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Andrea Barnett Budin · 06-22-2007, 05:43 PM

So good to hear from someone! And I know you and your posts pretty well.

In Jan I went to an endocrinologist, in my 22nd yr of hot flashing and finding them escalating, in desperation. She was wonderful. She told me that flashing can come frm hi bld sgr. I've been glucose tested and am on the hi side. I have been on Byetta inj 2X a day and just this Wed hd a comp bld work up (fasting) and my A1C etc. is all better than ever.

I just called my pearl of an onc (no personality but brilliant and I tolerate him at this pt in treatment, since my fav onc went to Tenn, my next fav onc is on LI, my 3rd fav onc is in NYC). I'm pretty gd on maintenance and seeing the beauty ev 3 mnths. Just saw him. So he called right back, 8:30PM Fri -- he's great that way. Told me to come in Mon, which I suspected. "Usually" not symptomatic at 11.3 but could be. I reminded him about Paul, as I went for chemo -- excuse me -- my monoclonal antibody (as doc reminded me, not on "chemo") and for the first time ever, since '95 I went without my husb. I explained I was anxious to get done to see Paul at the hosp. I reminded the doc that I've been 2X in the emerg rm w/P in the last wk, and am under a grt amnt of stress. No comment. Pause. Ugh. He is in bc research, 1 of the leading docs in America (according to NYr Mag and a plaque on his wall), and I would advise anyone else not to stick w/such an ass, but -- he knows his stuff.

My interim doc (betw my fav going to Tenn and this one) was ok. Great personality, but I checked everything he advised w/LI and Tenn, who remains in instant touch w/email (I SWEAR I DON'T KNOW HOW HE DOES IT, BUT HE NEVER FAILS TO RESPOND IMMEDIATELY). I know I was blessed w/great docs frm '95 through to about 5 yrs ago, and have been going it alone, so to speak. Soso doc had a great nurse who knw everything, and responded right away with perfect suggestions, but when she left (last June) I moved.

So here I am. Doing great, NED, scans on the 28th and last wk's mammog was normal. ECHO in Aug. Apr transvaginal pelv sono was normal -- ovaries still lk beautiful. I love all the chemo nurses, they are wise and kind and friendly and know me well! I'm a regular -- getting the "usual" since '98.

Thanks for your sweet response to my call for support, Sheila. With love... ANDI

06-22-2007, 05:43 PM	#4
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	Sheila My Love So good to hear from someone! And I know you and your posts pretty well. In Jan I went to an endocrinologist, in my 22nd yr of hot flashing and finding them escalating, in desperation. She was wonderful. She told me that flashing can come frm hi bld sgr. I've been glucose tested and am on the hi side. I have been on Byetta inj 2X a day and just this Wed hd a comp bld work up (fasting) and my A1C etc. is all better than ever. I just called my pearl of an onc (no personality but brilliant and I tolerate him at this pt in treatment, since my fav onc went to Tenn, my next fav onc is on LI, my 3rd fav onc is in NYC). I'm pretty gd on maintenance and seeing the beauty ev 3 mnths. Just saw him. So he called right back, 8:30PM Fri -- he's great that way. Told me to come in Mon, which I suspected. "Usually" not symptomatic at 11.3 but could be. I reminded him about Paul, as I went for chemo -- excuse me -- my monoclonal antibody (as doc reminded me, not on "chemo") and for the first time ever, since '95 I went without my husb. I explained I was anxious to get done to see Paul at the hosp. I reminded the doc that I've been 2X in the emerg rm w/P in the last wk, and am under a grt amnt of stress. No comment. Pause. Ugh. He is in bc research, 1 of the leading docs in America (according to NYr Mag and a plaque on his wall), and I would advise anyone else not to stick w/such an ass, but -- he knows his stuff. My interim doc (betw my fav going to Tenn and this one) was ok. Great personality, but I checked everything he advised w/LI and Tenn, who remains in instant touch w/email (I SWEAR I DON'T KNOW HOW HE DOES IT, BUT HE NEVER FAILS TO RESPOND IMMEDIATELY). I know I was blessed w/great docs frm '95 through to about 5 yrs ago, and have been going it alone, so to speak. Soso doc had a great nurse who knw everything, and responded right away with perfect suggestions, but when she left (last June) I moved. So here I am. Doing great, NED, scans on the 28th and last wk's mammog was normal. ECHO in Aug. Apr transvaginal pelv sono was normal -- ovaries still lk beautiful. I love all the chemo nurses, they are wise and kind and friendly and know me well! I'm a regular -- getting the "usual" since '98. Thanks for your sweet response to my call for support, Sheila. 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...