ANDIBB's Birthday

[Andrea Barnett Budin]

Well, I finally got here. Back to the site.

Life has been wondrously exploding all around me.

First -- thank you all for your loving wishes! I truly appreciate you all and hold each of you close to my heart, even when I am AWOL. I swear...


In '95, before my 51st Bday, I was given the impression I had a yr or so to live. 4th stage breast cancer. My attitude was immediately, I KNOW I will survive. I lived with joy and peace, through the mastectomy and the surgeries, through the chemo, baldness, nausea and feeling like I had the worst flu ever for 9 mnths. I said, Don't call the funeral home yet. I plan on living. Anyway.

In '98 the bc recurred throughout my liver. I lost it for 3 long mnths, but charged forward anyway. Now, they were testing for the HER2 gene. I was 80% positive (that's how they tallied way back then). I began Taxotere. Yes Taxoterror one of you told me once. So true. Killer. Herceptin wasn't yet approved by the FDA in Aug of '98, when I metastasized B U T -- Sept 28 it was fast tracked for metastatic bcers. YAY!

As many of you know, I spent 10 yrs on Vitamin H. I HAVE NOW BEEN FREE TO BE for 6 yrs......!!!!!!

When I turned 60, I had a wedding I had to be at in Cali. We planned a vacay after that to Hawaii (half way there from Fla). I had it in my head that I wanted to go parasailing and get as close to God as I could, so I could shout THANK YOU FOR MY LIFE!!!!!!!!!

I am not an adventurous Soul. Not an amusement park person, which is like putting your big toe in the cold pool. I don't do the roller coaster. I find the merry-go-round and reaching from my horse for the brass ring a truly daring feat.

I used to think anyone parasailing was insane. I'm not that trusting.

But I saw close up on TV how serious those harnesses are. I also wanted to go on a helicopter (though terrified of flying) b/c I saw these pp flying in one over Hawaii on the same TV show. They were looking down over a volcano. The guy commented with wonder, 'I never knew that color orange existed!"
I can never get that phrase out of my head. So awesome to discover new colors of the world!

Now, still living my dream I remain in remission since '99! Honerstly, I thought I'd never get to live to experience entering the new millennium on my bad days!

And look at me now. I just CELEBRATED my 70th Bday...! Life is such a gift. I truly cherish each moment, and each person, that has blessed my life.

My my journey inspire you my dear Sisters...

With much love,

Thank you all again for the surprise greetings. Thank you, Jackie for alerting me. Been partying since September 3rd, truly.

Every day is a reason to celebrate, right!!?

XOXOXO,

Andi