Gemzar or Taxol

[Mary Anne in TX]

Hi Adriana!
When I was first diagnosed, my onc asked me if I would give him permission to treat me very aggressively. I didn't really know what that meant, but I knew that inside the answer was yes. He layed out a plan of action with "other options" if something along the way didn't work. You can see by my signature what I did: Adriamycin & Taxotere X 3, Taxol, Carboplatin, Herceptin (dose dense) X 8. Navelbine & Herceptin (dose dense) X 8. And now just the Herceptin. Out beside the 2nd and 3rd cycles he had written Gemzar to be used if one of the others was not effective. And he had told me that when we got to the end of the first year, I could decide to add Xeloda if I felt I needed it. As I have read the information about the drugs over time, I have come to believe that for my situation, the choices were right on (I don't think we really know yet what is best....they're still trying to figure it out). The place I go for treatment does tons of phase I and II trials and is world reknown for the testing they do on drugs. I trust what advice I get there. But we have different needs and what I did seems to have worked for me (who knows!!!) but it's not an easy decision. Read tons about the drugs and just do your best in deciding.
Oh, yes, my tumor markers (CA 27-29) ranges in the 30s to upper 40's since an early 28. I believe that it indicates something being "held back" for now by herceptin, but that's just a "gut" feeling.
Well, obviously, I don't know what is best, I just want to support you in reading and asking and tell you I'll be praying about your decision. ma