I remember meeting a man with tiny arms as a child on holiday. We were in a hotel lift/elevator and I asked my mum why he had tiny arms (I thought I was whispering but he obviously heard me cuz kids can't whisper). My mum said "Well if you ask nicely he might tell you, but if he doesn't want to then you have to respect that". Not only was he happy to tell me, he thanked my mum for making it a learning moment instead of when he heard some parents say things like "Because he didn't eat all his vegetables"
Your mom sounds amazing. Most individuals with limb differences or other more visible disabilities often have to deal with parents either giving their kids bs reasons for things or parents telling kids not to stare and then moving away. Both things are exceedingly dehumanizing to feel, so most of us actually prefer questions to be asked nicely like that so we can educate the next generation and help ensure that their treatment of the disabled is better than previous generations. I have hEDS, so while my disability isn't always very visible, it definitely can be. I dislocate my hips sometimes when I have to make quick unexpected movements with my lower body, and same deal with my shoulders. My arm or leg bending in a freaky direction can be pretty disorienting for people to see, so when parents with kids see it happen they often gasp and their kids ask how that happened. Unfortunately, most parents say don't look, somethings wrong. They don't even notice that I'm perfectly calm and proceeding to put my joints back into place while they shield their kids eyes. Those who don't react like that cry out and ask if I'm okay, they calm down when they see I'm calm and often those are the parents who let their kids ask questions so long as I'm okay with it. I really appreciate that when it happens because it means I can tell the kid about what happened and why and maybe help them act more appropriately the next time they see something different. True curiosity born of wonder for the world is never a bad thing, it can however be expressed negatively so I always appreciate a chance to help young kids learn how to express their curiosity and wonder in a way that is kind.
I once asked a woman who had short arms due to thalidomide, how she wiped after using the toilet. She thanked me for asking instead of just looking at her weirdly. Turns out that while there are devices to use, they're bulky and a pain to carry around, so instead she uses her heal. How amazing is that!
My mother was a quad amputee (occurred when I was an adult due to sepsis) and I agree with both the individual in the elevator and the other accounts provided here, people who experience disabilities prefer to be respected and when you provide genuine interest versus weird stares, they definitely appreciate it. My mother was quite outspoken, she would ask them to take a picture since it lasted longer. Haha!
I’ve taken this drug for my blood cancer. Everyone involved (from the company to the providers and pharmacists) was absolutely committed to making sure I knew the risks, and this was backed up by mandatory pregnancy tests, surveys and education with each prescription. Worth it. I’ve been living with cancer for 13 years, and this is a part of my journey. I’m hoping the best for you Hank, and I’m glad to hear that your treatment is going well!
My grandmother took this more than 20 years ago due to pancreatic cancer. Apparently it helped the chemo work better and helped nausea. She was in her 70s and had to sign paperwork saying she wouldn't get pregnant (she found the paperwork hilarious due to her age).
"Sorry if that's how you found out that I have cancer." I actually did see your original announcement, but that moment to reassure folks who might not have is precious. Here's to things continuing to go well!
For anyone in the same situation: It is promising to combine chemo with fasting because while fasting the metabolism of healthy cells changes and this starves cancer cells (whose metabolism cannot change) plus healthy cells become less vulnerable to chemo (this reduces side effect). It is well researched for mice, for humans there are as far as I know only studies with lower numbers of participants (where a massive reduction in side effects was found), however for some people there can be risks so it is best to discuss this in detail with a doctor.
@@volderhamern you read and look for your own research? Come on it’s. 2023 every single uni in America posts all their research, papers, and studied online
@@blank1778 If you make a claim like this you need to be able to back it up with some kind of source, because misinformation in that field might be harmful. I'm not asking for myself, I'm asking for everyone who reads this comment. Also not every university/institute publishes their research online for free, ESPECIALLY not in the U.S..
@@rosawolke2788 you missed something important. ALWAYS, ALWAYS, _ALWAYS_ talk to your oncologist before starting ANYTHING relating to cancer treatment on your own.
I remember learning about the woman who single handedly prevented Thalidomide from being approved for over the counter use in the US. Ted-Ed did a wonderful video on her and her work.
So much agreement. Frances Kelsey is one of the greatest humans that ever existed. Her name, along with the likes of Yuri Gargarian and Albert Einstein should be known by everyone.
Gotta go to work, gotta make that money at the end of the day everyone has bills to pay, I hope this is not the reason but we should see everything from both possible sides.
@@sscjessica He has stocks in amazon, is the CEO of at least 2 companies and is a best selling author, as well as clearly not living extravagantly. He absolutely could just stop working if he wanted to and be fine.
One of the kids I went to school with was a thalidomide kid. He had a wicked sense of humour and used his condition to challenge people's conception of disability.
My godmother was a thalidomide kid, & you took great care not to peeve her off too badly, bc her left arm was only half the length of her right, & would leave 2x as many bruises as the right. 😅
That's awesome. As someone with major health problems I think people using their disability to make people laugh and learn. Sometimes humor is the only way to go
I was floored when my mother was prescribed thalidomide as a last ditch effort to help her autoimmune disease. The precautions to get it to her were extensive, and while it did not help her, I'm glad it is available to people who it may help. Sending good wishes and health vibes to Hank and his family during his cancer journey.
I shared a hospital room as a child with a Thalidomide victim. He was in there for second of 5 planned surgeries to move one of his three fingers on his left hand into a position that could be used as a thumb. His left arm was only 6 inches long and almost useless. Just the word "Thalidomide" gives me shivers.
The worst thing is all of this could have been easily prevented if they would have tested Thalidomide on pregnant mice. But just like today pharmaceuticals are not tested gender specifically and this means tests are only performed on males because there is less hormonal imbalance and therefore easier.
@@Anonymous-df8it Gender specific in medicine refers to the influence of gender on health, diseases, therapy and prevention of illness. If you assume that (pregnant) females respond to pharmaceuticals in the same way as males without verification through research, this is not gender specific. You took the definition for each word of this technical term out of context.
I remember visiting my family in Germany in the late 90's and we were in one of those little medieval towns in Lower Saxony. We were sitting in a café and there was a woman in her early 40's sitting at the table next to ours and she had hands of a 3 year old (not arms, just hands growing out of her shoulders), drinking through a straw. I remember trying not to stare at her (as I was a 8-9 year old kid) but dying of curiosity. I guess she was one of these Thalidomide children, I've never seen this since then.
Thalidomide was just on its way out when my mum was pregnant with me, in Ireland, but a lot of uniformed women still had it their cabinets, and one offered it to my mum for her dreadful morning sickness. My Mum vehemently refused it, thankfully. I found out that she had been pregnant before me, and had taken the drug, which she thought caused a miscarriage in the third trimester, (we always acknowledged the baby girl as our big sister Mary). It's good to know the drug is now beneficial in many ways.
We met a guy who's mom got given it from a chemist in galway I think or kerry they still had it on the shelf. I took a drug which was given me for ear infection it has been banned for use except as a chemo drug on the 11th of that month. I had bad side effects after 2 tablets that lasted a whole month and were horrible. I found out it was banned ...First I googled is it good and got lots of positive google results then I got the side effects and googled the drug and side effects and got all the bad google results. They said it had been banned. I went to my doctor cos it said if you have any of these stop taking and go to doctor. I told the doctor it had been banned and he started shouting at me and threw me out of the clinic and alamed the door in my face. I was so upset. I then rang the departments of health and the college of surgeons to ask about it and complain a bit and it turns out ireland doesn't tell doctors when a drug has been banned. They have to find out themslves. Now 1000s of drugs they hand out every day theyre not going to be googleing is thus banned and finding out. They dont have sone sort of newsletter or website. Like there's a website for products that have been taken off the shelves like washing machines and bad ikea bowls and stuff. But not one for drugs so doctors could look and see oh these 5 drugs were banned this week or whatever. Anyway I went again about my ear years later and the guy suggested the same drug I said no thats banned. He said no no I give it out all the. Time every day... I said its banned by the eu for the horrific side effects google it. He eventually googled it and hmms and hawed and then I said so u shouldn't be giving it to people every day. And he said he never said that I was mistaken ..just flat out denied saying it. It took 15 years to get the drug banned its called foruaquinalone for anyone interested ..it can cause peoples heart valves to collapse cause psychotic terrifying symptoms cause tendons to rupture and interferes with cell metabolism. Its not detectable in the body once absorbed. It doesnt brrak down in the water treatment plants either. Nothing breaks it down. It's a scary drug. Some people have a life of terror after it. 15 years of campaigning god it restricted banned for use unless as a chemo drug or like last ditch effort drug terminal cases ...and nobody knows and they're just handing it out. For ear infections. It doesnt even say on the packet ..maybe it does now but it was only two weeks after it was banned that i got it. anyway that's my life story for ya since ya didn't ask. 😂 stay safe. Google everything in the negative to see the bad results before taking anything. My doctor has also prescribed other things like lexipro for my ear issues which she said when i asked what are the side effects she said there aren't any and dont be looking it up on the net. She thought I had anxiety but I had a fungal war infection. She thought I was a hypochondriac but I was just anxious going near a doctor.
He has Hodgkins Lymphoma, which is one of the “best” cancers to get in so far that the treatments are extremely effective. His prognosis will be pretty positive I think. Still sucks to go through though.
Fun fact: German singer Thomas Quasthoff was born with severely deformed arms and legs because of his mother's use of thalidomide. In his youth, he was denied admission to a prestigious conservatory because of his physical inability to complete the piano portion of his audition. Despite this, and his small stature of just over 4 feet tall, he has since become a one of the most celebrated living singers in Germany, excelling in genres ranging from classical to jazz, and is one of my personal favorites 😁
And for those from the German speaking areas of the world wondering. thalidomide is the name for the drug in at least the US and also the name for the active substance and mostly unknown to German speaking folks related to those birth defects. In Germany and I think other German speaking Countries it was actually brought to market under the name "Contergan". So the active Substance of Contergan was indeed Thalidomide.
In the late 1980's I went to college with a man named Kevin, he was a child of Thalidomide. He had no arms, hands or legs, one foot was deformed. He wrote with his normal foot. He drove an early version of the powered wheelchair, it ran off a car battery. He would slide out of it and sit on the floor to take notes during class, and somehow shimmy back up into the wheelchair at the end of class. Remarkable guy.
I’ve thought about how people born without the same limbs as most people seem to adapt better than someone who lost the beneficial use of a limb, which makes sense.
Correction at 2:13 - thalidomide is not a treatment for HIV, it is a treatment for complications associated WITH HIV such as skin problems. Thalidomide is actually used with caution in people with HIV because it can increase levels of the virus.
@@bruh-xe7ue How does this make sense in the context of either comment? I think I can almost guarantee that your negative attitude and low quality jabs at other people are not welcome on this comment section. Be better.
So I used to be an oncology pharmacist. The main multiple myeloma med we use for this is a variant called lenalidomide or revlimid. It is generally tolerated really well and Hank is right, it takes an entire survey with the patient before being dispensed. Some of the major side effects include blood clots and high blood pressure but overall it works so well. The other main one is Pomalyst or pomalidomide. It also works well. Any woman of child bearing age was required to submit a negative pregnancy test within one week of the dispensing of the med. it was a big hassle to get people started but as soon as they got used to the schedule it worked wonders. It’s a 21 day on and 7 day off schedule usually. I would say 90% of my patients lived comfortably on it with no progression. I’m no longer an oncology pharmacist but I’m so glad you covered this Hank. I love you and continue to stay safe and do well. We are all sending good vibes.
I am on Revlimed for Multiple Myloma after a stem cell treatment last summer. On 21 days and off 7. Has anyone on it had issues with swelling and weight gain? My doctor claims it shouldn't cause that but next month she will be reducing from 10mg to 5mg. The other side effect that is more annoying than awful is constant upset "stomach" or rather very loose and frequent stools. I hope I can off it one day but still thankful that it is keeping new myloma at bay because I am in remission and feeling better than I have felt in years (except for sore joints and those bathroom trips but drinking lot of water helps a lot!) I am active at work and strong physically - In a supervised exercise program and no problem lifting.
I took this for only one week as an in patient in addition to other chemo. They made me sign a document in about 10 different places promising I wouldn’t get pregnant while taking the drug. Not for a certain amount of time before and/or after, only the week I was actually taking it. As an in patient. Where the hospital staff strictly control who comes in and out of my room and I had zero privacy. Where I was barfing so much I could barely get out of bed. After I already had way more intense chemo that they confirmed with tests made me infertile. So yes they really have to cover their asses legally speaking when it comes to the risk of birth defects.
My grandmother got it for her multiple myeloma in 2007, but she was long past menopause when she went on it (I think she was 76 when she was diagnosed).
My heart dropped when I heard the news, I lost one of my younger brothers (they were twins) to stage 4 medulloblastoma. It was very hard watching it take more and more of him from himself and our family. I'm glad that you're receiving the treatment you need and that you're able to feel well enough to continue doing the things you love and we love in turn. Keep chugging along Hank, we're all rooting for you!
YAY, I was wondering if this was a recent video or a pre-cancer one. I am very glad Hank is kicking his cancer through chemo and still feeling energetic enough to video this SciShow. Thanks for the information.
He's keeping good track of his schedules so they line up with his therapy on what he should and shouldn't push himself to do, his brother is also taking over a lot of responsibility behind the scenes while Hank recovers.
I've always liked Hank, but I've got a whole new level of respect for him now. Diagnosed with super serious disease, he still keeps his spirits high, does what he loves, and constantly jokes about it, while most other people get depressed and sad. Hats off to you, sir.
This is also a huge boon for his health. Staying active, keeping mostly to your typical routine, finding catharsis to cope with stress- they're all positively correlated with positive health outcomes across the board- from cancer down to the common cold.
As soon as the video started, I immediately scrolled down to check if this was an old video or if he just has superpowers. Continuing this type of work during chemo treatment is not something mere mortals would typically do.
My mom tried to she wanted us to only have happy memories of her but she wasn’t getting enough oxygen and part of her brain died she spent her last few days hallucinating till they put her in a coma to let her die more peacefully she passed 4 days before my 35th birthday in March .
My Mom was prescribed this when pregnant with me to cure her morning sickness, I am thankful that she refused to use it but went old school and had ginger tea I have enough birth defects as it is because I was born over a month early. I am glad that it has a second chance at helping people, it will never makeup for the harm it did but knowing that it’s helping so many cancer patients is great news. It’s shocking to know that more and more people in this day and age are being diagnosed with cancer but the fact it’s affecting so many young adults and not just the elderly anymore is an eye opener.
The worst thing is all of this could have been easily prevented if they would have tested Thalidomide on pregnant mice. But just like today pharmaceuticals are often not tested gender specifically and this means tests are only performed on males because there is less hormonal imbalance and therefore easier.
Hank's inspired me so many times over the years just with interesting information, but the way he's reacted to some awful news is even more inspiring! hope his treatments going well, i cant imagine youtube without him...
Damn! That was a shock! Get well soon Hank. Glad to hear that it's treatable. Your most important treatment is your positivity. So glad to see you are your normal bubbly self despite chemo. My mother's specialist said that her amazing recovery, and then remission, was due partly to her incredible positive attitude. It was those around her who crumpled, whilst she fought every second of her journey. Sending best wishes from England to you, your family, friends and colleagues.
Thank you for mentioning your own chemo, I was wondering if this was filmed prior to you starting it and I'm excited for you that you're feeling well enough to be recording this now. Yay!
Thanks for the reassurance that you're doing well, Hank. I know that any relationship with individuals in your audience must necessarily be asymmetrical, "parasocial," but even so the feelings are 100% real. I'm not afraid to say that I love you in exactly the same way as I would a favorite teacher. That's exactly what you are to me, and so many others. Be well. We are all cheering you on and want to support you as much as we can.
One class of anticancer agent I find fascinating is the vinca alkaloids. They are used to treat Hodgkin's lymphoma, among other malignancies, and they are made by a plant, Catharanthus Roseus, that is an invasive weed here in North Queensland. So few people here are aware of how this humble, but pretty plant has improved the treatment of many cancers. The story of how their anticancer effects were discovered is also interesting and well worth telling in a video.
My dad was a sales rep. who sold revlimid and pomalyst (both derived from lenalidomide) and it was always astonishing to learn about how a medicine that caused so much harm has turned into something that can save lives. I remember listening to the reps who worked at that company talk about that story and getting to meet patients who'se lives have changed as a result.
Worked as a pharmacy technician in the early late 2000s through the 2010s. Thalidomide never fully went away it was just restricted to end of life nausea treatments for cancer patients and was horrifically expensive for the end line patients using it.
This whole episode was fascinating. I remember hearing about Thalidomide growing up, and hearing about the new uses is fascinating. The talk about treatments affecting more than just the patient reminded me of when my father was getting radiation. His radiation therapist was like, 'Please do not hug young children, you are currently radioactive,' which was wild to think about but also made sense.
Glad you are doing well enough to be back on the channel and joking around about your cancer diagnosis, glad to hear you will be well. Very interesting and informative as always hank
what's interesting to me is that I (born 2000) heard about the thalidomide/contergan disaster at least in three different chem classes, in the context of enantiomers (basically molecules that have a "mirror image" of itself, like your left hand is a mirror image of your right and vice-versa). one enantiomer is actually the effective sleeping drug, but the other is the one that causes damage to the embryos (at least how it has been taught over here). synthesising a drug that is purely one enantiomer is tricky, and trying to separate an already synthesised mixture of the two can get even trickier. i wish my professors would've also told me that it's still used today though! very interesting video, thank you!
I’m so glad to see Hank still doing his thing and having fun with science! You can tell he really loves doing this, and the way he is so casual about the diagnosis really shows that he isn’t gonna let it bring him down. I know it is a lot harder behind the scenes, but it seems like the joy is still genuine and he can still enjoy himself. Keep going Hank, we all support you!
about 20 years ago, my dog had a tumor around his pericardium and we went to the University of Guelph Small Animal Clinic facility. The university was looking for people who wanted to have their human friends in the animal testing stage for Thalidomide. This is one of the top veterinary universities in the world ..they told us the results at that point in the study were very promising for cancer treatments.
It has to be a beautiful thing to be so kind as to worry if a person found out that he has cancer "this way" and give a tiny update. Hank doesn't realize how amazing those tiny details are. Thanks for the lesson of the day!
Wow, I was dealing with lymphoma myself they had me on rituximab and bendamustine first day was an hour-and-a-half of rituximab and an hour of bendamustine, and the second day was an hour of bendamustine, my treatment was two consecutive days every 28 days. Edit: at the time of this being posted I have made a confirmed a full recovery and I'm currently waiting for my next and final PET scan, and then they will take my chest port out.
I'm glad the treatment is going well! I think it is also important to remember that the severity of effects of Thalidomide on fetuses depended on when in fetal development the exposure occurred. As someone who has taught embryology, I love to use Thalidomide as an example of drug history (regulation and testing), timing of effects (embryonic development), and utility (the uses in your video). It is a great example of how something that can be extremely beneficial as a treatment needs to be treated with a lot of consideration and respect.
I’m sorry about your diagnosis Hank! You’re definitely my favourite SciShow host, by far and I’m really glad to hear that your treatment is going well and I know you’ll beat this!
We love you, Hank. You're like a part of our family--we've been watching you on UA-cam for years. Thank you for the amazing work you do and for helping introduce people to how interesting STEM is. We are all rooting for your recovery and healing. ❤
It's amazing how a drug that is found to treat one illness or complication turns out it can treat many other conditions when it is studied further. Thank you Hank for the info and educating me on many science things. I love learning new things and this channel and your shorts videos do just that for me! So sorry to hear about you having cancer and are going through chemo right now. Sending all my love and prayers to you and your whole family!
They tried to prescribe this to my mum, while she was pregnant with my sister. Luckily, she decided against taking it for some reason despite not fully knowing the risks.
As a kid I had been approved an experimental prescription(of a form of thalidomide) to try and regulate my hormones(pcos), and I was given countless warnings and advice not to get pregnant or anything like that. It was effective and I was on that medication for a good 10 years. Apparently I was the first non cancer related case in the region. Also wishing you a speedy recovery and victory against your cancer!
I love how this man very obviously goes around his life find something he finds interesting learns everything he can about it and shares it. This man is in national treasure
I came in expecting this to have been in the queue from before Hank's treatment started, but am so happy to be wrong! I hope your good days continue to allow you to share fascinating things with us all, and that your bad days pass as quickly and painlessly as can be hoped. ❤
Being in my 70’s I remember when the “thalidomide babies” were in the news quite frequently. Scary and sad at the same time. Sorry to hear what your dealing with. Hope it works out for you.👍
I have lived my life, fairly normal, as a Thalidomide child and now an adult. I found the science interesting and how they used zebra fish in studying this drug. Also, it would be interesting to study us. A couple things as we are now entering our 60s would be the impact on bone density and what fraction of children born with flippers, such as me, rejected artificial limbs.
Had a coworker with phocomelus back in the 80's. He was a sketcher in the art department, and it was fun watching him hoist mugs of beer on payday happy hour with the hands growing out of his shoulders.
@Liz Ross As the bone is not under normal loading and stress it's density is an issue. Thus my shoulder bone density is like someone with Osteoporosis. I know that since my early 20s it has been an issue.
@Liz Ross Nice, I'm not sure about the hand as I'm missing the right arm. But definitely right footed. Devon as in the SW of England? Nice view in your backdrop photo.
I have a student right now who suffered this. He's in an electric powered chair but he doesn't have any forelimbs. He basically uses his elbows to do anything. And he's young
@@KNR90 Is his mother from a country that didn't ban the drug or have extensive precautions against pregnancy? I'm just wondering how he ended up with the effects of the drug as a young guy.
My sister took an anti-nausea when she was pregnant with my niece and nephew (i honestly don't know what it was). We found out a couple of years later when they got older and had all of their baby teeth that it caused them to be almost as soft as chalk. Thankfully their adult teeth are healthy and strong.
Yeah I remember being on chemo for my prostate cancer years ago. It was trippy seeing the nurse dressed in full protective gear while I was getting the equivalent of what I would call, an “enzyme that some poisonous plants use to protect themselves from predators”. Chemo components are way, WAY more complicated than that but that’s gives you a general idea.
It is wild to me that Hank is still making videos while going through chemo. The man is like a science communicating machine who will not be stopped by a puny little thing like cancer! Keep being awesome Hank! We'll be here whether you keep pumping out content or decide to take a break!
Hank, I hope your treatment is smooth and successful. Thank you for sharing this with us. It gives others permission to be open about their journeys, and allows for greater support among the community. Be well!
Hi! I just realized you are the VlogBrother after all these years. I used to watch those in high school and now my daughter and I watch Eons almost every day 🥰 Thank you for over 10 years of knowledge!
@@lenabreijer1311 He owns two companies, has written two best selling books, and does a lot of his work to make money for charities not himself. He could live comfortably and do nothing during his treatment and not get even close to being in danger of going broke. He is very lucky to be in this position where he is choosing to work through his treatment instead of needing to work to be able to pay for it.
Thanks for the great video and I wish you luck on your battle with cancer. You continue to amaze me with your work and as a science educator in the classroom myself, I see how your work inspires my students when I share with them the many different topics and anecdotes you've covered over the years. Thanks for all you do.
Thank you for being your awesome self and continuing to educate us when you feel well enough on this journey. You got this and remember to take the time you need for yourself to heal and thrive.
As someone who was born shortly after the banning of this drug, I have to admit to freaking out a tiny bit when I saw the title of the video. Thankful that it has found some really constructive uses!
I lovw how hank is able to remain optimistic and hopeful while facing one of the toughest challenges he'll likely ever face, what an inspiration in so many ways. Sending you my adoration, Hank
Hey man sorry to hear about the cancer. Glad its treatable and you're doing alright, but sending well wishes and encouragement anyway. You've got this!
It is so strange. It was taboo to be mean to people with physical issues in my high school, but god forbid you be fat. It may be because it was an all-girls school. 🤔
@@YurinanAcquiline in 1950's Southern California elementary school, handicapped kids were segregated from the rest of us. Even though they got teased or given nicknames, they were otherwise accepted, as far as I know. I don't remember any kids in wheelchairs in Jr highschool or highschool. That seems odd.
There was a kid at a neighbouring school, in the '80s called, "T-rex" for the obvious omage to the dinosaur's tiny arms, but you gotta admit, it's not bad for a nickname.
@@fuferito seems stupid, but it helped many of us later on, as kids of the sixties, to want a better world of equality for everyone, to make up for our own behavior. ☮️👍
Hank, this video IS how I found out you have cancer. Best of luck with your treatments and I'm glad that you seem to be in good spirits about it. Keep an eye on your mental health through your journey, I know from personal experience how much it can dramatically take control of your life. So, while you're working on your physical health, definitely be sure to keep an eye on your mental health as well! You'll be in my prayers.
Good luck with the treatment and wishing you a speedy and full recovery. You’re a legend, thanks for the amazing and insightful content and being awe inspiring to keep going at this time ❤
I am sorry to hear that you are fighting cáncer and happy to hear that your prognosis is good. I enjoy the way you explain science in a way that is understandable and entertaining!
Thalidomide used to sound like a horror story, i'm glad it got the chance to be redeemed. (every episode of scishow with hank on it feels like a good sign.)
Thanks for still showing up and educating us while you are in chemo treatments! It's a big testament to your dedication to your audience. Also this is a great video, I learned some new things!
![[UA] NAVI проти G2 Esports | Blast Premier Fall Final](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/QWlIm4FGESQ/mqdefault.jpg)
I remember meeting a man with tiny arms as a child on holiday. We were in a hotel lift/elevator and I asked my mum why he had tiny arms (I thought I was whispering but he obviously heard me cuz kids can't whisper). My mum said "Well if you ask nicely he might tell you, but if he doesn't want to then you have to respect that". Not only was he happy to tell me, he thanked my mum for making it a learning moment instead of when he heard some parents say things like "Because he didn't eat all his vegetables"
Your mom and that guy both are decent people. Hope they're both well and happy
Your mom sounds amazing. Most individuals with limb differences or other more visible disabilities often have to deal with parents either giving their kids bs reasons for things or parents telling kids not to stare and then moving away. Both things are exceedingly dehumanizing to feel, so most of us actually prefer questions to be asked nicely like that so we can educate the next generation and help ensure that their treatment of the disabled is better than previous generations. I have hEDS, so while my disability isn't always very visible, it definitely can be. I dislocate my hips sometimes when I have to make quick unexpected movements with my lower body, and same deal with my shoulders. My arm or leg bending in a freaky direction can be pretty disorienting for people to see, so when parents with kids see it happen they often gasp and their kids ask how that happened. Unfortunately, most parents say don't look, somethings wrong. They don't even notice that I'm perfectly calm and proceeding to put my joints back into place while they shield their kids eyes. Those who don't react like that cry out and ask if I'm okay, they calm down when they see I'm calm and often those are the parents who let their kids ask questions so long as I'm okay with it. I really appreciate that when it happens because it means I can tell the kid about what happened and why and maybe help them act more appropriately the next time they see something different. True curiosity born of wonder for the world is never a bad thing, it can however be expressed negatively so I always appreciate a chance to help young kids learn how to express their curiosity and wonder in a way that is kind.
I once asked a woman who had short arms due to thalidomide, how she wiped after using the toilet. She thanked me for asking instead of just looking at her weirdly. Turns out that while there are devices to use, they're bulky and a pain to carry around, so instead she uses her heal. How amazing is that!
My mother was a quad amputee (occurred when I was an adult due to sepsis) and I agree with both the individual in the elevator and the other accounts provided here, people who experience disabilities prefer to be respected and when you provide genuine interest versus weird stares, they definitely appreciate it.
My mother was quite outspoken, she would ask them to take a picture since it lasted longer. Haha!
@@terranovarubacha5473that take help you visualize her wiping herself?
What a personal question to ask... And then share online.
Smh
I’ve taken this drug for my blood cancer. Everyone involved (from the company to the providers and pharmacists) was absolutely committed to making sure I knew the risks, and this was backed up by mandatory pregnancy tests, surveys and education with each prescription. Worth it. I’ve been living with cancer for 13 years, and this is a part of my journey. I’m hoping the best for you Hank, and I’m glad to hear that your treatment is going well!
the medicine packaging is also covered in warnings, too
Man getting Isotretinoin sounds about as hard.
Sorry if this is a dumb question but was their periods of remission in between? How long can someone actually go through treatment for continuously ?
Glad to know ups has been manageable thus far. I’m rooting for you!!!
@@erikarussell1142 Thank you! I don’t normally talk about this, but I feel comfortable here.
My grandmother took this more than 20 years ago due to pancreatic cancer. Apparently it helped the chemo work better and helped nausea. She was in her 70s and had to sign paperwork saying she wouldn't get pregnant (she found the paperwork hilarious due to her age).
Did it work?
@@caram4746 She died, but a lot less nausea on the thalidomide. She was stage 4 when the cancer was found, so we knew she was terminal.
@@LadyLenaki RIP
She was careful to not get pregnant…but was she careful to avoid getting someone else pregnant with her sperm? Lol fascinating facts in the video.
My 65yo mom in law took it with kidney cancer chemo... she had a hysterectomy and still had to sign the ppwk 🤣
"Sorry if that's how you found out that I have cancer." I actually did see your original announcement, but that moment to reassure folks who might not have is precious. Here's to things continuing to go well!
For anyone in the same situation: It is promising to combine chemo with fasting because while fasting the metabolism of healthy cells changes and this starves cancer cells (whose metabolism cannot change) plus healthy cells become less vulnerable to chemo (this reduces side effect).
It is well researched for mice, for humans there are as far as I know only studies with lower numbers of participants (where a massive reduction in side effects was found), however for some people there can be risks so it is best to discuss this in detail with a doctor.
@@rosawolke2788 Do you have a source on that?
@@volderhamern you read and look for your own research? Come on it’s. 2023 every single uni in America posts all their research, papers, and studied online
@@blank1778 If you make a claim like this you need to be able to back it up with some kind of source, because misinformation in that field might be harmful. I'm not asking for myself, I'm asking for everyone who reads this comment. Also not every university/institute publishes their research online for free, ESPECIALLY not in the U.S..
@@rosawolke2788 you missed something important. ALWAYS, ALWAYS, _ALWAYS_ talk to your oncologist before starting ANYTHING relating to cancer treatment on your own.
I remember learning about the woman who single handedly prevented Thalidomide from being approved for over the counter use in the US. Ted-Ed did a wonderful video on her and her work.
Frances O. Kelsey. She was a hero.
So much agreement. Frances Kelsey is one of the greatest humans that ever existed. Her name, along with the likes of Yuri Gargarian and Albert Einstein should be known by everyone.
Hank, I just want to wish you a full and fast recovery and hope you’re only suffering minimum side effects if any from your treatment.
@@annettehenry2083 u put your comment in a reply section by accident :)
actually i think the story said that the drug was being sold in germany?
I just find it absolutely wild that cancer can’t stop Hank!
Gotta go to work, gotta make that money at the end of the day everyone has bills to pay, I hope this is not the reason but we should see everything from both possible sides.
What do you mean?
@@elio7610 how do you think Hank makes money? He makes UA-cam videos and runs a small network of channels aswell as other things.
@@sscjessica He has stocks in amazon, is the CEO of at least 2 companies and is a best selling author, as well as clearly not living extravagantly. He absolutely could just stop working if he wanted to and be fine.
@@DayInDaLife Says the person who has bought into the ableist WARRIOR SICK AND DISABLED person trope. Stop it.
One of the kids I went to school with was a thalidomide kid. He had a wicked sense of humour and used his condition to challenge people's conception of disability.
I hope that kid went on to live the life they dreamed of.
@@Omniverse0They? Who joined him?
My godmother was a thalidomide kid, & you took great care not to peeve her off too badly, bc her left arm was only half the length of her right, & would leave 2x as many bruises as the right. 😅
@@Svensk7119take it up with Shakespeare
That's awesome. As someone with major health problems I think people using their disability to make people laugh and learn. Sometimes humor is the only way to go
I was floored when my mother was prescribed thalidomide as a last ditch effort to help her autoimmune disease. The precautions to get it to her were extensive, and while it did not help her, I'm glad it is available to people who it may help.
Sending good wishes and health vibes to Hank and his family during his cancer journey.
I shared a hospital room as a child with a Thalidomide victim. He was in there for second of 5 planned surgeries to move one of his three fingers on his left hand into a position that could be used as a thumb. His left arm was only 6 inches long and almost useless. Just the word "Thalidomide" gives me shivers.
Yeah, there's a reason it was included in "We Didn't Start the Fire" by Billy Joel.
The worst thing is all of this could have been easily prevented if they would have tested Thalidomide on pregnant mice. But just like today pharmaceuticals are not tested gender specifically and this means tests are only performed on males because there is less hormonal imbalance and therefore easier.
@@Anonymous-df8it Gender specific in medicine refers to the influence of gender on health, diseases, therapy and prevention of illness. If you assume that (pregnant) females respond to pharmaceuticals in the same way as males without verification through research, this is not gender specific. You took the definition for each word of this technical term out of context.
@@rosawolke2788 Why the hell are there multiple definitions?
I remember visiting my family in Germany in the late 90's and we were in one of those little medieval towns in Lower Saxony. We were sitting in a café and there was a woman in her early 40's sitting at the table next to ours and she had hands of a 3 year old (not arms, just hands growing out of her shoulders), drinking through a straw. I remember trying not to stare at her (as I was a 8-9 year old kid) but dying of curiosity. I guess she was one of these Thalidomide children, I've never seen this since then.
Thalidomide was just on its way out when my mum was pregnant with me, in Ireland, but a lot of uniformed women still had it their cabinets, and one offered it to my mum for her dreadful morning sickness. My Mum vehemently refused it, thankfully. I found out that she had been pregnant before me, and had taken the drug, which she thought caused a miscarriage in the third trimester, (we always acknowledged the baby girl as our big sister Mary).
It's good to know the drug is now beneficial in many ways.
We met a guy who's mom got given it from a chemist in galway I think or kerry they still had it on the shelf. I took a drug which was given me for ear infection it has been banned for use except as a chemo drug on the 11th of that month. I had bad side effects after 2 tablets that lasted a whole month and were horrible. I found out it was banned ...First I googled is it good and got lots of positive google results then I got the side effects and googled the drug and side effects and got all the bad google results. They said it had been banned. I went to my doctor cos it said if you have any of these stop taking and go to doctor. I told the doctor it had been banned and he started shouting at me and threw me out of the clinic and alamed the door in my face. I was so upset. I then rang the departments of health and the college of surgeons to ask about it and complain a bit and it turns out ireland doesn't tell doctors when a drug has been banned. They have to find out themslves. Now 1000s of drugs they hand out every day theyre not going to be googleing is thus banned and finding out. They dont have sone sort of newsletter or website. Like there's a website for products that have been taken off the shelves like washing machines and bad ikea bowls and stuff. But not one for drugs so doctors could look and see oh these 5 drugs were banned this week or whatever. Anyway I went again about my ear years later and the guy suggested the same drug I said no thats banned. He said no no I give it out all the. Time every day... I said its banned by the eu for the horrific side effects google it. He eventually googled it and hmms and hawed and then I said so u shouldn't be giving it to people every day. And he said he never said that I was mistaken ..just flat out denied saying it. It took 15 years to get the drug banned its called foruaquinalone for anyone interested ..it can cause peoples heart valves to collapse cause psychotic terrifying symptoms cause tendons to rupture and interferes with cell metabolism. Its not detectable in the body once absorbed. It doesnt brrak down in the water treatment plants either. Nothing breaks it down. It's a scary drug. Some people have a life of terror after it. 15 years of campaigning god it restricted banned for use unless as a chemo drug or like last ditch effort drug terminal cases ...and nobody knows and they're just handing it out. For ear infections. It doesnt even say on the packet ..maybe it does now but it was only two weeks after it was banned that i got it. anyway that's my life story for ya since ya didn't ask. 😂 stay safe. Google everything in the negative to see the bad results before taking anything. My doctor has also prescribed other things like lexipro for my ear issues which she said when i asked what are the side effects she said there aren't any and dont be looking it up on the net. She thought I had anxiety but I had a fungal war infection. She thought I was a hypochondriac but I was just anxious going near a doctor.
Sorry to hear you’re fighting this battle, Hank. Hopefully everything will be alright! Sending love and good vibes
He has Hodgkins Lymphoma, which is one of the “best” cancers to get in so far that the treatments are extremely effective. His prognosis will be pretty positive I think. Still sucks to go through though.
Expect more people you love to get cancer, those jabs are working as intended.
Hank "I'm sorry if this is how you found out I have cancer" Green at it again.
Same like oh my gosh
Well, he shared it quite a while ago. It was even in big newspapers.
@@1IGG Many people don't read newspapers anymore.
Also it was less than a month ago.
And no pelicans this time, even! Someone fetch pelicans
Lol I’m so sad now
Fun fact: German singer Thomas Quasthoff was born with severely deformed arms and legs because of his mother's use of thalidomide. In his youth, he was denied admission to a prestigious conservatory because of his physical inability to complete the piano portion of his audition. Despite this, and his small stature of just over 4 feet tall, he has since become a one of the most celebrated living singers in Germany, excelling in genres ranging from classical to jazz, and is one of my personal favorites 😁
And for those from the German speaking areas of the world wondering. thalidomide is the name for the drug in at least the US and also the name for the active substance and mostly unknown to German speaking folks related to those birth defects. In Germany and I think other German speaking Countries it was actually brought to market under the name "Contergan". So the active Substance of Contergan was indeed Thalidomide.
@@alexanderkupke920thanks! I suspected this was Contergan from how the video described it, it's good to have confirmation
In the late 1980's I went to college with a man named Kevin, he was a child of Thalidomide. He had no arms, hands or legs, one foot was deformed. He wrote with his normal foot. He drove an early version of the powered wheelchair, it ran off a car battery. He would slide out of it and sit on the floor to take notes during class, and somehow shimmy back up into the wheelchair at the end of class. Remarkable guy.
I’ve thought about how people born without the same limbs as most people seem to adapt better than someone who lost the beneficial use of a limb, which makes sense.
Hank is a treasure, still making scishow videos while going through chemo. Mad love and respect to you, my friend.
"...and then they put it in my veins."
Your humor during this rough time is amazing. God speed to your recovery!
Correction at 2:13 - thalidomide is not a treatment for HIV, it is a treatment for complications associated WITH HIV such as skin problems. Thalidomide is actually used with caution in people with HIV because it can increase levels of the virus.
It's also not a treatment for leprosy, just erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL), a skin complication of leprosy.
@@bruh-xe7ue How does this make sense in the context of either comment? I think I can almost guarantee that your negative attitude and low quality jabs at other people are not welcome on this comment section. Be better.
So I used to be an oncology pharmacist. The main multiple myeloma med we use for this is a variant called lenalidomide or revlimid. It is generally tolerated really well and Hank is right, it takes an entire survey with the patient before being dispensed. Some of the major side effects include blood clots and high blood pressure but overall it works so well. The other main one is Pomalyst or pomalidomide. It also works well. Any woman of child bearing age was required to submit a negative pregnancy test within one week of the dispensing of the med. it was a big hassle to get people started but as soon as they got used to the schedule it worked wonders. It’s a 21 day on and 7 day off schedule usually. I would say 90% of my patients lived comfortably on it with no progression. I’m no longer an oncology pharmacist but I’m so glad you covered this Hank. I love you and continue to stay safe and do well. We are all sending good vibes.
I am on Revlimed for Multiple Myloma after a stem cell treatment last summer. On 21 days and off 7. Has anyone on it had issues with swelling and weight gain? My doctor claims it shouldn't cause that but next month she will be reducing from 10mg to 5mg. The other side effect that is more annoying than awful is constant upset "stomach" or rather very loose and frequent stools. I hope I can off it one day but still thankful that it is keeping new myloma at bay because I am in remission and feeling better than I have felt in years (except for sore joints and those bathroom trips but drinking lot of water helps a lot!) I am active at work and strong physically - In a supervised exercise program and no problem lifting.
I took this for only one week as an in patient in addition to other chemo. They made me sign a document in about 10 different places promising I wouldn’t get pregnant while taking the drug. Not for a certain amount of time before and/or after, only the week I was actually taking it. As an in patient. Where the hospital staff strictly control who comes in and out of my room and I had zero privacy. Where I was barfing so much I could barely get out of bed. After I already had way more intense chemo that they confirmed with tests made me infertile.
So yes they really have to cover their asses legally speaking when it comes to the risk of birth defects.
Also used for some MDS variants.
My grandmother got it for her multiple myeloma in 2007, but she was long past menopause when she went on it (I think she was 76 when she was diagnosed).
Yes every month they call before shipping it out and say the same thing over and over. I just say uh huh uh huh while I work
My heart dropped when I heard the news, I lost one of my younger brothers (they were twins) to stage 4 medulloblastoma. It was very hard watching it take more and more of him from himself and our family. I'm glad that you're receiving the treatment you need and that you're able to feel well enough to continue doing the things you love and we love in turn. Keep chugging along Hank, we're all rooting for you!
My psychology class wants to send you their best wishes. We are all cheering for you and hope your treatment is successful! Love from Australia.
YAY, I was wondering if this was a recent video or a pre-cancer one. I am very glad Hank is kicking his cancer through chemo and still feeling energetic enough to video this SciShow. Thanks for the information.
On the one hand, good on him but on the other, hope he doesn't push himself to do this stuff because he feels he has to
He's keeping good track of his schedules so they line up with his therapy on what he should and shouldn't push himself to do, his brother is also taking over a lot of responsibility behind the scenes while Hank recovers.
I've always liked Hank, but I've got a whole new level of respect for him now. Diagnosed with super serious disease, he still keeps his spirits high, does what he loves, and constantly jokes about it, while most other people get depressed and sad. Hats off to you, sir.
Get busy living or get busy dying.
This is also a huge boon for his health. Staying active, keeping mostly to your typical routine, finding catharsis to cope with stress- they're all positively correlated with positive health outcomes across the board- from cancer down to the common cold.
As soon as the video started, I immediately scrolled down to check if this was an old video or if he just has superpowers. Continuing this type of work during chemo treatment is not something mere mortals would typically do.
I’m a cancer survivor. You can beat that nasty little monster. All the best.
My mom tried to she wanted us to only have happy memories of her but she wasn’t getting enough oxygen and part of her brain died she spent her last few days hallucinating till they put her in a coma to let her die more peacefully she passed 4 days before my 35th birthday in March .
My Mom was prescribed this when pregnant with me to cure her morning sickness, I am thankful that she refused to use it but went old school and had ginger tea I have enough birth defects as it is because I was born over a month early.
I am glad that it has a second chance at helping people, it will never makeup for the harm it did but knowing that it’s helping so many cancer patients is great news.
It’s shocking to know that more and more people in this day and age are being diagnosed with cancer but the fact it’s affecting so many young adults and not just the elderly anymore is an eye opener.
The worst thing is all of this could have been easily prevented if they would have tested Thalidomide on pregnant mice. But just like today pharmaceuticals are often not tested gender specifically and this means tests are only performed on males because there is less hormonal imbalance and therefore easier.
@@rosawolke2788 If they're only performed on males, then they *_are_* tested gender-specifically, by definition
So happy to see Hank's smiling face and, of course, he's still educating us. Sending my positive thoughts your way, Hank.
The way Hank brings his personal story into the theme of second chances is a great example of why he's so good at this.
Wish you the best of luck with your cancer Hank.
It's a real gut punch to hear that you have it.
That is a fair description. I agree with you.
His prognosis is good. Hodgkins is the one you hope the doctor says if you are diagnosed with lymphoma.
My father recently was diagnosed with cancer, stay strong Hank and its good to see you.
Mine too; all good feels to you
It's good to see Hank doing SciShow stuff even during his treatment. Keeping that brain active, even if the body is giving the finger. Hell yeah!
Hank's inspired me so many times over the years just with interesting information, but the way he's reacted to some awful news is even more inspiring! hope his treatments going well, i cant imagine youtube without him...
Damn! That was a shock! Get well soon Hank. Glad to hear that it's treatable.
Your most important treatment is your positivity. So glad to see you are your normal bubbly self despite chemo. My mother's specialist said that her amazing recovery, and then remission, was due partly to her incredible positive attitude. It was those around her who crumpled, whilst she fought every second of her journey.
Sending best wishes from England to you, your family, friends and colleagues.
Thank you for mentioning your own chemo, I was wondering if this was filmed prior to you starting it and I'm excited for you that you're feeling well enough to be recording this now. Yay!
I just assumed it was recorded pre-chemo... I was taken aback when he mentioned his chemo.
@@EricaGametI was too because I thought he said on Twitter that he was going through hair loss
Thanks for the reassurance that you're doing well, Hank.
I know that any relationship with individuals in your audience must necessarily be asymmetrical, "parasocial," but even so the feelings are 100% real.
I'm not afraid to say that I love you in exactly the same way as I would a favorite teacher. That's exactly what you are to me, and so many others. Be well. We are all cheering you on and want to support you as much as we can.
One class of anticancer agent I find fascinating is the vinca alkaloids. They are used to treat Hodgkin's lymphoma, among other malignancies, and they are made by a plant, Catharanthus Roseus, that is an invasive weed here in North Queensland. So few people here are aware of how this humble, but pretty plant has improved the treatment of many cancers. The story of how their anticancer effects were discovered is also interesting and well worth telling in a video.
Thanks for mentioning those, it's amazing this plant produces multiple effective pharmaceuticals 🤩.
Periwinkle? That's not a weed. It's a great ground cover.
@@user-ov4wr5yu4r It’s not native to Queensland and covers everything, so it’s a weed.
My dad was a sales rep. who sold revlimid and pomalyst (both derived from lenalidomide) and it was always astonishing to learn about how a medicine that caused so much harm has turned into something that can save lives. I remember listening to the reps who worked at that company talk about that story and getting to meet patients who'se lives have changed as a result.
It is good to see you Hank. As someone with "remission" in his medical history, I am thinking of you and pulling for you. Take care good sir.
Worked as a pharmacy technician in the early late 2000s through the 2010s. Thalidomide never fully went away it was just restricted to end of life nausea treatments for cancer patients and was horrifically expensive for the end line patients using it.
This whole episode was fascinating. I remember hearing about Thalidomide growing up, and hearing about the new uses is fascinating.
The talk about treatments affecting more than just the patient reminded me of when my father was getting radiation. His radiation therapist was like, 'Please do not hug young children, you are currently radioactive,' which was wild to think about but also made sense.
Glad you are doing well enough to be back on the channel and joking around about your cancer diagnosis, glad to hear you will be well. Very interesting and informative as always hank
what's interesting to me is that I (born 2000) heard about the thalidomide/contergan disaster at least in three different chem classes, in the context of enantiomers (basically molecules that have a "mirror image" of itself, like your left hand is a mirror image of your right and vice-versa). one enantiomer is actually the effective sleeping drug, but the other is the one that causes damage to the embryos (at least how it has been taught over here). synthesising a drug that is purely one enantiomer is tricky, and trying to separate an already synthesised mixture of the two can get even trickier. i wish my professors would've also told me that it's still used today though! very interesting video, thank you!
I’m so glad to see Hank still doing his thing and having fun with science! You can tell he really loves doing this, and the way he is so casual about the diagnosis really shows that he isn’t gonna let it bring him down. I know it is a lot harder behind the scenes, but it seems like the joy is still genuine and he can still enjoy himself. Keep going Hank, we all support you!
about 20 years ago, my dog had a tumor around his pericardium and we went to the University of Guelph Small Animal Clinic facility. The university was looking for people who wanted to have their human friends in the animal testing stage for Thalidomide. This is one of the top veterinary universities in the world ..they told us the results at that point in the study were very promising for cancer treatments.
Guelph Ontario?
Did it work?
How's puppy doing now?
@@TheKrispyfort 20 years ago... :(
What kind of cliffhanger is this
It has to be a beautiful thing to be so kind as to worry if a person found out that he has cancer "this way" and give a tiny update.
Hank doesn't realize how amazing those tiny details are.
Thanks for the lesson of the day!
+
Wow, I was dealing with lymphoma myself they had me on rituximab and bendamustine first day was an hour-and-a-half of rituximab and an hour of bendamustine, and the second day was an hour of bendamustine, my treatment was two consecutive days every 28 days.
Edit: at the time of this being posted I have made a confirmed a full recovery and I'm currently waiting for my next and final PET scan, and then they will take my chest port out.
Congrats on finishing chemo, and good luck with your scans!
Congrats!
Congrats on kicking cancer's ass!
Great to hear!
I had R-CHOP x5 rounds, and an auto-stem cell transplant for NHL. Porta-caths are awesome!
Thanks to the above, now 8 years cured.
Im on rituximab for multiple sclerosis. have been for ten years. I have no side effects except needed an extra nap the next day or two
Dang, Hank, sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I'm happy to hear that it's a treatable form of cancer, and I'll be wishing you all the best!
I'm glad the treatment is going well! I think it is also important to remember that the severity of effects of Thalidomide on fetuses depended on when in fetal development the exposure occurred. As someone who has taught embryology, I love to use Thalidomide as an example of drug history (regulation and testing), timing of effects (embryonic development), and utility (the uses in your video). It is a great example of how something that can be extremely beneficial as a treatment needs to be treated with a lot of consideration and respect.
If anyone deserves science to work miracles then it's you!
Wishing you a speedy recovery Hank.
I’m sorry about your diagnosis Hank! You’re definitely my favourite SciShow host, by far and I’m really glad to hear that your treatment is going well and I know you’ll beat this!
We love you, Hank. You're like a part of our family--we've been watching you on UA-cam for years. Thank you for the amazing work you do and for helping introduce people to how interesting STEM is. We are all rooting for your recovery and healing. ❤
It's amazing how a drug that is found to treat one illness or complication turns out it can treat many other conditions when it is studied further. Thank you Hank for the info and educating me on many science things. I love learning new things and this channel and your shorts videos do just that for me! So sorry to hear about you having cancer and are going through chemo right now. Sending all my love and prayers to you and your whole family!
Man i swear hank is like a super hero or something. Hes fighting cancer and hes still bringing us content like this!! Get well soon!
They tried to prescribe this to my mum, while she was pregnant with my sister. Luckily, she decided against taking it for some reason despite not fully knowing the risks.
As a kid I had been approved an experimental prescription(of a form of thalidomide) to try and regulate my hormones(pcos), and I was given countless warnings and advice not to get pregnant or anything like that. It was effective and I was on that medication for a good 10 years. Apparently I was the first non cancer related case in the region.
Also wishing you a speedy recovery and victory against your cancer!
Hank, I am so sorry about your cancer. I hope your treatments go well and I wish you a successful battle! Keep your head up brother!
I love how this man very obviously goes around his life find something he finds interesting learns everything he can about it and shares it. This man is in national treasure
I'm sorry to hear that Hank. I'm also glad you're getting the treatment you need and love your great spirit. Rooting for you!
I came in expecting this to have been in the queue from before Hank's treatment started, but am so happy to be wrong!
I hope your good days continue to allow you to share fascinating things with us all, and that your bad days pass as quickly and painlessly as can be hoped.
❤
Being in my 70’s I remember when the “thalidomide babies” were in the news quite frequently. Scary and sad at the same time. Sorry to hear what your dealing with. Hope it works out for you.👍
I had a friend in college that suffered birth defects due to Thalidomide.
Thanks for keeping us on board about your cancer . Safe journey Hank.
Hank is so graceful, he makes me want to rethink everything I know about human beings
Hearing that your treatment is going well is all the good news I need to receive. Wishing you the best, King.
I have lived my life, fairly normal, as a Thalidomide child and now an adult. I found the science interesting and how they used zebra fish in studying this drug. Also, it would be interesting to study us. A couple things as we are now entering our 60s would be the impact on bone density and what fraction of children born with flippers, such as me, rejected artificial limbs.
Had a coworker with phocomelus back in the 80's. He was a sketcher in the art department, and it was fun watching him hoist mugs of beer on payday happy hour with the hands growing out of his shoulders.
@Liz Ross As the bone is not under normal loading and stress it's density is an issue. Thus my shoulder bone density is like someone with Osteoporosis. I know that since my early 20s it has been an issue.
@Liz Ross Thanks for sharing. Just curious how does you status impact your legs? If you prefer not to post publicly I understand.
@Liz Ross I get that as I use my right foot like a hand quite a bit.
@Liz Ross Nice, I'm not sure about the hand as I'm missing the right arm. But definitely right footed. Devon as in the SW of England? Nice view in your backdrop photo.
My dad was one of the children that suffered birth defects due to Thalidomide.
I guess be thankful your father wasn’t born sterile
I have a student right now who suffered this. He's in an electric powered chair but he doesn't have any forelimbs. He basically uses his elbows to do anything. And he's young
How are you doing though?
@@KNR90 Is his mother from a country that didn't ban the drug or have extensive precautions against pregnancy? I'm just wondering how he ended up with the effects of the drug as a young guy.
@@pants6416 Yeah, it's still used in poorer countries
My sister took an anti-nausea when she was pregnant with my niece and nephew (i honestly don't know what it was). We found out a couple of years later when they got older and had all of their baby teeth that it caused them to be almost as soft as chalk. Thankfully their adult teeth are healthy and strong.
Sorry to know the situation but glad to see your great energy. Thank you for making the video and please do share once you are all well soon!
Yeah I remember being on chemo for my prostate cancer years ago. It was trippy seeing the nurse dressed in full protective gear while I was getting the equivalent of what I would call, an “enzyme that some poisonous plants use to protect themselves from predators”. Chemo components are way, WAY more complicated than that but that’s gives you a general idea.
Hank, love you, I’ve watched you for years and I feel like I know you. I hope you have a speedy recovery my friend!
It is wild to me that Hank is still making videos while going through chemo. The man is like a science communicating machine who will not be stopped by a puny little thing like cancer!
Keep being awesome Hank! We'll be here whether you keep pumping out content or decide to take a break!
great to see you optimistic Hank we all have our "little" battles keep your head up we keep loving you.
Hank, I hope your treatment is smooth and successful. Thank you for sharing this with us. It gives others permission to be open about their journeys, and allows for greater support among the community. Be well!
Hi! I just realized you are the VlogBrother after all these years. I used to watch those in high school and now my daughter and I watch Eons almost every day 🥰 Thank you for over 10 years of knowledge!
Love you, Hank! It's so good to see you looking pretty well. I'm so grateful you're using some of your limited energy to educate us.
Our unpayable debt!!!!! ♥️
Shocked to hear this. Much love to you and the fam. You can do this! Here's to a speedy recovery!
Hank is amazing, still creating high-quality videos despite his lymphoma diagnosis
Well of course. How else is he going to pay for his treatment? Run a meth lab?
@@lenabreijer1311
He owns two companies, has written two best selling books, and does a lot of his work to make money for charities not himself.
He could live comfortably and do nothing during his treatment and not get even close to being in danger of going broke.
He is very lucky to be in this position where he is choosing to work through his treatment instead of needing to work to be able to pay for it.
@@ElijahCemand runs several youtube channels. 6 -8 at least
Thanks for the great video and I wish you luck on your battle with cancer. You continue to amaze me with your work and as a science educator in the classroom myself, I see how your work inspires my students when I share with them the many different topics and anecdotes you've covered over the years. Thanks for all you do.
Dear Hank, all the very best getting better & better! 😊
Thank you for being your awesome self and continuing to educate us when you feel well enough on this journey. You got this and remember to take the time you need for yourself to heal and thrive.
As someone who was born shortly after the banning of this drug, I have to admit to freaking out a tiny bit when I saw the title of the video. Thankful that it has found some really constructive uses!
I lovw how hank is able to remain optimistic and hopeful while facing one of the toughest challenges he'll likely ever face, what an inspiration in so many ways. Sending you my adoration, Hank
We love you Hank!!! 🤍🤍 So happy to see you making videos! We are all cheering for your swift recovery 🥰
Thanks Hank! You've been entertaining and educating me for a decade now. Looking forward to more.
So awesome to see you on the show and in good spirits and health Hank ! We know you can get through this :).
Nice to see you Hank. ❤
Love you Hank. Cancer sucks. Here's to a speedy recovery!
Hey man sorry to hear about the cancer. Glad its treatable and you're doing alright, but sending well wishes and encouragement anyway. You've got this!
I'm so glad you're doing good. You are one of those people in the world that deserves all the best for the work you do. Best wishes
Good luck with your treatment Hank, you’ve got this!
Hoping the treatments go well! Please keep us posted and thank you so much for these videos! 🌹❤️🌟
Like all kids we were horrible to Thalidomide deformed children in school. We called them "crabs". I'm sorry for being one of those kids.
You are forgiven 😊
It is so strange. It was taboo to be mean to people with physical issues in my high school, but god forbid you be fat. It may be because it was an all-girls school. 🤔
@@YurinanAcquiline in 1950's Southern California elementary school, handicapped kids were segregated from the rest of us. Even though they got teased or given nicknames, they were otherwise accepted, as far as I know. I don't remember any kids in wheelchairs in Jr highschool or highschool. That seems odd.
There was a kid at a neighbouring school, in the '80s called, "T-rex" for the obvious omage to the dinosaur's tiny arms, but you gotta admit, it's not bad for a nickname.
@@fuferito seems stupid, but it helped many of us later on, as kids of the sixties, to want a better world of equality for everyone, to make up for our own behavior. ☮️👍
Hank really out here teaching us cool things while fighting cancer keep doing what u love man
Hank, this video IS how I found out you have cancer. Best of luck with your treatments and I'm glad that you seem to be in good spirits about it. Keep an eye on your mental health through your journey, I know from personal experience how much it can dramatically take control of your life. So, while you're working on your physical health, definitely be sure to keep an eye on your mental health as well!
You'll be in my prayers.
Here's to a full and quick recovery, Hank!
The Greene brothers have become heroes and beacons of hope and knowledge to so many over the years! We are all rooting for you Hank!
Sorry about your diagnosis, Hank. I wish you a speedy, uncomplicated recovery.
Good luck with the treatment and wishing you a speedy and full recovery. You’re a legend, thanks for the amazing and insightful content and being awe inspiring to keep going at this time ❤
I am sorry to hear that you are fighting cáncer and happy to hear that your prognosis is good. I enjoy the way you explain science in a way that is understandable and entertaining!
Get well soon Hank 🥺 Congratulates to you for your efforts to spread science even when you are ill ❤
Stick around, Hank! We love you, mate! ❤🎉😊
Thalidomide used to sound like a horror story, i'm glad it got the chance to be redeemed.
(every episode of scishow with hank on it feels like a good sign.)
Thanks for still showing up and educating us while you are in chemo treatments! It's a big testament to your dedication to your audience. Also this is a great video, I learned some new things!
In this video Hank gives a perfect example of why you should always be kind, because you never know what somebody is going through. ❤ ❤ ❤