From the moderator: RAI tone and content

November 13, 2003

Greetings all,

Several people contacted me privately in my role as moderator to discuss the

tone/content of the previous RAI debate in which Liang was a frequent

participant. I mention his/her name not to point out Liang as a 'problem' or to

whom I'm addressing this post, but to remind people of the strain.

So far, our content and tone about RAI this go-round has been perfect!

Passionate, opinionated, informative while remaining friendly, polite, and

supportive.

I just want to remind everyone -- on ALL sides of the debate -- to keep the tone

this way!!

After the last go-round, a couple of points struck me as worth mentioning to the

group:

First, as much as possible, we should each try to seperate our sense of

self-worth or emotional ties to any analytic argument we make. This is terribly

tough to do, but it can help a bit when you're arguing against RAI. Don't get

too invested!! Present the information to the best of your ability and respect

someone's right to disagree or (hard as it may seem) to disregard your advice

and experience.

Second, considering that RAI is the most common method of treatment in the US,

we must find a way to discuss RAI that is thoughtful, respectful even as it is

critical. We can't simply NOT discuss this key issue in the treatment of Graves

disease.

My third and final point may be the most important. Rereading a week's worth of

posts, it is clear that this high-thinking, high-functioning group is highly

critical -- in the BEST sense of the word!!!! People here tend to analyze how

much synthroid is best; to debate what synthetic hormone combinations work;

disagree and discuss the benefits of scans and ultrasounds, etc.; pick apart

doctor's ATD plans and drug amounts and decide to do things differently.

What I'm trying to get at is that the group effectively challenges, critiques,

debates and thinks about every aspect of Graves treatment. The only place we

get highly emotional is when RAI enters.

So there are my words of caution and praise. We're what-- 700 strong now? --

and I think we're doing an excellent job of sustaining a sense of community and

service on-line.

Let's keep up the great work and keep an eye on tone/content when RAI is

discussed.

Thank you!

B

Recommended Posts