 |
| |
During a normal medical checkup, Sherry received an HCV (Hepatitis C) diagnosis 14 years ago, without having any prior symptoms. HCV is a viral infection that causes liver inflammation, sometimes leading to serious liver damage. The hepatitis C virus (HCV) spreads through contaminated blood. She believes HCV was acquired by a blood transfusion she received in 1977, and was dormant since that time.
Very soon after, this condition led to liver failure, and the need for a liver transplant. Her treatment while waiting for that transplant involved weekly injections, and resulted in 3 comas, extreme weight loss, severe pain, and numerous bouts of anxiety.
Finally, she was saved by a donor family, who saved her & five others with donated organs. She received a liver transplant, but still had the HCV infection in her body.
Sherry was then treated for the Hepatitis C infection with antiviral medications intended to clear the virus. The goal of the treatment was to have no hepatitis C virus detected in your body at least 12 weeks after you complete treatment, which in her case occurred in 4 days.
Sherry spoke about her efforts to “give back” after her successful fight against this disease, as a West coast National Patient Advisory Committee member with the American Liver Foundation, a volunteer with the Donor Network of Arizona, and travelling to Capitol Hill six times. She emphasized the need to get a simple liver panel during routine blood tests and was a strong advocate for organ donation.