Because there are several different ways of getting this disease, it's difficult to pinpoint exactly how I got it, but I'm going to address  one of the possible ways so that I can get a message out there for everybody, especially the young people.

Let me help you, enCOURAGE you, to say yes to sober and drug free.  Learning about hepatitis virus, addictions, etc., increases our awareness and provides a good healthy start to healing what ails us.  Maybe my story will help ....... peace & friendship.

A good piece of advice is to find a positive role model, a female or male person (mentor), who is a good example to follow. 

I'm sharing my experiences with you curious souls out there in cyberspace (what better place) in hopes of reaching that intelligence we all have within us that will inspire you to make good choices.

I grew up in a small town in eastern United States of America.  My sisters and I attended a one-room schoolhouse.  I believe that part of what we become begins with what we learn by observing our parents and other adult figures in our life.  As for me, I had a loving mother (who died when I was a teen) yet I had a father who believed in beating my ass if I didn't listen.  And I was famous for not listening.  His words were harsh and unkind, telling me that I would never amount to anything, that I was thick[headed], and clumsy.  My self-esteem took a nose dive, after all he said "I wouldn't amount to anything." 

People please hear my plea:  treat the people in your life, especially young ones, with kind words along with the discipline, and with understanding and forgiveness.

My house was violent, dark and crazy.  My mom and dad argued a lot over us.  She would always try to protect me from him.  I used to have welts on my butt and legs (that lasted for weeks) from his beatings.  In fact that is really the only time he ever spent with me.  I believe that had my father spent time with me and learned about love (which I suspect he never experienced in his early life), there is no doubt that I would have went a different direction!  My Dad missed out on a lot by not getting to know me.

{ Remember, if something is bothering you, find someone you can tell. }

At the age of 10 with the neighbor boys, I started smoking cigarettes and cigars.  I used to steal them out of my uncle's grocery store.  I never got caught but later on I admitted to him that I had stolen; he forgave me.  My dad would beat me for smoking and my mom would buy them for me, so I wouldn't steal them.    [...Anyway, this was the start that brought me to where I am today. There is more to tell, but enough of that for now.]  Please keep reading...

Back in 1997 I was told that I have Chronic HCV.  HCV is Hepatitis C, a virus that was discovered around 1970 but not really given a name until the late 1980's.  By my telling/educating you about what it is like to deal with an illness (the result of things I did when I was younger when I thought I was invincible...NOT), maybe it will help you.

Certain substances (like alcohol) or infections (like hepatitis) can keep the liver from doing its job.  And because of this, one can die.  Hepatitis C may lead to cirrhosis/liver cancer/liver failure; it is a major cause of serious liver disease in this country and the leading cause of liver transplant.

Consider being an organ donor;  important to discuss it with your family!   Find out more about it--this "gift of life."

At the bottom of this page are links [that you can visit after you surf around in this site of course] that will give you more information about Hepatitis Viruses (and also info/education about becoming an organ donor).    'Stay tuned' here...   :o)

There are many ways the Hepatitis C Virus can be transmitted, but it's possible I caught it because I experimented with drugs when I was young.  Hepatitis C Virus is not spread through ordinary social or casual contact or air-born contact.  HCV is transmitted through contaminated blood, such as: sharing needles for illegal drug use (which is now one of the most common ways of transmission); sharing cocaine straws; having unprotected sex; blood transfusions and injections of drugs used for health purposes*; or anything that has to do with blood (razors, manicure tools, earrings, even a toothbrush may carry enough virus-laden blood to infect another person); and consider also the possibility of contaminated needles used in tattooing/acupuncture/body piercing (I got my tattoo many years ago not knowing the dangers... so please be especially careful of improperly sterilized body-piercing instruments).

The Hepatitis C Virus has been called a "smart virus" because it actually alters its genetic make-up, which makes it very difficult for the body's immune system to fight off the infection.

Other precautions and suggestions:
-At risk are those in the health care field, and firefighters or EMTs or police, who have had frequent contact with blood in the workplace (especially accidental needle sticks).
-It has been suggested that another risk factor could be people who were ever on long-term kidney dialysis.
-Cover your cuts and skin sores to keep from spreading HCV.
-Some experts even advise not sharing hairbrushes or combs because of possible scabs on the scalp.
-Disinfect and properly dispose of anything that carries even traces of your blood (this also includes women's menstrual blood).
-Tell healthcare providers about your illness so they can protect themselves and other patients.
-Whether or not the HCV is spread through sexual transmission is debated. Click here to read about precautions [explicit material].
-Those who suspect they may be infected with HCV should consult their physician. A simple blood test can tell you if you have been exposed and infected. Once you know whether you have Hepatitis C, you can get treatment.

The symptoms of some diseases, especially this one, don't show up (often times) until the disease has progressed to a serious stage, mine surfaced about 25 years after my exposure.

Been there... done that... -» let me help you resist the temptations to do drugs and alcohol.  As they say, "If you're using, you're losing."

This situation has affected my whole life (and everybody in my life for many years).  Things become more complicated, more difficult.  I so wish I could go back and change things.   Believe me, you do NOT want to deal with this illness.  The pain is extreme and begins when putting on my clothes in the morning until I take them off at night.  My current existence is a reminder of my rough start in life and the consequences of the choices I made.

What matters now is taking good care of myself, and especially helping others.     Peace.