[CherylS]

Dear Janet,

Welcome, but sorry you have to join us. I don't mean to be harsh at all, but there are several things in your post that raise questions for me, and I am sure for others as well. First of all, why in the world did you have 30 lymph nodes removed rather than the new standard of care sentinal node biopsy? Bless your heart, you needed a more skilled surgeon who could have performed this procedure. But at least you know you had lots of negative nodes. Secondly, I am assuming you must have been HER2/Neu positive to have ended up here. A 1.5 cm. tumor that is HER2 + needs more attention than your oncologist is recommending to assure no reocurrence. My tumor was 1.7 cm, I only had one, I had no positive lymph nodes. I was HER2+, ER+ 75%, grade 3. I underwent 4 rounds of AC, 12 weekly Taxol with Herceptin, am now receiving Herceptin alone for the remainder of a year every three weeks, had a double masectomy (this was my choice, not a neccesity) and had my ovaries out so that I could become menopausal to take Arimidex, which I am on now and will be one for five years. From time to time I have joint pain, hot flashes have ceased, no other side effects. I have been on the Arimidex for three months. Please consider a second opinion for your care. The HER2 + status makes it a little different ball game, and the new recommendations are for all HER2 + patients, regardless of stage to receive Herceptin. Maybe not even the chemo, but for sure the Herceptin. God Bless and good luck.