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Andrea Barnett Budin · 04-20-2014, 11:37 AM

Welcome Joanne!

You've made a wise decision joining this group. Lots of information, personal experience, wise input, super classy ladies...

Geez, I'm reading your signature. You had a long run being stable.

So you knew you were HER2 in '99??? Did they test for it then? I recurred from '95 in '98 and I had to specifically ask to be tested for HER2. My husband and I had been reading all things bc, and friends would let me know what they learned.

A new primary? Hmmm... Different... B/c they discovered the HER2 factor??? Forgive my need for clarification. Trying to wrap my head around this.

Yikes! I had taxotere and after 2 mnths they added H, wanting to be sure taxotere was working...

And for me, Taxotere was hell. Still we have a love/hate relationship. It helped save my life. And it nearly killed me. Way back in '98 they gave Taxotere 4 wks on and 2 wks off. I stayed on for 9 mnths.

I don't think it's done that way any more...

I wish you an easy time, ZUMOKATO TOKU! Good that you're armed! (Was it Denise that turned you on to the Chemo Ninja Canser Assassin????) I adored her so. I still think of her and send her my love and greetings often!!!

I'm here if you have any questions, Joanne. Wish you weren't hit again!!! But I know we're all here for you...

Thank you for your kind words to me. I love being spiritually nurturing. It is so healing. Glad you are connected with meditation. That's a major key. A strong contributing factor in the recipe for victory!

Love,
ANDI

04-20-2014, 11:37 AM	#16
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: KNOWINGS, Expectations and Assumptions Welcome Joanne! You've made a wise decision joining this group. Lots of information, personal experience, wise input, super classy ladies... Geez, I'm reading your signature. You had a long run being stable. So you knew you were HER2 in '99??? Did they test for it then? I recurred from '95 in '98 and I had to specifically ask to be tested for HER2. My husband and I had been reading all things bc, and friends would let me know what they learned. A new primary? Hmmm... Different... B/c they discovered the HER2 factor??? Forgive my need for clarification. Trying to wrap my head around this. Yikes! I had taxotere and after 2 mnths they added H, wanting to be sure taxotere was working... And for me, Taxotere was hell. Still we have a love/hate relationship. It helped save my life. And it nearly killed me. Way back in '98 they gave Taxotere 4 wks on and 2 wks off. I stayed on for 9 mnths. I don't think it's done that way any more... I wish you an easy time, ZUMOKATO TOKU! Good that you're armed! (Was it Denise that turned you on to the Chemo Ninja Canser Assassin????) I adored her so. I still think of her and send her my love and greetings often!!! I'm here if you have any questions, Joanne. Wish you weren't hit again!!! But I know we're all here for you... Thank you for your kind words to me. I love being spiritually nurturing. It is so healing. Glad you are connected with meditation. That's a major key. A strong contributing factor in the recipe for victory! 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...