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sassy · 12-16-2014, 09:55 AM

For Her,

If you have any doubts about your medical team, a second opinion would certainly be a viable option.

My experience has been that the most advanced, cutting edge treatment/care is typically found at facilities that engage in research and are connected to a teaching entity.

When I was dx'd, my local onc (not a breast cancer specialist) didn't even test me for HER2. It was not until I elected to go to Wake Forest that I was tested and stepped into the newly released protocol for Herceptin in 2005. I have no doubt that changed the course (and probably length!) of my life.

You and your wife are your own best advocates.

12-16-2014, 09:55 AM	#3
sassy Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Mountains of Virginia Posts: 2,267	Re: 3 + years stage IV 2 + years brain mets For Her, If you have any doubts about your medical team, a second opinion would certainly be a viable option. My experience has been that the most advanced, cutting edge treatment/care is typically found at facilities that engage in research and are connected to a teaching entity. When I was dx'd, my local onc (not a breast cancer specialist) didn't even test me for HER2. It was not until I elected to go to Wake Forest that I was tested and stepped into the newly released protocol for Herceptin in 2005. I have no doubt that changed the course (and probably length!) of my life. You and your wife are your own best advocates. __________________ Rhonda (Sassy) dx age 45 DX 2/15/05 Stage IIb (at surgery)restaged IIIa Left mast .9cm tumor 5 of 14 nodes Triple Positive 4 DD A/C 12 Taxol/Herceptin 33Rads Strange infect mast site one year aft surg, hosp 1 wk Herceptin for total of 18 months Lupron Monthly 4 yrs Neurontin for aches, pains and hot flashes(It works!) Ovaries removed 11/09 stop Lupron and Neurontin Arimidex 6 yrs (tried Femara, no SE improvement) Tried Exemestane-hips got so bad could hardly walk Back to Arimidex for year seven Zometa 2X Annual for 7years, Lasix Stop Arimidex 5/13 Stop Zometa 7/13-Bi-lateral Stress Fractures in Femurs from Zometa 5/14 Start Tamoxifen 3/15 Stem cell transplant to stimulate femur bone growth/healing 5/15 Complete fracture of right femur/Titanium rods both femurs 9/16 Start Evista stopTamoxifen 3/17 Stop Evista--unwelcome side effects! NED and no meds....... 14YEARS NED!