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Andrea Barnett Budin · 05-15-2013, 07:55 PM

Guided imagery and affirmations or mantras are amazing tools. Essential to wellness.

I tell myself every day, throughout the day -- I AM STRONG, BRAVE AND DETERMINED. Even when I was scared to death, felt vulnerable, frail and emotionally shaken, I did know I was/am stubborn as all get out. The rest were goals. I drummed them into my brain, which communicates with my body all day long, and takes its cues from the mind's thoughts, images and emotions.

I would add, HEALTHY AND WELL. And after a while, I included -- NO MORE CANCER...!!!!!!!!! To be perfectly clear.

Stating my Intention and Expectation emphatically. Never wavering. Okay, yes, I had my weak, scary moments, naturally, but I did breathing, in and hold and out, over and over, to calm myself. And replaced my OMG I could die. I could be missing at all the holidays. My family gathered and me absent. Then I got myself together and literally saw myself there, for many yrs to come, laughing, loving, hugging, eating (of course) and being full of gratitude.

Every day, I look up and say, Thank you for my life. It brings me watery eyes as it comes from my Soul, my core. I know how blessed I am. I never get cocky. Never take anything for granted.

And I remain all along on maintenance therapy. 10 yrs of Herceptin. And 14 yrs of supplements twice a day, every darn day. (I've been off H for almost 5 yrs. My now annual scans due in June. Along w/my now ev 6 mnths bloodwork.) I expect to remain stable.

Wishing you all the same.

Love,
ANDI

05-15-2013, 07:55 PM	#39
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	Re: Why i take supplements Guided imagery and affirmations or mantras are amazing tools. Essential to wellness. I tell myself every day, throughout the day -- I AM STRONG, BRAVE AND DETERMINED. Even when I was scared to death, felt vulnerable, frail and emotionally shaken, I did know I was/am stubborn as all get out. The rest were goals. I drummed them into my brain, which communicates with my body all day long, and takes its cues from the mind's thoughts, images and emotions. I would add, HEALTHY AND WELL. And after a while, I included -- NO MORE CANCER...!!!!!!!!! To be perfectly clear. Stating my Intention and Expectation emphatically. Never wavering. Okay, yes, I had my weak, scary moments, naturally, but I did breathing, in and hold and out, over and over, to calm myself. And replaced my OMG I could die. I could be missing at all the holidays. My family gathered and me absent. Then I got myself together and literally saw myself there, for many yrs to come, laughing, loving, hugging, eating (of course) and being full of gratitude. Every day, I look up and say, Thank you for my life. It brings me watery eyes as it comes from my Soul, my core. I know how blessed I am. I never get cocky. Never take anything for granted. And I remain all along on maintenance therapy. 10 yrs of Herceptin. And 14 yrs of supplements twice a day, every darn day. (I've been off H for almost 5 yrs. My now annual scans due in June. Along w/my now ev 6 mnths bloodwork.) I expect to remain stable. Wishing you all the same. Love, 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...