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Andrea Barnett Budin · 07-18-2013, 04:53 PM

Saw my onc yesterday. My now ev 6 mnth checkup.

He has known me since October '95 after initial dx. And through it allllll....

He says I am his only 4th stage patient that has survived this long. THANK YOU GOD! And for me -- also -- thank you supplements... + meditation/mantras/guided imagery...

Onc says there are no guidelines for pp like me. I now get ev 6 mnth blood work and annual CT scans (chest/abd/pelvis) -- and now -- without contrast. He doesn't want to expose me to that stuff unnecessarily.

So, we're making up the rules as we go along. He was calm 3 yrs ago (then 2 yrs off Herceptin) when my tumor markers started trending upward and out of normal range. I was the one needing calming... But in 3 mnths -- my TMs plummeted right back to where they were.

I'd been sick for 3 mnths prior to that with a miserable, worst ever virus that wouldn't let go. Many others in town had the same thing. My body was out of whack. But within 3 mnths -- it recovered!!

Onc was sure I HAD to go for the biopsy when my CT abdomen/pelvis scan report said there was NEW stuff. It has been known, he now tells me, to spread to that area. And we HAD to check it out. I listened. Though I felt certain, as most of us did, that it was nothing. My Inner Voice told me I DO NOT HAVE CANCER. But I did what anyone in my position, given my medical history, which I carry with me...

The prep for the surgery sucked. The surgery was ok, though I wouldn't recommend it. ))

Post op was a lot rockier than I anticipated, but 3 wks later -- I am back to being and feeling like ME! WITH A GOOD REPORT
-- BENIGN inflammatory nonsense, no longer mystery mass mess... NO EVIDENCE OF DISEASE...

I am sticking with my supplements...!!!!!!!!!!!

TAKE GOOD CARE OF Y O U , my Sisters!

With LOVE, as always,

Andi

07-18-2013, 04:53 PM	#48
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	Why i take supplements Saw my onc yesterday. My now ev 6 mnth checkup. He has known me since October '95 after initial dx. And through it allllll.... He says I am his only 4th stage patient that has survived this long. THANK YOU GOD! And for me -- also -- thank you supplements... + meditation/mantras/guided imagery... Onc says there are no guidelines for pp like me. I now get ev 6 mnth blood work and annual CT scans (chest/abd/pelvis) -- and now -- without contrast. He doesn't want to expose me to that stuff unnecessarily. So, we're making up the rules as we go along. He was calm 3 yrs ago (then 2 yrs off Herceptin) when my tumor markers started trending upward and out of normal range. I was the one needing calming... But in 3 mnths -- my TMs plummeted right back to where they were. I'd been sick for 3 mnths prior to that with a miserable, worst ever virus that wouldn't let go. Many others in town had the same thing. My body was out of whack. But within 3 mnths -- it recovered!! Onc was sure I HAD to go for the biopsy when my CT abdomen/pelvis scan report said there was NEW stuff. It has been known, he now tells me, to spread to that area. And we HAD to check it out. I listened. Though I felt certain, as most of us did, that it was nothing. My Inner Voice told me I DO NOT HAVE CANCER. But I did what anyone in my position, given my medical history, which I carry with me... The prep for the surgery sucked. The surgery was ok, though I wouldn't recommend it. )) Post op was a lot rockier than I anticipated, but 3 wks later -- I am back to being and feeling like ME! WITH A GOOD REPORT -- BENIGN inflammatory nonsense, no longer mystery mass mess... NO EVIDENCE OF DISEASE... I am sticking with my supplements...!!!!!!!!!!! TAKE GOOD CARE OF Y O U , my Sisters! With LOVE, as always, 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...