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Andrea Barnett Budin · 11-09-2007, 03:14 PM

Dear AA,

My heartfelt sympathy for your loss. A few years ago, my dearest friend in the world, Sue, passed on. I understand your pain. Though I knew she was FINALLY at peace, without any more suffering, I could not imagine her not still being in this world with me. I believe we will meet again, in the Spiritual Realm, and that too gives me much comfort. I will rush in to arms shortly after arriving, I have no doubt. I do believe death is not the end of our story. That our divine Soul survives and continues to be... I often look up and talk to my Sue and listen for her response. I will love her eternally, as you AA, will no doubt love your friend forever.

Sue always used to tell me that what was happening to her had nothing to do with my outcome! Surely I prayed she would somehow survive, but she convinced me that our cancers were different. And that is likely what your friend would tell you, or perhaps has. My life was touched by a remarkable Soul who blessed me with her friendship. I hope you too, AA, will try to focus on how wonderful it was to have such a special person in your life, rather than concentrate on your loss. I have too many times had to go through these losses over the last 12 years. We do not know why we have survived, but we continue on, with the accumulation of all those beautiful Spirits that have touched us so deeply. In tribute to them, we carry on, not relinquishing a single day to utter sorrow, as each of them would no doubt wish. You must at the same time as you mourn, rejoice over your wonderful anniversary, AA. We mourn with you. We celebrate with you... This is what Life is all about. Sharing the burdens and the joys...

With love,
Andi

11-09-2007, 03:14 PM	#10
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	For Alaska Angel... Dear AA, My heartfelt sympathy for your loss. A few years ago, my dearest friend in the world, Sue, passed on. I understand your pain. Though I knew she was FINALLY at peace, without any more suffering, I could not imagine her not still being in this world with me. I believe we will meet again, in the Spiritual Realm, and that too gives me much comfort. I will rush in to arms shortly after arriving, I have no doubt. I do believe death is not the end of our story. That our divine Soul survives and continues to be... I often look up and talk to my Sue and listen for her response. I will love her eternally, as you AA, will no doubt love your friend forever. Sue always used to tell me that what was happening to her had nothing to do with my outcome! Surely I prayed she would somehow survive, but she convinced me that our cancers were different. And that is likely what your friend would tell you, or perhaps has. My life was touched by a remarkable Soul who blessed me with her friendship. I hope you too, AA, will try to focus on how wonderful it was to have such a special person in your life, rather than concentrate on your loss. I have too many times had to go through these losses over the last 12 years. We do not know why we have survived, but we continue on, with the accumulation of all those beautiful Spirits that have touched us so deeply. In tribute to them, we carry on, not relinquishing a single day to utter sorrow, as each of them would no doubt wish. You must at the same time as you mourn, rejoice over your wonderful anniversary, AA. We mourn with you. We celebrate with you... This is what Life is all about. Sharing the burdens and the joys... With love, 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...