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Andrea Barnett Budin · 06-26-2008, 06:28 PM

Just wanted to chime in, here. I did recur (orig dx in 95 w/ stage IV) -- before we all knew about her2 and herceptin.

I was lucky in that I recurred, into the liver, in august of '98. BECAUSE HERCEPTIN WAS FAST-TRACKED BY THE FDA AND MADE AVAILABLE TO ALL MET BCrs September 28, 1998!!!

And here I am. Just had my every 6 mnth scans and my annual mammo/sono -- and I AM STABLE!!! Sticking w/my Vitamin H ev 3 wks. Joyful, feeling blessed, deeply grateful.

In '95 I had no grandchildren. 1 married daughter. I lived to see my baby married. And to greet 5 new Souls to this world! Life is sweet. Stay strong, brave and determined... Be well. Stay positive and connected to your Spirit at all times. It will guide you.

Always sending loving energy to y'all...
Andi

06-26-2008, 06:28 PM	#15
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	Getting Anchored In Your Essence Just wanted to chime in, here. I did recur (orig dx in 95 w/ stage IV) -- before we all knew about her2 and herceptin. I was lucky in that I recurred, into the liver, in august of '98. BECAUSE HERCEPTIN WAS FAST-TRACKED BY THE FDA AND MADE AVAILABLE TO ALL MET BCrs September 28, 1998!!! And here I am. Just had my every 6 mnth scans and my annual mammo/sono -- and I AM STABLE!!! Sticking w/my Vitamin H ev 3 wks. Joyful, feeling blessed, deeply grateful. In '95 I had no grandchildren. 1 married daughter. I lived to see my baby married. And to greet 5 new Souls to this world! Life is sweet. Stay strong, brave and determined... Be well. Stay positive and connected to your Spirit at all times. It will guide you. Always sending loving energy to y'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...