I was diagnosed with breast cancer last June.  I had a very large, very
aggressive tumor.  I had had a perfectly clean mammogram in July 2003, first
felt a lump somewhere around the end of April 2004, and by June it had grown
to a size of 8 cm.  It was 10% ER+, very strongly HER2+.  Breast surgeon and
oncologist decided I should have chemo to shrink the tumor before surgery
was done.  I had 4 AC treatments followed by 4 Taxotere treatments.  I was
supposed to receive Herceptin with the Taxotere, but I only got one dose of
it.  Oncologist decided it was too risky because I have gotten such severe
swelling in my legs from the Taxotere.  Plan is to resume Herceptin
treatment in about 3 weeks, if the swelling has abated by then.  I had my
last dose of Taxotere on Nov. 23, and the swelling has not abated yet!

Anyhow, I had my modified radical mastectomy two days ago and am now home
from the hospital feeling pretty good about it.  When my surgeon came to see
me in the hospital yesterday, she told me the pathologist had telephoned her
and asked "Did this patient have chemo already?"  The surgeon said yes, and
the pathologist said, "Because I'm having a hard time finding the cancer in
this breast."

Well!  There is tangible evidence that all the torment I have gone through
from chemo side effects (which hit me unusually hard and rendered me unable
to work) was not in vain.

If I'd had the surgery first and then the chemo, I'd never know if it was
working or not.  Of course I cannot know how many cells were left unkilled
floating around my body, but I have great hopes for the Herceptin treatment.
I will also be getting radiation and I guess taking Arimidex too.

I'm glad the AC & T is over with, I'm glad to be rid of my painful breast
(but looking forward to reconstruction next year), and I'm *really* glad I
had the chemo before the surgery.

Just wanted to testify.  I feel more optimistic now than I've felt since I
was diagnosed.

Eva