Oldtimers Need The Forum Too

It was brought up again yesterday that some people believe that the forum is really only for people currently treating so I thought I would explain why it is that alot of us old timers are still here and why we need the friendship and commraderie too.
  
Aside from the fact that indeed if the old timers did not post there would be nobody here to learn from, no one to ask questions to and expect an answer that you can trust, nobody to delve deeply into studies and explain in plain old simple English what they actually mean (I can never read that scientific mumbo jumbo)...

You see treatment might seem to be the end of the world but honestly, mostly, it is just an inconvenience compared to other things in life.  You see treatment has a start date and an end date and you CAN if you are lucky beat this disease and then it is over.  For others though - they need this forum because they have already treated but it did not work and they continue on again bravely fighting for their lives. They NEED to be here often times more than a new person starting out because they know how vicious the gamble can be and they have so much more riding on it because they know what it feels like to really relapse.

Over the course of my own personal treatment the friends here became as important as the knowledge that was given. When I was in fear of losing my job because I was so ill (like when my hemo went down 6 points in only ten days), it was the folks in here that I could talk with about it - who understood exactly what that felt like and were able to relate their stories to me to calm me down and give me hope that it would get better.  People in my every day  life could not understand what it was like waiting for the Procrit to work, but the guys in here - they sure did.  When I had just finished treatment and woke up to find police banging on my door and then seeing my husband hanging dead on my front porch - it wasn't something I really wanted to talk about very much but again, the people in here let me cry and vent and never judged or were nosey - just supportive and understanding. My friends in here helped me to calm down enough so that I could help my children - my children who just watched their mother pretending she was fine for two years and pretending that treatment was really no big deal so that I could protect them from the worry that I was going to die, just like any good mother will do. But of course as hard as I tried they always thought that I would. Then their father did. So not fair. I could go on about tx bad luck and post tx bad luck all day but you get the gist.

The forum also gave me a place where I could feel useful during the dark times. A place where I could give back what I had received. Where I could feel that I was helping someone else walk through the treacherous jungle that treatment really seems to be when you are new.

So why are we oldtimers still in need of this place?  Because as horrible as treatment might seem to be at the time - you can put it into a box and move on but life continues onwards.  Post treatment illness can be more devastating than the treatment itself. Who if not the people in here understand what that is like?

So forget all about the fact that we come in here to help - we do. But there is so much more.

I hope this might bring some understanding to the situation and we don't ever have to hear that we're not as important as people currently on treatment.  We are.

Debby

[GoofyDad]

"Some oldies are like fine wine"

Yeah - we do better when corked.

[djbn13]

To me your more important than everyone else.
I'm still in the waiting stage, waiting for tests, waiting to find out if I do in deed have cirrhosis, which could change the whole ball game.
If it wasn't for people like yourself, Bill. Trin, Hector, etc. I would be lost.
Some people that are going through tx now are understandable feeling like crap, but you guys have been there, for some it worked, for some it didn't but the knowledge you have to share is priceless.(Like the credit card commercial, huh)

One grateful person
Dj

[nygirl7]

Oh you are so sweet - I am so glad you posted honestly I was feeling pretty bad for us oldies yesterday (I guess everybody feels that way sometimes) but some of the people are SO incredible I just hate to feel that anyone wouldn't appreciate the things that a Bill for example do to help. I'm sure he has a life outside of hepatitis and to feel like all the hard work isn't as valuable as it is....well that just sucked (pardon my french there ;)

[child24angel]

Great thread Debby and so true, I don't know
what I would have done without your support and that
of others who mean the world to me.  
I thank all the old timers

[carol411]

I am profoundly grateful for the advice and support I have received from you "old timers".  I would not have the courage to continue without you.  

[desrt]

I was one year post-tx when I was diagnosed with steatosis/NAFLD. I had never heard of it before, let alone known that I was more prone to it due to having been geno 3. Similarly so with my dxs of insulin resistance and diabetes. This board and others like it have been a huge resource and the people both SVR and still fighting the disease have provided more help with my health than my doctors and the 'health care system'.
Plus, who else is going to understand when I say my PCP decided at 7 years post-tx I need another PCR - and they skrew up two blood draws and want me to come in to do a third.

!@#$%

[djbn13]

At first I was going to wait for the new drugs to come out, when ever that maybe.
Then my Dr found the catscan from 2 yrs. ago that somehow got lost in the medical file world.
Nodularities in the liver, not good.
When I posted this it was the "old timers" who posted right away informing me what to expect, what could happen, from the best circumstances to the worst, all because you have been through it.
Again,
You guys rock.

Dj

[Trinity4]

Wonderful post Debby. There IS so much more to this disease than just dealing with the acute phase of treatment.

Trinity

[Diane12855]

I can't believe anybody said this forum was only for people who are treating. How would I have known how important it is to drink water if it wasn't for you? I wouldn't have known what to ask my doctor at my first appointment, or to keep my labs... or anything that the doctors didn't tell me, and that would have left a huge void... Heck, I wouldn't have known I should get a different doctor if it wasn't for Trinity.

I'm hoping you just misunderstood the post you read, and nobody is silly enough to think we don't need the voices of experience around here.

[orphanedhawk]

If this forum was only for newbies, who'd learn anything?
We share our experience.

Its important for all of us to remember how emotional and out of sorts one can get especially while on tx. I'm guessing that person was in one of those unclear states of mind.

This forum was such a great help while I was doing tx. I wasn't up to driving to a support meeting in town yet I could come here anytime of day or night.
Assistance and support came from people doing tx at the same time as I, but even more so from those who'd been there. I even found my wonderful doctor through this forum.

Thankyou everyone for your experiences enrich and educate.
OH

[mikesimon]

This board saved my life. I seriously doubt that I would be alive today had I not stumbled onto MedHelp. That's the simple truth.
Mike

[annieCinMD]

Great thread, Deb! I have just about recovered from my horrible experience with tx, and only stop by here once in awhile as my life is good again. I hope I never have to treat again (I did have a choice the first time, one of the lucky ones with little damage), but I have continued to learn from this site. Increased my coffee intake because coffee is good for the liver (and hey, it boosts the metabolism, too!). Learned about that on here, and that is just the tip of the iceberg of what I have learned on this site. Go, old timers!

[Trinity4]

Diane you have me confused.  Your post is startling in light of the fact that yesterday you stated to NYGirl and me:

"I was speaking for all of us who are in the middle of tx NOW, and feeling the effects today... not remembering them from years ago.  Yes, WE are the ones that need validating. I imagine you needed it when you were doing tx too. If you want to validate cancer patients, go to a cancer site. I bet you would find people complaining there too, because that is what a forum is for."

I know you have complained of brain fog, but your statement on this thread is completely at odds with your posts where you claim that the board and all respect and validation is reserved for those who are treating now.

You insist that this is a "Support Forum" but if you will carefully read the forum description you will see that it states this is a forum for discussion.  In a discussion, when someone disagrees with you, it is not an invalidation of your feelings, it is a person exercising her god-given right to her opinion.

People are not just going to agree with your misstatements, even though you are on treatment.  We aspire to accuracy here.  It is important that we not let misinfromation go unchallenged.  You came here for information - how would it be if people had given you wrong information and we all sat back and let it stand just to spare someone's feelings?  Would that be alright with you?

If someone like your son or daughter comes on here to find out what is going on with their mom, do you really want them to read that this is like cancer chemo?  Do you want your children worrying that you have a disease as serious and deadly as cancer?  I know it sounds really dramatic and that you are feeling weak and sick, but really!  Do you want that kind of fear instilled in your children?  Or other people's children?

Please think about it - we're not here to have a pity party.  We are here to discuss and to learn.

Trinity

[Kristina538]

You're the best Deb;  I simply wouldn't have managed tx without you and others showing me the way and giving me advice to pass onto my family, and strategies to go to my doctors with.    I try to pay it forward in my daily life which could have been so very very different.

[Rockerforlife]

You maybe an old timer here ny-gal,but you are young at heart.Are you taking up book writing in your spare time?

[annieCinMD]

She should, Rocker, she should indeed! (and ditto on young at heart : )  )

[mj6000]

I appreciate the medical info, advice & support from all those that have responded to me regardless as to how long they have been on MedHelp.I view everyone equally here. It takes a village.

[child24angel]

Always good to see you hawk !
you too Kristina and annie :)

[Onederwoman]

Member since 2007 and I dont even have Hep C but I LOVE LOVE LOVE this forum.
I am my hubbys caretaker. He has Gyno type1, stage 2-3, grade 2-3 and went thru 2 Interferon/Riba treatments in 2007 & 08 plus a stint in Mexico with alternatives and has not gotten cured. Were one of the hopeful couples waiting for the Gyno1 cure to surface maybe late 2011 or 2012. Until then, its work, lots of laughter, love, no stress, good organic food, vitamins, huge since of humor and prayer that's keeping him/us going.
I get support, untouchable knowledge, updates, to which I share with my hubby and his doctor. Ive been able to learn from and share the "caregivers" perspective with "newbies" on organic diets, creams for breakouts, side effects, vitamins and a slew of other tidbits we can only find on this wonderful forum site. This forum gives us hope, information, laughter, education and a shared understanding from all kinds of people at all kinds of different stages in this process.
Were here for the long haul. Before and after my hubbys cured. This is "familia".
And I thank all those who share their invaluable info with me.
Newbee...Oldbee....were all HepCbees!
Be good to yourself!  

[skersj]

I wouldn't have known how to cope if it weren't for you guys. My doctor dispensed the meds but none of them told me anything about how to deal with all those mental and physical side effects.  

[Emily_MHModerator]

This is a general post, not a personal-issue post.  Please, no personal posts about anyone in particular, named or un-named.

Emily

[Rockerforlife]

uh?

[Trish77]

Reminds me of a Robert Munsch tune called I Like Sandwiches.  I'll substitute "Oldtimers" for "Sandwiches".

I like Oldtimers, I think they're mighty fine.
I like Oldtimers, I like them all the time.
Oldtimers for dinner, Oldtimers for lunch,
If I had a hundred Oldtimers, I'd have them all at once

Okay...taking slight liberties with the wording to avoid "eating" oldtimers......

[merryBe]

I can't say how invaluable MedHelp was to my time treating.

It was the oldies who were the most help, and there aren't words to express my gratitiude enough.  I miss Jim and others that have moved on, but I'm hoping they know that their time of servanthood, long after their own ordeal was over, has had an enormously positive effect on most of us, and when crowns are passes out in heaven I'm sure theirs will shine most brightly.

"You visited Me when I was sick" Jesus once said.
Helping someone in here is the same thing really....and when we try to help, or grieve with those who grieve, we provide that same compassion.


Some oldies are like fine wine, and NY Girl you are one, you get better with age... The operative thing is to realize not every person who gets this disease already has their eternity in mind and is settled in a peaceful place.

Let me say emphatically, I love you guys!!!!!!!!

I love old timers, there are a dozen I'd love to have as house guests...

The way most folks feel on any board is they love it when people are helpful, and they love it when people have concern, and correct them as well, as long as it is done lovingly...

We are all humans who struggle..I think this disease brings out the best and the worst in all of us. Some are able to overcome, some struggle with long unresolved issues, and these come forward in their interactions be they oldies or newbies.  
As hard as I try I notice at times what I say is taken incorrectly and part of the issue is that being a matter of fact person can sometimes come across as sharp. Hopefully we can all realize and put ourselves in the shoes of the receivers. I’d love to see that happening, where everyone thinks, "if I got sent this how would I feel."
What I have noticed is that sometimes it's hard to know how fragile folks can be...
and I think some could stand to work on their delivery so as not to offend...
the only reason I think something was said about the oldies is because a couple of members have forgotten how to say things the way they would say them if God was in the room.

What I would like to see is a return to civility.  When I first joined this board, that was for the most part the norm, and many letters I have received have remarked on that fact, and the fact that in other forums rancor was much more prevalent, which made MedHelp a bastion of respite and separated it from all the rest...and that was most refreshing.
Folks newly diagnosed and/or treating need tenderness and folks with Riba rage need to recognize their suffering is effecting their speech patterns….it’s a hard path to walk well but given time, and a little self evaluation I think we all should strive for the balance you have shown.

You’ve never shown rancor, you aren’t dismissive, you don’t insult.
If anyone ever said you did, I'd dispute that, and say they really don't know your heart or your great concern.
What I’ve been doing is to pray for those in here that have those tendencies to offend as they give us all a bad name, and I don't want to see people turn away in sorrow, frustration, wounded by anything we might say, and I know you share this view.

What we most need to remember is that all people who come in here have worth, even the ones who may give their fellows a bad name, even those who may be trying treatments we don’t subscribe to.

So don’t let it worry you what was said. I say we should reason with all folks, and not try to make anyone feel stupid or dumb, ever…a couple people have not learned how to do this yet, and they especially are in my prayers....REALLY they need prayer.

Here’s hoping that all will subscribe to the ideal of typing to others what we wouldn't not mind having had typed to us.

Aside from that
For my part, those who persist in attacks are those I rarely converse with, I try not to argue with them, or respond to any of their posts, hoping that sometimes perhaps my silence might speak louder than any words.….and if we all began this practice, soon the offenders would have no one left to converse with, and they might reevaluate their approach and develop some gentility…that is my hope and prayer.

Stay well my friend, I'm sure those remarks were not aimed at you in any case.

mb

[Trish77]

I'm sure the person who made the comment didn't mean that Oldtimers should shuffle off into the Old Heppers Home and leave the forum to the younguns...but then again there's the saying that people don't remember what you said, they remember how you made them feel.  Feelings are a funny thing...not always accurate but you feel what you feel and sometimes it becomes your truth .. even if it's not.

I certainly hope all the Oldtimers feel better now.  Plenty of affirmation and confirmation of how valuable and important it is to have the presence of Oldtimers here.   So if you were feeling unloved and unappreciated, there is plenty of love and appreciation in this thread so for those that needed to be affirmed, there it is.  

[susan400]

I consider myself an oldtimer.  I've been around Medhelp for longer than I can remember.  Actually, prior to my Susan400 handle, I was on here under Susan40 and for awhile under Susan1961.  The reason for the different ID's was simple, I kept on forgetting what my login was.  Anyhow, in the past few years, I've cut back alot on posting compared to what I used to do.  It might be a bit selfish on my part, I'll own up to that, but I found myself getting too depressed from reading over and over again from people who were all SVR, except me.  Everybody that I had originally gotten to know, all SVR, except maybe about 3 out of the original 50-100 people that I've connected with over the years.  Yes, I'm happy for all of you who have cleared!  It's just that sometimes, I need to take care of me and do some things that are healthy mentally for me such as exercising, volunteering at A.C.S. or playing some stupid game on Facebook.  I do come back here and try to help those that are starting out or are currently treating, when I see that there haven't been 10 people already giving them the same answer that I would have given them.  I do think of all of you regularly.  

Susan400

[child24angel]

"You visited Me when I was sick" Jesus once said
Is this not religious? not that I'm not religious, however, I was under
the impression, no politics nor religion?

My feelings are  not funny and are very accurate, no one can take
them away or belittle me or anyone for that matter, I don't think
anyone needs any kind of affirmation.

[Diane12855]

It is a quote. If she quoted Martin Luther King, would that be religious? He was a preacher.

I think everybody needs affirmation. If we don't try to stay positive, we go down to the depths of despair. I sure don't want to do that!

[Trish77]

Elaine:  "My feelings are  not funny and are very accurate, no one can take
them away or belittle me or anyone for that matter, I don't think
anyone needs any kind of affirmation. "

???  On the offchance you thought I meant feelings are "ha ha" funny .. what I meant was that feelings / emotions are curious things that are sometimes triggered by that moment in time or past moments or events in time.  What you feel is accurately how you feel but I think all of us can say that how someone's words make us feel is often not the result the speaker was after nor are feelings an accurate interpretation of a message.  Just ask a room how they felt about what a speaker said and you'll get all different answers.  So who's right in that case about what the speaker truly meant?  It's open to individual interpretation influenced by a number of things, including the emotion in the moment. That has nothing at all to do with what the speaker intended, simply how the recipient interpreted it based on their own "processing" mechanisms.  

Regardless...not something I intend to debate.  If anything your comment is a clear illustration of my point .... that words can be taken any number of ways and it's possible that the words were misinterpreted and not at all what the person meant to convey.....so entirely possible that no offense need to have been taken.  As it is, offense WAS taken so.....hopefully the posts in the thread healed any slight, actual or perceived.

[mikesimon]

oh boy

[Trish77]

oh man......

[GSDgirl]

oh, geeze

[Diane12855]

oh golly........

[Isobella]

~~~This is a general post, not a personal-issue post.  Please, no personal posts about anyone in particular, named or un-named.~~~

Seriously???  That's just about stupid. Everything we post here is pretty much personal issue stuff.  If we want to call someone out in particular and thank them for their contributions than we should do it.  Goodness knows we call people out enough when we don't like what they are doing.

All the bickering and arguing that goes on here is purely personal issue stuff and yet it goes on ad nauseum.  Yet as this thread turned in to people thanking Deb, we get told not to talk about anyone in particular, named or un-named.  

Whatever.

Here's some more names of forum oldies that have helped so many of us......JmJm, Walrus, Andiamo, Marcia, Lapis, FLGator, Lady Laurie, BoooCooo, Llapple, PIlgrim, FLGuy, Fretboard, Trish, ChildAngel, Jdwhcv, CPClinic, RGlass, Medicmommy, Trinity, Port, Annie, Hector, Magnum, Mike, OH, Goofydad, Rita, GSDgirl, Susan, Rocker, Kristina, Meki, Diane, me......and a TON of others that I am to frustrated to remember right now, but I'd name us all if I could.

Dang...that was a helluva cup of coffee this morning.  Let me tell ya how I really feel, lol!!

Isobella
Name Dropper  

[nygirl7]

Yes it was completely not supposed to be about ME but to point out ALL of the old timers which have saved our lives.  I'd never post something just about me like that - I was just trying to explain for those who didn't understand.

I'll add some too from really long ago Cuteus, Friole, TNHepGuy, Willing, Eisbein, CandoMan, Copyman, Mr. Beagle Bailey (waa come back Beagle!), Elaine, Great Birdie, Bill & Bill, DebC, PonyShel, Chevy, Merry, Beamer, James, Za, CA, Magnum, ..............I could sit here and think all day but don't to lose my job (been out sick lately cant take a chance with all that is going on!).

I agree YES it is PERSONAL if it were not none of us would stay here....we could just read the information on hepc websites. But it is all about us sharing our PERSONAL experiences with others to help them.  None of us are doctors we can't dispense medical advice wouldn't that be against the law somehow?

[Isobella]

Charm...how could I forget???!!!!  Willy, my shot buddy Comeagain.  All my lab rat study buddies........

I know....all day I'm gonna be thinking of more names.  I'm glad it's my day off.  

[mikesimon]

Revenire

[nygirl7]

Oh Izzy I forgot LADYDI too!!!!!! How can that be - boy our minds are not like steel traps anymore are they? HA!

[nygirl7]

REv1 Rev2 Rev3 LOL how many versionf of Revs did we have over the years? boy what a LOSS I miss him too!

[FlGuy]

I was going to put the names Rev and Forseegood in the same post to see if it smoldered.

[Isobella]

I-horn.  

[mikesimon]

I'd bet it would have.
Do you think that could have gone on here now?
Not a chance.

Mike

[rita863]

Just Saw this thread!!!!!!!!!!!!

YES ITS ME!!!!!

I would never have continued treatment if it hadn't been for all the above!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

When the drs. told me stop treatment, you guys all talked me through it!

I love all of the people here!!!!!!!!!!!1

The old timers are the ones who know anything and everything!!  They have been throught it all!!!  

I dont post at all anymore, (going though some personal stuff), but without this group and again those that Izzy mentioned I would not be SVR today!!!

@Deb love you alway!!!!


love to all of you and hoping that you are all doing ok!!!


peace
rita

[Bill1954]

Wow, Rita- great to see you stop in! Just wandered by to keep us all honest, huh:o)?

--Bill

[nygirl7]

Beauty where have you been, how are you doing, please PM or email me when you can! Nothing new here same old luck as always and boy you understand that more than most people ;)

What a great great treat to see your name on here today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I love you girl, you just made my day we've all asked each other about you MANY times!!!!!!!!!

[mikesimon]

Hi Rita,
It's great to see you.
Stay well,
Mike

[Isobella]

RITA!!!!!  (how did I miss this????)

So great to see you here!!!!  I'm having a bad run of things this past few myself.....I'm relatin'.

Love Ya!!!!!!

((((((((MonkeyonMyBackHugs))))))))))

Isobella

[merryBe]

OMG, now everybody is dropping names....Jesus!!!

[Isobella]

yup....Him, too =0

[merryBe]

Him 3,4 and 5 !!  ; 0

[rita863]

WOW great to be missed by all of you!!!

And I miss you all as well!!!

Ok so how is everyone doing?  I need to updates!!

I have been out of the loop for way to long!

Deb will emal you!!

[GoofyDad]

"Some oldies are like fine wine"

Yeah - we do better when corked.

[nygirl7]

I don't know how you always have the right answer GD but you do. :)

[merryBe]

or when uncorked by a good scre.w  !!

[kickboxingmom]

The ole timers are the ones who made this forum what it is . Drs. change protocols because of the information they provide . Experience is to be wise      
                                                           Ignorance - lack of knowledge
The ole timers have saved so many theres nothing more to say but thank you to the oldies but goodies . Love each and everyone of you and you know exactly who you are !

[Rockerforlife]

I had some organic wine last nite with my pizza...it was good....a good wine uncorked with a good screw device make it a evn better

[alagirl]

I wouldn't have made it through tx without this forum and info from the others who treated before I did.  As it turned out, my treatment became very complicated and even my doctors ended up using information and medication suggestions from the physicians of other forum members.  If those older forum members hadn't been here I have no doubt I would have been pulled from treatment.

Even access to studies on acute treatment (since I was an acute treater) was provided by older forum members.  None of my physicians had ever seen or treated an acute patient before so those studies ended up being quite valuable to me.

That's to say nothing of having the wisdom of people who had already gone through the myriad of different side effects brought on by treatment.  Since not every person gets every side effect, the more people there are here who have completed tx, the more likelihood there is that one of them will have had the same side effect a current treater is experiencing.  Also, some people who treat rebound before getting to the six month mark.  Added to that is the fact that many treaters continue to have either long term effects of hcv damage or long term effects of tx (or both) even after they have completed tx, even when they are virus free.  They still need support from others who have gone through the same thing.  For all of these, and a myriad of other reasons, the forums are important to hcv patients both past and present.  Just my 2 cents.  

I haven't been on the forums for a few months (trying to have a life here - albeit not always very successfully) and didn't even know that the presence of old vs current treaters/members had become an issue?  How silly.  There should be more than enough room for everyone.  Seems as though people would try to take advantage of what others have to offer and try to learn a little something from each other.  Presumably we all have a common goal in beating hcv and keeping as much of our health, family, work, and social life intact as we can while doing it.  Many of us already lose so much of our life to this disease, it's treatment, and its aftermath (long term effects of both the tx and the disease).  Kinda seems petty if we're trying to push people out of the group instead of focusing on the issues for which the forums were created.

[Bill1954]

Oooooh, —good to see you back again; excellent thoughts indeed. You should stick around and put some teeth to those words, gal :o).

I hope you’re doing well, and having a fun and productive summer,

Bill

[GSDgirl]

Hi ala!!!  Nice to "see" you here.

Denise

[alagirl]

Hi Bill & Denise :)  I never mean to stay away so long.  It seems like I just get sidetracked and before I know it, a lot of time has vanished.  Don't know where it goes these days.

[GoofyDad]

"or when uncorked by a good scre.w  !! ."

More likely a healthy dose of lactulose! Never get in the pharmacy line behind the lady with the lactulose script :-o

[GoofyDad]

Hey! How's the chicken biz?

[nygirl7]

Hey Ala what a nice surprise to see you 'round these parts!  :)

As you can tell, we haven't changed at all - some of us are just as silly as ever (thank God!!!!!)

[alagirl]

Goofy - It's been so long since I've managed to sell a chicken I'd probably screw up and ship rabbits instead ;)

NYGirl - It's like coming home.  I oughta do it more often :)

[GoofyDad]

Not a good business, rabbits. Usually you can only sell two. There's no tail, and that ain't good.

[comeagain]

The highest kind of knowledge anyone can reach to is to realise you really don´t know anything at all.

How can anybody blame anyone for wanting to share that!!

ca

[comeagain]

parden my bad english it probably should read" is to realise one really don´t know anything

at all".

[Trinity4]

This is pretty nifty.  It's like old home week on this thread.  And look at all the SVR's, how cool is that.  

♫ Where have all the oldtimers gone, long time passing ♫

[spectda]

You old timers are what we are here for. When I recently knew that it was time to treat, much of the questions or searches I entered in google kept bringing me here. People support each other through treatment and are supported and advised by the old timers. The board just perpetuates itself with new teachers and new students.

I believe that those of us that are new to treatment or those that are newly diagnosed are looking for guidance from you, and you are well respected and appreciated. I know that I feel that way. I have tried to stay well informed over the years since diagnoses, but the wealth of information, support and friendship have been invaluable here.

Thank you all!
Dave

[Marcia2202]

Oldtimer rock! Always have... there is nothing much more to say, the fact speaks for itself!

Love you guys!

[spectda]

I am surprised actually to hear that some actually said " the forum is really only for people currently treating" I guess people say all sorts of things.

I believe generally there is mutual respect on the forum for all contributors regardless of whether they have been part of the forum for a long time or not. Of course there are also many people that have not been part of the forum, that have spent a lot of their time educating themselves about the disease.

Many of you old timers have formed a bond over the years of communicating with each other and have gotten to know each other well. There is no replacement for old, tried and true friends!

[kickboxingmom]

IF it wasn't for the ole timer's Why do I feel bad when I stay away to long ?
Because of the help they have given me and so many others .I can't beleive anyone would say such a thing and truely , honestly be able to say it on here . A true person that helps others is like gold ... You don't consider yourself rich by the money you have but by the friends you keep . If I stay away a year and come back it's always the  warm welcoming ole timers you can TRUST that always welcome you back with open arms and IF you don't know the answers to all the questions , ask .They all explain to each and everyone they are not Drs., but experience does help in this so called experience of disease that we have , or had or are still battling .
I'm sorry Deb that someone could make you feel like you did ... I just want to say , Thank you very much for being here for me and others and it REALLY doesn't matter what one person thinks , verses what many friends FEEL ! Your awesome ...
P.S. I am gonna make T-Shirts . Get the over it ! Not meant for you :)

[GSDgirl]

I'm not NYgirl but I think you will find the answer to your question (who would post that the forum is for current treaters) here:

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Hepatitis-C/According-to-Wikipedia--the-definition-of-chemotherapy-is/show/1271106#post_5824120

Denise

[GSDgirl]

don't have much time right now but it very well could have been this thread:

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Hepatitis-Social/An-Honest-Question/show/1266314?personal_page_id=1164125#post_5801778

Denise

[spectda]

Hi Denise-
Thanks for the links. My impression (perhaps it is flawed) is that this forum works quite, is general positive (not always) and there is a lot of mutual respect between all of us regardless of when we joined. It seems like about 99 percent of the time experience is respected. Whenever you get a bunch of people together online or for in person, somebody is bound to rub someone else the wrong way.
- Dave

[kickboxingmom]

From now on I will keep my lips closed after reading what this was all about . Going about my business .

[rmv930]

6 weeks into tx dont know if i can finish 6 months genotype2 i am miserable started procrit last week i am new to this sharing dont get on computer much

[rmv930]

got to go  take my 2 procrit shot