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Andrea Barnett Budin · 10-18-2007, 11:24 AM

When I had *my* moment, after radiologist 2 and 3 (independent of one another) told me what they were looking at (in my liver) were not tumors but the dead remains of tumors (necratic tissue), cyst-like and filled w/fluid)... I was stunned. My brain froze. I stuttered, Well. What does that mean? My onc was smiling broadly, but he always did. It means...that you are...in...(long pause) *cautious* remission. I took it. It was the best any one had said of my bc situation. And with each day, it slowly sunk in... I was ecstatic. Every so often Paul would say to be, Let's not get too cocky. I would say, I'm not, I'm grateful with each day, but joyful too. So, Brenda, live each day full of bliss, proud of what you and your body have accomplished and appreciative for your miraculous results! WHAT A BLESSNG! I rejoice with you. What a moment. May it be followed by another 50 years of dancing with NED! With love and thoughts of you beaming...

Andi

10-18-2007, 11:24 AM	#61
Andrea Barnett Budin Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: LAND OF YES! w/home in Boca Raton, Florida Orig from L.I., N.Y. Ever hovering IN THE NOW... Posts: 1,904	Basking In The Glory... When I had my moment, after radiologist 2 and 3 (independent of one another) told me what they were looking at (in my liver) were not tumors but the dead remains of tumors (necratic tissue), cyst-like and filled w/fluid)... I was stunned. My brain froze. I stuttered, Well. What does that mean? My onc was smiling broadly, but he always did. It means...that you are...in...(long pause) cautious remission. I took it. It was the best any one had said of my bc situation. And with each day, it slowly sunk in... I was ecstatic. Every so often Paul would say to be, Let's not get too cocky. I would say, I'm not, I'm grateful with each day, but joyful too. So, Brenda, live each day full of bliss, proud of what you and your body have accomplished and appreciative for your miraculous results! WHAT A BLESSNG! I rejoice with you. What a moment. May it be followed by another 50 years of dancing with NED! With love and thoughts of you beaming... Andi __________________ Andi BB '95 post-meno dx Invasive LOBULAR w/9cm tumor! YIKES + 2/21 nodes. Clear mammo 10 mnths earlier. Mastec/tram flap reconst/PORT/8 mnths chemo (4Adria/8CMF). Borderline ER/PR. Tamoxifen 2 yrs. Felt BLESSED. I could walk and talk, feed and bathe myself! I KNEW I would survive... '98 -- multiple mets to liver. HER2+ 80%. ER/PR- Raging, highly aggressive tumors spreading fast. New PORT. 9 mnths Taxotere Fought fire w/fire! Pronounced in cautious remission 5/99. Taxotere weekly for 6 wks, 2 wks off -- for 9 mnths. TALK ABOUT GRUELING! (I believe they've altered that protocol since those days -- sure hope so!!) + good old Vit H wkly for 1st 3 yrs, then triple dosage ev 3 wks for 7 yrs more... The "easy" chemo, right?! Not a walk in the park, but not a freight train coming at 'ya either... Added Herceptin Nov '98 (6 wks after FDA fast-tracked it for met bc). Stayed w/Vit H till July '08! Now I AM FREE! Humbly and eternally grateful for this life-saving drug! NED since '99 and planning on keeping it that way. To hell w/poor prognosis and nasty stats! STOPPED VIT H JULY '08...! REMAIN STABLE... Eternally grateful...Yes is a world & in this world of yes live (skillfully curled) all worlds ... (e e cummings) EVERY DAY I BEAT MY PREVIOUS RECORD FOR # OF CONSECUTIVE DAYS I'VE STAYED ALIVE. Smile KNOWING you too can be a miracle. Up to me and God now...