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Andrea Barnett Budin · 12-13-2015, 09:03 AM

It is with deep sadness and a great sense of loss that I must tell you that Karen (KDR) has died. She went last night. On 12/12. Fighting till the end. I cannot imagine this world without my dear friend, but we must all move on, as she has said to me.

Her thirst for expanding her knowledge, investigating all leads, constantly contacting dozens of experts across the country, reading and edifying herself, chasing down and picking the brains of those who know was her tireless task for years.

All while she spent tireless, quality time with her young daughter, making memories, encouraging her to explore and hone her singing abilities, will remain with her darling Yasmin. When Karen would share with me and quote her words, at times regarding Karen's situation and need to constantly rethink and make decisions and alter her course (when it treatments were failing) were so incredibly insightful for such a young Soul, I was often left stunned by her remarkable grasp of matters at such an early age.

I know Karen's story is not over. That she continues on, with her Spirit and lessons learned, experiences ever informing her, as she goes on to evolve and become the best of who she is and was meant to be.

I adore her, admire her, am forever impacted by our relationship which I treasure. She encouraged and inspired many on this board, always out of love, always with passionate skills of advocacy from her heart. We will meet again. Yet, I miss her already.

I am grateful for having her in my life. She will forever remain with me.

With love,
Andi

12-13-2015, 09:03 AM	#1
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	Karen has moved on It is with deep sadness and a great sense of loss that I must tell you that Karen (KDR) has died. She went last night. On 12/12. Fighting till the end. I cannot imagine this world without my dear friend, but we must all move on, as she has said to me. Her thirst for expanding her knowledge, investigating all leads, constantly contacting dozens of experts across the country, reading and edifying herself, chasing down and picking the brains of those who know was her tireless task for years. All while she spent tireless, quality time with her young daughter, making memories, encouraging her to explore and hone her singing abilities, will remain with her darling Yasmin. When Karen would share with me and quote her words, at times regarding Karen's situation and need to constantly rethink and make decisions and alter her course (when it treatments were failing) were so incredibly insightful for such a young Soul, I was often left stunned by her remarkable grasp of matters at such an early age. I know Karen's story is not over. That she continues on, with her Spirit and lessons learned, experiences ever informing her, as she goes on to evolve and become the best of who she is and was meant to be. I adore her, admire her, am forever impacted by our relationship which I treasure. She encouraged and inspired many on this board, always out of love, always with passionate skills of advocacy from her heart. We will meet again. Yet, I miss her already. I am grateful for having her in my life. She will forever remain with me. 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... Last edited by Andrea Barnett Budin; 12-13-2015 at 12:29 PM..