Great Promo for our site!

[jo50]

I wonder if I will get this - did you get it at home? Cute thought, bot that I exactly need the contents! Not sure if it filters through to the "patient" - e.g. I didn't get the letter from the trial people when word came that we should now be getting Herceptin (I was in arm that didn't get it originally). I found it in my chart (which I go through every few weeks) and asked for a copy from the chemo nurses. I was getting the Herceptin I hasten to add, which is the important thing, but I thought it important to have the letter too, especially since it was addressed to "trial participant".

[Lisa]

I was just sitting in Chemo when one of the nurses walked up with this very nice Velcro sealed packet. It was most definitely from Genentech with a letter on their letterhead addressed "Dear Patient." No signature, only "Sincerely, Genentech BioOncology"

The only thing "local" about it was a big, fat, pink ribbon shaped cookie, made locally. My assumption is that Genentech is providing these to all Herceptin patients and that the local rep provided the cookie. But who knows?

Love and light,

Lisa

[jener8er]

I didn't get a cookie! But I did get a nice pack from Genentech that had a nice pink baseball cap with "Support HER" on the front, a pink pen, a pair of pink socks (!) and a lot of information about how Herceptin works. I read through it and tossed most of it, but I think the brochure I read also had a reference to this site. I didn't pay that much attention as I already think this is a GREAT site!! When I go back, I'm gonna ask for my cookie!
Jen

[Sandy H]

I will ask about it tomorrow as I forgot to ask last time. I bet if they got them they ran out in a hurry. My oncology department nurse told me they are seeing 8 new patients a week. I am in a rural area and this is the only oncology within 75 to 100 miles that offers both chemo and radiation. I don't know how many are getting herceptin but seems there are quite a few that I talk to each week. It really concerns me if they are seeing 8 new patients a week. Most days there are people waiting for a chair and there are 15 chairs which I know is not much compared to places in the big cities but for Maine where there is no research centers and very limited oncologists that is a lot. The nurses here really earn their money and still they are very caring, compassionate and do a great job for us patients. Guess, that is my input for today. hugs, Sandy

[Lisa]

Steph,


Maybe I've been in this boat too long, but the wording of the letter didn't bother me. As I just re-read it, it still didn't. Maybe because I was too foused on my cookie and poem. Since Herceptin was just started with original bc patients, I'll bet the vast majority of women who received this ARE Her2-pos metastatic bc survivors.

And, I'm afraid most people don't read cover letters that closely.

Love and light,

Lisa

[StephN]

Maybe it is my years as a proofreader (of law books yet) that makes me notice things that others may not.

BUT - Since thousands of new patients are now getting Herceptin as ADJUVENT therapy, this was my concern. My Genenteck rep called them "New Patient packets." I have never gotten one before this and I have been on Herceptin for 4 years.

So, it seems to me it is more for the newbies, and I felt the letter should not scare those newly diagnosed. Look at some of the questions we have been getting from frightened newly diagnosed gals who want to know if it is basically a "given" that they will progress to stage IV. Where do they get that idea??
That wording in the letter is not comforting to those with such questions.

Now you know where my thoughts sprang from.

[RhondaH]

I TOO used to be a proofreader (of medical textbooks) and I (like you) am VERY analytical and I TOO would probably have freaked out, but that's why I ask LOTS of questions and like clarification. Yes, I'm Stage 1 and doing 1 year of Herceptin. Maybe they could hire us as proofreaders

Rhonda Hoffman