Wednesday, March 18, 2015

New In March 2015 - HepCBC presents 148 Pages Of Hepatitis C FAQs



HepCBC presents the March release of Peppermint Patti's Hepatitis C FAQs - version 10.

What happens when ordinary people make a difference? Remarkable things happen. Patricia Johnson is anything but ordinary, her work lives on in the now famous; Peppermint Patti’s FAQs.

Our paths crossed around 1999, after I was diagnosed with hepatitis C. Feeling completely alone, late one night I joined a mailing list where Patricia Johnson (aka Peppermint Patti) was also a member. I met so many wonderful people, who, like me, were dealing with the aftermath of testing positive for the virus. 

Sometime later I followed a link to a list of hepatitis C FAQ's, it took forever to download. Dial-up, remember those days?  After what seemed like an eternity this incredible list of FAQ's started to slowly appear, it was exciting, I was truly excited!  Every question I had was listed, and answered in terms I could comprehend. I quickly sent off a very long email thanking Patricia for the list. It was difficult to put my gratitude into words, even today I am filled with great admiration for her, and all those wonderful people who continue to update Peppermint Patti’s FAQs. 

For me, and countless others, Patricia's list alleviated our fears, along with the many myths we read about, it was simply impressive.  

I often wonder if Patricia knew what her amazing list accomplished, it made our journey easier, and for some, even successful.

From HepCBC

HISTORY and ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: 
This document answers frequently asked questions (FAQ) about the hepatitis C virus (HCV), its treatment, and related complications. We have made every effort to provide the most current and most accurate information. This updated version (FAQ v10.0) reflects the international nature of the hepatitis C community. Although the home of the HEPV-L list is in the US, many of its members come from other parts of the globe.

Patricia Johnson (Peppermint Patti), the original author of the FAQ had asked David Mazoff (squeeky), of the HCV Advocate in San Francisco, if he could take over the arduous task of revising and updating the FAQ, and he has passed the torch to Joan King. She lives in Canada, and so this version has quite a bit of information for Canadians.

To make the FAQ more accessible to those from countries other than Canada, information relating specifically to Canada has been put in appendices at the end of the document. Thanks to a grant from the Legal Services Society of British Columbia, we include information on Disability Benefits for residents of BC. Hopefully, this section will expand to include all of Canada. The reader will also note that there is no list of physicians in the US comparable to the list of Canadian physicians (Appendix D). Anyone wishing to compile this list is welcome to do so. Please contact the authors of the FAQ.

DISCLAIMER
The information presented in this document was written and developed by patients and members of the HEPV-L mailing list. It represents an informal catalogue of accumulated knowledge by people who for the most part are not medical professionals. As this file is developed further, we will include references and citations to document more of the statements that are made here. Much of the information contained in this FAQ was compiled from the varied and personal experiences and opinions on the HEPVL and HepCAN mailing lists, and from original research published in the hepc.bull. As useful as this information may be, it must not be considered medical advice, and must not be used as a substitute for medical advice. And as always, don’t forget to use your common sense. It is important that anyone who has, or thinks they may have, hepatitis should consult with a licensed health care practitioner who is familiar with liver disease and systemic disorders.

Thanks are due to the many contributors to this new official version of the FAQ. Below, in no particular order: Alan Franciscus (HCV Advocate), Brad Kane (HepCBC), Andi Thomas (Hep-C-Alert), Anne Karim, Bruce Bennett, Bryce Brogan, Paul Harvey, Cindy Torchin, David Lang† (HEP Seattle), Frank Smith, Joe Shaw, Joan King (HepCBC), Kathryn Morse, Eileen Caldwell-Martin (FHCQ), Ken Benjamin†, Kevin, Kunga Palmo† (USHA), Sue Brown (Mid Island HepC), Capt. Kevin Donnelly†, Bruce Devenne† (HepCNS), Leslie Gibbenhuck (Children’s Liver Alliance), Marjorie Harris (HepCure), Darlene Morrow (HepC VSG), Lucinda Porter, Pat Buchanan (LiverHope),**Peppermint Patti**, Sara Amber (HEP Seattle), Scott Warren (aka Reezer), C.D. Mazoff, aka “Squeeky” (HCV Advocate), Rivaud (Hepv-l), Sheree Martin (Hep B List), Sybil†, Smilin’ Sandi, Marie Stern, Brian D. Klein (HAAC), John & Matti Kirk, Rick Crane, and our mothers for making us possible.

This FAQ is dedicated to the memory of David H. Kehrer, LTC John Heintz (Peters) and his wife Patricia, Daniel Bodiford, Dr. Horst Irmler, Jude Saucier, Capt. Kevin Donnelly, Ron Thiel,”Uncle Dave” Lang, Guy Thisdelle, “Apache” Pat Davis, Frank Darlington, Dave FitzGerald, Sandra Tara Balduf (Ane Palmo), Herb Moeller, Kelly O’Dell, Bruce Devenne, Ken Thomson, and all of the many others for whom the cure came too late.

No comments:

Post a Comment