Cured, But Still Advocating for Others

I often get asked why I spend so much time around those with hep C when I no longer have it. They proceed to say to me “Once I am cured, I am going to be long gone, as far away from the meaning hep C as I can".

I can totally relate to that statement, trust me. There are days that I wish life was different for me. It is on days like last week, when we in the hep C community lost 3 very close friends, that I get sad and think, "Why am I doing this?". Two of them actually passed on the same day. As a group, this hit us all very hard.  We grow close with these people online. Sometimes, we able to meet in person, but not always. But, after talking daily with them, learning all their health issues, and becoming a family online, it is devastating when we lose one to hep C.

Finding my way

These times, I have to step back and seek out wisdom from God (not sure of your beliefs, but for me, that is who I turn to for guidance and direction). I also do talk to my late mom. I know, without a doubt, she is there listening and giving me direction that only I would know would be her talking to me. One afternoon, I was sitting out in my rose garden, tears rolling down my face, wondering what my next steps should be. Is it time for me to back down from advocating? Am I being directed into something else?

A sign

At that very moment, I got a notification on my phone that I had an email on my foundation page. I went ahead and opened it up. It was from a local man here in Colorado, messaging me about his test results from the latest treatment he began. He was UNDETECTED! I was smiling from ear to ear.  This man had contacted me a few months prior, scared about having hep C, feared he was dying.  We talked for an hour or so and I got him in to a specialist in Denver for his hep C. The day he started treatment he phoned me to share the news. I told him to stay focused and strong, that he has this. To get the news that he beat the dragon was truly a blessing.

My purpose

It is in my darkest times of wondering if what I do makes a difference or if I should continue that God always shines light on my path again. That day, it was clear to me that my purpose here, advocating for those fighting hep c, is not finished. Sure, we may lose friends and close family to hep C, but we also are witnessing thousands upon thousands GETTING CURED of this disease as well. That is where I draw my strength to get back up and hit the pavement again, preaching the importance of getting tested.

It is through our fight with hep C that we can honor those who journey was cut short. We can continue to carry their torch, shedding light for others to get tested. Together, we are STRONG.

May those whose fight was cut short last week always be remembered for their brave and courageous fight. Peter, Damon, James- Your fight lives on through all of us.

Not without a FIGHT ~HCV~©