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Diana: I understand how you feel about the chemo. It is not a great experience. But I can tell you that it does kill fast growing cells and that is exactly what HER2 is all about. Even if you are node negative, cancer cells may already be into your blood stream and I truly believe the only option is to nuke 'em. Before Herceptin, AC and taxol was the recommended treatment for HER2+ tumors. I believe Herceptin is a wonder drug, but it seems clear that it works best in conjunction with regular chemo treatment especially taxol. I have no lasting ill effects from the chemo and in fact felt almost 100% within a couple of months after the end. I am not really clear as to why you are so against chemo, but I do know that HER2+ cancers need all ammunition available if you want to survive. I believe I survived because my oncologist gave me the most agressive treatment available and even though I often felt like the treatment would kill me before the cancer had a chance, everytime I went for chemo I knew those nasty little cells were being zapped. Talk to some more survivors before you make a totally final decision. Good luck to you whatever you decide. Stephanie
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