HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - One of the original ladies on first Herceptin trial alive and doing well.

Andrea Barnett Budin · 12-08-2014, 04:57 PM

Ginger and I have been e'ing for a really long time. When my dghtr lived in Bev Hills my husband and I would travel out there twice a yr.

Many moons ago, Ginger drove from Bakersfield to have lunch with me in Bev Hills. We spent nearly 3 hrs laughing and chatting.

I found I was HER2+ when I metastasized in Aug of '98. Went on the fast-tracked Herceptin in Oct of same yr. Among the first. Lucky me. 4th stage from the getgo.

Ginger and I swore we'd be on H -- forever. Why fix what wasn't broken? No one knew how long to recommend.

I met Slamon when seeing his then partner Dr. Mark Pegram who was a part of the team that developed H. I got to hug them both and thank them for saving my life! They were almost as thrilled as Paul and I were!!

A nurse had mentioned Slamon was in the office, visiting. No longer in practice there at the time. I refused to leave till I met him. He came straight away!

What a joy...

And Ginger and I stayed on H for 10 yrs. I've been off since '08. STABLE. Just like Ginger. She's a true joy of a lady and I am eternally grateful to have met her and spent such a special after -- at The Four Seasons, my husband's treat! We sipped wine by the pool and shared our mutually optimistic, determined attitudes, reinforcing our Spirits with laughter and chutzpah!

Hi Fern! Feel free to e me when you wish. Just put HER2 SISTER in the subject line.

I'm always here for you, my Sisters!

Love to you all,
Andi

12-08-2014, 04:57 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	Re: One of the original ladies on first Herceptin trial alive and doing well. Ginger and I have been e'ing for a really long time. When my dghtr lived in Bev Hills my husband and I would travel out there twice a yr. Many moons ago, Ginger drove from Bakersfield to have lunch with me in Bev Hills. We spent nearly 3 hrs laughing and chatting. I found I was HER2+ when I metastasized in Aug of '98. Went on the fast-tracked Herceptin in Oct of same yr. Among the first. Lucky me. 4th stage from the getgo. Ginger and I swore we'd be on H -- forever. Why fix what wasn't broken? No one knew how long to recommend. I met Slamon when seeing his then partner Dr. Mark Pegram who was a part of the team that developed H. I got to hug them both and thank them for saving my life! They were almost as thrilled as Paul and I were!! A nurse had mentioned Slamon was in the office, visiting. No longer in practice there at the time. I refused to leave till I met him. He came straight away! What a joy... And Ginger and I stayed on H for 10 yrs. I've been off since '08. STABLE. Just like Ginger. She's a true joy of a lady and I am eternally grateful to have met her and spent such a special after -- at The Four Seasons, my husband's treat! We sipped wine by the pool and shared our mutually optimistic, determined attitudes, reinforcing our Spirits with laughter and chutzpah! Hi Fern! Feel free to e me when you wish. Just put HER2 SISTER in the subject line. I'm always here for you, my Sisters! Love to you 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...