Aa
According to Wikipedia, the definition of chemotherapy is:
"Chemotherapy, in its most general sense, is the treatment of disease by chemicals[1] especially by killing micro-organisms or cancerous cells. In popular usage, it refers to antineoplastic drugs used to treat cancer or the combination of these drugs into a cytotoxic standardized treatment regimen. In its non-oncological use, the term may also refer to antibiotics (antibacterial chemotherapy). In that sense, the first modern chemotherapeutic agent was Paul Ehrlich's arsphenamine, an arsenic compound discovered in 1909 and used to treat syphilis. This was later followed by sulfonamides discovered by Domagk and penicillin discovered by Alexander Fleming.
Most commonly, chemotherapy acts by killing cells that divide rapidly, one of the main properties of most cancer cells. This means that it also harms cells that divide rapidly under normal circumstances: cells in the bone marrow, digestive tract and hair follicles; this results in the most common side effects of chemotherapy—myelosuppression (decreased production of blood cells), mucositis (inflammation of the lining of the digestive tract) and alopecia (hair loss).
Other uses of cytostatic chemotherapy agents (including the ones mentioned below) are the treatment of autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis,Dermatomyositis, Polymyositis, Lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and the suppression of transplant rejections (see immunosuppression and DMARDs). Newer anticancer drugs act directly against abnormal proteins in cancer cells; this is termed targeted therapy."
Please note paragraph #2. It sure looks like what a lot of us are dealing with right now.
Most commonly, chemotherapy acts by killing cells that divide rapidly, one of the main properties of most cancer cells. This means that it also harms cells that divide rapidly under normal circumstances: cells in the bone marrow, digestive tract and hair follicles; this results in the most common side effects of chemotherapy—myelosuppression (decreased production of blood cells), mucositis (inflammation of the lining of the digestive tract) and alopecia (hair loss).
Other uses of cytostatic chemotherapy agents (including the ones mentioned below) are the treatment of autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis,Dermatomyositis, Polymyositis, Lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and the suppression of transplant rejections (see immunosuppression and DMARDs). Newer anticancer drugs act directly against abnormal proteins in cancer cells; this is termed targeted therapy."
Please note paragraph #2. It sure looks like what a lot of us are dealing with right now.
We are closing this thread. It is an endless debate, and it's a moot point anyway as Diane (or anyone) can call it whatever they want to.
It would probably help to remember that everyone is different, and some will struggle more with some aspects of an illness than others will. That doesn't make anyone right or wrong - just different. Disagreeing with someone doesn't make someone right or wrong, either.
This thread was more about figuring out what to tell people if someone isn't comfortable with explaining hep C and finding ways to justify calling it chemo without actually lying. MedHelp is not just about info, but also about support. You can't be supportive if you are picking each other apart, and that goes for most of the people that posted here.
************************** CLOSED THREAD **********************************
No more posts please, or we'll have to delete it.
It would probably help to remember that everyone is different, and some will struggle more with some aspects of an illness than others will. That doesn't make anyone right or wrong - just different. Disagreeing with someone doesn't make someone right or wrong, either.
This thread was more about figuring out what to tell people if someone isn't comfortable with explaining hep C and finding ways to justify calling it chemo without actually lying. MedHelp is not just about info, but also about support. You can't be supportive if you are picking each other apart, and that goes for most of the people that posted here.
************************** CLOSED THREAD **********************************
No more posts please, or we'll have to delete it.
My wife has an education in biology and I've been pestering her ever since I got into this stuff about a year ago when I started treatment. The best book is "Molecular Cell Biology" by Lodish and others. She found the course challenging because of the chemistry involved so some background in science would be extremely useful. I found my biology knowledge was too rusty to just dive into the text without a lot of tangents, but this one book has been the keystone to my education about the subject.
The only one complaining is you Diane. You are given the opportunity NOW to say and feel what you like just as we did when we were treating. Just because we didn't require the same validation you do and disagree doesn't mean you are being slighted or degraded.
I think you loose focus of the fact that it's not all about the NOW aspect of treatment or how bad the side effects are NOW. This disease is multifaceted and it comes with it's own set of problems pre, during and post treatment and that's the WE is all about on a hepc forum.
Trinity
I think you loose focus of the fact that it's not all about the NOW aspect of treatment or how bad the side effects are NOW. This disease is multifaceted and it comes with it's own set of problems pre, during and post treatment and that's the WE is all about on a hepc forum.
Trinity
Just my point in my post above... Everybody needs validation. I already said that, and you appeared to disagree... sorry if I misunderstood.
and feeling the effects today... not remembering them from years ago. "
By the way if you assume that these feelings are going to go away - you might be very, very disappointed. There are plenty of folks who years later will let you know just how well inteferon has treated them.
By the way if you assume that these feelings are going to go away - you might be very, very disappointed. There are plenty of folks who years later will let you know just how well inteferon has treated them.
If you think only people who are currently treating need validation in life because they have it the hardest - then I suggest you really look around at what is going on in the world today and realize that the people who keep this forum moving forward and have given time and energy for YEARS to help new people - might have a lot more problems than just being a bit anemic and feeling poorly. Be careful for what you wish, you'd never want to walk a mile in either Trin or my shoes.
Perhaps it's time to add a good AD - I don't mean that snarkily but perhaps it will help for you to relax and look at the bigger picture.
Perhaps it's time to add a good AD - I don't mean that snarkily but perhaps it will help for you to relax and look at the bigger picture.
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.
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.
For people like Trinity, Bill and I who have done much more than 48 weeks of treatment, to validate for the new members what is true and what is a gross exaggeration of dramatics - should not denigrate anyones feelings.
Fortunately for me, I am able to just say "oh I didn't know that, sorry I was wrong" and move forward with my life. I've done it PLENTY of times in here in the past almost five years. When someone points out something to me, because they are more knowledgable than I am, I appreciate learning and thus become more informed myself. It doesn't take away any validation - it just teaches me something and in fact when you think about it - actually gives me MORE validation because my facts are now CORRECT.
You should try and think of it that way. You've been on here a few weeks now and learned a lot. Don't you want to learn more from those who have the knowledge to share?
Fortunately for me, I am able to just say "oh I didn't know that, sorry I was wrong" and move forward with my life. I've done it PLENTY of times in here in the past almost five years. When someone points out something to me, because they are more knowledgable than I am, I appreciate learning and thus become more informed myself. It doesn't take away any validation - it just teaches me something and in fact when you think about it - actually gives me MORE validation because my facts are now CORRECT.
You should try and think of it that way. You've been on here a few weeks now and learned a lot. Don't you want to learn more from those who have the knowledge to share?
Oh brother, now we're talking about denigration? I'm sorry, I don't follow you. Validate what you wish, I have no vested interest either way and if you feel slighted I will be more than happy to wish you well moving forward with your chemotherapy.
Trinity
Trinity
Even though it has nothing to do with the initial thread... What is wrong with people wanting their feelings validated anyhow? We are VALID PEOPLE. We show people that we care about them when we validate what they are dealing with. We show that we think we are superior when we degrade people for having weaknesses, which in my opinion is the HUGEST WEAKNESS of all.
My brother in law was on interferon for a year because he was diagnosed with cancer, melanoma to be exact. Unfortunately the interferon didn't do what they had hoped and his cancer spread forcing him into full cancer chemotherapy. Trust me, I've had many conversations with him about treatment and he said interferon therapy was a walk in the park compared to his cancer treatment and this guy didn't need his symptoms or feelings validated.
Trin
Trin
I just took two advils - I think I'm going out on disability now guys. Bye.
;)
Anyway look at someone who has done transplant - all those chemicals, antirejection drugs whatever (sorry I'm sort of ignorant about that thank God).........I've never heard of any one of them whine that they were on chemo and certainly they'd have more right than most of us.
Look at someone with MS on interferon you don't hear them saying they are on chemo. My cousin says interferon (in addition to a bunch of other stuff I don't know about).
;)
Anyway look at someone who has done transplant - all those chemicals, antirejection drugs whatever (sorry I'm sort of ignorant about that thank God).........I've never heard of any one of them whine that they were on chemo and certainly they'd have more right than most of us.
Look at someone with MS on interferon you don't hear them saying they are on chemo. My cousin says interferon (in addition to a bunch of other stuff I don't know about).
I was on chemo for cancer 16 years ago. In my experience, Interferon was much harder for me. Comparatively, your body is going through the same thing in regards to side effects.
I agree that using the term "chemo" is a reasonable response to shut people up quickly, usually with little comeback. If you're calling out of work and constantly sick, you have to tell people something.
"Chemo" and cancer is socially acceptable and comprehendible; hepC not so much.
I agree that using the term "chemo" is a reasonable response to shut people up quickly, usually with little comeback. If you're calling out of work and constantly sick, you have to tell people something.
"Chemo" and cancer is socially acceptable and comprehendible; hepC not so much.
"Chemotherapy, in its most general sense, is the treatment of disease by chemicals[1]
Of course Bill, because that is validating your feelings. If your head hurts, take two chemos and call me in the morning.
Trin aka DD
Trin aka DD
"Chemotherapy is the usage of "chemicals" to treat disease."
So then if I use acetaminophen for a headache, I'm doing chemo, I guess?
Interferon is what they give cancer patients, right.
Chemotherapy is the usage of "chemicals" to treat disease. Interferon is Chemotherapy.
Tx=Chemotherapy for Hepatitis C.
Chemotherapy is the usage of "chemicals" to treat disease. Interferon is Chemotherapy.
Tx=Chemotherapy for Hepatitis C.
If you've ever seen anybody on real chemotherapy - someone gone plug and play.........you would never think again to insist that this is what you're doing. You'd just be damn grateful that you are not in their shoes. This is namby pamby stuff for babies compared to what they have to do - in each and every case no matter how bad you think you've got it. Overinflated hyperactive dramatic ego's would consider interferon/riba - chemo but most certainly a cancer patient would not.
Has anyone on here really done both? I have one friend who has and she laughs at the idea that anyone would call treatment - chemo.
Has anyone on here really done both? I have one friend who has and she laughs at the idea that anyone would call treatment - chemo.
That right Diane, inquiring minds want to know. I didn't get this knowledgeable about hepc by only consulting Wikipedia.
Trinity
Trinity
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