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Old 08-14-2007, 11:10 AM   #5
Andrea Barnett Budin
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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
Wink I Dream Of Horses

I have always adored horses. They are so magnificent, strong and elegant, gentle and rhythmic. I used to dream of riding them on the streets of my neighborhood. I rode in camp as a youngster and it was THE BEST experience ever. I'd tarry at the stables to help feed and care for them. I love rubbing their velvet noses. I'd go around and talk to my horse (of the day), to introduce myself and let him get to know who was climbing on his back. Cantoring and galloping -- there's no grander feeling!

But tell me ?Kim -- about you and Herceptin. You can read my story in my signature. I ache to meet others who are on longterm Herceptin and hear all they have to say about it. PLEASE TELL ALL. I feel alone out here, nearing the end of my 9th year! What a godsend that drug has been for me! I have personally met Dennis Slamon and Mark Pegram -- hugged them tightly and had the opportunity to say to their face -- THANK YOU FOR SAVING MY LIFE. Uttering those words was awesome. We each felt elated, me meeting the discoverer of the Her2 gene and a part of the team that developed Herceptin. They are my saviors. And I am a vision of the fruits of their labors. It was a hugfest to be sure! I feel like a poster child for Herceptin. HOW ABOUT YOU? Please, take a minute to tell all!

Sending loving, happy energy to all my Soul Sisters. Wishing you all STABLE (without the horses ) / NED!!!!!!! ANDI
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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...
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