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Kate,
I think we can all relate to that feeling of needing a break from treatment.
I will tell you from my own personal experience that it took me a while to bounce back from chemo and radiation. But, I did start to feel better even while continuing on the herceptin. It took a good while and even though I did not feel like doing it regular exercise really helped.
I see from your signature that you are only just finishing up chemo and radiation and have just begun herceptin. You may want to give yourself some time to get recover from the other treatment before stoping the herceptin, you may find you start to feel better.
It is so hard to know how much herceptin is enough. But being stage 3 with many nodes you may want to err on the side of over treatment. If your dr will do a test for Circulating Tumor Cells that might help you make a decision-my dr has done this test and here is my experience....
I was diag stage 2, 1 node. After dose dense tx and 1yr of herceptin my dr checked for CTC and I came up postive for CTC. Because of this he decided to keep me on herceptin past 1 year. He has been repeating the test every 6 months and so far all those checks have shown no CTC. I know this technology is new, but in my case it looks like taking herceptin longer has made a difference.
I don't know if any of this helps at all. Everything I have said aside I also believe quality of life is an important issue that is often overlooked. In the end you need to do what feels right to you.
Hugs,
Kim
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