Tomorrow the wait is over!

I go into the city tomorrow to begin treatment! I have to be there at 1:00 for labs and for treatment orientation...and right before I leave the dr.'s office, I'll give myself my first Interferon injection (PegIntron). I'll also find out (finally) which arm of the study I'll be doing. Here's a brief run-down of the possibilities:

arm 1 - (control arm) - PegIntron/Rebetol for 24 wks. After 24 weeks and if you are undectable, you'll continue the same for 24 more weeks. If the virus is still detectable, they add in the boceprevor (aka SCH 503034) to the above combo for 24 more wks. Total treatment may be up to 54 wks depending on the time it takes to get the virology results from the treatment wk 24 visit.

arm 2 - PegIntron/Rebetol AND Boceprevor for 28 wks

arm 3- PegIntron/Rebetol for 28 wks, Boceprevor for 24 wks, added after 4 wks of combo.

arm 4- PegIntron/Rebetol AND Boceprevor for 48 wks

arm 5 - PegIntron/Rebetol for 48 wks, Boceprevor for 44 wks, added after 4 wks of combo.

They will be taking labs on Day 1, TW 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 20, 24, 30, 36, 24, and 48 (for the arms that go 48 wks) and on Day 1, TW 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 20, 24 and 28 for arms 2 & 3)...and I'm going to be sure and get copies of everything so I can go back to the forum and find out what it all means from the experts :)

I'll try to post tomorrow to let you know which arm I got and what, if any, effects I feel from the first shot.

Imagine all those little virus cells shaking in their boots - I'm going after 'em tomorrow!!!! :)