Thursday, December 13, 2012

 

Please go to updated site!

This blog has been closed for several  years.    Please go to updated site!

http://pspamshepcjourney.blogspot.com/

See you there  :-)

Friday, July 03, 2009

 
This is an email that I thought was important enough to send to most everyone in my address book. My jokelist, my info list, my "professional" list, etc. as this is another good example of why Hepatitis C is "everyone's" disease and if you are a friend of mine or receive my emails for any reason I would hope that by now you have gotten tested and KNOW YOUR HEPATITIS C STATUS. Don't take it for "granted"

If you haven't been tested - PLEASE DO SO!

This is sadly NOT an unusual situation and over the years I have posted many stories about Hepatitis C being passed at pain clinics, MD offices, dentists, endoscopy clinics, tattoo shops, beauty parlors and barber shops, just a variety of ways that blood to blood transmission can occur and "you" are not even aware.

PLEASE get vaccinated for Hepatitis A and B and GET TESTED for Hepatitis C!

Please ask your doctors why they aren't testing!
Please ask your news reporters why they aren't reporting about this silent epidemic!
Please ask your elected officials why they aren't doing more to fund programs for hepatitis C or to bring education and awareness to the general public!

Please tell 12 other people to GET TESTED for Hepatitis C!

Some form of Hepatitis affects 1 in 12 people in the world. Are YOU number 12? www.aminumber12.org Pretty staggering statistic!

Hepatitis C patients outnumber HIV patients about 5 to 1 in the United States.
Do YOU really know anything about hepatitis C? Please educate yourselves and your loved ones.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tech May Have Exposed Thousands to Hep C

Woman Faces Criminal Charges for Swapping Her Own Dirty Syringes for Ones With Narcotic

AP) A former surgery technician may have exposed thousands of Colorado patients to hepatitis C when she swapped her own dirty syringes for ones filled with a powerful narcotic, federal authorities said Thursday.

Kristen Diane Parker faces criminal charges for allegedly making the swaps while working at Audubon Ambulatory Surgery Center in Colorado Springs and Rose Medical Center in Denver. Authorities say Parker admitted to changing out syringes containing a saline solution with ones filled with the painkiller Fentanyl. Parker injected herself with the drug, according to a complaint filed Thursday in U.S. District Court in Denver.

An affidavit by Mary F. LaFrance, an investigator for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, says at least nine surgery patients at Rose have tested positive for hepatitis C, which is incurable. About 6,000 patients are being advised they may have been exposed and need to be tested.

Hepatitis C is a blood-borne disease that can cause serious liver problems, including cirrhosis or liver cancer. The illness is treatable, but there is no cure. Symptoms can include nausea, diarrhea, fatigue, pain and jaundice. Rose Medical Center officials told a news conference Thursday night they were working with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to determine whether Parker was the source of the virus.

It could not be determined Thursday night whether Parker had an attorney.

Parker worked at Rose from Oct. 21, 2008, until April. Hospital officials say she was suspended April 13, before they learned of the cases, and then fired. She had failed a drug test by testing positive for Fentanyl.

Parker went to work for the Audubon surgery center shortly after being fired. She worked there from May 4 until Monday, Dr. J. Michael Hall, Audubon's medical director, told The Gazette in Colorado Springs. If convicted of tampering with a consumer product and other charges, she faces up to 10 years in prison and a maximum $250,000 fine on the most serious charge of tampering.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/07/03/health/main5132012.shtml
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hepatitis C Under Diagnosed
Early Treatment Is Crucial

Steve Saunders, 7NEWS Anchor

DENVER -- The hepatitis C scare at Rose Medical Center has raised the profile of a disease that doctors say is under reported.

It is estimated that two percent of the population has the virus.

Steve Piper was diagnosed with the disease seven years ago. He believes he was infected with the virus as a teenager when he experimented with drugs.

He has since had liver cancer and a liver transplant, but is now doing well.

“It’s not a death sentence,” he said. “It’s a disease that is manageable, but you have to know that you have it.”

Dr. Gregory Everson of the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center specializes in liver disease and hepatitis C.

“It’s important not to bury your head in the sand,” he told 7NEWS.

About half the people with chronic hepatitis C respond to treatment. If that treatment begins early, patients have a much better outcome.

http://www.thedenverchannel.com/education/19943374/detail.html
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hospital worker may have exposed patients to Hepatitis C

DENVER, Colorado (CNN) -- A former hospital employee may have exposed hundreds, or even thousands, of surgical patients to hepatitis C after taking their fentanyl injections and replacing them with used syringes filled with saline solution, authorities say.

Kristen Diane Parker, who worked at Rose Medical Center in Denver, has admitted to secretly injecting herself in a bathroom and using unclean syringes as replacements for patients, investigators say.

She had hepatitis C, which she believes she contracted through using heroin and sharing dirty needles while she lived in New Jersey in 2008, authorities say.

She was a surgical technician at Rose from October 2008 to April 2009.

Nine patients who had surgery there during that time have tested positive for hepatitis C. Investigators are looking into whether they contracted the virus from Parker.

According to an affidavit filed by an investigator with the Food and Drug Administration, Rose Medical Center knew Parker tested positive for hepatitis C. She was counseled on how to limit her exposure to patients.

Parker quit after she was found in an operating room where she was not allowed to be. She subsequently tested positive for fentanyl. Hospital officials then contacted the DEA.

Parker is in federal custody facing three drug-related charges. If she is found to have done serious harm to a patient, she could face up to 20 years in prison. If a patient dies due to her actions, she could face life in prison.

In a statement to police, Parker said, "I can't take back what I did, but I will have to live with it for the rest of my life, and so does everyone else."

Her attorney could not be reached Friday.

Rose Medical Center is contacting 4,700 patients who had surgery at Rose during the time Parker was employed there. However, hospital officials do not believe that that many patients were exposed.

"We are taking a very conservative and cautious approach by contacting everyone who had surgery during this broad time period," a statement on the hospital's Web site states. "It is likely that most of the patients who receive letters will not have been exposed to hepatitis C."

Another 1,200 patients may have been infected between May 4, 2009, and July 1, 2009, when Parker worked at Audubon Ambulatory Surgical Center in Colorado Springs. Audubon is also contacting patients.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, hepatitis C is a contagious liver disease that can lead to cirrhosis or liver cancer.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/07/03/hospital.employee.arrest/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions mount about Hepatitis C as more details are released

Story By: John Romero Source: KOAA

Thousands across the state may have been exposed to hepatitis c through alleged needle swapping by surgical tech Kristen Parker.

Dr. Donna Lanacone says out of all three types of hepatitis, C is by far the most serious and dangerous. “Hepatitis C is a virus that attacks the liver often silently.” she says, “The big difference is the fatality is higher and there is no vaccine.”

This silent killer can come without any symptoms at all and may not show for a number of years. “Most of the time there are no symptoms for 10-20 years.” explains Dr. Lanacone, “Some early symptoms you might see are low grade fever, fatigue, yellowing of the skin, which is called jaundice, abdominal pain, and some nausea and vomiting.”

Hepatitis C can lead to cirrhosis, which is a scarring of the liver and is potentially fatal. It can also lead to liver cancer.

The virus that causes hepatitis c can be present for hours in blood even once it's dried. So it's a lot easier to catch than other blood-borne illnesses making testing that much more important. “You should definitely get tested if there's any possibility of exposure to hepatitis c.” says Dr. Lanacone, “You do want to catch it as soon as you can. If you take the medications early enough can prevent some the of life threatening complications of hepatitis c.”

Both the Audubon Center and Rose Medical Center have set up free, confidential testing programs for patients who believe they may have been exposed. They say testing is not necessary for HIV or hepatitis b.

Audubon will begin sending letters to patients on July 6th, you can contact them at (719) 571-4440. If you have questions about contamination at Rose Medical Center, call the patient care line at (303) 329-7500.

http://www.koaa.com/aaaa_top_stories/x1974617906/Questions-mount-about-hepatitis-c-as-more-details-are-released

Peace
Pam
www.HEALSoftheSouth.org
www.myspace.com/figmento
http://360.yahoo.com/profile-ibMFv8Y3cqEGKgZVGFoxBHc-?cq=1
http://twitter.com/PSPam
http://www.facebook.com/PeachStatePam
http://pspamshepcjourney.blogspot.com/

Saturday, June 20, 2009

 

Do YOU know about Hepatitis C?

You can find all kinds of Hepatitis C information on the various nonprofit sites at:

http://www.hepcnetwork.org
There are MANY informative sites there.

There are TWO good Hep C books that can be read online.

Hepatitis C Choices can be found at:
http://www.hepcchallenge.org/choices/disclaimer.htm

The Georgia Hep C Handbook can be found at:
http://www.healsofthesouth.org/Hep_C_Handbook.html

Both of the Handbooks are packed with information.
Arm yourselves with knowledge about your disease as you are your own best advocate!
Take Care!

Sunday, May 17, 2009

 

World Hepatitis Day is May 19, 2009!

Tuesday, May 19th is World Hepatitis Day and I am reminding everyone on ALL my different groups that 1 in 12 people on this planet have some form of hepatitis! Are you the ONE in TWELVE? Don't take your status for granted. Get Tested! Especially for Hepatitis C!


You can learn the facts about Hepatitis A, B and C at:

www.aminumber12.org or www.nvhr.org


Please take the time on Tuesday the 19th of May to educate 12 others about hepatitis. Remind them to get vaccinated for Hepatitis A and B and to get tested for Hepatitis C!

Also please take a moment and check out my friend Kelly's "Living For A Change" video that was inspired by our sweet Kristina's "Dying For A Change" video. Awesome Kelly! Keep up the good work!
For those of you that don't know, Kristina sadly passed away at the young age of 32 from liver cancer from Hepatitis C on 2/21/09. She was an R.N., BSN and an inspiration and support to many over the years! She is greatly missed!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ep9eg9hIY9k is Kelly's video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOGrMR4bi3w is Kristina's video


You can also help H.E.A.L.S help others by donating to:
H.E.A.L.S of the South
PO Box 180813
Tallahassee, FL 32318
or through the paypal buttons at:
www.HEALSoftheSouth.org or www.HEALSoftheSouth.com
Also there is a paypal button on my My Space at www.myspace.com/figmento along with some facts about Hepatitis C! :-) THANK YOU!

We also have a My Cause on Facebook at:
http://apps.facebook.com/causes/192539/35241122?m=6987e7df


Take care of each other and take care of yourself! You are your most important advocate!

hepatitis,hepc,hep,hepatitisc,liver,health,hep c

HEALSandNumber12

Monday, May 11, 2009

 

2 wonderful videos and a petition. Please check them out!

2 wonderful videos and a petition. Please check them out!

Please check out Kelly's "Living For A Change" video that was inspired by our sweet Kristina's "Dying For A Change" video. AWESOME KELLY! Keep up the good work!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ep9eg9hIY9k

Also please join with me in signing her petition on behalf of HCV patients to the British Columbia Premier here: http://www.petitiononline.com/kodhep45/petition.html

AND Christopher Kennedy Lawford talks about Hepatitis C at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWjtMp5cYxk

 

'Healing Hepatitis C,' a Book on the Epidemic's Front Lines

Healing Hepatitis C,' a Book on the Epidemic's Front Lines with Best-Selling Author Christopher Kennedy Lawford & Dr. Diana Sylvestre


Healing Hepatitis C: A Patient and a Doctor Tell You How to Recognize When You Are at Risk, Understand Hepatitis C Tests, Talk to Your Doctor About Hepatitis C, and Advocate for Yourself and Others By: Christopher Kennedy Lawford with Dr. Diana Sylvestre

It is estimated that more than 4 million Americans and approximately 170 million persons worldwide have been exposed to Hepatitis C. Healing Hepatitis C remedies that by combining the personal story of Christopher Kennedy Lawford, who unknowingly contracted the virus during his years of drug use, with the medical expertise of Dr. Diana Sylvestre, who has devoted her career to treating hepatitis C sufferers. Together they deal with the stigma and misinformation, and the fears and frustrations of this illness.



New York, New York (PRWEB) May 7, 2009 -- Having hepatitis C can be a transformative, extremely tough experience, especially without the right information. Healing Hepatitis C remedies that by combining the personal story of Christopher Kennedy Lawford, who unknowingly contracted the virus during his years of drug use, with the medical expertise of Dr. Diana Sylvestre, who has devoted her career to treating hepatitis C sufferers. Together they deal with the stigma and misinformation, and the fears and frustrations of this illness.

Healing Hepatitis C serves as a valuable sourcebook for medical and treatment information: from what hepatitis C is to what it does, from what to expect during treatment to how to communicate with your physician, to finding the support you need. Most of all, it walks you through the process of facing the diagnosis and treatment head-on, showing you that "it is possible to get through hepatitis C--to be cured of it--without surrendering your life to it."

Together Lawford and Sylvestre offer hope, humor, and medical expertise to help patients, their friends, and families navigate the numerous challenges of hepatitis C virus education, testing, and treatment.

About the Authors

Christopher Kennedy Lawford

Christopher Kennedy Lawford has worked extensively in politics, government and the non-profit sector, most recently being appointed to the California Public Health Advisory Committee, as well as spending twenty years in the film and television business as an actor, lawyer, executive, and producer. As the author of the New York Times bestseller's Symptoms of Withdrawal: A Memoir of Snapshots and Redemption, and Moments of Clarity, Mr. Lawford illuminates his extraordinary life and the tragedies he has faced - offering a cohesive message of survival, hope, and inspiration. In his most rewarding role to date, Mr. Lawford is an advocate, for critical mental health issues facing our society today. His passion and commitment to the issues of substance abuse, hepatitis C and mental health has reinvigorated the debate around these vital national concerns. Mr. Lawford holds a Bachelor of Arts from Tufts University, a Juris Doctor from Boston College Law School and a Masters Certification in Clinical Psychology from Harvard Medical School where he gained an academic appointment as a Lecturer on Psychiatry.

Diana Sylvestre M.D. Dr.

Diana Sylvestre M.D. is a physician-researcher and faculty member in the department of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco. She is the executive director of the O.A.S.I.S. (Organization to Achieve Solutions in Substance-Abuse) in Oakland, California, and the president of the California Hepatitis Alliance. Her patient education workbook Hepatitis C: Get the Facts! has been distributed widely at no cost throughout the world.

Resources

Facebook- Healing Hepatitis C Group

http://www.healinghepc.com

# # #

Trackback URL: http://www.prweb.com/pingpr.php/VGhpci1TcXVhLVBpZ2ctVGhpci1TcXVhLUNvdXAtWmVybw==

See the original story at: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/05/prweb2392904.htm

 

World Hepatitis Day is May 19, 2009!

hepatitis,hepc,hep,hepatitisc,liver,health,hep c

Thursday, May 07, 2009

 

World Hepatitis Day in Florida on May 19, 2009!

Do you live in Florida? Take part in World Hepatitis Day on May 19, 2009!

World Hepatitis Day 2009 Florida

Get MORE information on Hepatitis at www.aminumber12.org and www.nvhr.org

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

 

Please Join the Find A Cure Panel for Hepatitis!

Hello!



As a valued friend of H.E.A.L.S of the South, you can make a difference!



By joining Find A Cure Panel for people with Hepatitis, you will be empowered to share your opinions in vital research to help find a cure.



What's more, for each survey you complete a minimum donation of $25 is made directly to H.E.A.L.S of the South on your behalf.



Registering is fast, free, and your privacy is completely protected.
Click HERE to sign up now, and thank you for your continued support!


If you can't click on the link above please click HERE:


http://member.assistyourteamsurveys.com/AYTSM_RecruitmentEmail90.html



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