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Andrea Barnett Budin · 09-21-2008, 10:04 AM

Thank you, dear Sisters! I joyfully accept all good wishes, belated or any way they come. Each is a blessing, like you. My day, BTW, was glorious. September 3rd has just always been full of sunshine and blue skies, when I lived in N.Y. and now in Fla. Though down here there is often a hurricane threatening (from June through November).

A friend, who I recently came upon 3x, after rooming w/her in college 45 yrs ago!!, took me to lunch (at Neiman Marcus' Mariposa). Very special. I always loved Lynn's sweet nature and thoughtful friendship. We were great buddies back in the day, then she moved to Fla, got married, drifted, and we lost touch. Then -- we found one another again!!!

When I returned from a trip to the Ladies Room, the waitress brought out a chocolate cake w/a candle in it. They softly sang to me. Fun!

Then I did some shopping!

I wore jeans. My first that I could find to fit in over a decade. I felt ecstatic, recapturing my youth, beginning my new adventure once again -- in unchartered waters. Admittedly a bit scared, but so very gleeful and grateful for all I have.

Paul took me for an excellent dinner (at a special occasion restaurant). I received over a dozen cards and so many calls -- from my daughters and grandkids, from friends, sisters and bro in law, nieces.

And to add to that I got so many lovely posts from y'all, thanks to my sweet friend Pinkie's thoughtfulness. I CAN FEEL THE LOVE. And I thank you all from the bottom of my heart.

There I go, rambling on. Again...

You know I wish you all Life's best! I wish you all you dream of -- AND MORE!!

Hugs,
Andi

09-21-2008, 10:04 AM	#45
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	Follow The Coincidences... Thank you, dear Sisters! I joyfully accept all good wishes, belated or any way they come. Each is a blessing, like you. My day, BTW, was glorious. September 3rd has just always been full of sunshine and blue skies, when I lived in N.Y. and now in Fla. Though down here there is often a hurricane threatening (from June through November). A friend, who I recently came upon 3x, after rooming w/her in college 45 yrs ago!!, took me to lunch (at Neiman Marcus' Mariposa). Very special. I always loved Lynn's sweet nature and thoughtful friendship. We were great buddies back in the day, then she moved to Fla, got married, drifted, and we lost touch. Then -- we found one another again!!! When I returned from a trip to the Ladies Room, the waitress brought out a chocolate cake w/a candle in it. They softly sang to me. Fun! Then I did some shopping! I wore jeans. My first that I could find to fit in over a decade. I felt ecstatic, recapturing my youth, beginning my new adventure once again -- in unchartered waters. Admittedly a bit scared, but so very gleeful and grateful for all I have. Paul took me for an excellent dinner (at a special occasion restaurant). I received over a dozen cards and so many calls -- from my daughters and grandkids, from friends, sisters and bro in law, nieces. And to add to that I got so many lovely posts from y'all, thanks to my sweet friend Pinkie's thoughtfulness. I CAN FEEL THE LOVE. And I thank you all from the bottom of my heart. There I go, rambling on. Again... You know I wish you all Life's best! I wish you all you dream of -- AND MORE!! Hugs, 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...