The Choice Episode of HOUSE ~PART II

[selmaS]

by ChiariWolf , 4 hours ago
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To: selmas; cmoller
Personally, I would need to watch the episode again. Something I swore would never happen. :-\ But I see it's posted on Amazon already so perhaps this weekend we'll watch a little more carefully with a view to writing that letter.

Because we all do see/feel things a bit differently perhaps it would be good if anyone who is reading here and hasn't posted as to how the show differed from their reality would post a comment. Even something simple such as "yeah, right I've not been able to turn my neck like that since I was a young teenager" or "Wow, I only 'wish' a chiari headache was over that fast!"

Wolf


by cmoeller , 1 hour ago
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K, so I popped on quickly b/c I had a brainstorm (I knew it would come to me sooner or later lol) Wolf..you seem to be on the same track as me!

What I was thinking is how bout writing sort of more than an article than a letter...

Something with a heading like:

HOUSE EPISODE ON CHIARI: Fact VS Fiction
"A true overview of what it is like to live with Chiari, compiled by Chiari sufferers"

FICTION: Chiari is diagnosed by a doctor pulling up on your head.

FACT:     Many Chiarians go through several different tests before their malformation is recognized. The most definitive test is an MRI because it accurately views the cerebellum and surrounding structures thereby showing the tonsillar herniation. These images help determine how far the herniation has progressed and what form it has taken. Other diagnostic tests such as a CINE MRI which images CSF flow can also be helpful in determining the effects of the herniation.


That one above was just an example of what we could do. I thought that we could start a thread so that everyone could add one, each person could pick a part from the episode that was a "stretched truth" and then come up with the "real facts". After the thread is done, we could compile it into one article and send to anyone we can think of!!

What do you guys think? Don't worry if you don't like it...I tend to get overexcited about my ideas and I realize that not everyone else does!!

Carolyn


by ChiariWolf , 27 minutes ago
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To: selmaS; cmoeller
I think this is a good idea Carolyn. Perhaps still include a cover letter similar to what was discussed but then reference this sort of fact vs. fiction.

Selma, is there a way that you can bump these last few posts up to start a new thread about this? If not we could just start a thread, just thought I'd ask. This would be a most helpful way of making sure that the letter, article or whatever 'truly encompasses the experience of the greatest majority.

Wolf

[Lovage]

I just got done watching the episode of House and there were thing that i have gone though and still do.

Things that i had or have problems with:  trouble speaking, passing out for no reason, Severe headaches all of sudden, when lying down flat when sleeping my head is worse, when sitting up it is better, neck brace helps when i have severe head alonge with a hydrocodine, when the doctor lifted my head it hurt when he pulled on it hard and then when he put it down it hurt extreamly bad.  I did have to go through a lot of test before they found my problems with me and including my Chiari.

The other problems that he had i do not know what they werer from but he may have had another problem that they did not find.  

I watch that show all the time and they have to have things going on with the patient that do not go with the problem they find just to throw you off.  Well that is what my husband and I think.  

[Lovage]

I watched that episode of house and missed the end of it.  If you go to Fox.com and go to watch episodes then you will be able to find it for free.  I'm goin to watch it again.  I did have a nurologist pull on my neck and ask me if it hut and i'm telling you i wanted to kick him where it counted!!!  It did not feel very good after that.  When i have my neck in a brace it does feel better and i'm not sure how that comes into it but i know that is the way it is for me.  

LJ

[ChiariWolf]

Me as well Molly! In it's infancy the show was more about the dx. This episode was just a huge soap opera. It has been getting more and more that way to the point where our family went from the show being the only thing we watched every week to rarely even looking at the show. It's a big soap opera, kind of makes me wonder how many other medical conditions they've insulted with the ignorance of their diagnostics.

Wolf

[soccero]

I think what everybody has said about this house episode is apsolutly correct! And I used to love house now I hate it! The show made me sick to my stomach to watch it was terrible!
Molly

[pdxmomof3boys]

I am an avid House watcher...unfortunately, the show is more often about the people and what they are personally dealing with than the disease. Even though this is the case, I felt that this was the worst episode I'd ever seen. There was little to no differential (where he writes on the board) and they did the freakin MRI at the beginning of the episode and didn't find it...but pulling up onhis head made him feel better. It was not the best episode I've ever seen, but they have been slipping lately.

I am sorry I asked everyone to watch it because it makes me look like a crybaby over something silly. I read all the other posts on this thread and I agree that it was WAY off, but hollywood usually is. I support whatever you guys do!

Rosemarie

[*Stormy*]

Thanks Selma...it's been crazy for me lately and haven't had the chance to check FB for days but I will check that thread... I think the above ideas are great...I too was thinking it would be good to incorporate the newsletter as well.

Carolyn

[survivor08]

There are also TONS of complaints/comments on the facebook thread if that helps too.  Just scroll below where Laura has the original post and the comments go on and on and on........

http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=322612275834&ref=ts

And I support CW speaking for us all too. :)

[ChiariWolf]

Very Good Idea! Perhaps even a link from the NL back to here so that others not on MH can express their opinion or thoughts.

Wolf

[selmaS]

Mayb the Newsletter can help with this also....??? that way the NL  is offering the #??? just a thought, but I will let u know.

"selma"

[ChiariWolf]

Thanks Selma! I just think this may give the letter more weight, if MH will allow us to state where it's coming from. And if any members to PM me or state here they don't agree we'll just give them a percentage of the total who are in agreement with the letter.

Wolf

[selmaS]

HI Wolf...I will look into the possibility of using that info if one MH and the members r ok with it...since iti is just a # I do not see a problem, but just the same I will check and get the total #.

"selma"

[ChiariWolf]

Yes, thanks Carolyn! I put off purchasing due to my stubborn side of not wishing any funds to go to house. My son told me it should post on Hulu sometime tomorrow. Plans are to watch it a couple of times taking notes and then compare my notes with the majority who comment here on this thread.

One that really hit me was the pulling on the head. During PT pre-surgery some quack ordered c-spine traction for me. One light session put me in the hospital with stroke symptoms. Yeah, while containing my temper that one will 'most assuredly' be covered.

I agree also on the MRI, it would have given the audience a general idea of what chiari looks like and perhaps a faint idea of why there is so much pain involved.

If anyone else cares to contribute here or objects to me addressing the letter as being from the group here, please speak up now.

Selma, Question, do you have access so that we can state how many members there are on this list, and if anyone disagrees please speak now as I intend to state that 'all' of the members here where disappointed with the show. If you disagree with that statement but don't want to say the same in public, feel free to PM me and I'll keep your name and comments in confidence.

Wolf

[*Stormy*]

K, Wolf...I copied this from the other thread of what I said to make it easier for you:

The fact that they made life or death symptoms come on so suddenly...not accurate for most of us..we go through years of issues before getting so bad
- The fact that his sexual orientation was the most important issues throughout the whole show, downplaying the CM
- Who gets dx by a dr pulling up on your head?? I mean wouldn't the actual MRI be a better way?
- The fact that there was like a 15 second blurb out of House riddled with sarcasm about what CM is...no one but us will even remember it for a second...and they didn't even show the MRI pic so people would understand what he is talking about!!
- No emphasis about the surgery at all!!! They made it look so minor and I don't know about the rest of you but I couldn't even think about sitting up for 2 days!!! Totally unrealistic!!


I'd like to add to that...it would have been really nice if they could have shown an MRI picture of what the malformation actually looked like so non-Chiarians would understand. The quick explanation that he gave would not stick in anyone's mind. Also, it would have been nice if when they went through his history they at least came up with few indicators (constant headaches, numbness, neck pain, vision issues) that actually fit the bill (and would make others aware)....there is no way that any dr could dx Chiari on what was given there...he should have had months of other symptoms going on b4 it got that bad!!! Also, they could have at least shown a brief portion on what they surgery was like or at least how it was done.. I really don't feel that there was anything in that episode that would further promote Chiari Awareness.

Carolyn

[selmaS]

HI...I was more disappointed than nething...I think it was the fact we knew about the episode for a few months, we knew Laura went to LA...so, we assumed that it was going to be a true representation of chiari.

I felt so betrayed by the producers and felt it for Laura.....I can not imagine how she felt watching.....the only good thing was the name of the condition was mentioned....however, it let a flood of mis information for us to mop up...such as people associating this condition with being gay...the 2 are not related....or that chiari had a symptoms of lactating...it was all the hormones to help the guy change his sexual preference...had nothing to do with chiari.......and  lastly how simple the surgery appears from the depiction....he was sitting in the hospital bed holding his head up with out lying on the pillow.... even the mobility he had...his ability to have a conversation riddled with stress and emotional upset with out having a HA.....nothing to me was presented so someone that did not have this condition was made clear....all it did was confuse.....and sadden many many chiarians.

[ChiariWolf]

Thanks Allison,

That is exactly the type of input for which I was looking. How you felt, if anything in particular upset or irritated you personally. Or even more precisely if you felt one of your symptoms was displayed incorrectly.

Anyone else?

Wolf

[Penguins57]

Some things that upset me about the episode:
1. It seemed like it was all about him being gay
2. Can people really lactate? (spelling)
3. It was lik not until the last 5 minutes that something was said about chiari.
4. He could sit up and scream and cry after his surgery
5. It showed nothing about the surgery
REALLY, it just pissed me off. It was nothing about living with Chiari, it was more about him being gay. So wtf. I was severly pissed. I wanted people to watch the episode and understand somewat of wat I had to go thru, and now all of my friends either think I'm gay or my boobs produce milk.
NOT what I waited months to see.
-Allison

[selmaS]

hahahaha....no worries...but yeah, u can get the unofficial symptoms list going.... : )

[*Stormy*]

LOL...well we are dealing with Chiarians...and my head is muffled still...haven't had my proper dosage of caffeine yet!

[selmaS]

Yes...Chiari Wolf asked for me to start another thread...I did and he is still on the older one...lol....

[*Stormy*]

I'm confused....it is me? Are we starting a thread for the letter here?

[selmaS]

Wolf I did this thread and u r still on the old one...lol....

[survivor08]

Great idea!

"how the show differed from their reality" ?  How about, the show was a ridiculous fairytale episode about a condition the writers cared little enough about to really reseach it.  It was offensive and disappointing and frankly, IMHO, made very light of a potentially serious deformitiy.  If I was a regular watcher, and if I didn't have Chiari, I would have thought NOTHING of it afterwards.  In fact I doubt I would even remember the name "Chiari".

I felt like it made it nothing more than a silly little problem that reqiured a simple little "procedure" with minimal recovery to ba "all new" again.

What a JOKE.

As I said on the other thread, I have never watched "House" before and I sure won't be watching it again!