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Sunday, May 2, 2010
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Friday, November 20, 2009
Words of Hope
Did you ever stop to think how important words of hope are to someone who has just been diagnosed with Hepatitis C? In this; part two of my previous post, I'll tell you.
A beautiful young woman approached my booth and picked up a copy of my book: Breaking Free from Hepatitis C, A Personal Journey. As she turned it over to read the back cover, I asked her if she new of someone who was infected with the virus. She slowly lifted her head and with a scared and confused look on her face said "Yes, I was just diagnosed."
"Well, what are you gonna do about it" I asked in a positive tone.
"I don't know" she said, "I only have one person I can talk too, and that person says that there is nothing I can do and is always very negative about the whole situation."
"Stay away from them then" I said, "the last thing you need is to be around someone with a defeatist attitude. You need to get positive; positive that somehow, someway you are going to beat this thing. You need to get a Refuse to Loose / Failure is not an Option attitude!" I may have overstepped my bounds a little, buts that's how I feel.
Her eyes got wider as a smile came across her face. "That's the first time anyone has tried to give me a little hope since I've been diagnosed. All I've heard up till now is doom and gloom."
I could see a glimmer of hope in her eyes, so I continued with an example that I often use. "Take two people with the same life threatening disease" I said, "now, imagine the first entering a medical center and saying I'm here because they sent me here. Now imagine the second one, entering the same medical center and saying I'm here to beat this disease. Which one do think gets the better response during their treatments?" I asked.
Her smile got wider, "exactly" I said. "Any Health Professional will tell you that attitude makes all the difference; at least any open minded one."
As we concluded our conversation, I told her to call me anytime she needed a shot of positive attitude, and I hope she does. I also told her to weigh all the options, make up her own mind and stick too it. I said I would support any decision she made and told her not to let anybody ruin her attitude and most importantly, NEVER GIVE UP!
A beautiful young woman approached my booth and picked up a copy of my book: Breaking Free from Hepatitis C, A Personal Journey. As she turned it over to read the back cover, I asked her if she new of someone who was infected with the virus. She slowly lifted her head and with a scared and confused look on her face said "Yes, I was just diagnosed."
"Well, what are you gonna do about it" I asked in a positive tone.
"I don't know" she said, "I only have one person I can talk too, and that person says that there is nothing I can do and is always very negative about the whole situation."
"Stay away from them then" I said, "the last thing you need is to be around someone with a defeatist attitude. You need to get positive; positive that somehow, someway you are going to beat this thing. You need to get a Refuse to Loose / Failure is not an Option attitude!" I may have overstepped my bounds a little, buts that's how I feel.
Her eyes got wider as a smile came across her face. "That's the first time anyone has tried to give me a little hope since I've been diagnosed. All I've heard up till now is doom and gloom."
I could see a glimmer of hope in her eyes, so I continued with an example that I often use. "Take two people with the same life threatening disease" I said, "now, imagine the first entering a medical center and saying I'm here because they sent me here. Now imagine the second one, entering the same medical center and saying I'm here to beat this disease. Which one do think gets the better response during their treatments?" I asked.
Her smile got wider, "exactly" I said. "Any Health Professional will tell you that attitude makes all the difference; at least any open minded one."
As we concluded our conversation, I told her to call me anytime she needed a shot of positive attitude, and I hope she does. I also told her to weigh all the options, make up her own mind and stick too it. I said I would support any decision she made and told her not to let anybody ruin her attitude and most importantly, NEVER GIVE UP!
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
The Little Girl
Did you ever meet someone, or have an experience that you just couldn't forget? I had two such experiences this past weekend while exhibiting my book at the Miami Book Fair International. Everyone who visited the booth impacted me significantly, but these two in particular really sent home a message that we all can learn from. Here is the first, I will post the second in the days to come.
The first is about a young girl who I believe was approximately ten or eleven years old. That's right, I said ten or eleven years old! I was sitting behind the table where I had displayed several of my books; "Breaking Free from Hepatitis C, A Personal Journey". I looked up to see a young girl reading the title of the book as she paused, while passing by. As I watched her; her lips moved as she read the title while her eyes opened wide with hope. Looking me straight in the eyes she said;
"I have Hepatitis C"
"You Do?" I questioned
"Yes" she said.
I didn't know what to say, honestly, I was shocked. She was the first child I had ever met who was infected with the virus. All of the experiences of being diagnosed and treated came rushing back as I wondered what she was going through and how she and her family were dealing with her diagnosis.
About that time; the adult who was accompanying the little girl who I believe may have been her mother, said "C'mon, lets go". The little girl smiled at me as she dropped her head in disappointment; followed the adults instructions, and walked away. I felt my eyes fill with tears as I sat back in my chair in disbelief.
About fifteen minutes later, while I was speaking to a man about his brothers diagnosis; I was interrupted by my friend who was sharing the booth with me. She said that this person had to leave and wanted to get a copy of the book before she left. As I looked towards where my friend was pointing, there stood the young girl from fifteen minutes earlier. Once again I was shocked! That young girl had talked the adult who was accompanying her into returning to the booth so that she could purchase the book. She pulled crumpled dollar bills from her pocket with pride, and handed them to me. (In retrospect; I should have just given her the book, but I'm telling you......I couldn't think straight.) I smiled as I cleared the lump in my throat and handed her my personal contact information. I told her to call me anytime she wanted to talk; I pray she does.
The first is about a young girl who I believe was approximately ten or eleven years old. That's right, I said ten or eleven years old! I was sitting behind the table where I had displayed several of my books; "Breaking Free from Hepatitis C, A Personal Journey". I looked up to see a young girl reading the title of the book as she paused, while passing by. As I watched her; her lips moved as she read the title while her eyes opened wide with hope. Looking me straight in the eyes she said;
"I have Hepatitis C"
"You Do?" I questioned
"Yes" she said.
I didn't know what to say, honestly, I was shocked. She was the first child I had ever met who was infected with the virus. All of the experiences of being diagnosed and treated came rushing back as I wondered what she was going through and how she and her family were dealing with her diagnosis.
About that time; the adult who was accompanying the little girl who I believe may have been her mother, said "C'mon, lets go". The little girl smiled at me as she dropped her head in disappointment; followed the adults instructions, and walked away. I felt my eyes fill with tears as I sat back in my chair in disbelief.
About fifteen minutes later, while I was speaking to a man about his brothers diagnosis; I was interrupted by my friend who was sharing the booth with me. She said that this person had to leave and wanted to get a copy of the book before she left. As I looked towards where my friend was pointing, there stood the young girl from fifteen minutes earlier. Once again I was shocked! That young girl had talked the adult who was accompanying her into returning to the booth so that she could purchase the book. She pulled crumpled dollar bills from her pocket with pride, and handed them to me. (In retrospect; I should have just given her the book, but I'm telling you......I couldn't think straight.) I smiled as I cleared the lump in my throat and handed her my personal contact information. I told her to call me anytime she wanted to talk; I pray she does.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Released Today
Hep C Survivor Breaks the Silence on a Growing Epidemic in New Book, 'Breaking Free from Hepatitis C: A Personal Journey'
Sunday, September 20, 2009
That Time of Year
It's that time of year again in New England. The 70 degree days and 30 degree nights are back, bringing the return of Autumn and all of the fall foliage beauty. The change of seasons brings back the memories of 11 years ago; enjoying the cool fall morning while driving to my small town Post office for the daily mail. The memory of opening that life insurance denial letter and being shocked to find a diagnosis of Hepatitis C.
I didn't begin to get scared until I confirmed the diagnosis with my local Doctor. I had no idea that the virus could lead to cirrhosis, liver cancer, the need for a liver transplant, and in some cases even death. Ya...I got scared!
Sometime shortly after receiving this life changing news; I made up my mind that "no matter what", I was going to beat this virus! That was the attitude I adopted and no one was gonna change my mind. I believed that I would be free of this Hepatitis C stuff......it was only a matter of time! Oh ya; there were those who told me not to get my hopes up, and that there was I distinct possibility that I may live with this disease for the rest of my life, but I refused to let them change my beliefs or my attitude. "Failure was not an option!"
Now; I'm sure you've heard all that positive attitude and belief system crap before. You may think it's bull....! I hope not, because today I am virus free.
I did everything medically, humanly, and spiritually possible; but I also kept the attitude and belief that it was only a matter of time till I beat the virus. In short, I "refused to loose"!! Breaking Free from Hepatitis C is about refusing to loose! It's about the inner knowing that failure is not an option!
Never Give Up my friends, NEVER GIVE UP!!
I didn't begin to get scared until I confirmed the diagnosis with my local Doctor. I had no idea that the virus could lead to cirrhosis, liver cancer, the need for a liver transplant, and in some cases even death. Ya...I got scared!
Sometime shortly after receiving this life changing news; I made up my mind that "no matter what", I was going to beat this virus! That was the attitude I adopted and no one was gonna change my mind. I believed that I would be free of this Hepatitis C stuff......it was only a matter of time! Oh ya; there were those who told me not to get my hopes up, and that there was I distinct possibility that I may live with this disease for the rest of my life, but I refused to let them change my beliefs or my attitude. "Failure was not an option!"
Now; I'm sure you've heard all that positive attitude and belief system crap before. You may think it's bull....! I hope not, because today I am virus free.
I did everything medically, humanly, and spiritually possible; but I also kept the attitude and belief that it was only a matter of time till I beat the virus. In short, I "refused to loose"!! Breaking Free from Hepatitis C is about refusing to loose! It's about the inner knowing that failure is not an option!
Never Give Up my friends, NEVER GIVE UP!!
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Hope Is Never Lost
Over the past several days, I have read stories of how many of us found out we were infected with the Hepatitis C virus. No matter how shocking, sudden or unfair it was; the hope of being cured is never lost! For some, it is their first round of medical treatments; for others, it is their forth. There are those who choose holistic or alternative medicine approaches, while still others turn to religion and prayer. Many have the support of family, co-workers and friends; others are going it alone. But, in all cases...hope is never lost! Never give up my friends, victory may be closer than you think!
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