A Debt of Gratitude to the members of this group

[Colleens_Husband]

Dear Friends:

Yesterday Colleen had an appointment with her oncologist and for the first time in this whole process, I felt that we had enough knowledge to make informed decisions.

The oncologist said Colleen could choose to have two more chemotherapy infusions or go straight to radiation. After discussing some of the research on the value of two more infusions, Colleen decided to have the two more infusions only this time with TCH instead of TAC like the first four.

We left the oncologist's office feeling that we made the wisest most informed decision we could although two more chemo infusions is not going to be pleasant.

The more I know the oncologist, the more I am impressed with him. He readily will admit that the research is inconclusive and that he doesn't have all of the answers. I am pretty sure he has most of the answers and he is confident enough in his skill as a doctor to admit that he doesn't know it all. I feel that the doctor/diety types will get a person killed.

Anyways, I would like to thank all of you for being part of one of the best support groups on the internet and for allowing me and Colleen to make intelligent, informed decisions.

Lee

[Donna]

Dear Colleen's Husband,

There is nothing, NOTHING, more important than a well informed patient advocate! And second, in my humble opinion, is having a doctor who is not a doctor/deity who pats you on the head and tells you to go on home and let the experts take care of things.

You did good! Colleen is so lucky to have you as her advocate. My husband is a lousy advocate (a genius at what he does, but no good in a dr's office!) so I have a really good friend as my advocate.

Keep up the good fight and brace for the next round!

Love, Donna

[mts]

Knowledge is POWER !!!

Warmly,

Maria

[Mary Jo]

Hi Lee,

I'm happy you and Colleen felt confident seeing your onc. and knew what was best for Colleen. There is no greater feeling...that I describe as "peace".......when things just work out.

Also, I also thank YOU for being a part of our her2support family....we gain strength and knowledge from one another and YOU dear friend, have been a source of both to all of us here.

Know that my prayers surround you and Colleen and that I ask God to grant Colleen a speedy "last 2" with not many effects felt by her. Also, I ask God to continue to bless your heart with that special love and care you have for your wife. What a special man you are.

Hugs to you both,

Mary Jo

[chrisy]

Lee, thanks for posting. I knew Colleen had an appt on July 31 and was wondering the outcome.

I think TCH for the grand finale is a good bet - these are highly synergistic and should actually be easier to tolerate than TAC.

I'm sure you're both relieved to have set a direction, and I can tell you feel confident in your oncologist and your decision. That's a good thing.

Onward and forward!

[Joan M]

Lee, I'm very glad that you and Colleen have a good relationship with your oncologist and get meaningful feedback. I think it's better to know more than know less. Best, Joan

[Jean]

Lee,
Glad that you are feeling comfortable with your treatment decisons. The TCH trials showed strong and promising results. My wishes for Coleen are that her two treatments are smooth. I will keep both of you
in prayers.

Knowledge is Power!
Regards,
jean

[Gerri]

Hey Lee,

Thanks for the update on Colleen. It sounds like she (and you) are in good hands. It sure does make for a lot less stress when you have confidence in your health care team.

Best of luck to Colleen through this next phase of treatment.

Take good care,

[juanita]

Best of luck to Collen. And I'm glad she has you as such an informed advocate. I know how much my hubby being with me has meant to me.

[hutchibk]

It's all about the knowledge and the synergy - in more ways than one...

[Bill]

Lee, thanks for keeping us posted regarding Colleen's treatment. Needless to say, you guys are in our thoughts and prayers, always. And, thanks for being here for all of us, too. You are truly a man among men. Stay strong, brother. Bill

[SoCalGal]

Dear Bro-Bill

What does that mean - "a man among men"? And am I a woman among woman? And how can I become a woman among men?

Speaking of which - spent yesterday with ANDI BB!! She rubbed off on me. It's all her fault.

Namaste
xxoo Flori

[Bill]

Oh, Flori, I really debated with myself over using that phrase. But it fit Lee, perfectly. Roughly, it sorta means that if you have a group of men, and one of them stands head and shoulders above the others, and distinguishes himself as "superior", then he is "a man among men", in other words, "The man". And yes, Flori, you are, without a doubt, a woman among women. All of you are.

[Becky]

Dear Lee

We are here to help each other's knowledge base (among other things). An informed patient is called a survivor and we are all about helping each other survive.

Love to Colleen and you

[Sheila]

Bill
You have truly been an inspiration to all of us...thank you for all the quiz's to keep us from going overboard with the chemo brains. Coleen is very lucky to have you in her corner....don't ever leave us!

[Bill]

Sheila, I think you meant to say "Lee" instead of "Bill" right? Contrary to popular belief, we are probably two different people altogether. And by the way, I love that new avatar. Is that bird's eyeball a chocolate M&M? It sure looks like one to me. And Flori, I missed the question about you wanting to be a woman among men, and I'm going to pass on answering that one, but I agree that it's probably Andi's fault (or Lee's)

[Colleens_Husband]

Bill:

I don't think it's am M&M. If you look closely you will see that there is a 'W' printed in the center of it.

Lee

[PinkGirl]

I think it looks like one of those small candies in Bridge Mixture, or maybe a brown Smartie.

[Bill]

Lee, I stand corrected. I looked closer- it is a W. Hey, thanks again, bro. There's nothing like having you and Pinkgirl right there everytime I make a mistake and pointing it out to everyone in the known Universe. Pinkgirl aka The Chocolate Oracle has spoken.

[PinkGirl]

Don't be so hard on yourself Bill, it could have been an M&M. But I think we're all wrong. If it was a candy, Sheila would have already eaten it .... I'm just saying ....

[Colleens_Husband]

Bill:

Okay, upon further review, maybe it is an M&M after all, just turned upside down. It is so hard to tell those 'M's from the 'W's, maybe thats why I got fired from my job as a proofreader at the M&M factory.

Lee

Or maybe it was the W&W factory.

[harrie]

Looks like a black ladybug to me.

Hey, if Lee gets to be a man among men and Flori gets to be a woman among women......I guess I don't have a prayer of a chance since I am only 5 ft 3/4 inch????!!
OR does that only qualify me to be like woman among kids???

Lee, sounds like very good decisions are being made for Colleen. It makes all the diffenence in the world when you make that decision and you know in your heart it was a good one.

[DonnaD]

Lee,
I wish Colleen the best as she finishes her last two chemo's. With you by her side I know she will do just fine. Radiation was so much easier for me and the remaining year of Herceptin was a breeze. You are almost there!

God bless you both. Keep us posted.
Donna