Hepatologist visit March 2021

It has been awhile since I have written a post. Covid complacency had set in, and I have been under a rock, watching TikTok in my spare time around my busy work career.

During Covid, surprisingly, despite my daily regimen of Prednisone, I have not put on any weight but overall, I think from too much sitting, not enough sunlight and my commute every 30 – 60 minute in a meeting room, has been replaced by sitting throughout the day with only daily commutes to the kitchen tap or my fridge. My symptoms have been lower back pain, and even though my weight has not gone up on the scale my body disposition has changed. I have no problem eating, but I have no appetite – ever. Maybe I don’t need as many calories to support this extra sedentary covid time.

When I received the phone call to book my annual hepatologist appointment, I was quite frankly a little nervous about it. My first trepidation was actually going to the hospital and leaving my covid-free bubble. Hospitals take all their precautions, but there is also a lot of sick people there, and I had concerns about going there when I am likely in a bubble.

I also have not been a great at getting my blood work done. I had blood work done in December, and that was the last time.

When I went in, the last blood work that I had showed that everything continues to be on track. Also, we did a fibroscan in the office, and my measurement was 4.5, which shows that the density of my liver is doing awesome. Matter of fact, he recommended that we taper my prednisone by another 1 mg.

Onwards and upwards!

~ Carrie

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No Prograf Tacrolimis???

I went to Safeway to fulfill my prescription and they were out of both Generic and branded Prograf Tacrolimus, with no date available on when they could get it.

This was the first time ever.

They called another pharmacy in Calgary that had less than a months dose on hand, so I went to get it, and have a little stash.

I cant find anything online that indicates there is a shortage so I am watching this carefully.

Yay!! Finally Generic Tacrolimus (Prograf)

Halle-friggin-uyah!

tacrolimus

In Canada, Tacrolimus is not covered by Blue Cross unless you have had a transplant.  Pre-transplant, this drug is not covered.  That means, monthly, my cost of this drug is just over $350 a month.  Its like a car payment.  Predmisone is another $60, so its a little over $400.

This month, I got a call from the Safeway Pharmacy, informing me that there is now (finally) a generic form of Tacrolimis called Sandoz-Tacrolimus.

Its about $1ed.  Even though it is less than a third of my costs, it is still a significant savings.  $1200 a year – I will take it!

Thank you, to liver research!

 

 

 

 

 

Hepatitis C Cure

epclusa cure for heptatis C

epclusa cure for heptatis C

Wow! Three cheers for liver disease research! i actually heard about this through Debralee at the Canadian Liver Foundation, and sought a few articles for those of who would like more information on Hepitatis C. Even better, this prescrption can be issued by any doctor, which eliminates the need to see a specialist, which is a huge bonus for people affected in rural areas. They will not need to acquire the cost of travelling to a major center for an appointment. Hip hip horray!

http://www.citynews.ca/2016/07/13/hepatitis-c-cure-approved-by-health-canada/

Canadian Thanksgiving Long weekend Oct 9 – 12 15% discount, 15% donation to Canadian Liver Foundation

i have a lot to be grateful for this Thanksgiving long weekend!

I am running a promotion and giving a 15% discount on all sitewide orders.  I am matching that 15% and making a donation to the Canadian Liver Foundation.

Thank you for all your support, and thank you Canadian Liver Foundation for your tireless fundraising efforts for research, education and programs ❤

http://www.carriescloset.ca

Carrie’s Closet Discount code: gobblegobble

Carrie's Closet discount Oct 9 - 12, 2015

Carrie’s Closet discount Oct 9 – 12, 2015

A Toast To All The Real Women!

Ally Lane Speaker-Entertainer-Laughaholic-Cancer Conquerer

Amy Schumer on the red carpet

A Toast to All The REAL Women

On Friday night my hubby and I drove around the parking lot of the movie theatre trying to find a spot. He claims he is “the parking whisperer” but I don’t think the other drivers agree. He tried to double park on the Starbucks patio. I had never seen the parking lot so busy in my life. Were they releasing a new Apple watch or a new movie about the release of an Apple watch?

Friday was the release of Amy Schumer’s semi autobiographical movie Trainwreck and if we didn’t find a spot soon, we were going to be making the sequel. As we sat down four rows from the front, I turned my head and the theatre was sold out with equal attendance of both men and women.

This was not your chick flick crowd…this was Amy’s crowd.
She’s flawed, she’s honest…

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Canada’s organ donor system is sorely in need of reform: Editorial

Check out this article that is posted on the Canadian Liver Foundation’s website.

Hundreds of Canadians die each year waiting for a donated organ — even as potentially life-saving organs from two-thirds of eligible donors go unused.

This article covers some of the facts around this controversial topic, as well as an attached PDF showing the Canadian Liver Foundation’s Position Statement on this topic.

http://liver.ca/newsroom/liver-in-the-news/Liver_in_the_News_organ_donation_reform.aspx.