[katezbox]

Gracie,

I know you thank God every day for your own and Helene's recoveries. I'm sure Henry does as well.

I have seen what chemo and radiation do to friends and family. It is horrible - but it can save lives. I also just read The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch. Still not sure how such a sad story can be uplifting - but it was.

My issue with Suzanne Sommers and other celebrities who write and speak on topics as complex as cancer, is that they often do more harm than good. Many patients will try any treatment that holds out a ray of hope - but so often these treatments have no merit in science.

I am not against alternative medicine - just against those who speak out without the credentials to do so. If you were on a jury in a murder trial and they asked an actress to testify on DNA evidence because she played an expert on TV, you would not take this seriously. Yet we frequently give "famous" people the same consideration we give those with hard-earned educations.