It is important to restate from time to time that we are not doctors. What most of us attempt to do here is lead people to the threshold of their own wisdom so they they can be a better advocate for themselves.

Unfortunately, substandard medical care is a reality and we have all seen it here from time to time. We are all passionate about getting the highest standard of care possible.

As Dinah mentioned the word "usually" comes up a lot. In the NCCN practice guidelines, there is often no consensus of opinion on the best treatment options so it up to the patient and their medical team to decide what tools they are going to use.

Every one of us is different and what worked for me, may not work for you. Some of us with more advanced cancers take a more aggressive/conservative approach also so that must be factored in to an individuals decision.

Like Lisa said, it is vital to trust your team of doctors. Information I gleaned here I used to question my team and refine my knowledge of treatment options but the final decisions were always made between myself and my medical team.

The fact remains that this disease is an insidious killer and takes some of us in spite of the most aggressive treatment and the best doctors.