September 3, 2015/Thursday
My meeting with the Medical Oncologist Dr. Clayton Chong went well. Jacquelyn and I flew to Oahu early in the morning, and took a cab to the medical building. We were super early but I would rather be early then to be running late to such an important appointment! The doctors office had faxed me my preregistration packet to my work place, so I already had all forms filled out. Once in the exam room the Oncologist first came in and asked if a resident could come in and go over all of my medical history, and ask me questions. Then Dr. Chen (the resident), would discuss the case with Dr. Chong. They would both return to the room and the Medical Oncologist would then go over everything with me. I used to work at a teaching hospital so I was okay with the double question session. Our appointment did take really long, about two hours. Dr. Chong had all my reports from the Cancer Center. He had spoken with Dr. Pearce from the Palm Springs Cancer Center about the new finding near the chest wall on the Breast MRI. We also discussed a small 5mm pulmonary nodule, in the lower lobe of the Right lung.
We discussed the treatment plans in detail. I will be having neoadjuvant therapy, meaning Chemo before surgery. It will be one dose of Chemo every 3 weeks, 6 times. It is a very aggressive treatment, I would be fibbing if I said I was not scared, I am scared. This is the exact coarse of treatment that was discussed with me and my family at the Cancer Center in Palm Springs. I know I am good hands, I GOT THIS!
Dr. Pearce waited in the lobby of Queens Medical Center in hopes of meeting with me, however since my appointment took long with Dr. Chong he had to leave, as he had another engagement. He called me and told me to go ahead and go to Dr. Nakashizuka’s office and introduce myself. (Dr. was out sick). When Jax and I walked into the office, Millie (the scheduler) was on the phone with Dr. Chongs office. The two offices were coordinating my next appointment. Millie asked if I would like to go ahead and fill out the paperwork required for the first appointment. She asked me for the images that Dr. Pearce had printed for me, I gave them to her. Dr. Nakashizuka is a Surgeon specializing in breast. Mari then asked me what time our flight back to Maui was? They managed to get my in for an Echocardiogram that same day! Jax and I had lunch, and then at 2:15 went to the Heart Institute for my 2:30 appointment. I don’t know the results of that exam, am super appreciative that they worked me in. The technologist and I “talked story” (Hawaiian for chatting/talking). I feel bad that I can’t remember her name, it was either Patricia or Pamela? She was really nice, her next assignment is going to be in New Zealand! I wish her well!
Flying back to Maui, Jax and I did not sit together. I had a window seat and was deep in thought about everything that is going to happen in the coming year. I remembered a question from the Oncologist. “how does a Mammographer end up with Stage 3 Breast Cancer?” I can’t be mad that it wasn’t found on my annual mammograms! Because of the complexity of my dense breast tissue it went undetected. Knowing this, perhaps I should have insisted that my doctor not only order my annual mammogram, but also order an annual ultrasound. He did make me feel better by telling me that because I knew what normal for me that I was able to detect it and get it checked out! So, ladies reading this….please do monthly BSE’s. Be familiar with what is normal for you, as far as the normal lumps and bumps of your own breast tissue. If ever there is something different you will know the difference.
The flight between Maui and Oahu is a mere 30-40 minutes. It was raining almost the whole day while we were in Oahu, with three “flash flood” warnings over the emergency phone system. Our flight home was smooth (I don’t like turbulence) as we started to descend, I looked out my window and saw a rainbow. I wasn’t going to capture it, but when I saw the second rainbow I quickly took my phone out and snapped this picture!
My Breast Cancer Journey 