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Thank you. To answer Merridith's question, I'm of the self-taught variety. My mom was diagnosed with HER-2 positive breast cancer in Spring 2002. When she was first diagnosed, we were told very little regarding the significance of HER-2. At that time, I promised my mom that we would never again get caught "off guard" with respect to this disease due to lack of information.
Christine's website got me started down the due diligence trail. The ongoing information that I gather has proven helpful in several discussions with my mom's doctors regarding potential treatments. The group has heard me preach "ad nauseum" that "information is power." I truly believe in this principle and try to share the information that I find with others. Christine and Joe helped my family at the outset and now it's my turn to pay it forward.
I strongly believe that we should respect the vast experience of our doctors -- to do otherwise is foolish and potentially dangerous. But, I also know from my experience that it is important to challenge the "status quo" on occasion, especially in the fast-paced world of cellular science and HER-2. It is sometimes difficult to know the difference (i.e., whether to trust or challenge) unless you do a little homework.
I should also note that I have learned a lot from the many comments and questions posted by the women and other caregivers (including emails that I receive). Every difficult question posted and answered is a step in the right direction. Once you have a positive support group, collective "outside-the-box" thinking, and sound research, you have a strong motivational foundation from which to mount an effective defense against this disease. I hope all of this makes sense!
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