Call back from Dr. B.

Dr. B. and I talked tonight and he cleared up some confusion. Dr. B explained that when we met he did not have the FISH results from the Her2 test and I think he gave me the negative status off of the prelim. info from pathology. He said most importantly that he would not change his proposed treatment plan based on the Her2+ results. He said that he did present my case to his partners and they proposed the same plan. His concerns with what was proposed on Friday by the other Oncologist is that an aggressive treatment plan like that would only change recurrence rates by 1% on the average and his practice does not believe that a 1% improvement is worth the severe side effects that are possible with chemo and Herceptin. He also said that the FDA has not even approved Herceptin for women with node negative status and that is also is only to be used for women with a tumor greater than 1cm, mine was only 4 mm's. He said that the one thing that could change his mind about treatment is an onco dx test - results on this will be back late this week or early next. This is a recurrence risk test. If mine comes back with a high risk for recurrence he said that we should meet and discuss a more intense treatment plan. He asked if I was considering a third opinion and I told him that I was trying to set up more appts. He said he thought that was a good idea and he would like for me to call him back after I get more information. He said we should start some type of treatment within 6 weeks from the surgery and that I should get all the info I can to feel confident in my decision. It was really good to talk to him and now I feel like I am very prepared to meet with the next Oncologist.

I went back to work for a 1/2 day today before going down to Good Sam for the MRI. It was nice to see everyone at the office and they were all so sweet - they had snacks and even restaurant gift certifs. that we can use once I start treatment or have surgery. It was an emotional morning but it makes me feel so good to know that so many people are supporting us through every phase of this journey - God has blessed us with so many wonderful friends! I think back about how hard it was to move three times for my work but I have always known that the positive part of those moves is that I had the chance to meet so many great people in Indiana, Georgia and now Ohio. I thank God every day for our good friends and family!!!