Still Raining...

A Flower in my Sisters Garden, 2004

...but my Imodium "Umbrella" is working just fine.

It hasn't gone away! It has been 5 days now since it first started. The Imodium helps things a lot though. But it is only covering over the underlying reasons for it's being there. As soon as the Imodium wares off, it seems to come back.
Again this morning, My breakfast triggered off another bout! My night didn't go too well as it goes. After I got out of the bath after my bike ride, I began to feel more and more unwell, until I felt as though I had mild flu. I had to turn on my central heating for the first time since last winter.
This lasted for around 3/4 hours until it just seemed to disappear. Also during my feeling chilly, I had sweats and felt hot too. But as I said, by morning I was ok again, until breakfast.
Again I called my Docs and was asked to come in. They have taken samples of my blood & urine. Took my temperature (36.7). I couldn't produce a poop sample due to the Imodium having it's desired effect. I have to bring in a sample tomorrow.
I am feeling much better tonight, although I do seem to have lost my appetite somewhat. I'm sure I will loose a little weight during this 'spell'. But at least I know I can pop out and get some 'fast food' to get the calories etc. I have to drink more water too.
Besides all that, I am feeling fine. My gums are a little sore on one side (no blood). Nothing else to report.
I am not in too much pain; I can walk; & I am not puking all the time! It could be so much worse.

Jason

Twin Trees

Twin Trees (again), Box Hill, Today

Hey there:) Feeling a bit better today after my recent spell of 'Bottom Bovver'! Although, i was pretty sure it was all over and done with last night, when this morning it was there again! I had just finished my 'Weetabix & banana' and out it came almost instantly! Surely it couldn't have been my breakfast! It had hardly had time to say hello to my Esophagus for goodness sakes!

Anyways, I took some advice from a previous posts comment (thanks Martinb), and went and bought some Imodium. I took a couple of capsules. It seems to have done the trick, although it is very windy here;)
I got back home wondering what to do on this very wet and windy Sunday afternoon. I really wanted to go out for a cycle. But wasn't really feeling up to it. I did feel a bit 'funny' all afternoon as it goes. Can't explain it really, just a bit weak feeling and miserable.
So i ended up going for a 'wike' (walk/hike) around Holmbury Hill & then on to Box Hill to see how my two favorite trees are doing. I saw a couple of mountain bikers all covered in mud and really wished i had my bike with me!
Eventually the weather got better & better as per Metcheck advice. After a quick photo shoot with the trees, I headed off back to Teddington, put the car away and got on my cycling gear and went for a 45 minute blast to Hampton Court via the River Thames towpath, back through Bushy Park among the rabbits and puddles, back to Kingston Bridge which i crossed and continued along the Thames to Teddington Lock, back over the Thames again, past the studios and back home. Jumped in the bath listening to Xfm on the radio, had a shower then got out feeling like shit! I always feel like this just as i stand up in the bath, probably water too hot! I do like a soak though:)
I am so glad i have my bike! My feet were killing me on my walk! Sometimes i can't beleive i have hiked up Ben Nevis twice! And I intend to climb her again next year! I was at the foot of her in June this year and really wanted to 'do it' then! But i was on a family holiday and i didn't think my Mum would want to carry my ruck sack;)

After all that, i think i can honestly say; I need a day off!

Jason

Get Tested!

World Hepatitis Awareness Day, 1st October, 2006

I have personally known 3 friends of mine to die from Hepatitis C related illnesses! I don't want to see anymore!

This post is for Martin, Dennis & David.

Jason

32nd Injection & Shit Happens...(unrelated)

River Thames, Twickenham

Bloody diarrhea! Where did that come from?

Firstly, let me apologize for the mess I am about to describe.

I was sitting around at my Dads on Wednesday evening, trying to beat him playing golf on the PS2 & I could feel 'Something bad down below!'. The first thing my old man said was; "Bloody Hell Son! You stink!". MMmm, not unusual in itself, but I did think something was up.
After an hour or so, I was feeling more & more uncomfortable. I wanted to go home, leaving my dad victorious in one way (golf) and not so in another (breathable air).
I got home at 21:45, had a chicken wrap I had bought just 3 hours earlier from M&S. I ate that; Switched on the Apple; Checked my e-mails etc. Then an hour or so later, after a series of rumbles & what reminded me of a bubbling cauldron, I felt an overwhelming urge to purge!
What? I don't remember eating that! I looked down to see what had just happened. I instantly thought of a photograph I had took last year of a shopping trolley in the Thames. Fortunately there was no shopping trolley in my toilet!
Instantly I thought of the Hummus I had made the day before. But surely not! All fresh ingredients, canned (cooked) chick peas etc. I must say though; Although I don't think the hummus to blame, I have been totally put off from eating it again anytime soon. Which is a shame really as I really like it:(
Right; Fast forward to the following morning, after numerous visits to the loo. Still have it! I am not too worried though, as I feel kinda fine otherwise. But I do ring my Docs up at the RFH. I try to explain my symptoms in detail, trying not to ruin her breakfast;) She didn't seem overly worried & agreed that it may well have been something I ate. Keep an eye on it, drink plenty of water and report back in 24 hours.
So here I am, sitting in front of my trusty Apple having just 'reported in'. It isn't any worse and may even be a little bit better. Still not right though and rather runny! I am drinking plenty of water and eating too. I have lost my appetite some what, but this is not unusual. I don't often have an appetite so to speak. Maybe about once a day. I do consume 3 meals a day everyday (more like 4 including my 2am feast; but that's another story). I could quite happily live without "eating" food. To me, it is just a source of fuel.
Anyway; My Doctor still wasn't too worried and said these things usually take between 24/48 hrs to pass. So I will leave it over the weekend and see what happens.
I did so want to go out yesterday. I was forced to stay in though as I don't have any water tight trousers;)
My friend wants to know if I am up for our Friday night mountain bike ride. I might do; I think I can control my urge now. I might just suggest a hike instead. I don't really think I should be hammering it around the North Downs at night in the rain! Not if he is directly behind me anyhow;)
I shall see how it goes. All being well, my next post should have a much more pleasant scent about it.

Again, I apologize profusely for my rather nasty "Bog Log".

Also, My 32nd Interferon injection went well. I took it as always at 23:30 last night.

Jason

The Numbness Continues...

My hand & My numb little finger

The numbness in my little finger on my left hand is still very much there. I have had it a while now (since Aug 25th) whilst on Hep C treatment. It seems to feel much more obvious in the evenings (the evening time is when I experience my side effects from my HIV drugs). I have had my HIV sides for several years. My finger is numb all the time. It is worse just after i take my evening HIV & Hep C pills, it usually lasts until i fall asleep which is always around 3am. I thought it could be something to do with my bike riding. But i am not so convinced! Yes; the fact that i have been cycling every other day during my Interferon & Ribavirin treatment could have contributed to the numbness, & yes; the fact that my right arm has pretty much had it where strength is concerned, rendering my normal left arm with twice the work it deserves, i have this to say; I have been cycling this way for some time now over the years, and most importantly i was doing so the whole winter leading up to treatment in Feb this year & the whole Summer before that too! I can honestly say i have never experienced this numbness before! And my arm has been this way for years also. I am therefore almost certain that the numbness is mainly, if not wholly a side effect of my Hep C treatment!
My Doctors have said; It is almost certainly numb as a direct result from my mountain biking & to not to exert my self!
I have said; Bollocks more like;)
I'm not complaining though. I just think i know my body & my limits more than anyone else! Plus, it is just a numb finger. It could be so much worse!

Jason

A Great Weekend Mountain Biking

Hampton Court, Surrey.

Wow! Another day, another bike ride.
Firstly, Friday evening. It was the day after my 31st Interferon injection. It went very well. I am amazed at how easily the needle just seems to disappear into my flesh, without so much as a prick so to speak. Everytime i expect it to hurt like hell. I have had a fair few injections over the decades, but always into a vein. It just seems so unnatural to stick a needle anywhere else. I pushed the whole lot in, including the air inside the needle and syringe. I don't want to loose any amount of "Liverade" at all! I have read that some of the Interferon injection packs have some pretty suss design issues, where some of the Interferon comes out when 'screwing' the needle onto the syringe.
I have the 'push on' needles & syringe with the little red plunger. I haven't had any problems so far. Still collecting them! I intend to make some sort of canvas with them when i have all 47. I am still missing the very first one, as i did this one at the hospital. It went in the bin there. I don't suppose it is still there;)
Now to my cycling.
I went out on Friday evening with my friend Lee. It was clear, but had been raining the night before. He had a nice set of lights (like mine) that i helped get him for his birthday. His first time out with them, and next to me, we could see for miles. We were right up in the woods on Pitch Hill, Surrey. This is great mountain biking country. As usual though, we didn't see another soul the whole way round. In the day (especially at the weekend) the place is rolling with us.
I usually feel a bit fluey/chilly on my Friday night ride, but i was feeling greater than ever this time.
Time passed very quickly after dodging fallen trees and getting lost in some quite thick fog on the summit. but all said and done we had a great ride with no casualties. Lee did have to dodge a jumping frog, which he first thought was a jumping rock! Mmm, maybe his lights aren't that good after all;)
Today (Sunday) I went alone to the same place. It was nice and sunny, but muddy for all the rain in the night. My bike needs a good wash me thinks. The place was crawling with fellow mountain bikers, all covered with mud.
I took off in an area i hadn't been before and found a very pretty windmill in Ewhurst, Surrey. What surprised me though was that is was in amongst a whole load of very big trees! I thought they were always exposed to catch the wind. I was hoping to get a nice photo of it, alas the picture i took is not worth posting here:( I had a great ride (3 and a half hrs) and Loved every minute of it. I did see a mountain biker crash though and hit a tree head first. She was fine thank goodness. I have been over the same section loads of times and it always brings my Haemophilia back home to me when i see someone come a cropper. I certainly don't take any unnecessary risks. I have seen some pretty nasty crashes in the past. Too fast and not careful enough!
Anyhow, i don't want to frighten you away from my blog, so i will finish here with today's ride.
I still haven't made my Humus yet. I am going to attempt to make some tomorrow. I have a few recipes to try out, including one from a fellow Hep C Blogger (thanks Chris).
Oh, i joined the Hep C Forum proper last night. And what a wonderful forum it is too. I shall write a post about it soon.

Sleep well & take care:)

Jason

31st injection & another week done

My best friend Lee, Holbury Hill last Sunday

That is my friend Lee. I have know him for over 25 years! We first met by chance. I was with a friend and we were down by St Marys church right on the river Thames in Twickenham. It was the summer holidays in between junior school and senior school. Lee was with his older brother Mark. My friend & i being the little shits we were at the time started throwing stones at them both. Somehow we began talking more like normal people and Lee and i found out we were due to start at not only the same school, but in the same class too! The rest as they say is history. He is great to have around! Especially outdoors. He seems to have a natural compass built in and we never get lost whilst out hiking or mountain biking. We have done everything together; BMXing, hiking, computer games & PS2, making our own fireworks, camping, climbing trees, graffiti, mountain biking, Kayaking, fitting my bathroom & kitchen. He is tall too. 6ft 4ins. He is great at putting up shelves;) Actually, he can do almost anything he puts his hands to! I am very lucky indeed that he didn't run away that day i pelted him with stones:) I do still throw the odd stone at him even today. My speciality is the magnifying glass on the back of the neck;)
Seriously though, he has always been there for me. He has seen plenty of my blood too. He has even injected me for my Haemophilia. He was a pro.
Lee is the one i go mountain biking with if i am not on my own. How is it that if we go out in the mud, he always comes back clean and i look like the Swamp Thing! I have mentioned him before on here & i expect you will hear more of Lee in future posts. I just thought it high time i put his photo in my blog;)
He is also married to my twin sister Nicola.

Anyhow. Treatment is going well. I still have the numb little finger. Apart from that it is just another week.
No rest for the wicked though! Lee and i are going out for a night ride in the Surrey Hills tomorrow night. He has some new lights. The same as mine. He will be able to see where he is going now! Tell you all about it in my next post.

P.s. Does anyone have a good recipe for home made humus? It is my favorite food!

Jason

Being replaced

York House Gdns, Twickenham

Do you ever get that feeling that the only reason that you are here at all, is just so you can be replaced by a better, far superior model? One that isn't rotten or infected! And the sooner, the better me thinks!
In the photo of the statues, is one helping the other up, or is one being lowered down by the other? Either way could be for good or bad reasons! I was watching a man cutting back a gigantic tree outside of my flat. I was thinking the same thing. Is the tree being helped or damaged. The tree looked fine before, thick strong branches with plenty of leaves, all attached to a wide, accommodating trunk. And now it looks like a sheared sheep! I feel similar about myself sometimes. I feel as though the world would be a better place if the likes of me were "gone". Well, i must say, whoever those "people" are, they're not doing a very good job! I mean this year is my HIV's 21st Birthday. My Hep C's 30th. Celebrations all round me thinks:) I am serious too! I quite often feel like running around the streets and shouting at the top of my voice exactly what i have and for how long and say, look at me and look how healthy i am. Look what i can do!
They say life ain't easy! At the age of 16 i was told only of death! Death ain't easy either! But it's all i know! I want to live forever (or die trying), just so i can say "You can't replace me, there isn't anything wrong with me. And besides, i am too old".

Jason

Everything is "just" fine

Fungus, Pitch Hill, Surrey, Today

Hi to all & everyone in Blogland. Today was a better than normal day today. It was rather quite nice. Nothing much different from other days really, except for a complete lack of other people. I think that is what i need when i am feeling pissed off and angry. People make me mad usually, so i have to take away the '"people" for a day and i am much better for it. Today i had (needed) the smallest amount of contact possible with my fellow humans. I spoke to two people today, a chap who sold me some petrol and a fellow mountain biker. I suppose i could stay indoors all day, but that wouldn't do would it now. I need to get out in the trees and dirt.
I had a good ride too. I took several photos of me and my bike 'Dessert Storm', but thought maybe you'd had enough of them for a while;) I took this picture of some sort of fungus. I don't know why, i just like the look of it. There is some pretty cool singletrack on Pitch Hill. At the top of one particularly bumpy and rooty section, i nearly came off! I stopped just before to look at the route i would take and just then i nearly didn't do it. I lowered my saddle a bit to make more room whilst leaning back on the descent and went for it. I seemed to gather speed much faster than i anticipated, although i had my disc breaks on full whack! I have no idea how my feet stayed on them there pedals! They did, for which i am eternally greatful;) I raised my saddle back up and off i went to find the bottom. After descending a few hundred more yards, i came to the bottom section. I new straight away i wouldn't be doing that! I looked at it for a few seconds and soon jumped off! I had to almost climb down with my bike to the bottom. I'm not worried about missing out though. Having had a life time of Haemophilia, i certainly know my limits. My arm hurts & my ankles ache, but hey! Thats cool;)
Talking of Haemophilia, there is a movie called "Factor 8" The Arkansas Prison Blood Scandal. It is showing in London on Friday and was thinking of going to see it. I know a few more Haemophiliacs are going to the screening, who also have HIV & Hep C. I may or may not go. It depends how i am feeling. I know what it is about. It is where i got my viruses from. I think i may just prefer to wait and watch it at home on my own. You may want to check out the movies website in my links.

Jason