To Paul

[vicki]

That is fantastic. Where do you get all this knowledge? Do you have a medical background? I am beginning to feel I should amas all your posts into a book in case I need any of it in the future.
Fortunately I am NED, but the worry of recurrence or mets is never too far from mind. Guess that's why I hover here every now and then.

[Lolly]

I agree! Paul's post really encapsulates an incredible amount of information, and has got me inspired to start doing more research. I have gotten too complacent of late, and must regain momemtum, because cancer never sleeps and we all need to have a battle plan ready should it rear it's ugly head again!
Thank you Paul, you do so much to help, words cannot express. So prayers of gratitude will have to suffice.
Hugs, Lolly

[Lisa]

Paul,

It's obvious you don't know me through my posts. Otherwise you would know that I'm far from pessimistic. And while I welcome your response, the message was intended for actual breast cancer survivors.

My statistics may not have been perfect. But, as you know, Herceptin success varies by so many factors: Her2 overexpression rate, use with/without chemo drugs, type of recurrence, etc. My point was that, much to my disappointment, Herceptin is not the perfect solution for breast cancer recurrence remissions. That solution lies somewhere in the (hopefully not so distant) future. I personally believe that the latest trials will allow use for Herceptin in early stage breast cancer victims as part of mets prevention. At least that's what I hope.

What else do I wish? I wish that all trials benefitted all trial participants. I wish that every woman who wanted to could enter any trial. I wish that all treatments worked for all women. I wish that all women had the best medical team possible. I wish for no more breast cancer.

You believe you're saying something valuable in telling me that "every woman has the right to fight this battle as she sees fit"? What on earth could make you think I don't believe that?
Being one of those women, I couldn't possibly believe any other way. As I continue to say, research your options, discuss all with your doctor, choose the plan for you and FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT!

Part of my message to other survivors is simply to not assume you'll have metastases if you're Her2 positive. And if you ARE Her2 positive, to not become devastated if you don't get into a trial you were hoping for. Who knows? Like the woman I told you about. NOT getting into a trial could be the best thing yet.

We should simply all stay open, stay positive and stay focused. It's hard to do on this roller coaster, but it's well worth the effort.

Love and healing light to all,

Lisa

[anonymous]

I talked with with my onc on Monday about the study at MDA, and she made a very good point about the study. She said that it has it's place/ she has given chemo before surgery. With Herceptin given it previously to surgey. she said she would like to know what they are dealing with. Could the cancer have been in 14 lymph nodes and now it is only in 7, How much does it clear up? SHe likes the path results to know as much about the patient and where the cancer is and at what stage then not. Any comments?