Hi Hillarie,

I'll be 40 in March. I do my chemo on Fridays and take the rest of the day to myself also. Does your Onc think the Big treatments (every 3 weeks) have given you a better response than weekly? I have a friend that gets carbo and it cleared her right up she is almost NED. I am getting tired of the treatments also and you have been going quite longer than me! I have 2 girls ages 11 and 13. I bet your 5 1/2 year old keeps you busy. I can tell your keeping a positive additude. I hope your MRI in 6 months comes up clean for months/years so you can get the break you deserve!

Hugs,

Beth

Hi Hillarie,

My birthday is March 4th. Wow 10 mets to the liver with 50% reduction that is something. I know that carbo is good stuff I hope she gets on it.

Hugs,

Beth

WOW! Alot of information here. I have a lingering question. I was diagnosed with bc in april of 2003. 3.3 cm, 1 node. Had a mastectomy, 4 A/C and 4 Taxol. I was ER/PR- and HER 2, 3++. According to my onc., I have done everything that I can do to this point. I continue to ask about clinical trials for prevention. I'm told that I can only take Herceptin if I have a reacurrance. I have been also told this by a nurse that heads up clinical trials in my area. I just want to stay on top of it and do whatever I can to keep it from coming back. So, is there ANYTHING I can do at this point as far as Herceptin or a vaccine, that you know of?
Thanks!

Dear Joannie,
I'm stage one and am receiving Herceptin every week and Herceptin/carboplatin/taxatere every three weeks. I have not had a recurrence and my insurance company is paying for the treatment. I would suggest that you look into the current trial (using Herceptin) for early stage cancer and/or that you shop around for an oncologist who will give you Herceptin off protocal. I did the latter. I can't see any reason to "wait" for a recurrence(not at all that it's inevitable, but I tend to be pessimistic). There is no evidence that I know of that Herceptin should be used for early stage cancer. I assume that's what they'll find out when the trial is over. But based on the incredible results that people are having with it after having a recurrence, I felt for myself that it would be my best line of defence.

One more question....Did you take Herceptin alone or with other chemo drugs? I'm done with all of my chemo and I didn't know if they would give you Herceptin alone. Thanks!