Just wanted to add my two cents regarding ovary suppression. I'm on herceptin 1x every 3 weeks & tamoxifen. Since I am ER+/PR+ it was strongly recommended that I shut down my ovaries through medicine or surgery. I was very afraid of messing w/ my hormones (refused tamoxifen after initial dx for that reason) and instant menopause (I'm 41) as I have struggled w/ hormonal mood swings in the past. I decided to have the oophorectomy since I didn't want to add medicinal side effects to the bag of stuff I might experience, and since I don't plan to have more children anyway. It's been a month and I'm happy to report I'm doing very well. Some mild hot flashes, but could be from tamoxifen, too. I had started an anti-depressant a few months ago to help me quit smoking (that was successful, yeah me!), stayed on it when I was dx with mets a week later (good reason to feel sad & depressed), and I really think that has helped a lot as well. Wellbutrin is my friend  Good luck, and God bless!
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Liz
3/05 Initial dx invasive dc 2 cm lump, age 39
lumpectomy & 3 of 5 nodes +, ER+/PR+, Her2+++
alternative chemo 5/05-7/05, rad 8/05-10/05
7/06 dx mets to vertebrae, pelvis & chest lymph nodes
8/06 - 10/06 tamoxifen, herceptin, oophorectomy & zometa
11/06 PET/CT showed continued bone mets, new spot on liver
12/06 began taxotere/herceptin 1x/3 weeks,
2/07 - 2-08 NED!
3/08 progression, start taxol/herceptin weekly, monthly zometa
8/08 start ai & herceptin
12/08 - progression, start weekly navelbine/herceptin thru 6/09 & monthly zometa
7/09 - PET/CT showed improvement in spine, but 2-3 lymph nodes in chest became active
9/09 - 11/09 - weekly abraxane/herceptin
12/09 - PET/CT - chest lymph nodes resolved, progression in spine & pelvis
2/10 - 6/10 - start tykerb/xeloda, progession in spine & pelvis
7/10 - start taxotere/carboplatin/herceptin
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