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Hi Barb:
My diagnosis was similar to yours, with the exception that my tumour was slightly smaller (1.7 cm). I just finished my treatment in May 2004.
I received A/C (4 rounds) followed by taxol (4 rounds) every 2 weeks. They were able to do the chemo this quickly because I self-injected neupogen (this is expensive stuff) which supported my white blood cell count.
If you can take the rounds of chemo a little faster like I did, it apparently ups your statistical survival chances slightly.
As a stage I, you won't be able to get herceptin. HOWEVER, if your onc will give it to you off protocol or if you can find a trial that will give it to you (I don't think there is anything currently accepting for stage I BC right at this moment though), I would suggest that you pursue it.
Go to the M.D Anderson Hospital website. They are supporting some interesting research around giving a herceptin + taxol mix in the adjuvent setting to preserve breast tissue. They have published results that might help you persuade your onc to give it to you.
If you have further questions, feel free to email me directly.
Merridith
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