HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - ANDIBB Birthday

Andrea Barnett Budin · 09-03-2010, 12:00 PM

Well thanks y'all! It is really sweet, getting to be old. Birthdays are joyous. I think I'll just keep collecting them.

I was 50 when dx. And look at me now. YOU CAN DO IT, I kept telling myself. Stay strong, brave and determined. I BELIEVE IN ALL OF YOU. YOU CAN BE A MIRACLE. HOLD THAT THOUGHT.

I'm filled with love and overflowing with gratitude.

My thanks to all who've chimed in, or just sent me good vibes. I can feel them!

I've graduated, btw. My onc has moved my ev 6 mnth scans (which was wonderful after ev 8 wks, ev 3 mnths, blah, blah) -- to -- annually!

My ev 3 mnth blood work will now be ev 6 mnths.

I was even told I could remove my port. Seriously. Been off Herceptin for 2 yrs and am holding steady. Stable. NED. Still. 10 yrs of H and I am free.

I wish Life's best to each and every one of you, my dear Sisters! I am right here, stillllll working on my book, but rooting for you amazing gals. You're awesome.

Much love, as always...
Andi

09-03-2010, 12:00 PM	#6
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	Reporting in Well thanks y'all! It is really sweet, getting to be old. Birthdays are joyous. I think I'll just keep collecting them. I was 50 when dx. And look at me now. YOU CAN DO IT, I kept telling myself. Stay strong, brave and determined. I BELIEVE IN ALL OF YOU. YOU CAN BE A MIRACLE. HOLD THAT THOUGHT. I'm filled with love and overflowing with gratitude. My thanks to all who've chimed in, or just sent me good vibes. I can feel them! I've graduated, btw. My onc has moved my ev 6 mnth scans (which was wonderful after ev 8 wks, ev 3 mnths, blah, blah) -- to -- annually! My ev 3 mnth blood work will now be ev 6 mnths. I was even told I could remove my port. Seriously. Been off Herceptin for 2 yrs and am holding steady. Stable. NED. Still. 10 yrs of H and I am free. I wish Life's best to each and every one of you, my dear Sisters! I am right here, stillllll working on my book, but rooting for you amazing gals. You're awesome. Much love, as always... 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...