August 19, 2008 by Ronald Hicks.

Well, I must confess. I called off from work today, but followed the proper procedure. I was going through and Interferon depressive period after skin rash side effect the day before. I went out with my sketchbook and tried to work my way out of this depressive period. Lately the Interferon has diminished my ability to concentrate, so starting the drawings was tough. I simply ignored attention to detail and let the pencil roll where it wanted it too. Then I followed with watercolor pencil. Since the drawings are entirely abstract then so must be the name. This is called ‘Ozmozium’.

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August 19, 2008 by Ronald Hicks.

Well, I must confess. I called off from work today, but followed the proper procedure. I was going through and Interferon depressive period after skin rash side effect the day before. I went out with my sketchbook and tried to work my way out of this depressive period. Lately the Interferon has diminished my ability to concentrate, so starting the drawings was tough. I simply ignored attention to detail and let the pencil roll where it wanted it too. Then I followed with watercolor pencil. Since the drawings are entirely abstract then so must be the name. This is called ‘Rogoso’.

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August 2, 2008 by Ronald Hicks.

Lately I have noticed that regardless of my body’s tolerance to Interferon I always experience a mild fever. This feverishness and fatigue that accompanies the Interferon changes my creative method to one that is less exact, looser, and less attention to detail.

This painting is called ‘Bloodstream’ and is my mind’s eye closest approximation to what is occurring  in my body. I feel that my bloodstream is primordial ocean where warm feverish breezes gently blow across it as the blood gently laps against the shores of my flesh. The ringing in my ears is the sound of the primordial ocean of blood as it breaks on the shore. The tone of the ringing gently changes with the gentle gushes of the feverish breeze. As you look out across this primordial ocean you see large fleets or red blood cell moving across the ocean accompanied by the more than usual presence of white blood cells that have been prompted by the introduction of the Interferon. There is yellow slick of the Hepatic viral bodies that are moving with the surf. The slick has dissipated lately with the introduction of the Interferon. The fever roars in my ears as the bloodstream battle continues.

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July 25, 2008 by Ronald Hicks.

I’m in my 7th week of Interferon therapy and have received the first results of the viral load in my blood. I have gone from a count of 250,000 to less than 25. These are encouraging results and tells me the therapy is working. The doctor had to make an adjustment to my Ribavirin, an oral medication that I take that prevents the replication of the Hepatitis C virus. My doctor changed the dosage from 6 200mg caps( 1.2 gm) to 5 200mg caps(1.0gm) because my hemoglobins had become so low. This my explain the fatigue I have been experiencing. I expect a successful outcome of the therapy with 41 weeks to go.

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July 4, 2008 by Ronald Hicks.

This will be my fourth week of Interferon therapy for hepatitis C. The therapy consists of  48 weeks of a drug regimen of Ribavirin and Interferon Alfa-2. Ribavirin is an oral medication that inhibits the replication of new hepatitis C viruses. The dosage for Ribavirin is 3 capsules twice daily. Interferon is immunoprotein that naturally occurs in the human body. The dosage for Interferon Alfa-2 is self-injectable vial containing 150 mcg Interferon Alfa-2 in a 0.5ml solution. When you catch the cold or flu your body manufactures interferon to help your white blood cells identify and kill the invading cold or flu virus. The problem with hepatitis c virus is that attacks the liver cells which helps it remain invisible to the immune system. The interferon that is administered as part of the hepatitis c therapy has been genetically modified so that it uncloaks the attacking hepatitis C in the body enabling the immune system to go after and destroy the virus.

I have experienced some side effects since I have begun the therapy. I have experienced flu-like symptoms with chills and fever, sensitivity to noise and light. episodes of panic and fear, and the overall lack of appetite and energy.

Since the hepatitis C virus cannot live long outside the human body it can only be spread by direct blood-to-blood contact .

Additional information regarding Hepatitis C can be found at Understanding Hepatitis C Interferon Therapy.

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