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Andrea Barnett Budin · 07-10-2009, 10:52 AM

Marie Sweetheart,

You are Caregiver Of The Year for several years running. Don't be feeling any guilt. Look what you have done and continue to do! You educate yourself, you remain grounded and wise and thoughtful in all your decision-making, you celebrate for other's good news, even as you struggle with Ed's and your difficult situation. You are grace in action. A radiant Spirit. Please don't forget that!

Over a year ago I sent you and Ed a card of encouragement. It touched me deeply and I had to send it the moment I picked it out in the card store. It had a picture of a mighty oak and spoke of how strong a tree with deep roots can be, even in the midst of a major storm. Is that when you began referring to your/our Ed as Mighty Oak? I think of that every time you post and wonder. Anyway, stay strong, please. All sentiments previously sent to you still stand!!

I agree with everyone's brilliant comments above, so I won't go repeating them. Except that I HOLD YOU AND ED IN MY PRAYERS EVERY DAY AND HAVE FOR, WELL FOREVER IT SEEMS. I will rathet up my appeals to God in your name and Ed's however. I promise.

BTW, in '07 my DH developed syncope. He has 2 different blood pressures. He was collapsing into unconscious on the floor, first down -- with his hands out like he was about to sit down -- then out cold and back. Once he broke his foot. Thank goodness not his head. But, Marie, please check into this.

Paul was given meds from his cardiologist and ALWAYS, since that repeated collapsing thing, sits for a few minutes (after rising from a lying down position) to let his body stabilize. Then he slowly gets up, and doing that, plus taking the meds the cardio man prescribed, has kept him well. Just thought I should mention, as your description reminded me.

Sending you much love and a very big, long squeezing hug,
Andi

07-10-2009, 10:52 AM	#28
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	With my prayers and love Marie Sweetheart, You are Caregiver Of The Year for several years running. Don't be feeling any guilt. Look what you have done and continue to do! You educate yourself, you remain grounded and wise and thoughtful in all your decision-making, you celebrate for other's good news, even as you struggle with Ed's and your difficult situation. You are grace in action. A radiant Spirit. Please don't forget that! Over a year ago I sent you and Ed a card of encouragement. It touched me deeply and I had to send it the moment I picked it out in the card store. It had a picture of a mighty oak and spoke of how strong a tree with deep roots can be, even in the midst of a major storm. Is that when you began referring to your/our Ed as Mighty Oak? I think of that every time you post and wonder. Anyway, stay strong, please. All sentiments previously sent to you still stand!! I agree with everyone's brilliant comments above, so I won't go repeating them. Except that I HOLD YOU AND ED IN MY PRAYERS EVERY DAY AND HAVE FOR, WELL FOREVER IT SEEMS. I will rathet up my appeals to God in your name and Ed's however. I promise. BTW, in '07 my DH developed syncope. He has 2 different blood pressures. He was collapsing into unconscious on the floor, first down -- with his hands out like he was about to sit down -- then out cold and back. Once he broke his foot. Thank goodness not his head. But, Marie, please check into this. Paul was given meds from his cardiologist and ALWAYS, since that repeated collapsing thing, sits for a few minutes (after rising from a lying down position) to let his body stabilize. Then he slowly gets up, and doing that, plus taking the meds the cardio man prescribed, has kept him well. Just thought I should mention, as your description reminded me. Sending you much love and a very big, long squeezing hug, 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...