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Andrea Barnett Budin · 11-05-2014, 04:10 PM

Annette, you made my heart smile. I KNOW you are right btw...

I was dx from the getgo as Stage IV (huge tumor) and 2 out of 21 lymph nodes involved. I became metastatic and HER2 positive in '98 when my bc spread throughout my liver. Those lymph nodes have a ticket to go anywhere they choose. (No HER2 testing back in '95.)

A friend asked, I don't even know what that means, Stage IV. How many stages are there???? I couldn't speak. My husband explained. There are no more stages after IV. All I could think was the next stage is death. Chilling. Then I resolved to LIVE anyway...!!!!!! Strong, brave and determined!

11-05-2014, 04:10 PM	#305
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 Annette, you made my heart smile. I KNOW you are right btw... I was dx from the getgo as Stage IV (huge tumor) and 2 out of 21 lymph nodes involved. I became metastatic and HER2 positive in '98 when my bc spread throughout my liver. Those lymph nodes have a ticket to go anywhere they choose. (No HER2 testing back in '95.) A friend asked, I don't even know what that means, Stage IV. How many stages are there???? I couldn't speak. My husband explained. There are no more stages after IV. All I could think was the next stage is death. Chilling. Then I resolved to LIVE anyway...!!!!!! Strong, brave and determined! __________________ 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...