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Andrea Barnett Budin · 09-12-2008, 11:30 AM

Yes, Steph, You have put your finger on it. That explains why those people often say to me, YOU LOOK FANTASTIC. (Compared to a dead person???) LOL. Cause they can't believe I am *sick*, not withering away, grey and bald. Then, strangers especially, often say, GOD BLESS YOU! And I get a giant hug. We are all awed by what the human Spirit is capable of. Kind of like watching the Olympics. The agony and the ecstasy.

For the record, I have a friend who is a 4 yr lung cancer SURVIVOR, in Chicago. She has been on chemo all the while, and remains STABLE. Never a smoker, BTW. They gave her body a 4 mnth break and have halved the dosage for the last yr. I know a man who is tx by my wonderful onc returnee who is a lung survivor for over 5 yrs. Richard Bloch (of H & R Bloch) was told to put his affairs in order, that he had 3 mnths to live. I know that 25 yrs later he was still defying that sentence. He went on major hardcore chemo for 2 yrs, meditated, used guided imagery and the love he had for (and received from) his wife to overcome all. I have read 2 of his bks chronicling this.

I know that in Chicago, where Bloch also hailed from, my friend is active in -- LUNGEVITY. Get it? A play on longevity... Yes, Steph, indeed, things they are a changin'!!!

Cancer is a chronic condition that can be managed. We are getting closer everyday to a cautious cure...

Let's all say a prayer for Texas and vicinity. Ike will soon be upon them...

Andi

09-12-2008, 11:30 AM	#8
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	Here's To Longevity... Yes, Steph, You have put your finger on it. That explains why those people often say to me, YOU LOOK FANTASTIC. (Compared to a dead person???) LOL. Cause they can't believe I am sick, not withering away, grey and bald. Then, strangers especially, often say, GOD BLESS YOU! And I get a giant hug. We are all awed by what the human Spirit is capable of. Kind of like watching the Olympics. The agony and the ecstasy. For the record, I have a friend who is a 4 yr lung cancer SURVIVOR, in Chicago. She has been on chemo all the while, and remains STABLE. Never a smoker, BTW. They gave her body a 4 mnth break and have halved the dosage for the last yr. I know a man who is tx by my wonderful onc returnee who is a lung survivor for over 5 yrs. Richard Bloch (of H & R Bloch) was told to put his affairs in order, that he had 3 mnths to live. I know that 25 yrs later he was still defying that sentence. He went on major hardcore chemo for 2 yrs, meditated, used guided imagery and the love he had for (and received from) his wife to overcome all. I have read 2 of his bks chronicling this. I know that in Chicago, where Bloch also hailed from, my friend is active in -- LUNGEVITY. Get it? A play on longevity... Yes, Steph, indeed, things they are a changin'!!! Cancer is a chronic condition that can be managed. We are getting closer everyday to a cautious cure... Let's all say a prayer for Texas and vicinity. Ike will soon be upon them... 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...