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I too am a Stage III a or b. (4 underarm nodes + ?2 chest wall)
I was diagnosed in February 2004 and started Taxotere and Herceptin.
Finished Taxotere in July and scan showed chest wall nodes had disappeared; underarm nodes had been removed by surgery.
Herceptin suspended during radiation (left side, so increased chance of heart damage)
Started Herceptin again in October and have been on it ever since.
I am afraid to stop as I believe it is keeping me mets free but am mostly afraid of developing resistance.
The heart problems, should they develop, are usually reversible once you stop taking Herceptin so I am less worried about that.
I do worry about other, as yet, unknown side-effects but have to weigh that up against the risk of developing mets which is high in my case.
My oncologist, who I see every two months, agrees with this assessment.
Last time we agreed to prolong it for another two months and hope she will have more information after the congress she is attending this month.
It is very stressful having to make this decision each time but I do realise that I would have been far worse off without the Herceptin.
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