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Yes, if I remember correctly, that's an anti-viral steroid.
The Herpes virus in whatever form is extremely painful on the outside. I can only imagine what it feels like internally.
The thing that bothers me the most about this is that the Herpes virus lies dormant until the body resistance flags, then it erupts.
In other words, the Herpes, if that is what this is, was not the primary affliction, only a secondary one.

Actually, it's not a steroid, but an anti-viral agent, like penicillin is anti-bacterial.

Of course, we're just speculating about all this. I would hope that the medical staff would know how to treat infections.

I just pray that they treat her aggressively, and not give up on her.

It's been a long two days. I got a call from Shands early yesterday morning, they wanted to meet with me. I called Claudia who lives in Orlando (about 2 hours south) and she rushed up here.

Basically, they said that due to the weakened state Marilyn is in and the progression of the liver failure, they didn't think they could do anything for her.

Arrangements for hospice were made. Marilyn arrived at the hospice house this afternoon. They do have her medicated, so at least she isn't in pain or agitated.

Last week, the day she was released from Ocala Regional Medical Center, they told me that she had about three weeks to live. The hospice people now think she will pass sooner. One of the hospice nurses is a former co-worker of Claudia's ... which is nice.

There's a VCR in Marilyn's room and I'm going to bring down some of our family movies tomorrow and maybe a radio, so she can listen to Christmas music.

I want to thank you and all the other FReepers for your many, many prayers during this awful time. I don't think she ever knew she had HepC. She went to the doctor in October for a back ache.