[Meeskas]

I am 3 years out - Stage 3, 4.5 cm tumor with 15 lymph nodes positive. I had masectomy, AC, Radiation, Taxotere, and 6 months of weekly Herceptin. My oncologist gave me the Herceptin off trial.

Now I have been looking into reconstruction. My oncologist is against it. He said it is "like waking a dead animal". He said there is no clinical evidence and that he cannot tell me "No", but he is against it.

I told him that the plastic surgeon I met with has been doing this surgery since the late 80's and that out of thousands, she has only had a handful of patients reoccur. He said that was a biased opinion because she probably treats most patients who are early stage breast cancer and that I was not early stage breast cancer and that most people with my stage of disease don't even make it to the point where they can consider reconstruction.

So, I am looking for some input from some of you out there that are HER+++ and had reconstruction after treatment.

Thanks