HELP ! I am STUCK on the Fence

[SusanV]

Hello Everyone,

Still in the middle of my journey. Completed # 3 of 4 A/C yesterday. Things are going fairly well. RIght now I have a big decision to make.

Now for my Question. During a brief visit with my onc at A/C # 2 I brought up the subject of the Taxene family of treatments. He was against it for me. I am ER/PR + no nodes involved.

At visit #3 I said, " I need sold on why or why not Taxol/Taxenes would be indicated in my case. He sighted the risk vs benefit analysis, and also noted that studies are not available that include women like myself ER + node negative and the use of taxanes. He also mentioned that the benefit is very small in studies of ER- women. OK, now for the hard part...

At the end of our conversation, he said that he would give me 12 weekly doses of taxol if I decided that I wanted it. It would be administered with the herceptin.

I am giving serious consideration to get a second opion about the Taxol with a different onc in the next couple of weeks. On one hand I don't want any more toxins than I need, and on the other hand I want to do all I can.

What do you all think, and what if anything have your onc's told you?

Thanks for you input.... it always is soo valuable to me

Susan V