Just wanted to say HI and WELCOME, MELANIE! My *story* is in my signature. I was initially dx 7/14/95 and here I am... Been on Herceptin since '98 (when I recurred/metastasized). You sound pretty savvy for a newbie and this is a great place to have stumbled upon. The women are wise and wonderful. They are Warriors and know more than many docs, I swear. When we put our heads together, we can usually figure something out that'll help. And docs don't know canser
(I'm spelling it that way cause I'm *dissing* the crummy disease) from the inside out. We've all experienced canser in a very real way, and faced our potential mortality, he uncertainty and fears and come out feeling more in love with love and those closest to us than ever before. We can truly appreciate the beauty of a new day in a most unique way. Priorities quickly rearrange themselves and we don't mess with the small stuff any more. In the scheme of things, we have a whole new and wondrous perspective. Good things can come from rotten breaks. So, welcome Melanie. I wish, like all of us, that you didn't have to meet us this way. You're in a club none of us wanted to join in the first place. But here we are, together, standing by one another's side. We've got your back, Sister.
Wishing you an easy time. It does happen. And if you have any questions or observations you want to share, by all means -- feel free, any time! We can take the hard balls and the dark thoughts, and we can put a positive spin on almost anything. The thing is to be proactive, totally involved in your own well being and care. YOU must help heal yourself, along w/the docs and nurses and meds and tx. That's how it works best. You're off to a great start, Melanie. I see you're counting your blessings. That's wonderful. I can see already, you're quite special.
Sending loving, healing energy over to Chicago...
Andi 