July 30, 2018 · 5:19 pm

63: Body Image

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I have been down this road before , only having one breast. For some reason this time around it has been harder for me. I know the reason is primarily the whole healing process taking so long due to my damaged radiated skin. Because of the open wound on my chest wall I am not cleared to wear a prosthetic breast. Clothes are challenging, as some tops it is really obvious that I only have one breast. People do stare, it is saddening to me, sometimes to the point where I want to cry…however I have managed to stay positive with the help of  the therapist provided by the Palm Springs Comprehensive Center. Dr. Chatigny has been wonderful in keeping me focused on my journey and this curve ball that has been thrown my way. I have been surrounding myself to close family members and friends that understand my journey and are thoughtful and bring me good positive ju-ju ! I managed to avoid an infection when my wound was open and about the size of a quarter. Staying home and working on little projects here and there have kept me busy… not to mention a little four-year old! I have also been hiking up at the Palm Springs Tramway with friends and my sister-in-law Ginger.

I never thought that Body Image would affect the way it did, however as the time went by I have become more and more comfortable with the obvious of only having one breast. And at this point I will not be getting sized for a prosthesis, people can stare all they want, this is the reality of Breast Cancer…maybe I should put a sticker on my concave chest wall that says  “Under Reconstruction”

On July 20th I had an Angio CT of the abdomen and pelvis area, the purpose of the exam was to check for blood flow. My next surgery has been scheduled. I will be having a Diep flap breast reconstruction on October 11th. My next appointment with my PS is on September 24th, I will have more details of my surgery then and will blog about it.

In the meantime I will be spending time with a dear friend that was diagnosed with breast cancer and will be having a bilateral mastectomy with immediate reconstruction . Maybe this is why I had my little setbacks or as Dr. Eko said “this is just a bump in the road” It is no secret that when my reconstructive surgery is done my husband and I will be moving back to Maui. Moving to Maui has been postponed but it will happen. Well, my little setback has enabled me to be here for my friend Catherina.

For those of you that have read my blogs from the beginning you will recognize her name as she was the Mammography Technologist that assisted the Radiologist with my biopsies back in 2015, and has also done my scans at the Cancer Center. Catherina is about to start her journey, as she was diagnosed with breast cancer… I am glad I am here to help her out post surgery.

This blog will not have any sensitive pictures attached, blog #62 is a pictorial blog with pictures of the slow healing process

Mahlo for reading my blog

Pina

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July 30, 2018 · 5:14 pm

62: Blog Pictorial

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Aloha,

This blog will be a little different, as it will not be attached to social media. This will be a pictorial blog of my progress, since my last revision in late April.

 

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This is NOT infected, fibrous tissue was removed to help the healing process.second.jpg

This is how it looked after the debridement. My husband did really good in my wound care, he was instructed by my Plastic Surgeon how to care for it.

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This is a healing slow due to the 29 rounds of Radiation Therapy I had May-June of 2016. The latent effects of radiation treatment is the gift that keeps on giving. And because my treatment was on my left side, five years post radiation I will start seeing a Cardiologist, (add that to my long list of doctors)fourth.jpg

Got to LOVE my husband.fifth.jpg

Its coming along……remember that my left breast implant was removed on April 4th, and here we are in the month of June…this is not infected…it is actually healing really nice (finally)seventh.jpg

Skip to the month of July….from an original April surgery. My surgeon has given my the okay to get in our salt water pool ……YAY!eigth.jpg

Here we are three months after the left breast implant was removed. The trifurcation area of the scar is coming along. July 6th I met with my PS, he is pleased with the progress and my next surgery has been set…October 11th I will have my Diep flap surgery . Throughout this healing process, I have managed to avoid infection, by little home projects, caring and intertaining a four year old….Hulu and Netflix!!!

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April 30, 2018 · 9:20 pm

#61 Another Revision!

Well, my surgery went well…the left breast implant was removed along with all the excess radiated skin……so much for a “skin sparring Mastectomy ! I feel I should have blogged earlier but I kept thinking, I will blog after this post op appointment. However to date I have had three follow-up appointments. My surgeon kept my drainage tube in for two weeks because at my first post op the daily fluid output was more than 25cc’s.

On April 16th, I had my annual Bone Density and a CT of the lungs for that little nodule that the doctors have been monitoring. Well GREAT news, my Oncologist, Dr. Ho from the  Palm Springs Comprehensive Cancer Center told me that the nodule is stable and has not grown, he will continue to monitor it annually. And my DEXA (Bone Density Test) is also good…I was so happy with that news!

On April 20th, my sidekick (drainage tube) was removed. However that week my incision where it all joins started to seep and open! REALLY could this possibly be happening again! My Plastic Surgeon wanted me back the following week to keep a close eye on it. Which that appointment was just last week on April 27th.

I would like to back up to April 25th. On the 25th, my husband and I celebrated 31 years of marriage! I love you Jack with all my heart, thank you for always being there for me, for accompanying to all my appointments when work permitted….my story is not over, I am looking forward to many years with you, looking forward to our week on Maui!

Ok, back to my appointment on the 27th. After Dr. Eko looked at the area he looked at me and said that he would need to do Another Revision. At this point, seriously my heart just sank! Of coarse I asked exactly what he planned on doing, Dr. Eko went on to describe the procedure. My husband and I waiting in the examination as they prepared the Procedure Room for me.

After administering plenty of Lidocaine he removed select staples in the trifurcation area. (I will be posting pictures, just do not scroll down if you do not wish to see them.) Slithers of irradiated skin was removed, then it was sutured. It was surreal, the area was well numbed up, but thru my body I could hear and feel (without pain) every stitch! My body was shaking uncontrollably, they covered my with a blanket….this was a pretty invasive procedure done in the office…my plastic surgeon and his wonderful M.A., Angelica made sure I was comfortable. My husband was in the room, a couple of times the blanket came off my feet and he tucked the blanket under my feet. It was nice having my husband in the room, Dr. Eko played smooth Jazz during the procedure, which was also very relaxing.

What’s next? I had a follow up appointment today April 30th, it went well. I am instructed not to lift my left arm above my head so the it doesn’t tug on trifurcation area. The doctor (and I) want this to heal!!! My husband and I will be going to Maui for one week, I will not be getting in the ocean, other than my feet….just plan on relaxing and visiting my Maui Ohana!

Microblading, on Wednesday May 2nd I will be getting my eye brows microbladed. Yes, the hair on my head has returned post chemo, however I have little to no eye brows! I will have to wear a hat while in Maui, which I’m okay with…just looking forward to not having to paint on my eye brows every morning to look normal! So grateful to the gals from the Cos Bar in Wailea that took the time to teach my how to apply my Tom Ford Eye Brow Kit.

 

****************************** SENSITIVE PICTURES BELOW************************

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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On a daily basis my family stripped and documented the amount of fluid out put for two weeks until the drain was removed. Post op, my son Cisco took days from work and stayed home with me… he did really good, he only gaged once when some fibrous tissue was in the fluid!

 

 

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Damm, It looks like I had a “Radical Mastectomy”!

Here it is, I struggled with the decision to post this picture ….. but this is the reality of it. The Implant was removed with all the irradiated skin. Looking at the picture above my head is to the right with the tube going down. The stapled area that goes  up towards my axilla (armpit) is that darken circle that is seen on the first picture… that skin was removed, hence this result. The following picture was taken on April 27th, you will notice that the staples where it all trifurcates are gone. That is because on April 20th the plastic surgeon removed them, at this point they were  obviously just irritating the area. The area didn’t close which is why Another Revision was necessary. IMG_6071.jpg

I don’t have an after picture of the revision…my husband says it looks good, he has been doing the dressing changes, he has become quite the wound care specialist! I have instructions not to lift my arms above my head

My next follow up appointment, is on Monday April 14th. I will keep everyone posted with a shorter blog……I promise. If you have read to this point, many thank yous for taking the time out of your day to read my blog.

Pina

 

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March 31, 2018 · 1:04 pm

#60 Mutated Gene and Plan B of Reconstructive Surgery

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My Hyacinths in full blossom

 

This blog will cover two topics, first I will discuss the “Mutated Gene” topic.

On December 20, 2017,  I received a phone call from my Genetics Counselor from Queens Medical Center, Oahu Hawaii. Allison was calling me to  inform me that one of my genes that was previously tested had been reclassified. Genetic result: Positive – Clinically Significant Mutation Identified ! Yes folks, I have a “mutated gene“……add that to the bucket. This mutated gene is the CHEK2 gene, which is for both Breast Cancer and Colorectal Cancer, (as if I didn’t have enough to worry about) My job was to inform my siblings, as they have a 50% chance that they inherited this mutated gene as well. If they test positive and their kids (my nieces/nephews) can be tested, however their risk factor is 25%, that they inherited this gene. I was provided with test results and information to pass on to my siblings should they choose to test, also my children (if they opt too) can now be tested. These blood test are extremely costly, someone without a first degree relative testing positive would have a difficult time convincing an insurance company to run and pay for this blood test, which also involves an office appointment with a Genetics Counselor. The fact that my sister and I were diagnosed within weeks of each other warranted my insurance to pay for my test.

And now on to topic number two:

The removal of my bilateral expanders and placement of the implants surgery happened on February 1st. Going in,  I knew, because my plastic surgeon was extremely thorough in explaining ALL scenarios that statistically I had a 35% chance that my irradiated tissue would not take well to the implant surgery. During the implant surgery the excess tissue was removed, before cancer I was a natural DD cup, now I am down sizing to a full “C”. Well this surgery was a little too traumatic for my irradiated breast tissue. Initially it appeared to be healing just fine, every day was better (even with a broken toe).

I think right now would be a good time for me to insert my disclaimer. ” I will be inserting sensitive pictures with this blog at the bottom of this blog, if you do not wish to look just scroll slowly I will tell you when to stop”

The Right side is healing just fine without any issues. But remember the right side did not have cancer, I had a mastectomy as a preventive measure on this side. My follow up appointment on February 21st with my PS went very well. We did discuss nipple options at this appointment which I will save for another blog. The a couple of weeks later I had Jack take a picture for me, I still had visible discolored areas (like bruises) which was normal. However, come March the darkened areas began to get larger. I did not have “pain” associated with the darkened areas….the area is numb like due to the mastectomy. Kind of like “Neuropathy of the boobs”…if that is such a thing. I had a couple of areas, actually three, that the scab fell off then appeared to be opening….and oozing (lymph and blood, not puss).  What the Heck!!!! My next follow up at this point was March 19th, which was the next week. My husband tells me not to wait and call my Surgeons office. After a long day of surgeries my Plastic Surgeon Dr. Eko offered to meet me at his office at 4pm. I drove myself to this last minute appointment…..I knew the darkened skin was not good, nor my new little peep holes! We talked about “implant failure due to irradiated skin” and that 35% bracket that he believes I was falling into. He ended up doing a “Revision” in the office, in which he cleaned it up and sutured it…..again. With the help of my friend Lidocaine and my PS’s gentle touch, I didn’t feel a thing! I went back the following week,  March 23rd to have those stitches removed…however it was obvious at this appointment that the openings were not closing up! The stitches stayed in and doctor extended my prescription for antibiotics and extended me one more office visit before making the decision to remove the left implant…..That appointment was yesterday March 30th.

The verdict is in, I am scheduled for surgery April 4th, to have the Left Breast Implant removed. Implant failure due to irradiated skin does not mean the end of reconstructive surgery for me, just means that “Plan  B” will now be the options for me. I briefly discussed plan B on a previous blog, blog number 52&53. However, after the implant is removed we will wait six months before determining which Autologous of Flap Reconstruction option I will have.

I realize this turned out to be a very long blog…thank you for reading to this point, I truly appreciate it. For those wondering why I would post sensitive pictures of myself? To reach out to those just starting their BC journey, to educate, I have lots of people reading my blog that are not related to me, one person from Spain, someone from Europe and Australia……….reconstructive surgery can go smoothly with out hiccups, or it can take multiple surgeries…just want you to know it’s not all Hollywood and Glamour.

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Right side healing accordingly the scar wraps around to the cleavage area

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Left side Feb 24th, healing nicely with slight briusing

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Left side March 3rd, at this point one obvious opening, more discolorisation

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Revision March 14th

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March 23rd, Radiated skin is not healing shut, darkening of skin more and more evident

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February 12, 2018 · 5:06 pm

#59 Post Surgery

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Author unknown……..who wronged me…..Cancer

It has been 12 days since my surgery, every day is better. The expanders have been removed and the Saline Implants have been inserted. My surgery was done on an outpatient basis, therefore after a long day that started at 630 am, I came home that same day. The surgery itself took about 4hrs then about……honestly the drive home is a blur, I do remember it was already getting dark.

My husband picked up my medications (pain med and an anti-biotic) at our local pharmacy, the time on the receipt is 7:34 pm, so that gives you an idea of how long of a day it was. Once I was home I was fine, not nauseas, however all that changed a couple of hours after being home.

The vomiting started, apparently steamed broccoli and red rose potatoes with a dairy free cheese sauce is considered a “heavy meal”……..my discharge papers did say “regular diet”. However after calling the plastic surgeon to let him know of my inability to keep anything down, he said I should be on a light diet till my entire body wakes up from the effects of the anesthesia. He immediately prescribed Ondansetron for the nausea.

Dr Eko did offer to admit me into DRMC for one night following the surgery which I declined. My history from waking up with projectile vomiting after general anesthesia prompted this offer. I was not experiencing  nausea when he asked me this question, so I told him I wanted to go home that night. The anesthesiologist, fully aware of my history had given me anti-nausea medication during the surgery………..here is the sad part,  I immediately thought of the insurance and would an overnight stay be covered! My surgery that took place on August 22, 2017 did require an overnight stay, however the insurance is fighting paying the bill! They are challenging it saying that an overnight stay was not necessary. I don’t understand how they could think that it was not necessary….I should send them the picture from my blog with the four drains!!!

Speaking of drains, this surgery did not require drains, just stitches with a transparent dressing across the chest. The dressing was removed at my first post op appointment on February 7th. I am a little swollen, I do have completely mobility of the arms.

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The pink restricted arm band is due to my having my Lymphnodes removed on my left side when I had my mastectomy. I could only have blood draws and or I.V.’s on my right side now….this did not hurt, my veins were hiding. It bruised up pretty ugly, also bruised up at the wrist in two areas where she attempted to start the I.V., she was successful in the end…………I actually felt really bad for her, and I do remember when we were chatting I asked her how long she has been a nurse, it was 30 something years. At least she was gentle.

Whats next? I can not exercise (Pilates) for 6 weeks! I could only walk, however I think I might have broken a toe! Yes, that’s right…..I walked into a chair slamming my right foot into it. The bruise in now surfacing, the toe hurts like no other, I am beyond upset about it. My husband offered to go on a walk with me as he knows I want to do some type of physical activity. I put my tennis on, oh and it hurt. We walked down the street, I was in pain but refused to give in….I wanted to go walking! It was painful!!!!! When we got home and I took my tennis shoe off my foot was throbing…..can not believe I did that to myself. Jack had no clue as to the pain level, because I did not say anything!

If you have read to this point I thank you so much for reading my blog

My next follow up appointment is next week on the 21st, we will be discussing the procedure to create a nipple on my nippleless breast! Stay tuned!

Pina

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January 31, 2018 · 10:33 pm

#58 Silicone Gel Implants !

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The final phase of reconstruction has arrived, tomorrow morning I will have my surgery.  My expanders, which I nicknamed “cinder blocks” will be removed and replaced with Silicone Gel Implants! Some people think, awesome ….you get implants! I’m sure I have said this before in a previous blog…..reconstructive surgery and a breast augmentation are two total different surgeries. An augmentation is an “enhancement” of you breast. Where as all my natural breast tissue and nipples have been removed and the implants will be placed to form a breast. Later, I will have nipples tattooed.

In the picture above, I am at my primary doctors office, this picture was taken today. The reason I was at the doctors today is because I ended up with a sore on/in my nose. I was placed on an anti-viral med and had to come see the doctor today. If the sore did not scab then my primary doctor was going to recommend that my surgery be delayed! Good results…it scabbed….the surgery is on!

The operating room is reserved for four hours tomorrow. I arrive in the morning, with pre-op time and post-op time, it could be a seven hour day. It is an out-patient surgery so I will be coming home tomorrow.

The pictures below were taken this past week end. I am so glad that my husband and I were able to get together with my cousins and spouses. Words can not express how much these two dahlings ( I know that is spelled wrong, that is the pronunciation we use) mean. My cousins have been so supportive through out this journey, besides my husband and kids.

 

Notice the label on the wine bottle says “Group Therapy”….that was the best group session ever!!!!

Maholo for taking the time to read my blog, I need to go take a shower with “Hibicleanse”  to prep for tomorrow.

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January 17, 2018 · 12:36 pm

57: Phase 2 of Reconstructive Surgery

The much anticipated appointment went well. Last week on January 12th my husband Jack went with me to my appointment at the Plastic Surgeons office. Dr. Eko examined me and was pleased with the progress thus far. Of course my husband being the jokester that he is participated in the examination, however when he pressed on my boob he had his finger on his phone and activated a “squeaky toy” sound! Oh my honey…..got to love that man….we all got a chuckle out of it and proceeded with the exam.

On my previous blog I mentioned how the non cancer breast (the right one) has dropped and the cancer side is standing tall in place. The left side has been irradiated….though the  tissue on the outside looks fine, underneath the shin the tissue is damaged from the radiation treatments. The right side is natural tissue without radiation damage, hence the reason for it dropping, getting nice and cozy in the excess tissue from the skin sparing mastectomy. The excess tissue will be removed along with the tissue expanders and the implants will be placed. Dr. Eko will even the girls out when he puts the implants in.  I remember from previous appointments he would stress that they will be “sisters, not twins”. He will use the same scar, however the scar will be made longer in order for him to remove the excess tissue. I am unclear on whether or not I will have drainage bulbs again, as I for got to ask…….he didn’t mention them during the exam so maybe not! ( we will see)

After Dr. Eko was finished with the examination and questions were answered, Patricia took me into the “photo room”, where she took a series of pictures of me for the surgery. Through this journey called “breast cancer” you definitely lose all modesty. I can not tell you how many times since August 2015, I have been asked to disrobe from the waist up! I must say that with all the medical professionals that have examined me or have just been along side an MD while I was being examined I have never felt uncomfortable, every caregiver has been so compassionate through out this journey….I am very fortunate to have the medical team that I currently have and my team on the island of Hawaii.

Phase 2 of Reconstructive Surgery  will be February 1st !!

Mahalo for reading my blog!

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December 31, 2017 · 5:42 pm

56: Hello 2018 !

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This past year has flown by so fast, looking back at 2017, I am amazed on where this Breast Cancer Journey has taken me. I took the picture above while on a walk with my nephew and his family in Oak Glen, near Yucaipa. Using my 84x zoom, from where we were we could not see all the nuts he was storing!!!!

My reconstructive surgery was on August 22, 2017. The expanders that were placed were inflated once a week for four weeks following the surgery post op appointment. Four inflation appointments starting on September 6th, ending September 25th. Definitely having this very large needle being pierced into your breast is not for the weak. My husband was with me for every appointment and watched as the Plastic Surgeon took the syringe, and injected the saline into the expander. Was in painful? Hell ya! I felt it more on the left side as the skin on the left was radiated ( 29 times!). The right side ironically,  where the PS injected was where my medi-port used to be, so the skin is deadened from the port being accessed for Chemo and subsequent monthly flushes, blood draw etc…….IMG_0876

The three month mark since the last expander inflation is fast approaching. The plan was to wait three months after the last inflation before doing the next surgery to exchange the expander for the implants. It would have been nice to have it done this year as we have met our deductible.

From Bricks to Cinder Blocks

Initially I called the expanders bricks….when all was settled they changed to cinder blocks….they are rock hard! Funny,  when I hug someone I find myself apologizing for my cinder blocks! They are really high up on the chest wall. The right side has dropped down some, but the left side is standing tall and proud!

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The mastectomies  where skin sparring, so when these expanders come out the excess tissue will be removed, the arrow is pointing the extra tissue on the left side. The straight lines are where the scares are, and remember I opted for non nipple sparring….the goal is NO reoccurrence ! I so plan on tattooing either 3D nipples or flowers covering the scars….who knows how adventurous I will get!

My appointment with my Plastic Surgeon is January 12th, at this appointment he will examine me and take pictures of me (without a top on) from the waist up ommitting my face, and he will have me remove my necklace, actually his nurse is the one that takes the pictures.  This series of pictures taken are for his use, so that he can plan his surgery on me, pictures were taken prior to this surgery as well.  I expect that the surgery will happen late January of early February….I’m anxious…I want to get this done.

Today is New Years Eve, my honey is sick so it will be a low key evening for us. I wish everyone A Happy New Year filled with Joy and Happiness, live life to the fullest, don’t take life for granted…….I would say that I am doing pretty dang good, but I would not wish this journey on anyone!   #F*%#cancer (pardon my french)

Mahalo for reading my blog…Pina

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August 29, 2017 · 5:08 pm

55: Reconstructive Surgery

 

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Ok, This shit just got real! Warning graphic picture included in this blog

My surgery was one week ago today. It is kind of hard to describe what goes through your head as you are going to the hospital, walking in, registering, signing the anesthesia consent and being told the risk……reconstructive surgery is a choice, not a medical necessity. I decided I wanted this. As a licensed Mammogram Technologist, when doing a mammogram on a patient with implants, sometimes I wondered why they did it. Especially when they appeared to have adequate breast tissue in front of the implant. And what didn’t make sense, is when they had risk factors for breast cancer and got implants placed! I always thought I would never get implants, just wear good bras to bring the girls up some! LOL! My road to implant placement is different, it’s reconstructive surgery after breast cancer.

I will be forthright in sharing my experience as this has always been the purpose of my blog…..to share truthfully, to educate, to share my BC journey, so my apologies if anyone is offended by words typed or pictures posted.

I was wheeled out of pre-op into the operating room about 1250, with the surgery ending about 1830hrs, making surgery time just under six hours long. I was admitted to the hospital third floor at DRMC. I don’t remember much of the first three days after surgery, I think the pain pills had something to do with that! I do remember vomiting when I got to my room and feeling like my chest was going to burst open! Once we got home after my one night stay at DRMC, I do remember my eldest daughter (nurse Nikki)  making me eat regularly and giving me a slew of pills on a regular basis, draining and stripping my drains, documenting the fluid from each drain three times daily, showering me and dressing me.

My arms ached and the did not extend out much, initially after surgery.  I was so thankful that by the time I had my first bowel movement (4 days later) I was able to clean myself! I would have been mortified asking my husband or daughter to wipe my #@** ! My daughter was not too concerned that I had not pooped till then as I was passing gas regularly…..I realize this is one of the TMI moments! OK, enough of that subject.

My husband (quite the comedian)  says I have Tyrannosaurus Rex arms! He is having fun (at my expense) about my limited reach! (maybe I should have had him wipe my #@** ! However,  he has been quite helpful with draining my drains, showering and combing my hair etc. You don’t realize all the things that you can not do for yourself after a surgery. The plastic surgeon was clear when talking to my family that I could not do anything! So it has been a little hard on me know that I am more mobile. Simple things like tidying up the kitchen, or wiping a spot on the tile floor….I just have to look away, my family has been great doing everything.

How does it look?

The expanders are placed really high on the chest wall, literally just below the clavicle! I knew this so I was not freaked out when I saw them for the first time…..I am swollen, with time this will go done. I have the four drains coming out of my body, which I know some people get freaked out about. I have an appointment tomorrow Wednesday the 30th with the PS, two of the drains will come out. (ouch) Right now the scars are held together with a type of Dermabond (skin glue). For me too look at my chest wall right now I am a bit taken back on the appearance of them. But I know that this is not the end result, this journey will not be finished till the end of this year. So please keep that in mind when looking at the picture that I will include with this blog. I thank you for reading this blog to this point, as I realize it is a long blog.

I am literally a little nervous about the following picture, but if these pictures just helps one person out there debating weather of not to go through reconstructive surgery then  it was worth posting. And if you are on the fence of decision making please follow my blog to see the end result towards the end of this year, if that is too long to wait then research reconstructive surgery pictures……your Plastic Surgeon should be able to provide you with pictures as well.

I seem to have breezed through Chemo, Mastectomy and Rad TX, but honestly this shit just got real! I remember my husband telling me not to do reconstruction for him! My response: Oh, IF I have to go through this shit (meaning treatment) I’m going to get new ones out of it!………..So bring on the final phase………Reconstructive Surgery.

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The first pictures was taken on our 20th wedding anniversary trip to Maui…here we are in our 30th year of marriage, who would have thought we would be going thru this (notice I said “we”) because your diagnosis affects the whole family! I am blessed to have a very supportive one ……….#bumpintheroad

Thank you for reading……Pina

 

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August 15, 2017 · 2:26 pm

54: Surgery Date Set

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It seems like just yesterday my breast cancer journey started. As a matter a fact this month marks two years since my diagnosis. It was August 18th that I had my biopsies that resulted with those dreadful words….”you have cancer”! Many of you have kept up with my journey via this blog, and I thank you for your messages and support.

Now that Chemotherapy, Left Breast Mastectomy and Radiation Treatment are behind me, it is now time for reconstruction! The decision to have a Right Breast prophylactic Mastectomy was an easy one for me as I am aware that I am high risk for a reoccurrence.   This past month (July) I had a little scare, I had a Breast MRI, and was called back for a second look on the right breast! I immediately thought “oh crap….here I go again”! Fortunately it was nothing and I was given to go ahead to proceed with the surgery! (sigh)

The surgery will happen on August 22nd, as of today I do not have a time. I will have two surgeons working on me. While the Breast Surgeon is performing the skin sparring mastectomy on the right side, the Plastic Surgeon will be placing an expander on the left side. When the PS is finished with the left side and the right side mastectomy is complete he will the place an expander on the right side. When I wake up, I will have four drains, two of which will be removed one week after surgery. The other two drains will be removed when fluid has subsided. After the scars have healed somewhat, the Plastic Surgeon will then start to fill (inflate) the expanders weekly till desired fullness has been reached. After about three months of healing and praying that my body does not reject the expanders, the expanders will be switched out with the implants. The goal is a C cup:)

People have to understand that this is Breast Reconstruction after treatment for cancer…..it is not an Augmentation…….huge deference! I am thankful for the medical team that I have, but most of all for my husband and family without them this journey would have been impossible,  I know that I am in good hands!!!

I always mention a little something about the picture I include with my blog. My husband  and I took a quick little getaway trip to Maui the last week of June. This sunset picture was taken using a sunset setting on my camera, it cracks me how people (tourist, visitors) leave the beach as soon as the sun disappears from the horizon. This pictures was taken approximately 20 minutes after the sun had set! Dependent on the clouds, there is usually a show of colors AFTER the sun has set….you just have to be patient….dinner can wait !

Mahalo for reading my blog

I just got a call from the hospital, they verified name and insurance etc…. they will call me the day before the surgery with the time of the surgery!

 

 

 

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