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Andrea Barnett Budin · 09-18-2013, 11:50 AM

It's my belief that reading statistics is detrimental to your health. People who take those stats and process it, end up becoming one of those awful statistics.

There is at least one person who has survived what you have. If they can do it, so can you.

My prognosis was grim, invasive lobular 4th stage bc and then 3 yrs later, as Herceptin was fast-tracked by the FDA -- clinical trials are such a long and tortured process, abandoning people who could benefit to hold on if they can -- I found that I was 80% HER2+. That's how they categorized such people in '98. When the bc spread throughout my liver, my stats fell even lower. I might live out the yr.

I determined to be among the tiny group that survived. Please read my threads, especially the latest A SIMPLE FORMULA FOR CHANGING THE FUTURE.

You want encouragement, Janice? I am here for that very reason! Any time...

With love,

Andi

09-18-2013, 11:50 AM	#288
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: Calling all stage iv sisters It's my belief that reading statistics is detrimental to your health. People who take those stats and process it, end up becoming one of those awful statistics. There is at least one person who has survived what you have. If they can do it, so can you. My prognosis was grim, invasive lobular 4th stage bc and then 3 yrs later, as Herceptin was fast-tracked by the FDA -- clinical trials are such a long and tortured process, abandoning people who could benefit to hold on if they can -- I found that I was 80% HER2+. That's how they categorized such people in '98. When the bc spread throughout my liver, my stats fell even lower. I might live out the yr. I determined to be among the tiny group that survived. Please read my threads, especially the latest A SIMPLE FORMULA FOR CHANGING THE FUTURE. You want encouragement, Janice? I am here for that very reason! Any time... With 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...