Tx! MAG #31

edition

31

MAY 2019

HEY!

TAKE our survey AND YOU and/or COULD ENTER our comp

WIN $100

A WORD FROM THE EDITOR! Hey Tx!-ians!

Welcome to Tx! Mag #31 - stuffed with stories and useful info about hep C and getting cured.

One reader asked us "What does 'Tx' stand for?" - which is a reasonable question! "Tx" is doctor shorthand for "treatment". Since the magazine is about treatment and cure of hep C, and testing and treatment of hep B, it seemed like the right way to go when we renamed it.

And it's fitting for this issue, because both our stories are about characters who are living with hep C and follows their journey of not only being cured, but also getting their lives back.

We know that many readers want to see real stories and that shared personal experiences are very important. These two stories - both Jake's and Geena's - are based on real life stories. I'd like to give special thanks to The Kirketon Road Centre (KRC) in Darlinghurst for lettting Tx! MAG speak with the people there to help us in the production of this edition. Names and certain details have been changed to protect the privacy of participants, but the words of both Jake and Geena still tell the same stories about living with hep C and being cured.

There are also crosswords, a word puzzle, find-a-word and sudokus in this edition. Check out our survey and the competion for your chance to win a $100 gift voucher by entering either.

EDITOR/DESIGNER Grace Crowley EDITORIAL COMMITTEE Tim Baxter Ben Cork Paul Harvey Maria McMahon Sonam Paljor Lucy Pepolim Kate Pinnock Rhea Shortus Thomas Wright SPECIAL THANKS Kyle Leadbeatter Naomi Hatchman STORY WRITERS Lawrence Gergich (Jake's Story) Charlie Foster (Geena's Story) COMIC ARTISTS Skye Ogden (Jake's Story) Emily K. Smith (Geena's Story) CONSULTANTS gestaltcomics.com

Hope you enjoy Tx! MAG #31!

Cheers!

Grace Tx! Mag Ed Aside from Hepatitis NSW editorial content, views expressed in this magazine or flyers enclosed with it are not necessarily those of Hepatitis NSW or the organisations with whom we collaborate.

Neither are such views necessarily those of our funding bodies.

Tx! Mag does not promote or condone the use of illicit drugs.

Rather, it seeks to provide accurate information that will help people who already use drugs to reduce risks and make safer choices. Nothing in this magazine should be taken as recommending drug use.

Hepatitis NSW is proud to acknowledge Aboriginal people as the traditional owners and custodians of our lands and waters.

Hepatitis Infoline 1800 803 990 (freecall)

p: 02 9332 1853 e: info@hep.org.au w: hep.org.au fb: facebook.com/HepNSW tw: @HepatitisNSW PO Box 432 Darlinghurst, NSW 1300 ABN 30 408 095 245 A non-profit health promotion charity funded by the NSW Ministry of Health. Accredited by the Quality Improvement Council of Australia (QIC). Donations of $2 and over are tax deductible.

...URK...

blargh! my room...

1

MAYBE IT WAS THE HEP C... MAYBE NOT. WHO COULD SAY?

2

3

4

next morning...

5

to find a local hep c gp call hepatitis infoline 1800 803 990

6

7

8

END!

THE LATEST HEP C TREATMENTS TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR, NURSE OR CLINIC ABOUT THE NEW HEP C CURES SOFOSBUVIR & VELPATASVIR

=

GLECAPREVIR & PIBRENTASVIR

=

SOFOSBUVIR & LEDIPASVIR

=

GRAZOPREVIR & ELBASVIR

EPCLUSA

MAVIRET

HARVONI

ZEPATIER

FOR

FOR

FOR GENOTYPES

ALL

ALL

FOR GENOTYPE

GENOTYPES (1 TO 6)

1

1& 4

95%

95%

95%

95%

12

8

8 OR 12

12

GENOTYPES (1 TO 6)

OF PEOPLE CURED

OF PEOPLE CURED

WEEKS LAST UPDATED AUGUST 2018

=

WEEKS*

OF PEOPLE CURED

WEEKS*

OF PEOPLE CURED

WEEKS*

WHO ARE THEY FOR? ADULTS WHO HAVE HEP C AND A MEDICARE CARD MOST PEOPLE HAVE NO OR VERY MILD SIDE-EFFECTS FOR A SMALL NUMBER OF PEOPLE, TREATMENT MAY LAST LONGER THE 5% OF PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT CURED WITH THE ABOVE ARE TYPICALLY OFFERED ANOTHER TREATMENT, VOSEVI.

*

IMPORTANT: TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE CURED, YOU NEED TO GET A PCR BLOOD TEST AT LEAST 12 WEEKS AFTER YOU FINISH YOUR TREATMENT.

WANT TO KNOW MORE?

Call our Hepatitis Infoline 1800 803 990 or look up our website hep.org.au FREE CALL FROM PRISON n Enter MIN n Enter PIN n Press 2 for Common Calls list n Press 3 for Hepatitis Infoline

9

FREE CALL FROM PRISON n Enter MIN n Enter PIN n Press 2 for Common Calls list 10 n Press 3 for Hepatitis Infoline

TX! survey

ENTER THE DRAW TO WIN A $100 VOUCHER!*

IT'S EASY!

11

TX! survey

FILL THISOU Y U O T AND IN A W D L COU GIFT $100 ER VOUCH

1. Reading this Tx! Mag was useful to me...

2. After reading this Tx! Mag, I know more about hepatitis treatment...

3. Reading Tx! Mag made me think about... (tick all that apply)

!

IT'S EASY

PLEASE ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS...

Strongly agree

Agree

Neither

Disagree

Strongly disagree

Strongly agree

Agree

Neither

Disagree

Strongly disagree

calling the Hepatitis Infoline going to the Hepatitis NSW website talking to someone about support services

4. What is your current postcode (or prison name)?

talking to someone else about hepatitis it hasn't made me think about doing anything other (please let us know)

OPTIONAL QUESTIONS...

5. How could we make Tx! Mag better?

To enter the draw for the $100 voucher, please give us your name and phone number, email address or prison MIN (optional).

This prize offer is for NSW residents only - one draw per person.

Name: Phone:

6. How old are you?

7. Please describe yourself: (tick as many as you like) person with hep C/cured of hep C person with hep B current prisoner Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander

Email: MIN :

Congratulations to Graeme H. who won a $100 from Tx! Mag #30.

And thank you to the more than 100 people who sent in their feedback over the last six weeks we greatly appreciate your input.

someone who doesn't usually speak English at home other (please let us know)

12

Hepatitis NSW respects your right to privacy. We have a policy and set of procedures on how we collect, use, disclose and hold your personal info. For a copy of the policy, please contact us on 02 9332 1853 or visit hep.org.au

13

14

15

16

*

*THERE'S ANOTHER BRAND OF TREATMENT 3 PiLLS A DAY FOR 8 WEEKS. SEE PAGE 9 FOR ALL TREATMENTS.

17

18

19

20

END!

HEP C CAN BE TREATED IN PRISON. SPEAK TO THE NURSE ABOUT TESTING AND CURE.

21

HEPATITIS INFO, SUPPORT, REFERRAL ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT HEP B OR HEP C?

1800 803 990 To organise an interpreter service call 131 450 Chat to us live: hep.org.au FREE CALL FROM PRISON n Enter MIN n Enter PIN n Press 2 for Common Calls list n Press 3 for Hepatitis Infoline

Have you seen our mobile-friendly Hepatitis NSW website?

Check it out at hep.org.au It's full of information about hep C and hep B. Find out how to look after yourself and protect yourself and others.

You can have Tx! Mag delivered to you.

Become a Hepatitis NSW member for free:

call 1800 803 990

22

Tx! COMPETITION ANSWER FOUR EASY QUESTIONS TO HAVE A CHANCE OF WINNING A $100 VOUCHER!*

23

Tx! COMPETITION ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS...

All you have to do to win is answer these four questions correctly, just tick the right box! We'll chose one entry at random and the first one with all answers right will be the winner!

1. Even if you tried interferon can you still be cured of hep C with new treaments? [JAKE'S STORY] Yes, the new treatments offer 95% cure rate.

Um... nah?

Don't know... I have to read Jake's Story...

Jupiter 2. Do you need a test 12 weeks after tretment ends to make sure you're cured? [GEENA'S STORY] Yep, a PCR/HCV RNA blood test is the only way to know for sure.

Um... nooooo?

Don't know... I have to read Geena's Story...

Saturn 3. What organ is most effected by hepatitis C? [JAKE'S STORY] The liver Um... harmonica?

Don't know... I have to read Jake's Story...

Uranus 4. Are the new hep C treatments better or worse than interferon? [GEENA'S STORY] Better - 95% cure rate, few side-effects, 8 or 12 weeks (for most people) Um... worse?

Don't know... I have to read Geena's Story...

Neptune

TELL US YOUR DEETS...

To enter the competion for the $100 voucher, please give us your name and phone number, email address and postcode (if you're in prison, tell us your prison and MIN). This prize offer is for NSW residents only - one entry per person.

Name: Phone: Email: Postcode (or prison name): MIN :

24

DEADLINE: June 15, 2019 We'll contact the winner and announce their name in the next issue.

Hepatitis NSW respects your right to privacy. We have a policy and set of procedures on how we collect, use, disclose and hold your personal info.

For a copy of the policy, please contact us on 02 9332 1853 or visit hep.org.au

Congrats to Mel B. who was the lucky winner from last edition's competion draw!

FIND-A-WORD! Q Q O F N J T T S I M E H C J

R A M H O M U D T R O P H Y U

O E O E I O R Z Y E K C L S C

E X T N T R N V B D E H N F U

R H O I S N I B C N T O B M T

E A R G E I N U W A I C O S N

V U C A U N G D T T T O A E E

O S Y M Q G N R C S E L R I M

G T C I T E E E B R P A D R T

N E L F G A J A W E P T I E N

U D E E T N U Y G D A E N C I

H C L M I D Q I O N E Z G O O

U G E S C A P E I U M R J R P

M N C K O O L T U O N T K G P

T C O N F I D E N T G G C F A

EASY AS SUDOKU 1 2 3 4 3

1

NUMBERS Each grid is partially completed with numbers. The goal is to fill the missing numbers into the grid - from 1 to 4. In each column, row and grid you can use each number only once.

Can you find all 22 of these words in the puzzle above?

The words might go up or down, left or right, forwards or backwards. The solution is below, but no peeking!

ESCAPE TREATMENT LEGEND MOTORCYCLE BOARDING HUNGOVER INJECTIONS CHOCOLATE

APPOINTMENT TROPHY CHEMIST YOUNG EXHAUSTED GROCERIES QUESTION APPETITE

CONFIDENT UNDERSTAND IMAGINE OUTLOOK TURNING MORNING SHAPES Each grid is partially completed with shapes - star, circle, square, triangle.

The goal is to fill the missing shapes.

In each column, row and grid you can use each shape only once.

NO PEEKING!

25

TX! MAG #30 [HEP C]

TX! MAG #29 [HEP B]

TX! MAG #28 [HEP C]

TX! MAG #27 [HEP C]

TX! MAG #26 [HEP B]

TX! MAG #25 [HEP C]

Myths & Barriers This edition looks at reasons that people think might prevent them from starting hep C treatment... "too busy", "not sick enough", reinfection, "side-effects".

Best Shot After 20 years with hep C, Lisa learns of new cures.

Livin' Doug takes on the challenges of life and hep C testing.

B is for Baby Kat discovers she has hep B, what does it mean for her and her unborn baby?

Double Trouble Ben is surpised to find out he has both hep C and hep B.

Can't "B" Happening Gina gets some surprise news from her ex-boyfriend.

One Step At A Time Mick has to deal with a flare up in his hep B.

A Fine Line Morgan and her school friends get a group tattoo, and an extra surprise.

Not Again Blake wants his first hep C treatment to be his only.

Ch-ch-changes Sam and Clara have both been living with hep C for a long time. Will the new treatments change all that for them?

CROSSWORD 1 TARGET L I E H T H A R E

How many words of four letters or more can you make from the letters here? In making a word, each letter may be used once only. Each word must contain the centre letter, and there must be at least one nine-letter word. No foreign words, no words with initial capitals and no hyphenated words.

ACROSS 1. A sweet fruit spread; stuck in traffic. (3) 3. Perform a play. (3) 5. Dope, dolt, bumpkin. (3) 6. Baby wears one to keep food off. (3) 8. Section of a race; limb. (3) 10. Like 007; secret agent. (3) 12. Alien spacecraft. (3) 14. Donkey; American backside. (3) 15. Young dog; young seal; young shark! (3) 16. Where a story finishes. (3)

DOWN 1. Task. (3) 2. Bunch of people. (3) 3. Aussie Rules footy. (3) 4. Small label on clothing; graffiti signature. (3) 7. Little devil. (3) 9. Fantasy folk with pointy ears (3) 10. A small drink (3) 11. Sound made by a dog. (3) 12. Utilise. (3) 13. Strange, weird. (3) Solution next page

What's your score?

6 Meh. But at least you tried!

13 Pretty good, eh?

22 Awesome 34 Holy crap! Mega genius!

65+ You are clearly a human dictionary and/or computer...we didn't even know half of those crazy words!

Answers next page

27

A little bit harder...!

CROSSWORD 1 SOLUTION

B I C E O L I V L E BR L C AR M WE L

Y C L E A D I E R G I E A I NG G WH P P E ABOAR L DUD

CROSSWORD 2 SOLUTION

D E N E R G Y

28

1. A door has one; a familiar name rings one! (4) 2. Wrapping; shelter. (5) 3. Looking after. (6) 4. Border, boundary or fringe. (4) 5. Get up and go; power. (5) 9. Accuse someone of something! (5) 11. Flock of sheep; pack of cattle. (4) 13. Buddy, chum, mate. (3) 14. Many peas in one. (3) 16. Two letters ending many Australian website addresses. (2) Solution at right (no peeking now!!)

J A M A C T O O A F A B I B L E G M L S P Y U F O I A S S D P U P E N D

1. Two-wheeled pedal ride. (7) 6. Loud noise. (3) 7. Organ of the body damaged by hep C. (5) 8. Listen with this! (3) 9. Deliver, fetch. (5) 10. For what reason, or purpose? (3) 12. A fish; whinge and complain. (4) 15.On a ship. (6) 17. Deep ground hole with water in it. (4) 18. Something defective or faulty. (3)

TARGET SOLUTION (red=more common) aether, airt, alert, alit, alter, arete, artel, atelier, earth, eater, either, elate, elater, elite, ether, halite, halt, halter, hart, hate, hater, hath, health, HEALTHIER, heart, hearth, heat, heater, heath, heather, hereat, heth, hilt, hither, irate, late, later, lath, lathe, lather, lathi, lati, leather, leet, lethe, lite, lithe, lither, litre, rate, ratel, rath, rathe, reheat, relate, relit, retail, rete, retie, rite, tael, tahr, tail, tale, taler, tali, tare, teal, tear, thaler, thar, thee, their, there, three, tier, tile, tiler, tire, trail, tree, trial

FOR MORE INFO ON HEP C CURE - CALL THE HEPATITIS INFOLINE ON 1800 803 990