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Andrea Barnett Budin · 06-16-2013, 12:37 PM

Scales, mirrors, photographs -- and glass store windows. I am always taken aback when I see myself. Who is THAT?!, I first think. Then, THAT DOESN'T REALLY LOOK LIKE ME. (I am sooo much thinner in my mind...)

Nisey, I am with you. Tomorrow I see the surgeon. Tuesday is all about you. And Thursday. Isn't there a spare radiologist who can read your CTs and report?! Hard on your own. Hate my docs are out of town.

I plan on sipping wine, as you visit margaritaville, toasting to your health and newfound deflation. The cherubic look is kind of adorable you know.

When I look at old pix of myself, I think -- I was too thin. My face looks so long. And my mouth looks so big. And I had (note past tense) so much hair!!!!!! I am rounder now, happier than ever and far more serene.

Off to our family celebration of Dads -- Paul and two sons-in-law!!! They each surely deserve a whole day.

One grandchild is off at sleep away camp, so we'll be 10 (6 adults and 4 kids, ages 6,8, 9 and 16). Oh, and 7 dogs. The dogs always party with us... Love my granddogs too.

ANDI

06-16-2013, 12:37 PM	#43
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: Steroid Smackdown Round 3! Scales, mirrors, photographs -- and glass store windows. I am always taken aback when I see myself. Who is THAT?!, I first think. Then, THAT DOESN'T REALLY LOOK LIKE ME. (I am sooo much thinner in my mind...) Nisey, I am with you. Tomorrow I see the surgeon. Tuesday is all about you. And Thursday. Isn't there a spare radiologist who can read your CTs and report?! Hard on your own. Hate my docs are out of town. I plan on sipping wine, as you visit margaritaville, toasting to your health and newfound deflation. The cherubic look is kind of adorable you know. When I look at old pix of myself, I think -- I was too thin. My face looks so long. And my mouth looks so big. And I had (note past tense) so much hair!!!!!! I am rounder now, happier than ever and far more serene. Off to our family celebration of Dads -- Paul and two sons-in-law!!! They each surely deserve a whole day. One grandchild is off at sleep away camp, so we'll be 10 (6 adults and 4 kids, ages 6,8, 9 and 16). Oh, and 7 dogs. The dogs always party with us... Love my granddogs too. 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...