[Paula O]

Debbie, How's your talk, “Advocate Perspective on Trial Design and T-DM1” for NBCC's Project Lead's Advanced Topics coming along? That's really cool that you're doing that--good for you! You go, girl I am looking forward to hearing you and Dr Hurvitz' “Latest Trials and Evidence for T-DM1 in Metastatic Breast Cancer” right before you.

This is going to be such a wonderful learning experience! I like the looks of the Her2 small group discussions that I shared the link to above. I got a postcard in the mail yesterday about it as well as another session too which I guess you guys going to the Symposium probably did too. The info says that space is limited and people are supposed to register ahead so don't forget to sign up on line if you are going to that one. I still haven't decided if I'll be going to that meeting or the Genomic Health Advocate Program.

I'd love to hear about the her2support booth in the exhibit area. What literature do you give out? I bet you've had some interesting conversations with folks stopping by. Do you have business cards for Her2support.org?

IMHO It seems like a great idea for us to set a specific date, place, and time for us ALL to connect, meet each other and we can get a group picture. Let's make it happen--I imagine that if those of us not part of the exhibit booth team just randomly stop by we won't see everybody. Don't you guys rotate taking turns in the booth? What are the exhibit hours--the whole time during meetings or other set times? For those of us who have never gone before, we wont recognize each other in the crowds without an initial contact I don't suppose. Debbie L. and I were in the same break-off discussion group the whole time during Project Lead this summer and neither of us recognized that we were both part of this forum the entire week we were there.

I've mentioned the possibilities that'll work for me--they've got us hopping on a tight schedule pretty much attending most every session plus additional ones (On Wednesday breakfast is at 6:15 and last meeting ends at 10). Debbie mentioned that she is carpooling with others and an evening meet-up after the meetings isn't good for her.

I know you guys at the booth will have lots of time together but I'd like to propose getting everybody attending the symposium together briefly to meet each other sometime during the break on Wednesday 12 - 1;35 (How about 12:30?) The sessions before then are at Exhibit Hall D--shall we meet there?

There is a session on Her2 Positive Breast Cancer from 6 PM to 7:30 In Exhibit Hall D on Tuesday. Maybe we can all sit together and that is the one night I am free after 7:30PM. Would our group want to connect after the meeting? While we chat, if people like the idea I'd be glad to offer to give feet, hands neck, or back rubs to any of you guys who wants one while we all visit. I am not a Massage Therapist but I've been told that I do a good job so if anybody has sore feet from all the walking or has any neck kinks, or could use some pampering, I'll do my best. :0) Rubbing feet in a hotel lobby wouldn't exactly work--we could go to one of our motel rooms (mine is fine or elsewhere) to hang out, or go out for something to eat instead of a chat with massages included, or whatever. If this isn't good with you guys, not a problem. I'm just tossing around some ideas and hoping we can arrange a time or two for us all to meet up. It would seem a shame for us to be travelling from all over the country and not have at least a little time all together. I'd love to get to know you guys. :0)

HER2-Positive Breast Cancer – Exhibit Hall D
Moderator: Eric P. Winer, MD
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Boston, MA

Adjuvant therapy of HER2 positive breast cancer – the next installment
Karen Gelmon, MD
BC Cancer Agency
Vancouver, CANADA

Advances in HER2+ breast cancer
Nancy U. Lin, MD
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Boston, MA

Neoadjuvant approach in HER2 over-expressing breast
cancer: Therapeutic implications and biomarker discovery
Mothaffar Rimawi, MD
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, TX

Paula