I am answering your PM to me, publicly, because all the questions and feelings you are going through, are EXACTLY what all newly diagnosed people ask, and feel!

I will quote parts of your pm here, but I will not identify you, unless YOU choose to. I do not break confidences of this sort!
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<<"My man in prison was diagnosed a few weeks back, and he is stressing, and we are both very scared.">>

YEAh, pet peeve number one for me; give someone the diagnosis and absolutely NO information about it. YOU, my dear, will be his researcher. That is the greatest thing you can do for him right now. We will help you! We are working our tails off to get the info up in this forum, that everyone needs to know.

But let me tell you in the meantime, that THIS IS A SLOW VIRUS! Some people have it for 20 years, before any sign of illness shows up. So both of you need to take deep breaths. He IS NOT GOING TO DIE TOMORROW, or even in the next few months. In fact, he may NEVER do so. Some people actually spontaneously clear it out of their system. (About 15% of cases.) Other's go into remission with treatment.

All of this is info we will be posting in the next few weeks.
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<<"How is this treated? What will the prison do about it?">>

Ken Connor has posted some info about treatment.

Basicly there is

A) Interferon

B) Interferon and Ribavarin (combo therapy)

And C) FDA has just (a few weeks ago) approved Peglyated Interferon therapy.

D) There are also dietary things that can be done (next to impossible in prison). Foods to avoid. Foods to embrace etc.

E) Also Herbal things that can be done (also next to impossible in prison.) MILK THISTLE IS NUMBER ONE!!!
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Which brings up MY QUESTIONS: (PM me if you wish)

A) What is his name?
B) What state is he in?
C) What prison is he in?
D) What is his release date?
E) When did he go IN? (How long ago?)

Eventually, I hope that this forum will get such things going, as letter-writing campaigns to wardens, and petitions for care to be sent to the State Dep't of Corrections etc.
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<<"He works out... You could never tell...">>

Yes, that's why Hep C is commonly called "The Silent Epidemic". Most people show no symptoms at all! It's only when irreparable damage has already occured that they find out this virus has been lurking for years, doing it's damage. Or when for some reason, someone gets a blood test specifically for Hep C.

So, in this sense, you and your man ARE VERY LUCKY to have found out now, while he still seems so healthy!
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<<"He doesn't want me to come up this weekend... I'm scared he will shut me out just not to hurt me...">>

Honey, you have to tell him "I ain't going nowhere!" Maybe a hundred times a day, you have to tell him that.

It took MONTHS to convince my husband not to push me away, and to COUNT ON me not leaving him. I used to say "Repeat after me. I am not in this battle alone." About 6 months later, I knew I'd convinced him, when he just rolled his eyes and said "Yeah, yeah, yeah... you don't have to keep telling me." I laughed my butt off, because I knew that he was finally convinced!

The other thing is, that one of the commonest Hep C symptoms is JAUNDICE! That means you turn YELLOW! Eyes, skin, and it is a vivid shade of yellow! He may be asking you not to come up, because he is too embarrassed by this. My hubby would NEVER leave the house whenever the jaundice flared up!

The jaundice just means his liver is working particularly hard today, or this week. (It is from too much bile in his system.)

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<<"We are going to be married. We have a love that speaks... Everyone can see the love...">>

I absolutely KNOW what you mean, sweetie! I have loved deeply. I love deeply now, even as we speak...

YOU HANG ON TO THAT. That love you share will be his greatest strength.

I PROMISE YOU that all the technology and science and medicine in the world, will NEVER be able to do for your man, what your love can do! It may kill viruses and such, but it will not comfort and soothe him.

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<<"I just don't know what to do...">>

You are already doing it girl.

You are asking questions, searching for answers, and recommitting yourself to your love. And I just KNOW you are praying!

You stick around, girl. We are here. We are going to get you the info you need, and we will be here to help you fight this battle.

All My Love,
Menolly