[Audrey]

Erin, I was diagnosed in July 2001 Stage III with Her2+ BC--my tumor was huge--15cm (did not show up on mammogram or ultrasound--turned out to be like a flat, winding snake instead of a big grapefruit)- we only found it because I was experiencing a bloody nipple discharge. Anyway, I had 11+ lymph nodes, was young (36) and pre-menopausal, all my prognostic indicators were "poor". I was sure this was the beginning of the end for me. BUT I entered a clinical trial for Herceptin (after A/C and weekly Taxol, plus radiation), had 52 weeks of Herceptin and have not had a recurrence! Will celebrate 6 years of survival this summer! I feel fine, see the onc. every six months and don't get scans anymore or anything. Don't lose hope, there are more and more of us survivors now! Don't look at the old survival stats.. For what it's worth, I still like to keep current on available treatments, etc., just in case it comes back...the fear of recurrence never really goes away, but it definitely lessens over time.