E-MAIL
SUPPORT GROUP
PURPOSE
OF THE SUPPORT GROUP
The
HRPCa E-mail Support Group is an internet forum for men with diagnosed
hormone-refractory prostate cancer and for their families and caregivers.
We have found that once a man is diagnosed with HRPCa, he is fighting
a different battle than that waged against the earlier stages. This
forum allows families fighting HRPCa to share their experiences candidly
with others similarly committed.
Members
of this group recognize the importance of (1) understanding thoroughly
the therapies that have been found effective and their side effects;
(2) searching out new therapies that have the potential of helping in
the fight against HRPCa; and (3) understanding the medical science surrounding
this stage of the disease and the relevant therapies.
This
is a small, highly focused group, dedicated to the serious search for
better answers. It is a working group actively looking for information
and treatments that will lead to slowing the disease and extending quality
survival.
Each
participant is considered a contributor to the group effort. At this
stage of the disease, each individual has experienced a number of treatments
and side effects, and he has gathered knowledge and experience that
may be of use to others.
It
is not the purpose of this group to withdraw from the community of PCa
fighters. Any information of general interest that is developed through
the group efforts is posted on this web site, which is open to all.
We also post this information regularly to the other lists that deal
with all issues surrounding Pca.
HOW
TO JOIN THE GROUP
If
you have an up-to-date prostate cancer digest (PCD), email a copy to
Marty Magid with a request that you be subscribed by clicking on the following link:
Contact the HRPCa
Association.
If there is any question about
the diagnosis of hormone-refractory prostate cancer, he will contact you. If you
do not have a PCD or know how to prepare one, Marty will work with you to prepare it. An example PCD is
located in chapter 6 of the booklet.
A very useful and recommended
method of keeping your prostate cancer related treatments and responses
to treatment is the Multigraph Plotting provided by PCREF (Prostate
Cancer Research and Education Foundation). The instructions for
creating a chronological digest are at
http://www.pcref.org/instruction.php and the "Smart Chart
instructions are at
http://www.pcref.org/medsmartchart.php.
Your
pc digest will be re-posted to the support list, so that the members
know where you are in your fight against Pca. All members are encouraged
to comment on the pc digest wherever they have applicable and meaningful
experience to share with you.
By
reading some of the posts you will quickly see the direction of the group,
and you are encouraged to participate with your own questions, comments,
and research.
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