HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - ELAINE M

Andrea Barnett Budin · 12-10-2013, 04:17 PM

Elaine posted this December 30, 2010. It sums up here cancer journey and philosophy of LIFE beautifully.

Happy New Year !! Hauoli Makahiki Hou !!
I couldn't let this occassion pass without wishing all of you peace, good health and joy in 2011 and beyond.
I was diagnosed in early January, 1999. A doctor told me I had 6 months to live at the beginning of 2000. I remember that day. I did not say anything. I just laid on his exam table quietly, but in my heart and mind I decided that was not going to happen to me !!!!!!!!
I didn't know how I was going to accomplish that task that day, but I figured it out as I went along. I learned as much as I could, was not afraid to challenge doctors when it was appropriate to do so and found ways to get the things I needed. This journey has not always been easy, but I kept going even though I changed the route a couple of times.
I changed doctors when I needed to do that. On the other side of the coin I am still working with one or two doctors I first saw in 1999. Thankfully they are willing to travel with me through this journey.
I am still learning and putting one foot in front of the other. I promised my doctors I will be showing up for check ups when I am 90. That is my goal.
Never give up !!!!!!! Determination, believing in the possibility of success, learning as much as we can, refusing to give up, and being proactive and aggressive are the keys to long term survival.
All the best to each and everyone of you !!!!!!!!!! Never give up !!!!!!!!!!!

I will never forget dear Elaine. Her advice re supplements, diet and general inspiration at every moment were treasured by all on this board. I am truly saddened to learn that she has passed. I also believe this is not the end of her story. Her eternal Spirit still is! Just grateful to have had her be a part of our lives and journeys. Blessings to her and to her family and friends.

Ever grateful to you Steph for keeping us informed on so many levels! And to finally see a picture of Elaine!

I do wish we all shared more of ourselves. I grew up in Rockville Centre on Long Island. I lived in Dix Hills and Manhasset. I know Hicksville well!

I didn't know she was in Hawaii. I know Harrie is there... And Harrie found me on FB! Which has been a fantastic connection. Though we used to e a lot about our kids and spirituality and much more, I've learned so much more about her since joining FB last April.

We know so very much about one another, and yet we don't. To me that is a loss all around...

Sent with Love and Light,
Andi

12-10-2013, 04:17 PM	#9
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	Re: ELAINE M - Another member has her wings Elaine posted this December 30, 2010. It sums up here cancer journey and philosophy of LIFE beautifully. Happy New Year !! Hauoli Makahiki Hou !! I couldn't let this occassion pass without wishing all of you peace, good health and joy in 2011 and beyond. I was diagnosed in early January, 1999. A doctor told me I had 6 months to live at the beginning of 2000. I remember that day. I did not say anything. I just laid on his exam table quietly, but in my heart and mind I decided that was not going to happen to me !!!!!!!! I didn't know how I was going to accomplish that task that day, but I figured it out as I went along. I learned as much as I could, was not afraid to challenge doctors when it was appropriate to do so and found ways to get the things I needed. This journey has not always been easy, but I kept going even though I changed the route a couple of times. I changed doctors when I needed to do that. On the other side of the coin I am still working with one or two doctors I first saw in 1999. Thankfully they are willing to travel with me through this journey. I am still learning and putting one foot in front of the other. I promised my doctors I will be showing up for check ups when I am 90. That is my goal. Never give up !!!!!!! Determination, believing in the possibility of success, learning as much as we can, refusing to give up, and being proactive and aggressive are the keys to long term survival. All the best to each and everyone of you !!!!!!!!!! Never give up !!!!!!!!!!! I will never forget dear Elaine. Her advice re supplements, diet and general inspiration at every moment were treasured by all on this board. I am truly saddened to learn that she has passed. I also believe this is not the end of her story. Her eternal Spirit still is! Just grateful to have had her be a part of our lives and journeys. Blessings to her and to her family and friends. Ever grateful to you Steph for keeping us informed on so many levels! And to finally see a picture of Elaine! I do wish we all shared more of ourselves. I grew up in Rockville Centre on Long Island. I lived in Dix Hills and Manhasset. I know Hicksville well! I didn't know she was in Hawaii. I know Harrie is there... And Harrie found me on FB! Which has been a fantastic connection. Though we used to e a lot about our kids and spirituality and much more, I've learned so much more about her since joining FB last April. We know so very much about one another, and yet we don't. To me that is a loss all around... Sent with Love and Light, 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...