What would you do?

[DianneS]

My onc has offered me two options:

She feels I have aggressively attacked any cancer with 4.5 (yes, 4 1/2) sessions of Taxotere, Carboplatin. I have been getting Herceptin all along as well and will continue it until November, then aromatase inhibitors x 5 yrs (arrgghh!!) I started 'treatments' in Nov. and could be done now, or have one more treatment of TCH in March.

My tumor was 2 cm, right breast only. It was IDC, 50% in situ, Grade 3, I am weakly ER positive and PR negative and of course, her2 positive.

I had a modified radical mastectomy on the right breast and a partial on the left just in case.

I had NO lymphs involved (does that really matter?) and no vascular invasion...for whatever that means. She feels I could be cured...I am wary of that word.

I am thinking my immune system has been trashed enough and now is the time to get busy with my naturopathic doctor on the herbal route and follow a good diet. If the immune system keeps getting pushed back by chemo, doesn't that open it up for more cancers to rush in?

Anyway. I don't really know what to do and have until March 12 to make up my mind. How many of you had fewer than 6 TCH treatments and are fine with that decision? Thanks guys.

Diannes

[Mary Anne in TX]

Dianne, what a difficult decision. I had much more chemo, but I also factored in my age at the time. I was 60 when I began treatment and I figured I was the strongest I was going to get and wanted to do the chemo at the front end of treatment. If I had been younger, perhaps I would have chosen differently. I don't know. I'm kinda a charge ahead person. Keep asking questions! ma

[WomanofSteel]

I think I personally would endure one last treatment, it would put my mind at ease. I had no lymph node involvement, but herceptin wasn't an option at the time of my original treatment. You at least have that added benefit, which is a big one. No one can tell you what to do. It is really between you and your family and doctor. We can only give you our personal feelings. Good luck to you.

[BonnieR]

I had 4 TCH treatments. My onc felt that was sufficient since I was developing neuropathy and side effects in general. I think she to factored in quality of life issues along with the size of my cancer. Something of a balancing act. She had always intended me to have a full year of Herceptin, which I did.
I had seen another doc for a second opinion and she felt I did not need ANY chemo. So it is a conundrum.
Keep the faith. Let us know what you decide.

[hutchibk]

I did 7 total Taxol/Carbo/Herceptin, and then we dropped Carbo so as to not beat up my bone marrow too much... but I was metastatic and we were knocking it back aggresively. Treating mets is probably a different monster than first line treatment.

[Jackie07]

Seems I remember seeing many newer postings reporting their treatment protocol to be just 4 rounds of TCH instead of 6 rounds before doing solo Herceptin for 13 rounds (every three weeks.)

Perhaps your Onco based her recommendation on the more current research?