December 24th 2001
 

Just 5 short years ago, if you were dignosed as HER2+, your oncologist would tell you "your cancer is aggresive and your prognosis is poor". If you were stage I to III, you had to wait for a recurrence before he would give you Herceptin. There was a myth that it caused heart attacks. In 2001, if you were diagnosed with brain mets, your survival was measured in months. There was very little information on HER2, Herceptin, or metastatic breast cancer on the internet.

Today, thanks to dedicated researchers we have turned the corner. Women who are HER2 positive now have a better prognosis than those that aren't. Tykerb another targeted therapy drug should be approved by the FDA in February. Great strides in HER2 vaccines are being made at Walter-Reed Medical Center and at the University of Washington. There are many new compounds in the laboratory ready to enter Phase I trials.

The HER2 Support Group met the challenge. Through our website, we have recruited numerous candidates to participate in various clinical trials, including 1 in the Phase I trial of Tykerb, several in the Walter Reed trial, 10 out of 20 for the Phase I trial of the vaccine in Seattle, and numerous candidates for the adjuvant trials of Herceptin here and overseas. Our members are the most educated of all breast cancer survivors.

Personally, 2006, was a terrible year with the loss of Lyn, Lisa, Hope, Janelle, Linda, Sherry from WV and others. Each passing makes the operation of this website just a bit harder.

But on the other hand, we received glowing reports from many oncologists that we met in San Antonio this month. Dr. Lupe Salazar could not speak highly enough about our "hospitality volunteer" in Seattle - Stephanie. Sassy's oncologist told us how Sassy was so informed that it made her visits with him - most enjoyable. Perhaps the greatest compliment was given at ASCO in June, when Dr. Mark Pegram referred to us as the "HER2 Support Group activists" before an audience of about 1500 fellow medical professionals.

Joe and I receive too much credit for this website for it is all of the members who help to make this website the leading resource for HER2 breast cancer patients in the world. We just built the forum, it took all of you to fill it.

We wish to thank each and every one of you for without your active participation, the HER2 Support Group would not exist.

Hugs, well wishes and happy holidays to ALL.

HAPPY FIFTH ANNIVERSARY

Christine and Joe

Christine and Joe


A millions thanks to both of you.

Happy Holidays to you and your family.

Hugs,
karen

Thank you doesn't seem like enough, but, THANK YOU!

Happy 5th anniversary and Happy Holidays!

Carolyn

Thank you. Youv'e taken on lots of extra work for our benefit. Happy Holidays. Bev

I want to thank you both Christine & Joe for starting forum. Before I found it, I didn't think there was hope, and now I know different.


Just being connected with everyone on this forum has meant the world to me.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

Christine and Joe
 

thank you for helping to save my life.
dee

Thank you!!!
 

HI Christine and Joe,
I can never thank you enough for managing this website. It is my lifeline to information, support, and to others like myself who are dealing wiht HER2 breast cancer at some level. No words can express my appreciation for your dedication and help and support.
Thank you and I wish you all the best to your family during this holiday season and the New Year beyond!!!!
Barbara H.

Christine and Joe
Thanks to both of you and all the other amazing women on this board, I plan to be here to celebrate my 5 year anniversary in Feb. I was one of those given a poor outlook in early 2002, and with all the knowledge from this board, I am still going strong.....Merry Christmas to ALL!

Again another thank you for all you do for us. This is one of my lifelines. Nearly, 6 years ago, diagnosed with IBC and her2, I was given no long term survival from several doctors. Well, today I am happy to say I am still hear and I do consider 6 years in March long term! My quality of life is good and I am enjoying every minute of it. Christine is right we have come a long way and will continue to do so. Sending you all a big Christmas hug and a Happy healthy New Year. I said a prayer last evening for all our families on this board who are with out their loved one today. Sandy

I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you do to keep this website up and running. I also want to thank all the wonderful women here. Since I really do not have anyone that I can personally lean on for support, I surely would have lost it many times if it had not been for the wonderful support, advise, and knowledge of the women on this website. I wish everyone here a Very Happy Holiday and a Happy, Healthful, Prosperous New Year.

Thanks Christine, and a very Merry Christmas to you and Joe.

Thanks so much Joe & Christine for this site. It, too, has given me much hope. Best of everything and Merry Christmas!

5 so important years!
 

Thank you for stepping out and leading the way for all of us! This site has been a life raft to me each and every day! It educates me, inspires me, and helps me make each tough new step so much easier! I have a friend just diagnosed with thyroid cancer, just as her son turns 4 months old! As I wrote a note to her, I reflected on how important this site has been to me and encouraged her to go on line and seek out lots of ideas and help! Thank you for 5 years that has and will continue to change so many lives. Merry Christmas!

Dear Joe and Christine
thankyou so much for this site. For me personally it has helped inform me ( I am in Australia) of what is happening in the Her2 world. The wonderful people on this site have helped advise me , comfort me and support me at difficult times.
i have found it particulalry sad this year with the loss of women I had grown to love.

Thank you again

Linda w

Thank you again to the superb team! Wishing you the best for holidays.

Big hug,

Dear Joe and Christine,

Thank you so much for the information that you share with us. 16 mos ago I was diagnosed w/ her 2 pos bc. I was sure that my life was over then and there. Having her 2 support has been a lifeline for me. I don't think I could have gotten through this as well as I have without your valuable site.

Losing our dear bc sisters has been awful tough to read. But, we are here to support each other in good times and in bad. My prayers are that 2007 will be a blessed year for each and everyone of us. You all are in my prayers daily.

Hugs and prayers,
Lexi

We have come so Far - thanks to people like you!
 

Thanks for the update that puts things into perspective Christine. I can't believe the changes that have taken place in just the short time I have had cancer. I long for many more changes - for the shot that prevents cancer in my children and their children's children... sigh. Keep up the good work, and thank you so much for your kind dedication to those of us you may never meet, but sacrifice for daily.
We are ever in your debt....

Dear Christine and Joe,

Thank you for your eloquent Christmas/Anniversary letter to the Her2support community and all you do to stay on the forefront of medical advances and keep us all connected.

Congratulations for 5 years of providing emotionally and physically life-sustaining support through this exemplary website -- and many blessings to you in 2007!

Emmay

Congratulation on your 5th anniverary for a successful forum, dedication, and hard work. I am truly bless to be apart of your support group. Thank you Christine and Joe.

Merry Christmas!

A bridge to sanity ...
 

Like Kate mentioned, many of us would have "lost it" if we did not have somewhere to turn for understanding and information. That includes me, and the hard part is that some of the women who welcomed me here and gave me some words of wisdom are no longer here in the flesh. But, there are others to come into the picture and who need the same help at various stages of their disease and treatment.
The cycle continues.

It is a very special sisterhood indeed, and I am honored to have a part in assisting anyone who comes to Seattle that I can make things a little easier or fun during what can be a rather stressful time.

We owe it all the Christine and her very "obedient" husband Joe, who put her idea into practice.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!