Donna, I am sorry to read about Derrick. You are right in thinking that the most common way of getting a Hep C infection is via sharing needles with blood containing Hep C, either in a medical context (which should not happen) or for people who use injectable street drugs.

This site might give you and Derrick some helpful information Treatment for Hep C — Hepatitis Australia.

It is Australia-based but I guess that the highly-effective treatments available for Hep C infection here will also be available in the US.