@sueinmn, Sue, I cannot fully express the depth of my gratitude for your posts, particularly this latest one, regarding my young grandson's diagnosis.

Not only did you "read between the lines of my original post with empathy and understanding", you and other mentors and members have written to express concern and also encouragement during this very frightening time for me and my small family. For a concerned out-of-state grandmother, your support and kind responses truly help.

The word: "connect" is defined by Webster as "to bind, to fasten, to join". To associate with others experiencing serious health issues who can share and support with possibly different approaches but with mutual respect in a "safe" place is the single most important tenet of the Mayo Support forums. Thank you.

My dad, who was a life role model for me, told me many times over my growing up years that: "if you can't say something nice, say nothing". I've tried to live by that and would suggest that some would be better served if they adopted that as a mantra, too.