newbie to CSN

June 6th 2009
I'm 60 years old and have been on this journey since 1995. I have been diagnosed with Stage IV metastatic breast cancer, October 2008, with metastasis to the bone. I had a 13 year disease free interval, after being diagnosed with stage IIb breast cancer and undergoing FAC and bilateral mastectomy. Many of my physician friends told me initially that it was not a matter of if it reoccurred but more about when it would reoccur, guess they were right.
My latest treatment has consisted of radiation, herceptin, and a trial of Taxol. I had a problem with Taxol in that I couldn't maintain an adequate white count to receive the doses at the prescribed interval. I got about 5 doses of Taxol and my physician decided that we would just go with the Herceptin after a PET scan indicated that that some lesions were actually gone and the rest diminished in activity by half, that was March, it is now June and I just had a PET scan on Tuesday that showed the cancer in 3 different areas was more active. I will now go back on Taxol, hopefully using Neulasta, I will be able to tolerate the number of doses I need to get. Good news is that evidently the Taxol was responsible for the initial positive response that we saw in the March PET scan...Right now my question would be, and I have an appointment on Monday, but just wondering how many doses of Taxol I will need, my research says about 12, but don't know. In the meantime, I am going diving this next week in Cozumel, my first trip since last Thanksgiving when I got so sick going to see my daughter, initially I was afraid to go anywhere for fear I would get sick again, but I'm feeling better now that I've gotten off alot of the meds I was initially prescribed, and am going to live for awhile, I've got family and grandkids coming for the summer and a trip to France in August. I would love to delay the onset of the Taxol therapy until after mid August so that I can enjoy the summer and not be sick, I'm still getting Herceptin every 3 weeks and Aridia once a month...guess that will be a decision I will make after my appointment on Monday. I actually have to live during this time, so hummmmm, wonder how it will turn out, do I get my summer, or will the Dr. recommend starting Taxol right away?????