HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post

Andrea Barnett Budin · 10-10-2012, 10:12 AM

Dear Jen,

You are an angel for keeping us all posted. Do not hesitate to vent on this site. We are Sheila's sisters. You too are family. Where would any of us be without our caretakers and biggest supporters -- on the front lines?!

We all understand that when one member of a family is stricken, the whole family suffers. It is so painful to watch someone you love dearly fight for their lives and struggle doing so! It is the hardest thing in the world.

Even as I watched my Mother deteriorate with Alzheimers (not cancer) I was heartbroken. We feel so helpless in certain situations and all we can do is advocate for our loved one and be there for them, with all our hearts.

Jen, you are welcome here any time so vent away. Our hearts are with you. We are grateful for your posts, for the information and for the feelings. Wish I could do better than a cyber hug but that you have. I am holding you tight, cheek to cheek.

Andi

10-10-2012, 10:12 AM	#113
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	Prayers needed for Sheila AND FOR JEN Dear Jen, You are an angel for keeping us all posted. Do not hesitate to vent on this site. We are Sheila's sisters. You too are family. Where would any of us be without our caretakers and biggest supporters -- on the front lines?! We all understand that when one member of a family is stricken, the whole family suffers. It is so painful to watch someone you love dearly fight for their lives and struggle doing so! It is the hardest thing in the world. Even as I watched my Mother deteriorate with Alzheimers (not cancer) I was heartbroken. We feel so helpless in certain situations and all we can do is advocate for our loved one and be there for them, with all our hearts. Jen, you are welcome here any time so vent away. Our hearts are with you. We are grateful for your posts, for the information and for the feelings. Wish I could do better than a cyber hug but that you have. I am holding you tight, cheek to cheek. 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...