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Andrea Barnett Budin · 05-10-2008, 03:05 PM

JOANNE IS STILL VERY WEAK. PHYSICALLY AND EMOTIONALLY. SHE HAD A MAJOR SCARE AND A HARROWING EXPERIENCE.

One of the first things she mentioned when she got home was how are Kate and Michelle? I had to tell her. She was fully aware that they were going through tough times and worried about them, but still the reality was-- a shock.

She is just filled with "big non-stop tears and overwhelming emotions". She is trying very hard to gather her strength. To recover (still going twice a day to the hospital for IV antibiotics). It is miraculously wonderful that she has overcome all she has. Jo is aware that a number of us have asked for her and she is most appreciative of our kindness and caring. She just can't come back to the board just yet. I know you all can understand... Just wanted to keep y'all up to date. Joanne is getting better with each day. One day at a time.
Andi

05-10-2008, 03:05 PM	#10
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	More About Joanne JOANNE IS STILL VERY WEAK. PHYSICALLY AND EMOTIONALLY. SHE HAD A MAJOR SCARE AND A HARROWING EXPERIENCE. One of the first things she mentioned when she got home was how are Kate and Michelle? I had to tell her. She was fully aware that they were going through tough times and worried about them, but still the reality was-- a shock. She is just filled with "big non-stop tears and overwhelming emotions". She is trying very hard to gather her strength. To recover (still going twice a day to the hospital for IV antibiotics). It is miraculously wonderful that she has overcome all she has. Jo is aware that a number of us have asked for her and she is most appreciative of our kindness and caring. She just can't come back to the board just yet. I know you all can understand... Just wanted to keep y'all up to date. Joanne is getting better with each day. One day at a time. 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...