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Kathy,
I am TOTALLY confused too. My oncologist and research coordinator have tried to help - but I believe the bottom line is they truly do not know. They have left the decision up to me.
One day I think I should take the Herceptin every 3 weeks for a year and then the next day I think I should not.
Today I am leaning toward not doing it. I will be out of chemo 2 years this coming October 2005.
I really wish I knew the benefit (if any) from taking Herceptin at this point. There are just no studies that I know of about women in our situation. It's anyone's guess.
I think about the hormone therapies - they block the hormone "receptors" for years after chemo or with no chemo at all. So I can't help but wonder if Herceptin might be able to do the same on the Her2 "receptors." But this is just me wondering - I have never read or heard anything that says this.
You asked about tumor markers - I guess I don't really know my status. My blood tests have always been normal. Is that how tumor markers are monitored?
Please keep me posted about your decision - I wish you all the best.
I would also appreciate any information from you or anyone out there that could help me with this decision.
Thanks so much for responding to my post - I feel less alone.
BarbaraL
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