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Andrea Barnett Budin · 12-14-2007, 03:27 PM

WELL, we all found out that -- Herceptin is derived from Chinese hamster ovaries. So Pinkie got the bright idea

to adopt a Chinese hamster and have HER travel around from HER2 Sister to Sister. This is in appreciation for the sacrifice the little critters have made to help save our lives! And, PinkGirl thought it would be great to share pics of Tiptoe in everyone's various home base and give some insight into our lives. The Pink One hails from Canada. She sent Tipsy (who has a drinking problem, but is spiritually grounded now and doing well on her world tour) to me, in Boca. (Fla.) I sent Tippy to Marie (Believe) and you can follow HER itinerary, created by her personal travel agent, Brenda (Hitchibk). Each *hostess* is supposed to update us on Tip's activities and give us a running commentary of her witticisms and post pics.

There is also a JOURNAL which each Sister has been contributing to and passing on along w/TipToe. And are acquired wardrobe, including blue stud earrings, a bc necklace w/a hope charm, a little bc blanky (for the cold weather), a sweater and I can't remember. Tiptoe also has a passport! What with coming to Pink from China and all...
Andi

12-14-2007, 03:27 PM	#33
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	Brief Synopsis. The Birth Of Tiptoe... WELL, we all found out that -- Herceptin is derived from Chinese hamster ovaries. So Pinkie got the bright idea to adopt a Chinese hamster and have HER travel around from HER2 Sister to Sister. This is in appreciation for the sacrifice the little critters have made to help save our lives! And, PinkGirl thought it would be great to share pics of Tiptoe in everyone's various home base and give some insight into our lives. The Pink One hails from Canada. She sent Tipsy (who has a drinking problem, but is spiritually grounded now and doing well on her world tour) to me, in Boca. (Fla.) I sent Tippy to Marie (Believe) and you can follow HER itinerary, created by her personal travel agent, Brenda (Hitchibk). Each hostess is supposed to update us on Tip's activities and give us a running commentary of her witticisms and post pics. There is also a JOURNAL which each Sister has been contributing to and passing on along w/TipToe. And are acquired wardrobe, including blue stud earrings, a bc necklace w/a hope charm, a little bc blanky (for the cold weather), a sweater and I can't remember. Tiptoe also has a passport! What with coming to Pink from China and all... 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...