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Andrea Barnett Budin · 09-01-2007, 01:50 PM

Thanks for keeping us posted, Christine and Joe. You know how much we all love you both. I read about your present brain status, but feel confident you will prevail. My multiple liver tumors were finally read by an addl 2 radiologists, each independent and unaware of any other reports. Each differed w/the regular radiologist who had been measuring each and every tumor every 8 wks. We had noted slow but steady shrinkage. After nine mnths of Taxotere, my body just couldn't take any more. A radiologist (previously from Sloan Kettering) was now w/my Westchester onc. He said he did not believe what he was looking at were tumors. They appeared to be the dead remains of tumors. Cyst-like. Filled w/fluid. I wanted to believe in this *necrosis* but wondered if I dare. Then my NYC onc's radiologist (from Mt. Sinai) read my CT scans and said just the same thing. I felt it was a sign. I was pronounced "in cautious remission* in May '99. I have remained STABLE ever since. THAT is what I am hoping for for you, Chris! That what they are seeing is just scar tissue.

8 yrs on Herceptin -- I love you! I will be at the 9 yr mark in November... Vitamin H rocks! Our bodies seem to love the stuff. How wonderful, my sweet Sister. We are blessed are we not? I bliss out on each new day, and feel certain that is true for you and Joe as well.

Good luck w/the cataract thing. I haven't reached my turn on that yet, but know everyone who has been through out has emerged happily improved. Yes, the little things we take for granted are so precious and not recognized often enough. I learned (from my severely incapacitated mother, over a 12 yr period of personal agony, having to see what she could not). WE can walk and talk, communicate and think, talk on the phone, read and watch TV and movies, carry on conversations, email! and post, feed ourselves, bathe ourselves, go to the bathroom ourselves, dress ourselves, shave our legs and tweeze, do our own hair and such. Each of these are gifts we enjoy without even realizing! So, Chris, hoping you will soon be able to drive and do all that vision affords you. And don't forget to listen to the music! And dance... With love, dear one, Andi

09-01-2007, 01:50 PM	#29
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	In For A Tune Up Thanks for keeping us posted, Christine and Joe. You know how much we all love you both. I read about your present brain status, but feel confident you will prevail. My multiple liver tumors were finally read by an addl 2 radiologists, each independent and unaware of any other reports. Each differed w/the regular radiologist who had been measuring each and every tumor every 8 wks. We had noted slow but steady shrinkage. After nine mnths of Taxotere, my body just couldn't take any more. A radiologist (previously from Sloan Kettering) was now w/my Westchester onc. He said he did not believe what he was looking at were tumors. They appeared to be the dead remains of tumors. Cyst-like. Filled w/fluid. I wanted to believe in this necrosis but wondered if I dare. Then my NYC onc's radiologist (from Mt. Sinai) read my CT scans and said just the same thing. I felt it was a sign. I was pronounced "in cautious remission* in May '99. I have remained STABLE ever since. THAT is what I am hoping for for you, Chris! That what they are seeing is just scar tissue. 8 yrs on Herceptin -- I love you! I will be at the 9 yr mark in November... Vitamin H rocks! Our bodies seem to love the stuff. How wonderful, my sweet Sister. We are blessed are we not? I bliss out on each new day, and feel certain that is true for you and Joe as well. Good luck w/the cataract thing. I haven't reached my turn on that yet, but know everyone who has been through out has emerged happily improved. Yes, the little things we take for granted are so precious and not recognized often enough. I learned (from my severely incapacitated mother, over a 12 yr period of personal agony, having to see what she could not). WE can walk and talk, communicate and think, talk on the phone, read and watch TV and movies, carry on conversations, email! and post, feed ourselves, bathe ourselves, go to the bathroom ourselves, dress ourselves, shave our legs and tweeze, do our own hair and such. Each of these are gifts we enjoy without even realizing! So, Chris, hoping you will soon be able to drive and do all that vision affords you. And don't forget to listen to the music! And dance... With love, dear one, 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...