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06-17-2005, 06:50 AM

I have CIGNA, am early stage and HER2+ and they said fine. Their only stipulation was a MUGA scan since it has been discovered that I had some weakening of my heart from my previous Adriamycin (different tumor, opposite breast 4 years ago). The MUGA was fine so I'm starting it.

I just completed an alternative medicine course and am in the process of writing a paper on alt med for breast cancer. The only allopaths who will not work with alt practitioners are the close-minded ones. I'd dump this guy and find some willing to consider that there's a limit to their knowledge and that you know your own body better than they do. Plus, he's focusing way too much on covering his own butt at the expense of yours (in case you decided to sue him for some reason). I sure wouldn't want to entrust my health to someone like that.

Even Medicare will cover HER2 for early stagers now as I understand it, even before FDA approval. I could be wrong about that but think I ran across it in my research.

I just had my first round of chemo yesterday: Herceptin, Taxotere, and Cytoxin and feel fine. Nexium is a HUGE help in calming digestive system upsets. The hair thing is not as big as deal as it may seem. Whatever doc you select, I'd ask about Taxotere rather than Taxol as it's an improvement on Taxol, with less toxicity.

Good luck!

06-17-2005, 06:50 AM	#4
Fontaine Guest Posts: n/a	I have CIGNA, am early stage and HER2+ and they said fine. Their only stipulation was a MUGA scan since it has been discovered that I had some weakening of my heart from my previous Adriamycin (different tumor, opposite breast 4 years ago). The MUGA was fine so I'm starting it. I just completed an alternative medicine course and am in the process of writing a paper on alt med for breast cancer. The only allopaths who will not work with alt practitioners are the close-minded ones. I'd dump this guy and find some willing to consider that there's a limit to their knowledge and that you know your own body better than they do. Plus, he's focusing way too much on covering his own butt at the expense of yours (in case you decided to sue him for some reason). I sure wouldn't want to entrust my health to someone like that. Even Medicare will cover HER2 for early stagers now as I understand it, even before FDA approval. I could be wrong about that but think I ran across it in my research. I just had my first round of chemo yesterday: Herceptin, Taxotere, and Cytoxin and feel fine. Nexium is a HUGE help in calming digestive system upsets. The hair thing is not as big as deal as it may seem. Whatever doc you select, I'd ask about Taxotere rather than Taxol as it's an improvement on Taxol, with less toxicity. Good luck!