[Jean]

Dear Kathy,

Welcome to the board....you have found a very special group!
It sounds like you are an early stager....there has been many
changes in treatment in the last two years. Many early stagers
are now given the choice to treat their bc with more than radiation
and adding to their treatment decision chemo/herceptin. I as a
stage 1 decided (after a long battle with onc in NY) to have chemo/herceptin
after my lumpectomy / radiaiton. I had decided to have 2nd - 3rd opinons,
funny even after the 3rd one my instincts still felt something was wrong.
After research of her2 I was concerned about dealing with the disease.
I decided to visit with Dr. Slamon in Calif. He was the only one who
advised chemo/herceptin...so glad God sent him in my life.

The decison of treatment should be made with lots and lots of information
and done carefully. For me I knew that if I had a recurrance and did not
have chemo/herceptin I would always feel that I did not do everything I could
for myself. Wish I had a cyrstal ball for all of us on this board!

When I was first diagnosed I thought I knew what bc was - but I soon
found out there were different kinds (who knew) and sub-types. By learning
everything I could I started to gain control of my disease and calm down.
Funny when I had my first visit to the dr. after surgery my husband and I were told, "Your cured, your tumor was very small and we caught it all early"
My husband had such a smile of relief and I just sat like a stone on the table.
I asked the Dr. "When did they find a cure for cancer? I missed that in the news"....all this from a great hosptial and dr. Crazy isn't it. That was my
beginning and I knew I had better find out as much as I could. So the treatment and journey begins.

Ask a lot of questions - take a freind with you or someone who can
be of help with getting information. Most important think positive
and know you can reach out here for all the support you need.
Do not worry about chemotherapy horror stories it is doeable as you
can see from this site. Do your research, the ultimate decision is
yours to make. You will do your best! Wishing you the best and will
keep you in my prayers.

Kind Regards,
Jean