Skeptic's Toolkit

[Heart Sutra]

http://www-static.cc.gatech.edu/~idr...ld_Excerpt.htm

This is a valuable way to measure information. Included in this link are several examples of how to interpret information, and the ways in which faulty information is conveyed as believable.

Scroll the page for a Skeptic's Toolkit and scroll farther for the Fallacy Detection Toolkit, found originally in Carl Sagan's "Demon Haunted World." An excellent book on scientific thought and the application of skepticism.

As you've all heard me complain about, there is a plethora of bad information, false claims, and outright quackery that is encountered when researching cancer. This is so unfortunate because it distracts from the legitimate and valuable information out there, and I've found the quackery easier to find than the scientifically valid sources. The harm this causes is mostly undue stress and worry, besides being a tremendous time-waster. If the bad advice is actually believed, the harm is much greater.

Always check your sources!

This support group has been wonderful to us for the invaluable way all of you are so willing to share your personal experiences, and the knowledge base you have all shared with us. Your experiences have helped us prepare over and oover, and we are so grateful to you all.

I wanted to add this link to assist us in sorting through the overwhelming amount of info. out there. It's preaching to the choir, since all of you are very savvy and knowledgable, but it's a handy way to check validity of statements and research, and will be useful in other areas of life too.

Obviously too much time on my hands...

[Audrey]

Thanks for sharing that link, Kevin & Sue. Looks like some valuable tools to add to the toolbox. Hope you both have a Happy New Year and good luck with the chemo tomorrow, Sue! (I have to agree with what others have posted, I was so nervous and dreading the chemo and then after I got my first treatment I felt okay and just waited and waited for nausea to hit me, but it never really did--drink lots of water before and after and take your anti-nausea meds on schedule to prevent any symptoms). Those oncology nurses are the best at making sure you're comfortable--bringing ginger ale, crackers, blankets--whatever you need. Let us know how it goes-

[StephN]

1. Sue, when you are getting your adriamycin (otherwise known as "big red" or the "red devil" because it is a reddish solution), eat ice chips or suck on a popsicle. This really helped me with getting fewer mouth sores. You will be getting a larger 3-week dose (I had 12 weekly, which as pretty tolerable), and could have a bout with the mouth sores.

I am sure you know about some other agents to rinse with, and to keep any possibility of infection down. Many of us switched to Biotene brand toothpaste and mouth wash.

2. About the internet and its pitfalls for cancer patients. This is precisely the reason my med onc warned me to stay off the internet, but that was in 2000 prior to some of these really good web sites being created. I actually learned of this one in its infancy from a colleague of my med onc who met Chis and Joe at the first San Antonio symposium they attended. She was more than willing to recommend and support a site like this for HER2 positive patients. I was already stage IV by that time.

Imagine having to wade through a diagnosis on your own. Fortunately I was given three very good books to get me started, including the first edition of Dr. Susan Love's "breast cancer bible."