You wanted to keep it private. Why?

For 2 and half years, I was like a blind man riding a blind horse.

Dr. Chen would not prescribe any medicine at that time. I know later that  in the States, Dr. is not allowed to prescribe any unauthorized medicine approved by FDA. In other words, I was all on my own.

I started taking Herb chicken-bone grass boiled soup with Dan-in-Chen herb daily.

Appetite was coming back. SGOT SGPT increased to 3 digits and Platelet count decreased to 79. The figure was way low from normal 150-440 level.

The life was full of helpless. I was like a vegetable eating and lying down for an hour to avoid giving too much burden to liver functioning (Japanese medical book suggested way of treatment for chronic HB patient to have bed rest for a year. Eat lots of protein food light walk once a while and sleep most of time.)

I was full of life with mind but not physical health. Based on Japanese Medical Bible, I was patiently awaiting the one-year recovery from 1993 to 1994.  It did not happen.

In December 1995 Dr. Chen told me bad news. Based on A-FP count and CT scam, there was a probability that I may have liver cancer. There were two options in front of me:

1. Liver transplant in the State. I may have to wait in line and would cost me $200,000.00 dollars.
2. Go to Asia and find all possible treatment. In her analysis, Taiwan and Japan were very much advanced in liver operation or other alternative treatment. She did not go many details.

Since I was told that China has one-fifth population infected with HB, I started mapping out trip plan from China to Japan and Taiwan.

Michael Han

http://www.yosemitemuirlodge.com

I locked my self  in the closet simply because people are ignorant of the disease.

“Hi, David, how are you doing?”

“Fine, I guess. Em…My grandpa told me to stay away from you.”

“Why? “

“Because you have contagious disease.” David answered. He is 6 years kid. His grandpa, Paul Vice was working for me at that time. After he sent me from Yosemite to Los Angeles I casually told him that I had HB liver disease.

Did I blame him for the misconception of HB disease? Of course not.

Look at those newscaster with mouse and nose covered with Micro phone in his hand. He is reporting life from aircraft crash spot. He was warning people that measure was due to possible transfer of HB disease. I know well that I myself alone cannot change common people’s poor knowledge at this disease.

What I selected to do? Just like the people with Aids, I was trying to hide myself in the closet.

Yes, that is what I have been doing not telling people about my illness.

The images of

“My uncle passed away after he found himself having liver cancer. Everything looked perfect all right until he found one day he was cooking in mess kitchen. He was feeling very hot and no sweat coming out. He went to see Doctors. It was too late.” My close friend told me the story.

“You know Steve Yu?”

“You meant your manager in Seattle?”

“Yes, he also passed away after one month hospitalized. The cause? Liver cancer!” We both sighed with moment of silent.

In 1993 there were not enough information about HBV in Taiwan. Your friends, co-workers and relatives are all sounding familiar. You have heard all bad news around us. Particularly from doctors sounded scaring.

“If you do not try to find cure, you will be dead from bleeding or liver cancer.”

I got to do some thing for my health.