[Andrea Barnett Budin]

Hi Juls, and ALL,

I recurred in August iof '98. I began chemo in Sept of that year. Herceptin (Vitamin H as I like to call it) was fast tracked by the FDA on September 28, 1998. I was sooo lucky. After 2 mnths of Taxotere, doing CTs chest/abd/pelv, I added H. Docs wanted to see if Taxoterror was working. It was.

I had asked to be tested in August upon recurrance throughout my liver, as my husband and I had been keeping on top of all things bc since July of '95 when I was originally dx. I was 80% positive for HER2. That's how they graded back then.

I went to my integrative oncologist in Manhattan in October of '98. He gave me a longgg list of supplements. I researched each one, took notes, started one at a time. Waited 4 days to see what my body had to say, and if all was well, I proceeded to the next on the list. I believe I began with immune system boosters.

When I mentioned to my mainstream docs what I was planning on doing, each and every one balked. They felt it would be best for me to wait till after chemo. That didn't feel right to me. I asked my integrative onc or nutritional oncologist (who also taught meditation and holistic mind body spirit medicine, which felt exactly right to me) and my nut onc as I lovingly call him said, NO, IT'S WHEN YOU'RE ON CHEMOTHERAPY THAT YOU MOST NEED TO BE ON SUPPLEMENTS. Your body is under further attack then.

I (bravely) chose to follow his advice and began my supplements in October of '98. I still believe it was the right call.

I developed shingles in October, which I discovered getting a 4th opinion. Wanting to collect information and ideas from each who were all brilliant but each saw the situation slightly differently. I based my opinions, as the patient whose life we were talking about, on the collection of information I gathered.

The horrid news was that with shingles -- you cannot get chemo. I KNEW I needed the chemo to save my life. I also knew some had shingles for months, even yrs. I was desperate.

I have a book PRESCRIPTION FOR NUTRITIONAL HEALING by Phyliss Baulch, that was recommended to me and I started immediately taking supps for shingles, along with the medication prescribed for it. 10 days later I went to the oncologist.

He smiled and asked me how I was doing. Good, I said. Really? Yup. Well, let me see. I was dressed on the exam table. I lifted my shirt. He walked all around and said, with great surprise, You're right! All the pustules have crusted over and are healed. You can have chemo!

And, I was elated, even though Taxoterror was a ride through hell. I KNEW in the end, I would live!

So long answer to a short question, I know. Sorry. But cancer isn't so simple.

You are in a great place, on this site, with women who are full of experience and wisdom and generous with their advice though respectful.

Please feel free to ask me anything. I am here to help.

Also, please check out Pink's post of AndiBB's article -- that's me. It was posted today as today was the day this article appeared in the Florida Sun Sentinel in Broward and Palm Beach. I hope you find it interesting and inspiring. That would actually make my day!!

Thanks,
Andi