HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post

Andrea Barnett Budin · 11-05-2013, 02:12 PM

Just wanted to say, I love every word of every post in this thread!!! I agree with it all, but I won't take your time to repeat it all. Just re-read every word of every post in this thread, please!

It is indeed an honor to be a part of a group of such brave, bright, remarkable, shining Spirits.

Who's normal? I don't know a single Soul who is.

I do the baby steps thing. I rest when it makes no sense (I did this yesterday, middle of the day...) My lists are ridiculously long and I tackle each item one at a time. I know tomorrow's list will have 1 less thing on it, but I'll be copying most of it, setting my goals in writing.

I am well and healthy. But I don't think I am ever normal. I like who I am, and each day I try to be a little better than I was yesterday. We do our best. And our best changes from day to day.

Keep feeling better! Indeed feeling sad and scared and vulnerable reminds us we are human. And we need to dig a bit deeper. And we can! We are each so much stronger and braver than we ever imagined we were, or would have to be.

As many have said, This is the hardest thing I ever had to do... But I quickly add -- I am richer for it, I swear!

Love and Light to all,
Andi

11-05-2013, 02:12 PM	#6
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: Being Sad and Vulnerable makes you Brave Just wanted to say, I love every word of every post in this thread!!! I agree with it all, but I won't take your time to repeat it all. Just re-read every word of every post in this thread, please! It is indeed an honor to be a part of a group of such brave, bright, remarkable, shining Spirits. Who's normal? I don't know a single Soul who is. I do the baby steps thing. I rest when it makes no sense (I did this yesterday, middle of the day...) My lists are ridiculously long and I tackle each item one at a time. I know tomorrow's list will have 1 less thing on it, but I'll be copying most of it, setting my goals in writing. I am well and healthy. But I don't think I am ever normal. I like who I am, and each day I try to be a little better than I was yesterday. We do our best. And our best changes from day to day. Keep feeling better! Indeed feeling sad and scared and vulnerable reminds us we are human. And we need to dig a bit deeper. And we can! We are each so much stronger and braver than we ever imagined we were, or would have to be. As many have said, This is the hardest thing I ever had to do... But I quickly add -- I am richer for it, I swear! Love and Light to all, 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...