If you’ve been following this blog, this may be the first time you’ve seen what I look like. I started writing about my experience with hepatitis C very soon after my diagnosis. But like a lot of people, I was shy and didn’t want to announce my illness to the world. This week I decided to post my mug shot right at the top of this page. During my treatment and up to the time I learned that I have probably been cured, I’ve thought a lot about friendship. I’ve decided that people aren’t really my friends if they think I might infect them or if they question my integrity because of my illness.

I’ve decided to fraternize only with caring, openhearted people. Having hepatitis C has helped me to be more efficient in sorting the wheat from the chaff in people. Since you’re reading this blog, I’m pretty sure you’re among the wheat.