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Kathy Bryson

Updated at August 19, 2009 17:12

During my thirty years as a nurse I was exposed to many forms of body fluids, mainly blood. Nurses weren’t required or encouraged to wear gloves until the AIDS scare and even then it wasn’t strict protocol. Needle sticks were also common as safety measures weren’t in place until after 2000. Testing nurses after an exposure for HCV was not standard until 1998.

In October 2003, I had a needle stick. Following new hospital policy I had blood drawn for an exposure from an unknown source. The tests revealed that I was positive for HCV. I had no symptoms other than feeling a little tired.

I was referred to Dr. Bruce Bacon by my primary physician. Blood work was obtained and a liver biopsy scheduled to determine the amount of scarring.

On December 11, 2003 I was informed that the HCV had progressed to primary liver cancer ( Heptocellular Carcinoma or HCC). HCC carries a poor prognosis with a survival rate of less than 5% over a year.

Dr. Bacon sent me to the SLU Cancer Center where Dr. DiBisceglie and the cancer team aggressively fought the cancer. Two surgeries and four months of Chemotherapy followed.

I’ve reached the 3 1/2 year mark of no recurrence. Dr. Richart, my Oncologist says he is not ready to deem that I’m in remission yet, but I’m looking forward to the 5 year anniversary.

Primary liver cancer (HCC) is one of the only cancers on the rise with 75% of this cancer a result of HCV.

It is estimated that there are 5 million people with HCV and have no idea as I didn’t. Former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. C. Everett Koop has warned “We stand at the precipice of a grave threat to our public health. It affects people from all walks of life, in every state, in every country. And unless we do something about it soon, it will kill more people than AIDS.

The more research, the more the physicians can fight this deadly disease. Your donation can save lives.

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