Mike's
Story
(by Mike)
My name is Mike Childress. I am 48 years old. I am being treated by Dr. Steven Lacey from Digestive Disease Consultants in Grapevine, Texas.
I was feeling extremely tired and run down. I had shortness of breath and decided an EKG and full check up was in order. I went to the family doctor in mid August 99. The last week of August I was in the
Cincinnati airport waiting on a connecting flight to get to the Michigan NASCAR event
when my cell phone rang. The nurse told me my ekg was fine but the test showed some liver abnormalities
and to come in with my wife as soon as I returned. She also told me not to drink
alcohol.
I returned and was sent to the Hepatologist, did the biopsy and started
the combo therapy resolved to give it a shot.
I was an
executive with The Studios at Las Colinas, an Independent Film Studio. So
I told my owners and staff thinking after 20 years I could coast for 1.
WRONG! Within a week I was told my job no longer required someone of my
caliber and pay scale. But for a 50% reduction in base pay, no more bonus
or commission, I could stay and do the same job while taking on other
duties. Needless to say I am no longer employed by this fine CHRISTIAN
company.
There are many forms of discrimination in our world. I was the victim of greed discrimination. Mr. Chris Christian the owner did not want me if I had to do the treatments and miss any time due to sickness or Dr. appointments. This made me bitter but I held my head high and marched out on a great career to do what was right for me and my family.
I am now finishing my year of combo therapy and it seems to have taken hold in me. Dr. Lacey said if I hadn't started I would be looking pretty bad right now as my liver was the worst he had treated. My lab test now make him very happy and all I think about is feeling good again. I have had very acute side effects possibly due to the advanced damage and disease.
My advise is to follow your doctors order and do not fudge for any reason. I will miss the Daytona 500 this year, for the first time since 1990 even though I only have 2 week to go then. I will finish what I started,
hopefully with a clean system and great hopes for all of our future.
Thanks for reading.
Mike Childress
The opinions expressed on
this page are solely those of the author and none of the information included is to be
misconstrued as medical advise.
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Last Updated
March 31, 2008
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