I thought, Why not?
and got tested on the spot by the kind nurses who ushered me into the office.
When I left a couple of days later, I forgot all about the fact Id gotten tested.
André Henrique
Nearly a week later I was staying with a friend when hed gotten a phone call.
Its for you, he said.
I had never received a phone call at his house before.
I took the phone.
A womans voice asked me if my name was Amanda and to verify my last name.
I did, growing more concerned by the moment.
How did you get this number?
I asked, with a bit of an attitude.
I said, vaguely remembering listing my friends number since I was often without a phone.
We need you to come in as soon as possible, she said.
When can you make it up here?
She insisted it be in person and so Id made the trip to the clinic.
The room started spinning as I suddenly recalled everything Id learned about Hepatitis.
She suggested a supplement and sent me on my way with a few brochures explaining the disease.
I just wasnt ready to face it.
Like gasoline on a fire, I thought.
My body started to change.
I was eating less and less but gaining more and more weight.
My feet stopped fitting into my shoes and I started wearing slides.
I was 26 at the time.
Still, I was careful to not share razors or tweezers and I passed on getting a prison tattoo.
I didnt want to spread the disease to someone else.
After my time in prison, I continued to pursue a lifestyle of recovery.
I ate healthy meals, exercised regularly and gradually became more comfortable sharing my Hepatitis C diagnosis.
I wanted to help de-stigmatize it so other people wouldnt feel ashamed of their own diagnosis.
