me to stop using and to get over my ex-girlfriend. I started to see her. I guess it was a bit soon to start a new relationship but I really like her and get along well with her. I have been spending a lot of time with her to help me get over my ex and is helping me get to know her better. This week was a much better week than last week. I met a new girl and I feel much better with myself than last week.

 WEEK 22

This week (November 9th) I did my shot as usual on Friday night. On Saturday, I felt a little sick but it was bearable. This week was a little rough for me. My girlfriend and I broke up. We were together for over a year. I believe that it is because of the treatment I am taking is one of the reasons that we broke up. I was always moody and feeling sick and never felt like doing anything. I always felt like sleeping caused a lot of problems. We broke up in somewhat good terms, so I hope we can still be friends. This break up affected me a lot. I felt so broken hearted because she left me, but in time I will feel better. I guess it was meant to be and was the best thing for the both of us that we separated. We didn’t get along anymore. There was fighting and arguments as usual. I don’t think one day would go by without an argument. I also think because we didn’t live together anymore played a part in our break-up. She always thought I was up to no good causing lots of fights. The relationship became very unhealthy, so I am sort of glad we broke up. My family was happy we separated because they could see unhealthy the relationship was. This was my week! It was full of ups and downs but I got through it.

WEEK 21

This week, (October 25th) when I did my shot on Friday night, I got really sick. I was most of the night with the sweats, upset stomach, vomiting, and tremors. For some reason, I felt the side effects of my medication. On Saturday, I just laid in bed all day. I had no energy to even move. I just laid watching TV all day. On Sunday, I started to feel a bit better. I was able to get around a bit better than the day before. I was able to eat which made me feel a lot better. On Monday, I was back to myself. I was so glad that I could get normal day-to-day tasks done. I was to get all my running around done for Halloween. I went to pick out a costume. I chose a devil costume. My girlfriend choice was a female devil costume. We looked so cute together. I went out and got some candy on Halloween night and we also went and had a few drinks with some friends. We were going to go to the bar but decided to stay in so I wouldn’t get trouble. The rest of the week went by ok. I was a little upset that I didn’t get to take my son out for Halloween. Maybe next year! 

WEEK 20

This week, (Novmeber 1st) I did my injection on Friday night just before bed as usual. I woke up Saturday morning feeling a bit nauseous. I didn’t have energy to move, and I just felt awful. I stayed in bed all day feeling really sick. I got up and watched some TV for a bit. On Sunday, I woke up feeling ok. I was glad that the feeling I had the day before had passed. I played TV Bingo for something to do. I didn’t end up winning anything but had fun. I went for dinner with my girlfriend on Sunday to Swiss Chalet. I had the chicken dinner, and it was very good. On Monday, I had a good day. I had a doctor’s appointment for my methadone and it only took up a half hour of my time instead of all day when I had to go to Bracebridge twice a week. I missed 3 days of my drink. They cut me off until I could see my doctor. I had a rough week without my Methadone. I got my drink back but only at 30 mgs. That’s ok though, I want to come down on my dose. Other than that, I had a good week and got lots done. 

WEEK 19

This week, (October 18th) I did my injection on Friday night just before I went to bed. I felt fine the next morning when I woke up. I was happy that I didn’t feel sick this week after I took my medicine. Last weekend, I went to my girlfriends for the weekend. We didn’t do much because the weather was bad. We stayed inside all weekend cause it was raining. We just watched movies and played video games all weekend. This week, I didn’t do much. I went to South River to visit my older sister for a day. It was very peaceful there. Also this week, I spent a few days with my mom. We went out to the cottage on Lake Nipissing for a few days. It was the last time this year that I will be camping. It was very cold at night. We just turned on the generator to get some heat in the trailer. I only spent two days there. It was getting too cold to stay outside. I felt fine all week. I must be getting use to the medicine. 

WEEK 18

This week, (October 12th) I took my shot on Friday night just before going to bed.  On Saturday, I woke up feeling fine for once.  It was my birthday on Saturday, so I went out to my girlfriend to spend it with her.  She made me a big dinner with my favorite dessert cherry cheese cake.  We spent the afternoon by the water enjoying the nice weather.  And in the evening, we spent it watching movies.  I had a good time with my girlfriend and was glad that I felt good on my birth day.  This weekend was Thanksgiving.  My family and I had a big meal on Monday.  It was an awesome dinner with lots of tasty desserts.  The turkey always makes me tired after I eat it.  So I took a little nap before helping doing the dishes.  This week, I didn’t have to go to Bracebridge anymore.  I’m so glad I don’t have to make the trip anymore.  I just have to leave a sample on Monday and Thursday and it only takes a few minutes.  I don’t have to waste two days a week anymore.  I’m glad I have two days where I don’t have to travel anymore.  This week was a good week for me.  I enjoyed everything I did this week. 

WEEK 17

This week (October 4th) when I did my shot, I got really sick.  I stayed in bed from Friday night till Sunday.  I also caught a cold, so it’s made me feel twice as sick dealing with both sicknesses.  This week, I didn’t have to take a bus to Breacebridge.  The clinic has finally opened in North Bay.  This is really good news for me.  I didn’t like all the travelling.  It ruined two days a week for me.  Now that I don’t have to travel twice a week, I can make a better schedule.  This week, I helped my mom move out of her old place, and in to her new place.  I helped her for three days packing stuff and bringing loads of her belongings to her new place.  I am looking to move.  I live in a house and I have to share the kitchen and bathroom.  I am looking to move for November 1 to a 1 bedroom so my girlfriend and I can have our own place because right now she lives at her mom’s. 

WEEK 16

This week, (September 27th) I did my shot on Friday night just before bed.  I woke up on Saturday morning feeling ok.  I went out to my girlfriend’s mom’s house for the weekend.  We watched movies and played video games all weekend.  I had a really enjoyable weekend.  During the week, I went to Bracebridge twice.  I had a doctor’s appointment and I had to see my counselor.  My girlfriend and I ended up staying at a motel Monday night.  We had lots of fun.  We went in the hot tub, sauna, and swimming pool.  We also had a fancy dinner.  It was our one year anniversary.  We also went on a boat cruise.  It toured the beautiful area of Muskoka. It was a lot of fun and very scenic.  Describe a perfect day for me?  A perfect day for me would be a day at the cottage in the mid-summer. I would have my family and friends there with me enjoying this special time with me.  I would go boating in the morning to my favorite fishing spot.  I would fish for a few hours then I would go boating as well as wake boarding and water sports.  In the afternoon, I would spend it with family and friend having fun at the cottage.  In the evening, we would continue having fun in the water.  At night, we would have a campfire and enjoy the sunset as well as the stars when it gets dark.  I would finish my day falling asleep on the beach with my girlfriend watching the stars.  This would be a perfect day for me.

WEEK 15

This week (September 23rd) I had a good week.  When I did my shot on Friday, I didn’t feel any side effects this time from the medicine.  This weekend, I got to enjoy because I wasn’t in bed sick.  I went out with my girlfriend to the movies and had lots of fun.  After the movie, we went to Swiss Chalet to eat supper.  I think my body is getting used to the medication because it’s not bothering me as much.  This week, I went to Bracebridge on Tuesday and on Thursday, the clinic in North Bay opens on October 3.  I can hardly wait because I hate the bus ride every week.  I found out this week that I got accepted on disability.  I am happy because income is going to increase.  Last week, I had a really good week.  I had lots of fun and was in a really good mood.  I got my money from disability so I got to do some shopping and pay a lot of bills.

WEEK 14

This week (September 13th) I did my injection as usual on Friday night before I went to bed. This week the side effects were not that bad. I just stayed in bed most of the day on Saturday because I was not feeling the greatest.  This week I did a lot of organizing and unpacking because I just moved into my new apartment. It kept me busy most of the week. I went to Bracebridge on Monday afternoon. I had to go see my methadone doctor, also to leave a pee sample. I have to come back to Bracebridge on Thursday to see my counselor and to have a sample. I take the bus there twice a week. It�s a two and half hour bus ride one way. I have to make the trip for another three weeks. That is when the new clinic in North Bay will be opening. I can�t wait for the new clinic to open so I don�t have to take the trip twice a week to Bracebridge. This will make my life much easier when the new clinic opens. This week other than the first day after my shot, I felt fine. I find that the most frustrating side effect I have to deal with is that I find my memory is going. I have a hard time remembering things and was I put things. My nurse told me once I�m done treatment I will get my memory back. I can hardly wait to get my memory back!

WEEK 13

This week (September 6th) I did my shot as usual on Friday night just before bed. This weak I felt really sick after I did my shot. I stayed in bed for all of Saturday and part of Sunday. I just stayed in bed and tried to sleep it off the worst of my side effects. I also moved into my new place this week. I moved in on Friday. The move was really hard on me because I had to do most of the work because everyone I know was too busy to help me! I managed to get all my stuff brought over to my new place. I took around 6 loads from a car to bring everything to my new place. I still have lots to do this week. I have to go to Bracebridge today to see my methadone doctor. I have to go to Bracebridge twice a week once to have a urine sample and one to see the doctor or the counselor. I hope that I only have to do this trip for this month because I�m sick of traveling twice a week back and forth. The clinic in North Bay should be opening up soon. I can hardly wait for it to open.

WEEK 12

This week (August 24th) I did my injection as usual on Friday night just before I go to bed. This week the side effects were minimal. I had a good sleep and felt unusually well for just taking my injection. That was how I felt Saturday morning, but later started feeling really sick. So I just watched a few movies and lay down till the feeling of being sick was gone. I felt this way until Sunday then I started to feel normal again. This week, I have to look for an apartment because I didn�t end up moving last month, so I have to find a new place for the 1^st of the month. My girlfriend and I looked on the internet for hours for places that were in our price range, location, what is included in the price etc� We wrote down the one�s that most satisfied our needs, and emailed them as well as called them to get showings. We went and looked at many places, but only one of them that we looked at we wanted. I have to call the guy back tonight to see if we got the place or not. I can�t wait to see if we get it because I don�t want to live with my mom anymore.

WEEK 11

This week (August 19th) was a bad week for me because I got confronted with many problems that I had to deal with. I had to deal with not getting along very well with my girlfriend. This caused me many problems, and made my week very unbearable. This week I did my injection just before I went to bed as usual. I do it this way so I sleep through the worst of the withdrawal symptoms. When I woke up on Saturday morning, I felt fine so I went on with my day as usual. How do I deal with addiction? Have a few ways in which I deal with my addiction problem. First of all, I�m on methadone. Right now it helps me in many ways in dealing with addiction. It lowers my cravings for drugs so I don�t think about using or want to use. I guess when the time is right; I will try to come off methadone. I�ll come down on my dose until I am totally off methadone. The other ways in which I deal with my addiction is I try to control the people, places, and things I am around. If I can control these elements, I have better luck dealing with my addictions and stay clean.

WEEK 10

This week (August 15th) went as usual for me. On Friday night, I did my injection just before bed. I do it this way because I want to sleep through the worst of the side effects of my medicine. This week, I got fairly sick after my injection. I feel horrible all night and just try to sleep it off. It usually only lasts twenty-four hours then I feel normal again. That is, I feel that way some weeks, and other weeks, I don�t feel a thing. I usually do feel some sort of side effects from my medication. This week, I didn�t do that much cause I didn�t feel the greatest. I find if I keep busy, I don�t feel the medicine�s side effects that bad. I find if I just sit around and do nothing I feel them even worst that is the side effects. This week, I have to travel twice to Bracebridge to see my doctor that is there.  I take the bus there. It�s a two-hour bus ride there. I don�t mind the ride there. I usually just sleep on the way there.

WEEK 9

No submission.

WEEK 8

This week (August 3rd) went as usual.

On Friday night, I did my injection in my leg just before bed. This week, I woke up during the night feeling really sick. I had a horrible night, and it lasted into the next day. I had a fun weekend other than feeling not very well. I went to the North Bay festival. I watched the bands that played on Saturday night. I had loads of fun!  

I had a really bad week. Everything I had to do seemed to back fire on me, but I got through it! I also went camping on the weekend. I had lots of fun swimming and fishing. My favorite thing to do in the summer is having a camp fire, and I got to have one. I also got to lie on the beach at night and watch the stars. It was so relaxing. My medicine- I�ve been taking properly every day. I only feel not good after I take my shot for a day or so, and I am getting used to the way the medicine is making me feel. I just try to keep busy and try not to worry that much on how I feel.

WEEK 7

This week (July 26th) was really stressful for me. 

I had many things that I had to deal with. Firstly I have to move into my new apartment this week, so I have to make sure to do everything to do with moving this week.  Secondly I have at least one appointment each day this week, so I have to make sure I make it to each appointment, and to make it on time. Thirdly  have to make sure all of my paperwork is done for my application for disability.  It is due this week.  Therefore all of this is making my week just a little stressful. 

This week when I did my shot it went fine, until I woke up severley sick in the middle of the night.  I felt this way throughout the night and into the next day.  It was one of the worst days I've had feeling the way I did. After that I felt ok for the rest of the week besides the added stress. 

How do I deal with addiction? I have a few coping strategies to deal with my addiction. I think the main ways is to avoid people, places and things.  I find if I do this I have a little control of my addiction, and my cravings are less frequent. I'm also on methadone which helps me in a big way to cope with and deal with my addiction.

WEEK 6

This week (July 18th) was a good week for me!

I didn't feel that sick compared to other week, or I'm just getting used to feeling the way I do. This week when I did my injection I got my girlfriend to do it for me. She wanted to know how to do it just in case I wasn't up to doing it one week.

I have several things in my life that are stressful right now.  For instance, I have to move at the end of this month. Moving, I find, is somewhat stressful.  I have to pack up all of my possessions and put them in boxes, I have to go through everything and throw out items I don't need anymore, as well as making a list of things I need for my new place. I have less than two weeks to get everything done before I move in on August 1st. I have to also get this all done while I'm feeling not the greatest.

I'm glad I have family  members that are there for me to help me through stressful times.

 I found out I had Hep C just over a year ago. My family doctor referred me to Doctor Shulman to be considered for Hep C Treatment. I decided that I would go through with the one year treatment so I could rid myself of Hep C, and so I can be healthy again. There was a few times that I thought I didn't want to do the treatment, this was when I was waiting to get the funding to pay for my medicine. I waited 10 months to get the funding, and now here I am.

Wayne prepares a syringe for his latest injection.

A week's worth of meds Wayne must take for his Hep C treatment regimen.

WEEK 5

This week (July 11, 2011) I did my fifth injection. I did my shot in my upper thigh as usual. I am feeling a lot more comfortable with doing my shot on my own.

My girlfriend has helped me out a lot during this time in my life. She is always helping me out with daily tasks, like reminding me to take my pills, or if I'm sad she will bring up my spirit. Also, when I do my shot she coaches me through it, to make sure its done properly. I'm so glad that she is there for me 'cause it would be really hard to do this on my own.

How did I get infected with Hep C? I got infected with Hep C by using a used needle. I knew barely nothing about Hep C before I got it. Once I found out that I had Hep C I got all the information I needed about it. I also know a few people with Hep C, so I asked them questions that I needed to know about it. They were willing to sit down and freely talk to me about it, and informed me on the subject.

A painting Wayne did while at a treatment centre.

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WEEK 4

This week (July 5, 2011) was a good, but busy week for me.

I had no problems doing my injection this week, I'm getting used to doing it. I felt no side effects this week from my injection. Before I did it on a Friday, and slept through the worst of it.

On Saturday morning I felt a little bit sick but I find if I keep busy it don't bother me as much. I'm still having troubles with my memory but I'm finding ways to deal with it. My mood swings are starting to be less frequent, my medication must be working, my girlfriend says. The heat is getting to me a lot, so I try to stay cooled down, and drink lots of fluids.

A photo taken by Wayne during his treatment.

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WEEK 3

This week (June 29, 2011) I feel a lot better with myself and my treatment.

I felt much better this week after I did my injection. I did the injection on the Friday night just before bed. I do it this way so I sleep through the worst of the side effects.

I also didn't feel so sick after the injection like I did the previous weeks. I usually felt sick for like four days after the injection. My body must be getting used to the medication.

One thing that I did notice this week about myself was that I am very forgetful, things I usually remember I am forgetting. This can be vary frustrating at times. I found that I had to write down a "To-Do List" so that I could get everything done that I needed to do in a day. Other that that I had an ok week that was very busy, but I managed to get everything done.

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WEEK 2

On Friday (June 15, 2011) I took my first injection. I was really nervous for this day to come. I went into the office to get my first injection with the help of my nurse. She gave me all the information I needed to know about the treatment, like what to expect from the medication I'm taking, and how to take it.

She made me feel as comfortable as possible. I took my first injection with the help of my nurse, she coached me through it. It was very simple and I was able to walk of of the office feeling good that I was able to do my first injection with no problems. All that worried me was how I was going to feel once the medicine kicked in. Later that night I was expecting to feel very sick, but I went to bed and didn't feel any of the side effects that night.

The next day was a different story, I felt like I got hit by a bus and just stayed in bed most of the day. I had massive aches, flu-like illness, joint pain, muscle aches, general weakness, feeling tired, nutritional effects like loss of appetite, low blood sugar, gastrointestinal effects like indigestion, diarrhoea, nausea and abdominal discomfort. I also felt psychological effects, depression, mood swings, and mental fatigue. My sleep was affected, with irregular and poor sleep quality, and not feeling well rested after sleeping, and skin itchiness

As well, my girlfriend says I've been really moody with her. Lie certain things that shouldn't bug me do - like her trying to play fight with me Something I used to like doing I'm now irritated with and these mood swings are causing a lit of misunderstandings.

I don't feel comfortable in my own skin.

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WEEK 1

Hello, my name is Wayne, I'm twenty-nine years old, and I started my one year Hep C treatment on June 10/2011.

I was very nervous to take my first injection. Many factors were running through my head, like how sick will I get? Will I get any side effects at all? And if so what will they be?

I know that I want my body to be healthy, so I will try my hardest to go through this. I want my family and friends to know that I'm healthy, and will be with them for many years to come.

I am going to tell you a bit about myself. I grew up in a small town just outside of North Bay, ON. I have four sisters that I grew up with. Last year in May I found out that I had Hep C. It was one of the worst things that has happened to me, but I knew that I had a large chance of having it because of all the drug use I was doing. I do believe that I caught it from injecting drugs.

In his next blog Wayne will share more with us about his past experiences, and his journey forward through treatment.