The debate to have chemo or Not? We are now taking the guess work out of it.

[G. Ann]

Hi Jeanne,
The story appeared in our local paper also. Got me thinking back in 2004 my onc said the benefit of taxane drugs (taxol or taxotere) did not outweigh the risks so he suggested and I agreed to only receive four AC. Over a year later, I did beg and pester him & received Herceptin for a year. (Sometimes I think my onc ignores the Her-2 neu status.) My MUGA score started at 61 and dropped down ton 55 after Herceptin treatment was over in 1/07 so that wasn't the reason he stated to skip Taxol.

It's too late now to go back in time, but should I be checked more than every 6 mos since the article states women getting Taxol were 40% less likely to have a recurrence?

In 8/07 ferritin level (iron storage) was low at 12, but hmg & hct normal; onc suggested 1 iron pill to bring iron storage level up. Also, my Vit D was on low end at 36 (suggested to take 2000 mg Vit D). I don't know if these blood results mean anything as far as the cancer returning. I was advised to repeat blood work in 11/07 to see if ferritin level had improved.

Since Herceptin tx ended, I've lessened my anxiety but don't want to go the other way and be too passive. Thanks for any info.