Living with hepatitis C: the meaning of illness
in loving memory
Joanna Margaret Paul
1945 - 2003
Acknowledgements
Firstly I would like to acknowledge my participants without whom this thesis would not have been possible. To those who welcomed me into their homes, gave freely of their time and entrusted me with their personal experiences I thank you deeply.
Of equal importance has been David Craig. Thank you for being a fantastic supervisor. Your enthusiasm, insight, support and guidance throughout this year have been invaluable.
I would like to acknowledge my partner Brian McKinlay. Your patience, love and understanding during this often fraught process has been astounding. Thank you for your help in driving me to out-of the way interviews and bearing the brunt of my frustration when my writing dried up and taped recorders malfunctioned.
Thank you to Pat Baskett for your continuous support, wise advice and valued help in the reading of this thesis - from its conception to end.
Thank you to Robyn Brown and the members of The Hepatitis C Resource Centre for your support and friendship. I am hugely grateful for your generous funding which enabled me to attend the 4th Australasian Hepatitis C Conference in Canberra.
Thank you to my family, in particular my aunts, Charlotte, Jane and Mary Paul for your love, support and advice.
Thank you to my friend and fellow thesis writer Laura Williams. Your company and laughter has made the final months of writing a pleasure rather than a chore.
Finally, thank you to The University of Auckland for their help in financing this thesis through the 2004 Masters/Honours scholarship.