Do not let Hepatitis C get you down! You need to get a good support system around you! You need your family and friends. You need to also reach out to a local support group and if there isn't one in your area start one. That is what I did 10 years ago and we started with just two people but once the word got out we grew like crazy. 
     Well I pray that you all are having a good start to a new year!  Hoping your Holidays went good! I am sorry it has been a couple months since I have blogged!!! I am for one a procrastinator and I really am not good at this blogging stuff and I have been sick in and out of Hospital. So that said I do have a hard time blogging. I think those who blog daily are awesome. But I am just not one of those. However that doesn't mean that I am not thinking about you all and or that you can call me anytime 260-927-8180 for any question's you may have. 24/7 and 365 days a year. So I am always here for you. I just don't blog very much. Sorry.
     Well as far as what is going on in group is that this year I want to be able to make it the best year yet. We have been running for 10 year's and proudly once a month. And this JUNE 20, 2015 from 11am til 4pm is this years INDIANA'S 8TH ANNUAL HepFest FESTIVAL ON INDIANA AVE, IN AUBURN, INDIANA AT OUR NEW PARK   RIEKE PARK.  This is my goal is to have the fire department to bring out a truck for the kids to take a tour of the big Firetruck. And then I am trying to get the Police Dept. to bring out their cool armor hummer and a cool car. And we are for sure going to be totally free to everyone who comes. And everyone no matter their age everyone gets 5 free raffle tickets to win lots of good prizes all day long. And you don't need to be present to win. We will have live music, free food and so much more. Speakers, even Senator Dennis Kruse will be there and so many others the support group from Indianapolis will be coming up so that will be fun. Hoping that the American Liver Foundation and CDC (center for disease control) . We may do a blessing of the bikes with it as well. We will have lots of games even and ole fashioned sack race. So much fun. I am praying yo are all marking you calendars and that you will be there. With the 4 Strokes in the last 5 years I am forgetting people and things. But i promise somehow someway the HepFest Festival will go on and the support group. Very important to me.  Well I love you all. I pray you call me with any concerns or question's 24/7  365 days a year. I am here for you no matter what you need. I promise. God Loves You All and So Do I.  So NEVER forget that!
     Everyone have a wonderful day and everyone please remember to smile at everyone you see in hopes they will pass it on!!!! Make a better world for our children and grandchildren.Hang in there never let anything Hep C or anything get you down. I am here. Sending you all great BIG HUGS. 
Love you all!
Christie Soaper
CEO/Founder/Group Coordinator
HIP ON HEP C SUPPORT GROUP, INC.
260-927-8180 Home
260-515-5130 Cell
ladetruckr38@yahoo.com

Do not let Hepatitis C get you down! You need to get a good support system around you! You need your family and friends. You need to also reach out to a local suport group and if there isn't one in your area start one. That is what I did 6 years ago and we started with just two people but once the word got out we grew like crazy.

     Do not let Hepatitis C get you down! You need to get a good support system around you! You need your family and friends. You need to also reach out to a local support group and if there isn't one in your area start one. That is what I did 10 years ago and we started with just two people but once the word got out we grew like crazy. So go for it. You won't be sorry.! I promise!!!!!

      I hope this finds you all doing alright and getting ready for you Thanksgiving day with your family. I will spend it with family and friends. I apologize for it being so long since I have wrote or posted anything. I am not doing good health wise and I am a bad procrastinator  not on purpose really alot is my education holds me back . I am trying to get an assistant and hopefully take off like crazy with great new things for the next 10 years of my support group HIP ON HEP C SUPPORT GROUP, Inc.  I am making this short but sweet. I am going to add some pictures and video of me speaking to the City Concil where there hung the Hepatitis C Quilts up for a week. awesome for them.  I am praying you will enjoy the pictures of me and my daughter suffering with Hepatitis C also because of delivery. We are fighters and we will keep on fighting. God is on our side!!! Forever and Always!!! Enjoy the pictures from the 7th Annual HepFest with my friends singing and Logan Leigh she sang to so awesome. And then we met some new friends the Indianapolis Indiana Hepatitis C support group came up and we had fun. Looking forward to seeing them soon; 
     The pictures will also be the guys from the Indy group call THE ARK, Indianapolis, In. them and my friend  Senator Dennis Kruse. Who comes and we enjoy his time with use and caring heart!!!!

INDIANA'S 7th ANNUAL HEPFEST FESTIVAL  is June 22, from 111am til 4pm. It will be located at Rieke Park in Auburn, Indiana. On Indiana Ave off S.R 8. We will have live music, free food ( with bring your own drinks), will have the State Senator Dennis Kruse coming to join us for question and answers, we will have speakers, we will have th KidZone again, and a free raffle where everyone of any age who comes to the event will get 5 free raffle tickets (No need to be present to win) with lots of awesome prizes. Even autographed stuff from our states John Mellencamp plus much much more. You will all have a great day of fun at this event to bring Hepatitis C Awareness to everyone and to enjoy a day where you can just let your hair down as they say. Be sure to mark your calendars today so you won't forget. Your support in coming to the event really means alot to me. We will have a video to show you of Logan and I that will bring a tear to your eye. It is awesome though. It means alot to Logan and I for us to see you come and join us on this event i work all year round to put together. But I love it. This is also my 10th year for our support group and wow a decade really means alot to my heart!!! I love you all! Have a wonderful day and be sure to smile at everyone you see.. In hopes  that everyone will pass it on!!!!! We have to do our part in making this world a better place for our babies and their  babies and more to come.... What does it hurt to give someone a smile. I love to be smiled at I don't know about you. But what a great feeling. Go to your local grocery store. Go in and shop not smiling at anyone then get in your car. And then go back into the store and shop  and be sure to smile at everyone you see. Get back in your car and weigh the way you feel from the first not smiling trip. You will feel so happy and have your whole day turn out way better then when you don't smile. Promise it works. You must SMILE Smile for yourself and then others. Trust me there is so many others who will be blessed by your smile!!!!! Hugs BIG TIME!!!!!

Do not let Hepatitis C get you down! You need to get a good support system around you! You need your family and friends. You need to also reach out to a local suport group and if there isn't one in your area start one. That is what I did 10 years ago and we started with just two people but once the word got out we grew like crazy.

Please if you are on this blog site www.hiponhepcsupportgroupinc. Then I have another one which is    www.hiponhepcsupportgroup.blogspot.com     (leave the INC off the end. After third stroke I ended up with two so really check this page out and be sure to click on the bottom of the page where it says OLDER POST so you can go and check out all the pictures. I love you weather I've met you or not. I am here for all of you in my nightly prayers. Please be strong and stay positive. No matter how hard it may seem you can do it.... As far as the treatment if my baby in first grade and third grade had to do treatment of a year each. So if she can do it so can you!!!!!

INDIANA'S 7TH ANNUAL HEPFEST FESTIVAL IS
JUNE 22nd, 2014,
FROM 11am til 4pm,
AT RIEKE PARK,
INDIANA AVE,
AUBURN, IN. 46706
260-927-8180 HOME
260-515-5130 CELL
Christie Soaper

Do not let Hepatitis C get you down! You need to get a good support system around you! You need your family and friends. You need to also reach out to a local support group and if there isn't one in your area Start One!!! That is what I did 10 years ago and we started with just two people but once the word got out we grew like crazy. Please know that Hepatitis C is not a death sentence. God is the only one who knows when and how you will go to Heaven. So I say my opinion is yes you need to listen to your doctors on some things mostly all of what they say.. But I feel and have found it to be true. And that is I Have passed two doctors dead lines. So I live on God's time now. He is the only one that knows when we go anywhere. And that is what you should try to feel in your hearts too!!! Live everyday like it was your last one. I mean live it to the fullest. Don't let the feelings of "who man who is going to judge me now?" or that everyone will think it is a Cooty factor. No absolutely not!!! You wake up every morning thanking God you have another day to let the world see who you really are in your soul. And don't not do things and or live fun just because of your Hepatitis C. We never know how long this world can keep going on. We do know that God did start the World and he will be the only one to finish anyone's time. Please if you are single do not let this stop you from dating and having hope that you can find a soul mate like others. You deserve it too. You are more real then any one negative person that has anything bad to say about you or you and your Hep C. Because God has allowed you the chance to experience something that is real and something that helps you dig inside yourself and find the real you and value life more then others who have no real sick trials to go through. Just like the sticks and stones saying in the ole days I say work for these days. You should be able to stand up on top of your car and scream what you have and be accepted for who you are not what you have!!! Please those of you who are single and alone. Reach out for a local Hep C support group and or do like I did and start one. Heck if me and ole trucker in heart and car fixen mama. If I can go to my local hospital and ask them for a room to use. I said " I can decorate your house or fix your broke down (Older cars  (o:  )  I have no clerical experience but I have the need to have to start a support group because I need support?" and the lady said what is Hepatitis C and I said "I will hip you and if you share me one room one night a week I will be so ever grateful". And that is how now 10 years later and going strong our support group started. Heck I also put on a Annual Indiana HepFest Festival this is the 7th year 2014 June 22, 11am til 4pm Sunday afternoon, (Rieke Park, Indiana Ave, Auburn, IN. 46706) and I also do a proclamation every year for a Hepatitis Awareness Day for the state of Indiana which is October 15th every year. That is what my support group picked because my daughter now 15 (who also fights Hepatitis C because of delivery cut when she was born). I want no one to ever go through this Hep C Journey alone even if it is me you choose to help you and be on your support team I will. Know also that every night I go to sleep I pray for each and everyone of you with Hep C and my family and friends and for the family and friends I haven't met yet! I know that you all will be fine and that one day soon there will be a cure I have to hope for that for my baby and of course me and my support group too and the rest of you. You need support system's the treatment isn't fun and neither is the diagnosis or the battle. So Support Support Support find it or start it. Reach out do not fall into a shell hiding from the world and your life you take away from you living. It can i know trust me. It isn't fun. So please reach out to someone. Start one at a time if you have to. And know if they turn away from you then they were never your friends anyway. PLEASE FIND SUPPORT AND KNOW I AM HERE FOR YOU ALL. God Bless you all! Everyone this is my saying too. REMEMBER TO SMILE AT EVERYONE YOU SEE... IN HOPES THEY WILL PASS IT ON.... How does a smile make you feel? Think about it. So if you are reading this and you do not have Hep C then find someone who does. You will have a loyal friend!
Sending you much love.
Christie Soaper

     If you are reading this blog then please read the other one I had before my third Stroke. Which ended up being two sorry. The other blog site is the same as this you just add    inc after the support group name It is www.hiponhepcsupportgroupinc.blogspot.com. It has alot of pictures on it. Sorry again my mess up. I will work on combing two into one. Hugs to you I love you all bunches!!!!!!!   
   Do not let Hepatitis C get you down! You need to get a good support system around you! You need your family and friends. You need to also reach out to a local support group and if there isn't one in your area start one. That is what I did  years ago and we started with just two people but once the word got out we grew like crazy.

I am so bad at keeping up with my blogging I know I know. Please Forgive me?

     Do not let Hepatitis C get you down! You need to get a good support system around you! You need your family and friends. You need to also reach out to a local support group and if there isn't one in your area start one. That is what I did 10 years ago (come this Oct.)  and we started with just two people but once the word got out we grew like crazy.
     I know
that it takes me sometimes months between me blogging again. I have been in the hospital for a 3 day stay with the severe FLU. It was not pretty. Everyone on the same floor that I was on 75% of them also had the flu. Boy did we keep the nurses hopping. Not long ago a friend of my knows of a 32 year old family member who has passed from this flu. I pray that you all do not get it because it was so bad. I knew when they scooped me up with nothing but a diaper and tshirt and throw me in the ambulance. I knew then this was really serious. I have and am over to the hospital 2 to 4 times a month already just to get IVs to get me juiced back up. But this time I was begging the driver to go fast as fast as he could. And my little Logan, my daughter with Hepatitis C also was really freaking out she thinks this is what she is in for living with hepatitis C. she has had it for 15 years and me for 27 years and didn't take care of myself in my younger years. So I just keep telling her not to do drugs or drink or eat badly. And tell her soon I pray soon there will be a cure found. I am surviving the holidays and the end of the last year with my older daughter Lacie turning 18 and everything that goes with it. She is really acting so bad that I had to give it to God cause it was not physically helping me... I mean I want her home and still being responsible and I haven't seen nothing but the devil in attacking my children big time. God i am so scared to let my children and grand children to have to grow up in this messed up. Nothing like the bible says we are suppose to be. Give to others til it is the shirt off your back...... That is what God would and has done. SO can I!!! I am learning what teenager means since I never had a chance to be a teenager. I am learning about what it means to to raise a teenager. (o:    I am learning even still what in bed sick and parent from bed. I get so mad when I see young parents want to do nothing but sleep all the time even as parent. Beats me. I would so love to just have one more day with no pain and new body and my life like it was. I use to do everything from Martha Stewart to working on the motor of my Semi's to polishing my wheels and tanks. SO nothing nothing could keep me in bed if I just had the strength to get out. You take a trucker and put her in one spot oh boy talk about asking her to jump off a cliff too. Of coarse I get alot done from bed with my support group, Hepatitis Awareness Day Proclamation for the state of Indiana. And i do a festival once a year (Indiana's Annual HepFest Festival to bring awareness to the park for a fun day with the community.), I also just started a Christian Singles night here in our local town. I have my feet in the water of several things internet wise. But we will have to see how things go. My Dr. wanted me to be back on treatment now for the 3rd go around. I said no so far. To scared have no weight or strength to live right now. Treatment would kill me. So I sit at home and try my best to find a cure for this awful disease and do my best to eat. I do not want to eat anymore. So I am trying everything to get strong for treatment again. I know this will be the year I go on the transplant list and am not looking forward to that. I want you to all know that I love you very much. My wish is a cure of coarse but for everyone to smile at everyone they see in hopes they will pass it on!!!! That is my saying. Mark your calendars for June 21st for this years HepFest 11 til 3. Live music again a joyess day for all who come and enjoy.
     I love you all very much!!! I am here for you just email me or text me. I pray you get tested soon. Everyone living need to be tested that is over 18. Just how I see it. Since for every one case of AIDS being reported there is 16 cases being reported in America. So wake up everyone go to your doctor, your local Health Department. Somewhere and get tested. Early diagnosis is important. Hugs everyone. Until next time. Much love. Christie Soaper

Okay Auburn, Dekalb County and to all of you who are reading this I pray hard you will read it to the end. From all walks of life because this is for you. If you want to be safe and not contract Hepatitis C and those of you who are suffering from Hep C yourself or someone you know. The CDC says that every 10 people you know, knows someone with Hepatitis C. Also fact being now from CDC and the AMLF (American Liver Foundation)... Right now today as you read this. In AMERICA Only there is for every 1 case of AIDS being reported there is 16 cases of Hepatitis C being reported!!!!! This should make each and everyone of you open your eyes and get tested, pass these facts on to your family and friends, really anyone you come across may very well be the one person you may save by talking about it!

Let me introduce myself and or in some cases re-introduce myself. My name Is Christie Soaper, I have Hepatitis C and contracted it from a blood transfusion after my second son was born then out of 7 children I passed it to my youngest child during delivery. They cut her with Forceps and then did an emergency C-Section and of Coarse she came blood to blood and now fights her Hepatitis C too. Well I run the HIP ON HEP C SUPPORT GROUP at the Dekalb Health Hospital, here in Auburn, In. at 1316 East 7^th Street in Conference room 303 (on 3^rd floor of the Medical Arts Building connected to the Hospital (where Pharmacare Pharmacy ) We meet the 3^rd Friday of every month starting at 6 til ??? we never know. It is in groups timing. However you do not ever have to be afraid to leave group earlier then some we totally understand and love you anyways. I also put on a Indiana's Annual HepFest Festival at Rieke park the 3^rd Sat. of June (2014 will be our 7^th year and I am so excited to be here and still fighting to have both of these.) Everyone is welcome to both group and the HepFest and they are totally free. Yes I know it can be hard to want to break away from the feeling of if I come people will not like me anymore. That is so far from the way it should be period!! For one if you lose a friend over it then the friend is not worth having!!! Please please Everyone Everyone reading this DO NOT AND I AM BEGGING YOU DO NOT PUT A STIGMA ON HEPATITIS C!!! Or anything!!! Nothing at all is deserves a stigma on it!!!! Nothing. A Stigma is the same as Judging. Do you want to be judged for who you are or what you have? Really think about this for a moment??? Be honest with yourself and love yourself completely so you will know your heart is not a heart that Judge's others and or puts Stigma on the first word of someone saying I am sick I have ---. Please there is so many people I do email and phone support with that deserve to be able to come to group. See in my group it is a fact that you may walk in the door a Stranger (scared and shy to come to places never been to before) however once you are in the door you are family. You will get hugs when you leave. It is like a bunch of friends sitting around your living room talking and being super supportive of each other. There is no doubt that you will be FAMILY when you leave also. Not at all saying to those of you who are reading this and are in my group over the phone or email. Please still do what you feel best for you. I am still here for you!!! I want everyone to enjoy the Group, HepFest and be able to get the love, hugs and be able to enjoy all of the factor's of your Hep C with others who know exactly how you feel..

Also here is some other news for you on Awareness of Hepatitis C safety. I have noticed this in a few facility's In patient Hospital, Rehabs, Halfway houses other state ran facility’s. I have observed visiting others in these place's and seen them using Electric Razor sharing, Clippers, tweezers ext. These places as well as jails and prisons. They are sharing these things. O My Gosh Please someone step in and make sure this doesn't happen anymore.. What a easy way to spread blood!!! Facts. Also as for the Police and Sheriff Deputy's any other Law officer. Please never take a Drivers License or any form of ID from those you are taking it from. One pin head size of Hepatitis C Blood lives outside of the body for at least 30 days. Wear Gloves and be safe please..... Yes this may cost extra for the State. I am sorry for that. But we Need to keep Indiana safe...

Okay I will close for now. I am really hoping and praying. This will one bring more of you to group to be in the sharing of love from those who know. And I hope that this will even touch those of you who are just plain curious. If you are curious about the unknowns of hepatitis C then please come to group we would love to have you.. A lot of the Stigma on Hepatitis C is the unknown. So stop the what is it oh Coody Bug thinking in your mind and come or call and get educated. Anyone can call me and I can have a great informational packet of stuff for free to give you. No problem at all.

I want to close this by saying Thank you so much to all of you for reading this. And thank you to those who help with the group and HepFest with their donations. Being 501c3 now is making that easier for those who give. Everyone wake up wake up wake up and be nice to everyone no matter what they have.

Also I ask you all to smile at EVERYONE you SEE!!! In HOPES they will PASS it on!!! Have a wonderful day!

Christie Soaper

CEO/Founder/Group Coordinator

HIP ON HEP C SUPPORT GROUP, Inc.

260-927-8180

Do not let Hepatitis C get you down! You need to get a good support system around you! You need your family and friends. You need to also reach out to a local support group and if there isn't one in your area start one. That is what I did 9 years ago and we started with just two people but once the word got out we grew like crazy..

Well this is a checking in moment real quick kinda. thins have been crazy and I am not much about blogging everyday. No time. Sorry.. Well health wise my daughter and I are doing just fine. I am going through each day and fighting through whatever it throws my way. I was just in the local papers again. One Indiana recognizes October 15th as Indiana's Annual Hepatitis Awareness day. And then this group last Friday was our group's 9th year Anniversary every month for 9 years. I try. I have missed one or two or it was a slow night. But group is family we know were we are. And we are here for the other one too no matter the cause. It was great next year will be the 7th year for my Indiana's 7th Annual HepFest Festival. I am not stopping til I find a cure for my daughter , everyone in group , then myself. Well I am fighting for peace at home. Being mommy and daddy 24/7 the girls whole life. Their Fathers lose and my gain is how I have always looked at that!!!!  But they are 18 a senior and 15 in 8th grade. and oh boy. I want to run away sometimes. But I love them and we have fought this with some good friends and family. And God and my church sister's and brother's. I will have next year's HepFest Festival that is my next drive. It may take my daughter and i to TV which is very exciting. I talked for an hour interview yesterday morning. It went great. To tell my story, our story and then , I  may be on a United States Comity for Hepatitis Awareness. So excited I got picked for our state. I had a dream 9 years ago to find a cure i will not stop. I love you all . Big hugs for now. I now must rest. It has been a hard day.I am here for you anytime. Please call. Or email me. Something. I will try to get some of tthe newspaper stuff posted too. Not a computer person but can drive any Semi. lol
Everyone remember to smile in hope that they will pass it on. TY.
Christie

     Do not let Hepatitis C get you down! You need to get a good support system around you! You need your family and friends. You need to also reach out to a local support group and if there isn't one in your area. Start one! That is what I did almost 9 years ago and we started with just two people but once the word got out we grew like crazy.Yes there is a Stigma on this disease and man oh man does that burn my skirt!!! Thee should never be a Stigma on anything in life... Ever. You should be able to stand on top of your car and scream what you have and be excepted for who you ARE not what you HAVE!!! If we would live in a real world. That is what I chose the day I was diagnosed. I first cried, then got scared, then panic, then prayed, then stood up and said to myself . YOU CAN DO IT!!! And that is what I am doing even after two dead lines now the doctors have given me. I am on Gods dead line no one no one else s. And that goes for each and every one of you reading this who are positive with Hep C. You Can Do It!!! And those of you reading this who are not positive you NEED to be a caring human being a reach out to take extra encouragement to those who are. It is up to all of us to change the world and that goes for Stigma too. We are to love each other no matter what!!!!!! I mean my daughter has done treatment twice , Once in 1st grade 48 weeks of her year taken by the treatment that sucks yes. But then she had do do treatment again in 3rd grade because it came back after being non-detected for 6 months. and as is now 3 years non detected. And as for me I am now getting ready to do treatment for another 48 weeks for the third time . This time after 7 years non detected. However I WILL NOT QUIT. I have to have faith. I am a mother of 7 Children and 10 grandchildren. I have still two at home (You could say 1 and 1/2 since I have one just turned 18 and you know how that goes.. lol)  You know everyone God puts us all in each and everyday that we are given, no matter our flaws. Each day is a new one to make awesome memories out of. Not sad times. So do not and I Mean It do Not let Hepatitis C get you down. We are all equal. And if folks walk away from you when they hear of your inside then then just need to keep walking. Because you are worth more then that. Please know that I am here 24/7 to hear what every it is you have to say or talk about. I Will FIND A CURE IS WHAT I STARTED ALL THIS FOR TO FIND A CURE.  Lets all work together to help those with anything happening in their lives the best we can,,,,
     Please know that I love you all and pray for you all each night with my children and alone too. I am here for you. No matter the miles. i do not just have to support Indiana. I am here for anyone anywhere reading this right now. PLEASE REMEMBER TO SMILE AT EVERYONE YOU SEE!! IN HOPES THAT THEY WILL PASS IT ON!!!! So many many people need your smile trust me!!!!
Have a great day!!
Christie
260-927-8180
ladytruckr1962@mediacombb.net    group email
ladytruckr@mchsi.com     home email

Sorry It Has Been A Long Time Since I Posted!!

Do not let Hepatitis C get you down! You need to get a good support system around you! You need your family and friends. You need to also reach out to a local support group and if there isn't one in your area start one. That is what I did almost 9 years ago and we started with just two people but once the word got out we grew like crazy.
I do apologize again for not posting regular!!!  )o:  Sorry There has been good reason is what I will say about these last few months. And since I last posted there has been me walking into a new Journey and it's a Wonderful New Chapter. in my life that I am guided to be.. I am starting to write a book of my life stories. I am not writing it for the money it may make I will send that to charities. I am wanting to touch first my family, then my friends and for friends to come. And for each and everyone of you out there suffering to have a relationship with someone who has Hepatitis C. And it will inspire women in general before the Hepatitis C life.  I want my book to touch women where they can go outside and scream I am awesome and can be whatever they want to be. I can survive anything God throws my way. I really think Stigma on anything is a very nasty word. Never put a Stigma on anything or anyone. How dare you not always have your arms reach out to help those who need you and that is everyone you meet. Everything all day long that you do is for a reason as long as it's good. So the book I will also being talking about the song I am working on writing. Called    The Gift   about a women/mother who does adoption, sharing her child with a mother and father who were put in your life for a reason. So I didn't give my son away. I shared the precious Gift of a love that was made for them to grow and teach to be a man. Anyways I promise you the book will be good. A LOT of people in my 50 years have told me to to write a book and they will get their wish, and mine too. So praying my book and my song will be done by this time next year. So pray for me to get strength and be able to not be to flat sick in bed. However if so I have a little recorder I talk on and then someone else is doing the typing. My last Stroke made Clerical work to tough for me. I will keep you informed. I do most of my writing when I very first open my eyes and it could be anywhere between 2 am and 9pm I get to write with the girls sleeping and nothing but peace in the house. Which makes it easier to talk/write notes for my book. and when the girls go back to school I can have time also. I still run my support group first and that can be a 24/7 job that I do my best to make sure my family is okay. 
Well my health is Stage 3 - Early Cirrhosis as far as my Liver goes and I have had 3 Strokes in my sleep in 4 years. 3 1/2 months is what it took me to get almost able to use my left side again. There is a Kidney that may have to come out. It is not working right. Bam something I need to deal with But I do not want anyone ever to feel sorry for me. DO not ever piety me!! Only love me or my drive to be a Survivor!!! And messenger of so much to give to this world!!!! Keep the love strong for my calling in life and help me educate others. That is what I live for to reach that one or that thousand of women and men too. So they can smile with hope and happiness. Always find the Good in the Bad. Until my book and Song are out. I will everyday pray for those I have met and those I haven't. Peace be in your heart. Hepatitis C is a Virus, Yes. However it is not written anywhere that it is a death sentence for you. You make your tomorrows. So you need to make sure you make today blessed no matter what the day may bring. Smile remember that is my wish for everyone to do all day everyday in their life.
Well let me change the post by saying that the    6th Indiana's Annual HepFest Festival was June 15th and it was great. That nasty word Stigma keep some back but we are growing and growing each year. I will not stop putting this event on until I am in Heaven and then I know my one daughter and family and friends who are in my life they will carry the Festival on every year. By the 10th Annual one we will have a two day event again. With everyone able to Camp, Bon Fire with a candle lighting ceremony for all those in Heaven who we have lost to Hepatitis C. There will be some top top stars there in and out all day. It's a surprise. It is not like the red carpet. But it will be a blast. No tickets needed. And there will be vendors, food wagons and lots of Games. It will be our own Red Carpet fighting as we fight the VIRUS!! HepFest will always be the 3rd Saturday in June. So mark your calendars every time we start a new year. Pass on all of this to everyone. And be sure to pass on the Smile I told you to please do to everyone you see.
It is summer now and I have my girls home until August 13th so I will be taking a vacation from my work a little to catch good time and make wonderful memories with my daughter Lacie she will be 18 in less then a month and I am happy and sad all day long with that. You think the whole time you are raising them. From the first moment they put them on your belly when they come into this world. You tell yourself you only want them to be happy and get what they need to be happy and that they will be raised to be awesome citizens of the world. I relive every mother blessed to have a egg inside her that becomes a big WOW Blessing. No matter who raises them you only want the best for them. So anyways school makes me mad a little. Because in my day we ended in May and didn't start til after Labor day in Sept. Anyways she will soon be a women. I look at her being her mother and father and say I love her very much and I am proud of the women she will be. I have one more daughter at home. The baby who is almost 15 and boy oh boy do I feel separation Anxiety big time . Even if the stay home for a year or two of College to save money. Them turning 18 is happening way to fast. Well i just do the best I can everyday to be what God wants me to be and what my heart wants me to be. I know one day I will be in Heaven and then can be around my first Son . He deserves to have his mommy too. So one day at a time. I will keep you all up to date best I can. I am not telling my 2 daughters at home all of the Kidney news til right the day before surgery to remove it. It is scary as heck to me because it is final that I will only have 1 Kidney not 2. It is something I want the girls to not be stressed, Let them be them as a child still. Ya know what out of 5 live births (out of 10 Pregnancy's - 5 were born alive. And then at 5 weeks my first baby went to heaven to be with both his daddy's God and his dad the passed when I was 3 mmonths pregnat. I am going to pray that I did the best I could with what i had and knew. With teaching them to love others I have no doubt that I did a darn good job. I learn everyday how to be a mom. A good mom. I have done it for the full 18 years and see my baby almost 15. I think of my and my first love rasing all 10 of the eggs God touched and toook to heaven. These last two. I finally got my head out of my hinny and became a mom and gave my girls stabulity in a home and even with the illnesses. I have taught them to be oisitive. And they are both wonderful student. A and B students and one is going to be a Lawyer and the othe a Pediatric Hepatoligist (which should make you Heppers proud)( she is also getting ready to start a support group for Children with any Illniesses. So I have done a good job I know I gave and give it the best I can. I will close for now. I will be praying for all of you so you please pray for us as well. We Love Love Prayer. It is powerful. God bless you everyone. Have a blessed day. Smile
Much Love and hugs,

Christie Soaper
CEO/Founder/Group Coordinator
HIP ON HEP C SUPPORT GROUP INC,
260-927-8180
ladytruckr1962@mediacombb.net
ladytruckr1962@yahoo.com

INDIANA'S 6th ANNUAL HEPFEST FESTIVAL

THIS IS TO INFORM EVERYONE ABOUT THIS YEARS HEPFEST FESTIVAL. IT WILL BE HELD AT THE SAME PARK AS LAST YEARS. AND WE ARE WORKING ON SOME GREAT NAMED BANDS. WHOOO HOOOOO  WE WILL HAVE TO FAMOUS KIDZONE ALSO. THE EVENT WILL BE A COMBINATION OF FUN FUN FUN, LIVE MUSIC, LOTS OF INFORMATION, SPEAKERS EVEN THE STATE SENATOR WILL BE THERE, WE WILL HAVE FOOD, FUN, GAMES, WE WILL ALSO ONCE AGAIN HAVE THE FREE RAFFLE TICKETS ( WHERE EVERYONE COMING IN THE DOOR WILL GET 5 FREE RAFFLE TICKETS AND RECEIVE ALOT OF FREE STUFF DONATED BY THE BUSINESSES IN OUR COMMUNITY AND STUFF AUTOGRAPHED FROM JOHN MELLENCAMP. SO PUT YOUR COMFY CLOTHES ON AND KICK BACK AND ENJOY THE DAY!!!! IT IS FOR YOU!!! 
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CALL OR EMAIL ME WITH ANY QUESTION'S.
Christie Soaper
260-927-8180 home
260-515-5130 cell
ladytruckr@mchsi.com
ladytruckr1962@mediacombb.net 

Hugs to you all. Hope to see you soon!

S.A. doctors find faster, better way to beat hepatitis C

Two local In California  physicians who studied therapies for liver-damaging hepatitis C have found that a new drug combination wipes out the virus quicker and without the harmful side effects of the current treatment.

Their study found that the new drug cocktail boosted the rate of curing certain types of patients from 70 percent to 95 percent in a quarter of the time, said Dr. Fred Poordad, the study's lead author.

Poordad and Dr. Eric Lawitz, liver specialists and professors at the University of Texas Health Science Center, authored the study with several other physicians. It was published Thursday in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Abbott Laboratories created the two investigational drugs, preliminarily called ABT-450 and ABT-333, and funded the study of 50 South Texas patients, Poordad said.

Hepatitis C is the most common blood-borne infection in the United States, with about 3.2 million people chronically infected, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It can cause liver disease, liver cancer and death.

People can get the virus from contact with infected blood, often through contaminated needles. Some got it from blood transfusions before the U.S. began screening for it in 1992, according to the CDC.

There are several types of hepatitis C, and Poordad's study tackled genotype 1, which he said is the most common and most difficult to cure. None of the study subjects had cirrhosis, a common consequence of hepatitis C.

The current 48-week treatment includes an injection of interferon, which stimulates part of the immune system to fight the virus but depresses other parts, producing side effects, Poordad said. Interferon is administered through a weekly injection, accompanied by other drugs taken daily in pill form.

“Interferon has a tremendous number of side effects, particularly flu-like symptoms,” including headaches, nausea, depression and thyroid gland damage, Poordad said. “Many people actually never got treated because they'd heard so many horror stories about the interferon side effects.”

So researchers have been hunting for less-toxic drugs. ABT-450 and ABT-333 are antiviral agents that stop the virus from replicating, he said.

In the South Texas study, those who had not been previously treated for the virus fared better.

For 12 weeks, researchers gave patients pills containing the two investigational drugs, plus the currently used antiviral drug ribavirin and the drug ritonavir.

Between 93 and 95 percent of patients who had not already been treated were considered cured of hepatitis C when evaluated after treatment. Of those who had been unsuccessfully treated before, 47 percent were considered cured.

The side effects were largely mild but included fatigue, nausea, headache, dizziness, insomnia, itching, rash and vomiting, according to the study.

Judith Hyland, 54, of San Antonio said she was one of the study's lucky patients who had been treated before but who found success with the new drugs anyway.

She said she discovered she had hepatitis C decades ago when a blood bank screened blood she had donated. Hyland believes she contracted the disease from her ex-husband, an intravenous drug user who passed away last year from hepatitis C complications.

“I couldn't work. Many times, I couldn't eat,” she said, calling her prior interferon treatment “debilitating.”

During the study, she had a three-day period where she felt ill, fainted and lacked energy, but said she felt fine afterward.

Then, in May, she learned the good news — the drugs had scrubbed the virus from her bloodstream and liver.

“I got my letter of clearance in May and was like, 'Oh, my God,'” she said. “I wanted to bronze it and put it up on the wall.”

Baby boomers such as Hyland have particularly high rates of the virus, which often has no symptoms. This year, the CDC recommended those born between 1945 and 1965 get tested.

“This cohort is the group we're really worried about because they're advancing to cirrhosis of the liver and getting liver cancer and needing transplants,” Poordad said. “We want to be able to find viable cures for these individuals so they don't develop all of these complications.”

The new drugs are still a couple years away from coming to the market, he said. The next step is to examine the drug's effects on a broader population of patients.

jlloyd@express-news.net

Twitter: @jlloydster

Read more: http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/education/article/S-A-doctors-find-faster-better-way-to-beat-4173633.php#ixzz2HOeymmAP

Patients receiving opioid maintenance treatment in primary care: successful chronic hepatitis C care in a real world setting

Published on: 2013-01-08

Injection drug users (IDUs) represent a significant proportion of patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC). The low treatment uptake among these patients results in a low treatment effectiveness and a limited public health impact.

We hypothesised that a general practitioner (GP) providing an opioid maintenance treatment (OMT) for addicted patients can achieve CHC treatment and sustained virological response rates (SVR) comparable to patients without drug dependency.

Methods: Retrospective patient record analysis of 85 CHC patients who received OMT for more than 3 months in a single-handed general practice in Zurich from January 1, 2002 through May 31, 2008. CHC treatment was based on a combination with pegylated interferon and ribavirin.

Treatment uptake and SVR (undetectable HCV RNA 6 months after end of treatment) were assessed. The association between treatment uptake and patient characteristics was investigated by multiple logistic regression.

Results: In 35 out of 85 CHC patients (52 males) with a median (IQR) age of 38.8 (35.0-44.4) years, antiviral therapy was started (41.2%).

Median duration (IQR) of OMT in the treatment group was 55.0 (35.0-110.1) months compared to the group without therapy 24.0 (9.8-46.3) months) (p<0.001). OMT duration remained a significant determinant for treatment uptake when controlled for potential confounding.
SVR was achieved in 25 out of 35 patients (71%).

Conclusion: In addicted patients a high CHC treatment and viral eradication rate in a primary care setting in Switzerland is feasible. Opioid substitution seems a beneficial framework for CHC care in this "difficult to treat"population.

Author: André SeidenbergThomas RosemannOliver Senn

Credits/Source: BMC Infectious Diseases 2013, 13:9

Source

Just an important update!!

     I will say again!! I say this over and over to everyone I talk to. Do not let Hepatitis C get you down! You need to get a good support system around you! You need your family and friends. You need to also reach out to a local support group and if there isn't one in your area start one. That is what I did 8 years ago and we started with just two people but once the word got out we grew like crazy, almost 100. I am so blessed! I pray the people I have and do talk to are just as blessed. I really have my heart into bringing the awareness to my community and more. Heck I have people even outside of my community that I am making aware. That's a blessing too!
     See Hepatitis C is changing alot in the next 5 years. They are finally realizing that the facts. Hepatitis C is taking America! Please know that facts!!! Hepatitis C, lets see the CDC and A.L.F. , both say that for every 1 case of AIDS being reported in America that there is 5 to 6 cases being reported!! It is very very important for everyone to reach out and stop being shy or scared of the Stigma. Stigma. Who invited that word or action anyway? I think that word should be erased from the dictionary. Period..... If You have been in the service, had a blood transfusion before 1992 or any type of blood to blood type of things before 1992, if you use drugs in anyway. Snorting drugs is just as dangerous as IV use. See IV is bad yes and the worst in the drug world, but snorting behind someone is becoming just as scary. Because snorting any drug can cause your nose to bleed inside and just one drop of blood with the Hepatitis C Virus in it can live outside the body for 30 plus days! So the tool you use to snort behind someone is very full of disease. If you are in the medical field and have ever been stuck then yes you need to get tested and tested regularly I would say. The new word out is that all baby boomers get tested now. There is also those who are getting Body Piercing's or Tattoo's in a shop that doesn't have this very very expensive, that cleans the tools they use. This is the main form of transmission right now in America! And I am not putting Tattoo's or piercings down, I am just saying be safe. Hepatitis C is in this world bad! So check your Tattoo shops for Sterilizing machine's? Please check them they have to show it to you if you ask. So please be sure to ask!!! Well the treatment for Hepatitis C is going crazy right now, with the spread being worse then AIDS in America! Please please get tested. Two ways to do it without any insurance is. 1. Go to your local Health Department and ask for the Hepatitis C test. And. 2. Donate your blood. These are two free ways of being tested. So you should never have a reason not to get tested. If you are sitting thinking well what about that time? Then get tested!! What you have doesn't make you who you are. You are a person with or without Hepatitis C. Please if you are a Negative person (do not have Hepatitis C) Please do not shoo away someone who is Positive. Open your heart then your minds and get educated!!
     Okay as far as the home base here well things are crazy but good. God is very active in our hearts and my family. Thank you God is something i was singing when I found out that I didn't have to have Valve Replacement in my heart. That was alot of prayer. I thank all of you who have been praying. It really means alot to have the support system that I do! I have one awesome circle of family and friends. Thank you!! I am sorry I do not get post in regularly But alot is going on! And I am still new to the whole idea. After all being a trucker most of my life has really made me and the whole clerical side of me. Well lets just say it is slow. So I apologize. I am also in the running to make this year's HepFest Festival an awesome year. And really it is alot of work when I am sick alot. Just moving my stomach around or soreness of my Liver it makes me just want to sit in one spot and not move. But I am trying! Fighting for everyday. And grateful when I wake up in the morning with most of my body moving. The 3 Strokes really have scared me. Since I am having them in my sleep!! Very scary to wake up and not be able to move a body part and your mind not all the way like it was when I went to sleep the night before. It is a very lonely world that I live in but I am very loved by many and God has blessed me with the drive to find a cure for Hepatitis C. I love all of you who are supportive for my family and me!!! Hugssss to everyone!!!!
     Remember to smile at everyone you see! In hopes that they will pass it on!!!

God Bless you very much!!
Christie

Do not let Hepatitis C get you down! You need to get a good support system around you! You need your family and friends. You need to also reach out to a local support group and if there isn't one in your area start one. That is what I did 6 years ago and we started with just two people but once the word got out we grew like crazy. I realized right then when I talked to the two of them I needed to be here starting this group. Out of almost 50 that had called me in one way or the other pertaining to Hep C.So I took off and 8 years later here I am.
And now for an update.
Here I am 17 years full of 17 Awesome Thanksgivings. Sure some are hard because I am having back lass of Post Treatment side effect. And Post 3 Strokes in less then 4 years. And having bam bam one after the other 2 this Summer and Summer/Fall. I have now found out after this last Stroke that I have need   now for a Heart Surgery; Valve Replacement, Hole Closed and and Aneurysm fixed. I am facing it head one in some ways and in some ways no. I am Still Mother and Father to both of my youngest daughters, them both being teens now. Also having to give up a life of Trucking and working off Shore and to a Welders Helper and traveling all 50 States, with being a Housewife and a Mother and a few odd local jobs here and there. Finishing off with 5 year in a Union Automotive shop finishing off making $18.00 dollars an hour average. I now being in my bed 300 out of 365 days. Life I could say really sucks in the Physical form and emotionally. Yea I could say the 'Why Me' if I wanted. And out of 3 complete knee surgery's my first doctor put to big of a knee in and even though the second doctor tried his best to fix it so my right leg would go flat and be normal like my left that the second knee doctor did put me in me. Which is ok and done with no pain now. So power chair and I live life the best we can. Isn't much fun but I still thank God every morning when I come out of a dream. Anyways  I thank God for every day And I thank God for the times I do get on here to post.an update with everyone. What I am saying is no matter what life has for us Hep C and all. We are human too. So why not us is another way took at it.... God has a reason for everything. I love you all . And now for the latest Hepatitis C information. I am waiting on my HCV RNA  I am the waiting process on the blood test to happen then i will inform you more. I love you all and have  very good blessed day. Best you can. Remember to smile at everyone you see in hopes they pass it on. HUGS BIG TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Current and Future Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C

Do not let Hepatitis C get you down! You need to get a good support system around you! You need your family and friends. You need to also reach out to a local suport group and if there isn't one in your area start one. That is what I did 6 years ago and we started with just two people but once the word got out we grew like crazy.

Me and my girls at the HepFest

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Me and my girls at the HepFest

The HepFest. So much fun!

My cousin's at the HepFest

My cousin's booth at the HepFest

Donald Lefevra- A singer at the HepFest

This is only one of the Hepatitis C quilts.

If you need to get ahold of me

ladytruckr1962@mediacombb.net

Me and the Hepatitis Quilt. There is only four in the world.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Indiana's Annual HepFest

Besides running a support group for Hepatitis C I put on a HepFest festival once a year. We are starting to get things together for this years event. We are in great need of donations to help fund the stuff needed to put on the event. The event itself is a day filled with lots of love and fun. We have live music, speakers, free blood testing vouchers, food and lots of information about Hepatitis C. We also have a KidZone for our little ones, with lots of games and much more. The event is open 100% to the public. It is a day to give those of us suffering with Hepatitis C a chance to get together  and enjoy spending time with others who can understand how they are feeling. We also have this day to help educate the public about this disease. Our group is a registered non-profit organization. So any donations that you send are tax deductable. We totally depend on our donations to make this event a go. So please find it in your heart to help us. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!!! All donations can be sent to Christie Soaper/ Dekalb Medical Arts Building/ 1316 E. 7th Street/ Auburn, Indiana 46706/ in care of Cheryl Clark.. And you can call me for more information. 260-927-8180

Trying to figure this out!! (o:

Well I am on my second day of this blogging stuff. And still can't seem to get things together. So please bare with me. If you  have any suggestions that would be greatly appreciated!!

Monday, January 24, 2011

HIP ON HEP C SUPPORT GROUP

We are a non-profit support group and organization for Hepatitis C. I started the support group when my youngest daughter was diagnosed. I had found out just four years earlier that I was positive for Hepatitis C. I contracted it in 1987 when my oldest son was born. I had to have a blood transfusion. And after having a C-Section with my youngest daughter she contracted it from me because of a cut she had on her head. Because Hepatitis C is spread from blood to blood. I knew I needed a support group once I was diagnosed and never found one in my area. And then once my daughter was diagnosed I knew the only thing left to to was to start my own support group. I had no clue what I was doing or where to turn. But with the help of my community and friends I got one started. Everything else just feel into place. At first some people were like what is Hepatitis C. But once they found out they were 210% open to the whole idea of me getting the awareness out and starting a group. Then like ants running to sugar the people with Hepatitis C came out of the wood work. Granted some of them do not wish to attended our monthly group sessions but at least they still reached out for phone support. So before you know it we became a non-profit organization. We also put on an annually HepFest festival for the state of Indiana ( surrounding area's are welcome). The whole event is free. We have live music, speakers, free blood testing vouchers for our local hospital, food and a KidZone, free informational literature and much much more! It is a day where we can all let loose and enjoy a day filled with people who understand what we are going through and also a day where we can educate the public. We also have a Hepatitis Awareness Day for the state. And reach out in every way you can think of to make sure the public is aware and has all the information they need to understand this disease. My goal behind this all is to find a cure for Hepatitis C and heal my daughter and everyone out there suffering with Hepatitis C right now. Please if you are in the area and have the time to make a meeting on the third Friday of the month look us up on the Dekalb Memorial Hospital website.
Everyone have a great day!!!
Christie Soaper
CEO/Founder/Group Coordinator
Hip On Hep C S