We decided not to do more chemotherapy. Either way we are taking a chance. Either I get the chemo and risk getting heart failure, or I opt out and give myself 2-3% more risk of getting a systemic cancer recurrence. I'm not liking either option, but we went with the risk we are most comfortable with. Radiation should take care of any local recurrence. I faxed my paperwork to another oncologist and got a second opinion. They too agreed that they would not recommend more chemotherapy at this point, but definitely radiation. The 2-3% is based on theory and not any actual studies. This made me feel even more secure in my decision. I called the PA to let her know and she said that they were not going to push for the chemo, it was totally up to me. So she is going to let Dr. Link know I'll be starting radiation on August 1st and will be continuing Herceptin treatments meanwhile. I will meet with him again after I finish radiation, and we will discuss the possibility of taking a pill that blocks estrogen. But that's a decision and discussion that I will deal with another time.
For the record: DWBH shirts paid $693.17 in March, $835.51 in April, and $745.80 in July. That means they have already paid $2274.48 of my medical bills! This is simply amazing! This total includes all of my bills except for one last, really, really large bill and that is obviously the bill from my oncology office. I still owe them approximately $1,630. At this point, no other medical bills have come in and I'm not expecting any because I've already met my maximum out of pocket expense.
I survived a cheer car wash today, and I'm looking forward to celebrating my 30th birthday tomorrow with friends, and later on this week on my actual birthday!