tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4179516101180622376.post69880846019071716..comments2024-03-28T00:25:27.585-07:00Comments on Running for My Life: Fighting cancer one step at a time: Medical web searches lead to 'cyberchondria'Ronni Gordonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00036024135497392070noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4179516101180622376.post-20898512479155013052008-12-05T15:42:00.000-08:002008-12-05T15:42:00.000-08:00When my son got leukemia I went to the medical lib...When my son got leukemia I went to the medical library at the nearest college (Rutgers) and read everything possible. I actually asked his doctor if he could have certain drugs that he had not yet used. My son was his first patient to try a new antianusea drug zofran. He then began to use it on all his patients. I am the kind of person who wants to know as much information as possible. While I would not diagnose myself via the internet, once diagnosed I would do all the research. My son's doctor told me I had times I drove him crazy but that he was impressed at the efforts I made to have some input. Having had low counts and my spleen removed I think I have a very mild hypochondria but others don't feel I do. Perhaps I hide it well. LOLNellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06927983874624510031noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4179516101180622376.post-64708224932492795462008-12-04T22:50:00.000-08:002008-12-04T22:50:00.000-08:00Hi Ronni - I just want you to know that I think ab...Hi Ronni - I just want you to know that I think about you often, don't have anything profound to say, but want only the best outcomes for you. Was out in Brooklyn tonight taking in a play that utilized Neil Young's songs to mark scene transitions. You kept coming to mind. Not sure why. Please tell Madison that I have a beautiful, 9 year old chubby Chocolate Lab named Lucy. When you're ready for company, Lucy would like to meet Madison. - Jay G.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4179516101180622376.post-89753358823552761572008-12-04T20:11:00.000-08:002008-12-04T20:11:00.000-08:00I love it! I agree 100% to go with your gut. Nob...I love it! I agree 100% to go with your gut. Nobody knows what your body feels like inside other than you. I too had a gut feeling something was "off"- oh yeah try a spleen 5 times it should have been and a WBC of 300K!<BR/>Great post, I really enjoyed it.<BR/>xo-LeaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4179516101180622376.post-4414933957653850302008-12-04T18:43:00.000-08:002008-12-04T18:43:00.000-08:00Always good to check back in with your various pos...Always good to check back in with your various posts (been so busy with work I haven't had time to read them lately). <BR/><BR/>I totally agree about staying off the internet. There is too much information and each case is unique enough that you can't really use it effectively and it just becomes overwhelming. <BR/><BR/>Stay focused on what your professional team at DFCI tells you and leave it at that. You are in the best hands possible.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4179516101180622376.post-6707363502906853142008-12-04T16:41:00.000-08:002008-12-04T16:41:00.000-08:00I have always been a worst-case- scenario person. ...I have always been a worst-case- scenario person. Imagined illnesses NEVER materialized, but I was nevertheless prepared. Ironically, leukemia blind-sided me.<BR/><BR/>Would the opposite of hypochondria be hyperchondria? I wish I could say I'm there.PJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08895652549080926672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4179516101180622376.post-58148826297455594872008-12-04T14:49:00.000-08:002008-12-04T14:49:00.000-08:00Funny you should talk about 'cyberchondria', and b...Funny you should talk about 'cyberchondria', and being a hypachondriac. I certainly used to be one, and I also would think a headache that lasted for more than a day or so was inevitably a brain tumour, etc etc. The amount of time and worry I have wasted over what turned out to be nothing ... !<BR/><BR/>But, oddly enough, when I did actually get cancer, that seemed to change. This whole positive outlook came over me. Nowadays it's like - well, I've actually had what I was always terrified of and (relatively speaking!), it wasn't as bad as I'd imagined. <BR/><BR/>I do look stuff up on the web - but seem able to selectively ignore things that highlight the worse case scenario. I know that most stuff on the web about the type of NHL I have (mantle cell) was written years ago and treatment/survival rates have changed hugely since then.<BR/><BR/>One of the best things about the web and having a serious illness I think, is the support people can get from others who have the same thing, either via discussion boards or blogs (like this one!) I'm sure that has revolutionised people's experiences and the isolation one can feel ... :)susiegbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11676716409243787432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4179516101180622376.post-19584812901587656512008-12-04T12:53:00.000-08:002008-12-04T12:53:00.000-08:00I hadn't heard that new word - cyberchondria. I wa...I hadn't heard that new word - cyberchondria. <BR/><BR/>I was never a hypochondriac before cancer. As a matter of fact, I was the opposite. (What's the opposite of hypochondriac?) My philosophy was that 75% of complaints just take of themselves without medical intervention. <BR/><BR/>Not any more. I am so in tune with my body and make note (literally - I keep a symptoms diary) of every little change. Now THAT sounds sick. : )Susan Chttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12178330935523896363noreply@blogger.com