[CoolBreeze]

I might find another doctor for a second opinion and use him as a tiebreaker - I'm not sure why they would put you in this spot now but you need to understand both sides of why they are suggesting lengths of chemo, and figure out what gives you the best odds.

I agree with Laurie, Stage IV is not a chronic condition, like diabetes, and any nurse who tried to minimize my disease by saying that to me would not be my nurse for long. In fact, I might suggest to whatever doctor supervises her that she go back to school and get retrained. Stage IV breast cancer is a terminal illness and there is no cure. While if it is confined to the bones, many women can live a decade or more, that's a far cry from it being a chronic illness that can be treated indefinitely.

Sometimes people, in an effort to try to put the best spin on a situation, say unhelpful things, but it's my belief that a medical professional, even if only a nurse, should know what they are talking about. If they have the desire to put a positive spin on something, they can do so without pretending it isn't what it is. Saying "there are new advances all the time" is true. Saying "it's a chronic condition that we can treat for decades with herceptin" is not. They shouldn't be lying to you to keep you from being scared.