[Chelee]

I know I just posted a few days ago or so wondering WHY my oncologist decided NOT to give me at least 4 tx or AC with my highly aggresive cancer? ( I do know the high risk for heart toxcity..so I do take that into consideration.) I am Stage IIIA, Her2/Neu 3+++, Er & Pr positive, 5 of 16 positive nodes, 9 of 9 on Bloom Richardson score 9 of 9, high nuclear grade. I had a modified racical mastectomy of right breast & got clean margins.


My orignal DX was Dec. 20th, 05. By the time I got shuffled off to the "newest" oncologist in that cancer center...it was a nightmare. He had only two years under his belt at treating patients. Sorry...but with my highly aggressive cancer...I want someone that has seen it all & knows what works and what doesn't. (of course there are never any guarantees)

But the post I wrote the other day was asking why did this new oncologist i get start me on Herceptin, Taxotere & carbpotin...with weekly herceptin. (I don't have a problem with those at all...I just wonder WHY I did NOT have at least the four AC tx FIRST like what seems EVERY else did..and many of them had stage I or II with no node involvment. (thank goodness.) Some of the other women even got dense dose.

One women on here Jen was nice enough to direct me to a link showing me a study on herceptin, taxotere & Carbpotin. It did ease my mine a bit. But I still can't help bit notice everyone with close to m DX or less...all had AC FIRST.

In fact I just read the NEW TOPIC that was kind of fun to od. Where we all state the date we found out lump, DX, treatment, chemo, etc. I just read ALL 54 replies...and out of those 54 anwsers...39 of them ALL had AC...regardless of what stage they were. I am removing myself from the count since I didn't get any AC and posted this topic. The other 14 MIGHT OF had AC.... but some just forgot to mention what exact chemo they had.

So now that thread makes me wonder why again I was NOT treated with if "first since it does seem to work better then others. Again...my biggest concern is heart issues..especially since tx plan is to continue leaving me on herceptin barring no un-forseen problems that may pop up. I just was told from day one they wanted to treat me aggressively and have NO inturruptions. But its been anyyhing but that!

I just asked my NEW oncologist WHEN will we check my tumor makers that I hear so much about? She said "The standard of care is to check once your DONE with your chem".

HELLO PEOPLE...does that even sound right to any of you? I hear everyone hear and on other boards talk about what their tumor makers are....like itsa a regular thing??? (Maybe I a WRONG) She flat out told me they really DON't like to go by those...they don't mean much and don't read right most of the time.

(Well...I WANT TO KNOW WHEN and IF my chemo is working for me...is that too much to ask?) It must be...because I am not getting very far with aswsers like that. I would THINK they would WANT to check the tumor makers and SEE if they are working...that way if they WEREN'T....they could change the meds arouned some until something does.

(Sorry people...don't mind me....I am still so new to all this and have had to learn everything pretty much on my own from the helps of people lilke you women) Thank God for this board and other wonfderful people so willing to give up their vauable time to help us out. I know I for one.... REALLY APPRECIATE it more then anyone would know. (I apologize for such a long drawn out post....some may of NOT BOTHERED TO READ IT...I don't blame them.) LOL


Thanks to those that did make it through this.