Posted by Barb S. on 11/2/2009, 11:30 am, in reply to "chemo tx options 2nd occurance"
70.188.151.23
Hey Rose,
1st off, a big hug to your sis, & also to you for being such a caring & wonderful sister.
? how much help this will be to you: but when I was diagnosed w/breast cancer last yr. But this was initial site, not a recurrence. I had Taxotere & Carboplatin w/Herceptin every 3 wks., but the herceptin was every week. (Hope that's not too confusing). Bottom line I was there every week, sometimes for what we dubbed "the full monty"--all day of chemo(every 3 wks) but every week, "full monty" included I had the herceptin.The chemo was every 3 weeks for a total of 6 doses. When I "graduated" to radiation, my Dr., almost apologetically, said it was just her quirk but she didn't feel comfortable administering the "mega" dose of herceptin(which is what it is now...3 times the amt of herceptin I was receiving every week. Logically, because now it's every 3 wks. Makes sense, right?
There was never a ? about treatment. Although I was reluctant to even go chemo route @ all (for a myriad of reasons). My Dr. offered a referral to another (partner) of my hospital & also to Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, MA. (I live in Rhode Island, in the northeast & Boston, w/all it's top-notch hospitals is an 1 drive away.)
I remember my aunt (lives in Denmark) writing to me last yr. how the U.S. was the leader in breast cancer treatment. I was floored; I thought the Europeams with their socialized medicine, was the blueprint for top-notch medical care; as the Dr's & hospitals were more into treating & curing pt's, than making money.
That all said, I hope this helps in some way. I'm keeping you & your sister close in thoughts & prayers & hope you will keep us posted & "abreast" (sorry, bad pun...part of my "initiation"
of what's happening & progress navigating the best course of treatment.
Hugs to you, Barb
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