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Kristen,
"TCH" or Taxotere, Carboplatin, and Herceptin is an excellent adjuvant clinical trial. It has one of the highest response rates of any treatment based on Stage IV testing. If you want to beat this thing at the outset, you have chosen wisely. As everyone has noted, you should obtain your HER-2 status measurement based upon either IHC testing (usually indicated by 0, +1, +2 or +3 measure) or FISH testing (usually indicated by negative or positive measure).
Although most HER-2 positive breast cancer patients are "estrogen-negative," you did not indicate whether your cancer was estrogen-negative or estrogen-positive. If you are ER+, you should speak to your doctor(s) regarding the use of anti-estrogen treatments such as tamoxifen (for premenopausal use), or Arimidex, Femara, or Aromasin (for postmenopausal use).
As for your lab rat feeling, be aware that clinical trials have helped countless patients and saved countless lives. I believe that your trial is designated "Phase III," and is considered relatively safe. A lot of very bright people construct these trials, and the life they help this time around my very well be yours.
I wish you great success with your treatment.
Paul
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