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Andrea Barnett Budin · 12-13-2011, 05:56 PM

UPDATE on me -- 4th stage lobular breast cancer in July '95. Mastectomy, tram flap reconstruction. 4 Adria 8 CMF. Tamoxifen until -- Aug '98. Bc tumors throughout my liver. Shook me to the core, but I rallied. My Inner Voice told me, Delay is not denial. I worked hard each day, calling my desired goal to me, chasing down all negative thoughts and images and ejecting them from my mind.

Did Taxotere for 8 mnths. The Freight Train drug. Nasty, but highly effective. Began Herceptin (as it just arrived from FDA, fast-tracked out of clinical trials) as well. LUCKY ME. A godsend.

Continued Herceptin from 11/98 - 7/'08. 10 years! I've been off Herceptin for 3 years now. Free. Stable. Tumor markers (CA 27.29) @17 as of today. Graduated to ANNUAL CT scans (chest/abdomen/pelvis). A little scary but I can handle it. Blood work every 6 mnths now. It's a new world out here.

I live grateful for each and every day. Conscious of good fortune. Full of love, compassion, joy and serenity (most of the time).

Lived to see my 2nd dghtr married, and to greet 5 grandchildren since original dx! Yes, I feel so very blessed!

I wish SURVIVAL for you all, my Sisters! Stay strong, brave and determined. Rethink POSSIBLE. Don't just hope -- DO...! We must fully participate in our own wellness -- body, mind and Soul! I believe that with all my heart.

With love,
Andi

12-13-2011, 05:56 PM	#147
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	Calling all stage iv sisters UPDATE on me -- 4th stage lobular breast cancer in July '95. Mastectomy, tram flap reconstruction. 4 Adria 8 CMF. Tamoxifen until -- Aug '98. Bc tumors throughout my liver. Shook me to the core, but I rallied. My Inner Voice told me, Delay is not denial. I worked hard each day, calling my desired goal to me, chasing down all negative thoughts and images and ejecting them from my mind. Did Taxotere for 8 mnths. The Freight Train drug. Nasty, but highly effective. Began Herceptin (as it just arrived from FDA, fast-tracked out of clinical trials) as well. LUCKY ME. A godsend. Continued Herceptin from 11/98 - 7/'08. 10 years! I've been off Herceptin for 3 years now. Free. Stable. Tumor markers (CA 27.29) @17 as of today. Graduated to ANNUAL CT scans (chest/abdomen/pelvis). A little scary but I can handle it. Blood work every 6 mnths now. It's a new world out here. I live grateful for each and every day. Conscious of good fortune. Full of love, compassion, joy and serenity (most of the time). Lived to see my 2nd dghtr married, and to greet 5 grandchildren since original dx! Yes, I feel so very blessed! I wish SURVIVAL for you all, my Sisters! Stay strong, brave and determined. Rethink POSSIBLE. Don't just hope -- DO...! We must fully participate in our own wellness -- body, mind and Soul! I believe that with all my heart. 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...