The past couple of weeks have been riddled with appointments. I can see why I was required to stay on this island after my surgery. I had an appointment with Honolulu Orthopedics to be measured for a compression sleeve. I will be required to wear the sleeve when I fly and when going on long walks to help avoid Lymphedema. My compression sleeve should arrive sometime this week. I have also continued to go to my physical therapy appointments (twice weekly) and I do my P.T. three times daily when our schedules permit. My range of motion has improved immensely, my therapist is really impressed with my progress. I have the advantage of knowing first hand what happens when you do not do the recommended exercises.
Surgeon appointment:
Dr. Nakashizuka was really happy with my progress. The mastectomy site is healing just fine. I have avoided fluid build up (Seroma), probably due to my Physical Therapist. She does a Lymphatic Massage, and has taught me how to do it, which I do nightly. I went to this appointment with three questions in mind.
1: When can I drive?
2: When can I get in the ocean?
3: When would she recommend the Profolactic Mastectomy (Right breast) and the reconstruction?
Driving? I am cleared to drive because I am not taking any of the pain meds that were prescribed. Ocean?……..wasn’t expecting this answer! She would prefer I stay out of the ocean at least till July! When we talked about me paddling out with the canoe club she would prefer that I wait till at least September to do that! And as far as my next surgery, not till this time next year! Because I will still be going through Radiation Therapy, and continue to have my Herceptin infusions every three weeks till September, she would prefer that I wait six months after I am completely done with my treatments before going thru with the right mastectomy and the reconstruction of both breast. It is what it is, I can be patient. I just have to tell myself that “this time next year, I will be all done with this”.
Pulmonogist appointment:
My appointment with Dr. Roger Yim, went well. The lesion on the right lower lobe of the lung that showed up in my initial scan from August 2015, which measured 5mm. Then again, post chemo, only now measuring 7mm……..did not excite him! I told him I was excited the he was not excited!…..we laughed. He went over my complete medical history with me and told me his plan for me. He ordered another CT, which will be done when I have my May infusion. This will make it three months from the one done in February. So long as the lesion has not increased in size, then he will ask for another CT six months from May. Just need to pray that this lesion doesn’t grow!!! If it does grow……that’s another blog!
Our time here on Oahu is coming to an end. This past week my son made it out here to visit. We went to Pearl Harbor, however due to the wind we could not go visit the USS Arizona Memorial. The featured picture was taken at the Ala Moana Center, which is the mall of all malls!! It is the largest open concept mall in the world!!! A true shoppers paradise. I features many ponds and sitting areas to regroup and rest. I was actually focusing on the Lily Pad flower not realizing that there was Koi fish in the water!! We also ventured to the North Shore again, this island has so many beautiful beaches, I would love to come back when I can actually get in the water!! Next week will be our final week here, Friday I will get another Herceptin infusion. Get to fly back to Maui on Saturday April 30th!!
Aloha, much mahalo for reading!!!
My Breast Cancer Journey 