cbr2004

I just have to add my comments, even though others have made the points well.

Breast cancer cost me almost nothing, in dollars, and after 3 years browsing this forum I am totally convinced that my treatment was state-of-the-art. I had Neupogen for 10 days after every chemo - it was covered. I started Herceptin in June 2005, after the May conference. Some people had to wait a month or two or 3, but it was entirely reasonable that there would be a bit of delay. Of course, if you are caught in that delay, it is horrible, but NO system can eliminate all problems.

What puzzles me in this discussion is the fear of "socialized" medicine. I do not understand how it could destroy America. Why on earth would that be the case? America is far more resiliant that that! Isn't primary and secondary education "socialized"? Whoops, maybe I better not start on education. I think there is a lot more to complain about in our education system than our health care system.

People always complain about taxes, and our health care, simply because those are the things we are expected to complain about. I honestly have never minded paying my taxes, and am proud to be able to do so.

In general, I don't think that if Americans move to Canada for a year or two, they would really notice much about our health care system being different in terms of quality.

- C

I looked up 5 or 6 doctors I've known quite well over recent years and was very dismayed at the comments. One excellent one (in my opinion) got poor reviews and 2 mediocre (at best) got reasonably good ones.

For one doctor, it looked to me as if most of the 13 comments were written by the same person, who slammed the doctor mercilessly. It was a doctor I haven't seen for many years, because I moved, but she delivered 2 of my children and I was totally satisfied with her care.

So, don't put too much stock in these opinions.

- C

Liz

I can answer that question. I was in the MA21 trial, on the EC/T arm. I just looked up the information I was given before I decided to do it. The AC/T group got AC every 3 weeks for 4 cycles, then Taxol every 3 weeks for 4 cycles.

The Edmonton Sun said:
"The three-year recurrence-free survival rate was 85% for the patients on AC/T, compared to 90.1% for patients on CEF and 89.5% for those on EC/T."

I was on the MA21 trial, which this one sound like. I did EC/T arm, which was virtually as good as CEF, so I'm happy to hear this news.

I am a little confused, though, because I though E had fewer heart-related side effects than A. But the news reports suggest otherwise.

Clare

I had to come on to say how much I enjoyed reading this thread today! For some reason, it reminded me of how satisfied I was this morning when I was able to fix my mother's computer...

The internet wasn't working and she thought maybe the recent wind storm had caused problems. However, I was able to find and fix an unplugged cord WITHOUT EVEN CALLING THE TECHNICAL SUPPORT line!

I am now 20 months past chemo and 6 months past the end of herceptin. As my brilliant work this morning shows, you too will regain some of your mental function!