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Andrea Barnett Budin · 09-26-2007, 08:42 AM

I am not a medical expert. My husband keeps reminding me (as I offer advice). I am a professional patient (for 12 yrs) and have observed and collected much valuable info from other patients, docs and nurses (they are the greatest source of info!). I read, I listen to experts on PBS, Larry King, Today Show, Oprah, wherever. I TAKE NOTES. Yes, and I am obsessive. Guilty.

WITH CANCER, YOU *NEVER* WAIT AND SEE. The sooner you find it, the greater your chances of knocking it out cold! My now retired breast surgeon used to always say re anything in your breast -- take it out. Don't wait and see. When I hear, Let's keep an eye on it -- I SEE RED FLAGS. Excuse me. Not w/me.

My chemo mate Myrna is gone. She had a similar med hist as me, but she never went into remission. She was in *a study*. I think docs hands are tied when you are in a study. Must follow protocol. I don't know. But, when Myrna's liver tumors were spreading -- ON CHEMO -- you need to switch to another weapon. Her onc said, Let's wait and see (meaning wait 8 wks for next set of CTs). I was alarmed!!! Then 8 wks later -- same exact scenario! I was gently prodding, w/my UNPROFESSIONAL advice. Paul was trying to stifle me. Myrna went downhill from there on. And now she is gone. And my heart is broken. So, I do offer my UNPROFESSIONAL opinion a lot, for whatever it's worth. DO NOT WAIT AND SEE. DO NOT KEEP AN EYE ON IT. MOVE... with prudence.

Sent w/love and genuine caring, BE WELL. Be actively involved in your own wellness -- that's my motto.
Andi

09-26-2007, 08:42 AM	#9
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	WE MUST ADVOCATE FOR OURSELVES (a plain reality of Life) I am not a medical expert. My husband keeps reminding me (as I offer advice). I am a professional patient (for 12 yrs) and have observed and collected much valuable info from other patients, docs and nurses (they are the greatest source of info!). I read, I listen to experts on PBS, Larry King, Today Show, Oprah, wherever. I TAKE NOTES. Yes, and I am obsessive. Guilty. WITH CANCER, YOU NEVER WAIT AND SEE. The sooner you find it, the greater your chances of knocking it out cold! My now retired breast surgeon used to always say re anything in your breast -- take it out. Don't wait and see. When I hear, Let's keep an eye on it -- I SEE RED FLAGS. Excuse me. Not w/me. My chemo mate Myrna is gone. She had a similar med hist as me, but she never went into remission. She was in a study. I think docs hands are tied when you are in a study. Must follow protocol. I don't know. But, when Myrna's liver tumors were spreading -- ON CHEMO -- you need to switch to another weapon. Her onc said, Let's wait and see (meaning wait 8 wks for next set of CTs). I was alarmed!!! Then 8 wks later -- same exact scenario! I was gently prodding, w/my UNPROFESSIONAL advice. Paul was trying to stifle me. Myrna went downhill from there on. And now she is gone. And my heart is broken. So, I do offer my UNPROFESSIONAL opinion a lot, for whatever it's worth. DO NOT WAIT AND SEE. DO NOT KEEP AN EYE ON IT. MOVE... with prudence. Sent w/love and genuine caring, BE WELL. Be actively involved in your own wellness -- that's my motto. 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...