The colonoscopy last Monday (2/26) was clear with no findings. I opted to stay on clear liquids till my surgery to repair the Lumbar Hernia. Per the surgeon the repair was complicated but successful! We were given the option of a private room or shared, we opted for private suite ……that came at a price $$$$. Originally I was to be hospitalized for one to two nights. Well here we are on day seven and I am being discharged. Just yesterday March 4th I was cleared to start having solid foods. The restrictions to be on liquids was due to nausea. The medical team tried different nausea medications to help with the on going nausea, I couldn’t keep down water, it was bad.
When I was give the menu to order breakfast yesterday I got to see what they offered. Let’s just say I missed out on some delicious meals. Below is one of two menus to pick from, my husband Jack was well fed.
When we leave Mt. Sanai this afternoon, we will head out to a hotel at Times Square. I will have a post-op appointment with Dr. Reiner this coming Thursday. At that appointment the surgeon will lets us know exactly when we can leave this area.
Below is one of my favorite pictures, we are on the upper east side over looking Central Park towards the west side.
Signing off, many mahalos for the love and support and above all, prayers.
Yesterday’s colonoscopy went well, no abnormal findings!!! For those of you that have read previous blogs you know that I have a mutated gene for both colorectal cancer and breast cancer, so colonoscopies are preformed more frequently…YAY ME…NOT! Anyways “no findings” is a good thing (insert happy dance)
While I was having the colonoscopy, the surgeons office called the G.I.’s office and had them give me a message to call them after my colonoscopy was done. Dr. Peter Rubins office wanted to see me for the Pre-Op at 2:30pm yesterday. We took an uber back to the hotel, I took a nap prior to the 2:30 appt. Doing the cleanse for the procedure literally kept me up all night going to the bathroom, so I was a bit sleep deprived.
Dr. Peter Rubins office is across the street from the famous Met Museum. His examination of my hernia was very thorough, then we discussed the surgical options. Initially the plan was to do the repair laparoscopically, however due to past surgical history and for longevity of the repair he recommended an open repair. His explanation made sense but honestly I don’t remember the details to include them…so you are sparred from the detailed explanation. I was given to option to eat dinner last night, breakfast this morning, then liquids after 12 noon, then start a new colon cleanse for the surgery tomorrow. The other option was to stay on clear liquids until the surgery. I opted for the clear liquid option.
When our appointment was done, we opted to walk back vs. taking a cab back to our hotel. The reason for the above picture is because it was comical and challenging to be passing by all these great little hole in the wall places to eat and you cannot indulge! I have been on clear liquids since Sunday afternoon.The smell of freashly baked goods, pizza shops galore was torture. We made it to our room where I warmed up some broth, yummy.
Surgery is scheduled for tomorrow morning at 9am. Anticipated hospital stay is two nights and we will hang out in NY for 10 days post-op.
After completing the breast restoration process last year, I was so happy that all of that was behind me. All I wanted was to have successful breast reconstruction, which I was able to get going to Louisiana. I thought 2023 would be the final surgery, but apparently not. (details in previous blog)
Like I mentioned, this surgeon wanted me to have colonoscopy prior to the hernia repair vs. having one done later in the year since I am due for one. If you have been reading my blogs from the beginning I have mentioned that I have a mutated gene for both Colorectal and Breast Cancer. When Dr. Reiner asked me during my consultation when my last colonoscopy was, he was quick to say that he would not do the repair without a colonoscopy first. Also I would need to have colon prepped (cleansed) prior to the surgery, so might as well do them both.
Tomorrow at 9am eastern time I will have the colonoscopy done by Dr. Peter Rubin. On Tuesday we will meet with Dr. Reiner for a pre-op visit and instructions for the Hernia repair on Wednesday.
Sitting here in our hotel room at The Marriott Courtyard in the upper east-side of Manhattan, I have just finished one of the two bottles of Clenpiq, which is the colon cleanse kit I was prescribed (wish me luck) We are with in 1.5 miles of the locations where both procedures will be done.
Wish me luck, keep me in prayer that all will be seamless without complications.
The title of this blog is an UNDERSTATEMENT of how I feel right now.
But, first let me go back a little bit before I explain. Recovering from the second phase of the SGAP Breast Reconstruction done on August 30th went smoothly. The surgeon modified the front DIEP flap scar, moving it down leaving the umbilicus at the waistline. The gluteal scar had/has an area that has decided to take its sweet time healing, today it has less than 5mm to go before it is completely closed. The left breast is a bit smaller then the right breast, and I am okay with that because I have two breast now! I was offered another revision, but I am happy with the current outcome. I was really worried for a bit when I had the complications and having the wound vac, I thought I was going to lose the flap. Beyond grateful for the surgical team in Louisiana !
Above is a diagram of the scars, I know it looks intense, but all scars a healing really nice. I did go out and buy myself new bathing suits, however I have not been cleared to go into the ocean due to the gluteal scar not completely closed. Just need to be patient……..and then this happened!
Last month I noticed that I had this “puffiness” on my left side near the waistline on my back. That area did not feel right, I would do my lymphatic massage, the puffiness would subside, but then reappear. On Monday the 27th as I was bearing down to use the restroom, I placed my hand on my back waistline and felt something literally plop out (and I’m not talking about a BM..lol) I asked the Ultrasound Technologist if it was possible to have a hernia back there, she said, rare, but possible. Since then I have had an Ultrasound and CT. I have a Hernia! The descending colon has herniated out.
The yellow line shows where the wall has been breached (so to speak) the large bowel should not be past that point.
What’s next? Getting this repaired before it gets “incarcerated”.
Tomorrow we fly to Burbank, I have a surgical consultation with a surgeon with City of Hope, on Monday the 18th. On December 28th I have surgical consultation with a surgeon from UC Irvine. This comes after the Specialty Care For Hernia Repair out of Newport Beach let me know that they could not do this repair. This facility does outpatient, and was not a good option for me. They recommended having it done at a University Hospital. I am not in pain, it is uncomfortable though, I am wearing an abdominal binder making it bearable throughout the day.
My kids quickly started sending me names of possible facilities/surgeons. I was really challenging coordinating this, making phone calls etc. However I have two consultations and hopefully one of the surgeons can do this ASAP!
So there you have it…this is why I am Beyond Frustrated ……simply at the thought of another surgery has me bummed.
Mahalo for reading……I almost forgot, the flowers were a gift from a wonderful patient during Breast Cancer Awareness Month!!! She totally made my workday, work week wonderful. I got lots of compliments from patients that got to see them, they were beautiful!
This blog has been on my mind, I had intended to blog the week that the Lahaina fires happened also the fires in upcountry. Blogging took a back seat, as our beautiful island recovered and continues to recover from the tragedy that happened here. The picture above was taken April 2008, on one of our wedding anniversary trips to Maui. The Lahaina Banyan Tree turned 150 on April 24 of this year. The tree might recover and live…however so many people have lost their loved ones, families gone. I pray that the survivors of Lahaina will be able to recover from this tragedy.
The second phase: I am off to Louisiana for the second phase of my SGAP breast reconstruction. This surgery was supposed to happen the first week of June, however the complications pushed the surgery out. I am really happy with the way the left breast is healing. I still continue to wear a bandage under the fold of the breast that is still healing.
The plan for this surgery is to make the breast more symmetrical. Currently the right breast is quite a bit larger than the left. The left breast will not be manipulated, we plan on leaving it alone. I have always been told by the plastic surgeon that the breast would no longer be twins, that they will be sisters! Well currently they are not twins, nor sisters…they are more like distant cousins! The right side will be reduced and lifted to match the left.
I am going to stop here, I just wanted to touch base with all whom have subscribed to my blog and have been reading my blogs.
Mahalo for the well wishes and prayers for the people affected by the fires.
Jack and I arrived on Maui Wednesday the 15th, just al little over a week ago. We got somewhat settled, our daily routine in the morning with shower and dressing the left takes my husband about 1 1/2 hrs in the morning. I still have to two hip drains and those are emptied and logged 2x daily. Unfortunately the incision started to pull open. Our communication with the PA in Louisiana asked my husband to pack the opening after cleaning it with Dakin’s Solution. Well, we can not purchase Dakin’s Solution anywhere on this island, we ordered some on amazon. There was also a piece of tissue sticking out that they told my husband we can cut off with sterile scissors. This was a bit beyond what my husband was willing to do. Unable to get get at the Wound Care Clinic here on Maui, my PCP Dr. H. Haynes managed to get me to be seen Monday with Dr. Lugo here on Maui. I can not tell you how grateful I was that he worked me in on Monday.
Dr. Lugo assured me that the flap was doing well and that the healing process would just take time. He changed the dressing which included snipping off that hanging tissue and showing Jack how to clean and pack the open wound. Since we are unable to get Dakin’s Solution we are using sterile saline, which the surgeon in Louisiana said was ok.
On Tuesday we talked to the surgeon in Louisiana and discussed the wound care. On Thursday (yesterday) I gave them updated pictures of the open wound. We give them pictures on Monday and Thursday. This morning (Friday 3/24) the P.A. called to let us know of the meeting with the surgical team they had with the pictures I have been supplying them with. They asked we would be willing to return to Louisiana so that they can be more hands on wound care. Jack and I leave on Sunday arriving in Louisiana on Monday, will go straight to The Breast Center, where I will be seen at the clinic than admitted to their hospital.
Physically I feel really good, I am literally not doing anything. I pass my time reading, painting by numbers and doing puzzles on my iPad. The picture above is a completed puzzle, you have the option to save it as a picture when done.
I am no artist, but below is a drawing. Normally I would add pictures, however I am choosing not to, due to how graphic they are.
Tomorrow I am entering a new decade (as my dear cousin put it, we are both 1963 babies) I will be relaxing and prepping for our trip back to NOLA.
Mahalo for reading and all the well wishes…love to all
I have been wanting to blog for a couple of days now. I was discharged from The St. Charles Surgical Hospital on Saturday March 4th. My husband Jack stayed with me the whole time as each room is private and has a Murphy Bed for you significant other. Each day nutritional services takes down your order for breakfast/lunch and dinner for both patient and family member.
I remember when I was taken back to pre-op shortly after arriving at 6am, Jack was told that he can wait for me in my room (more like a suite), Suite 217. After changing into the gown the Physical Therapist came in and wrapped my left arm, which stayed wrapped for several hours after the surgery. It was challenging for the team to find a vein for I.V. access, one of the Anesthesiologist is the one who was able to get it after they placed my arm in a heated blanket. With that being said they did not have multiple nurses attempting to access my vein. They immediately let the Anesthesiologist know that they were unable to start my I.V. After the I.V. was successfully started I was taken to the O.R. I remember getting wheeled out of pre-op and that’s it!
The operation was over eight hours long, I do not know the exact length. I was brought to my suite between 7-7:30pm, making the surgery 12 hours, but I do not know how long I was in post-op. Either way , it was long. My incision is 360 degrees around my waist line. Bilateral SGAP and they harvestesd veins from abdominal area, hence the incision across the belly. I knew going in that, that was going to be a possibility if the veins from the back side were not long enough, they would harvest veins from abdomen. Drains were a total of six. Right side; Breast, Abdomen, Hip. Left side; Breast, Abdomen, Hip. I was up and walking the next day (March 2nd) and was going to be released on Friday the 3rd. However because I threw up my breakfast they opted to keep me till Saturday the 4th. Jack then took over my care, keeping track of pain medication times, draining the tubes, documenting the fluid for each individual drain, helping me shower, shampooing my hair and redressing the incisions, putting back on the compression girdle and compression bra.
My post-op was on the 8th, four drains were removed, I still have both hip drains. Everything is looking really good. Challenging for me is that for the next four weeks I have to sleep on my back, can not sleep on my side (I am a side sleeper) or tummy. Also the compression garment that I have to wear. My next post-op appointment is Monday the 12th, I should be released to travel back after that.
I am really trying to make these blogs short, one last thing. Thank you for all the prayers and get well wishes thru this blog and social media.
Tomorrow is the day! Over a year in planning, the day has come. I’m excited for the end result. I am emotionally ready, SPIRITUALLY READY, physically ready and with the love and support of my husband, family, friends and medical teams both here in Louisiana and on Maui I know this will be it! Since the beginning of this year every Friday I have had countless appointments leading up to this. Labs, urinalysis, physical therapy, dental cleaning, EKG, wellness therapy appointments have been non stop. Surgery number 9, but who’s counting! The day has finally arrived!
Todays appointments consisted of Physical Therapy, went over lymphedema of the left arm. My left arm will be wrapped from fingers to just above the elbow. My upper body strength and range of motion was documented, and we went over post-op therapy. I was then taken to radiology to have a Cat Scan and sat with nurse to discuss what would happen once I arrive at The St. Charles Surgical Hospital tomorrow morning at 6am. The pre-op nurse went over all the pre-op instructions, and gave us (my husband and myself) plenty of opportunities to ask questions. The Anesthesiologist also sat with us and went over everything. My final appointment was with the Surgeon and his clinic with one of the facilities P.A’.s. To say that this hospital is well organized, kind, empathetic and know how to place one at ease is an understatement. My body has been marked with the purple pen mapping out the plan. I have been given the Hibiclens (very familiar with that). The challenge for me will be NO products on my body, hair etc. after my shower this evening and tomorrow morning. It going on 9pm here in Louisiana, time to start prepping for tomorrow.
Mahalo for all the well wishes and prayers (KEEP THEM COMING)…Aloha Pina
It has been a bit since I have blogged. Initially the purpose of this blog was to keep my mommacita informed, she was my biggest fan. Since the summer of 2019, when she passed, so much has happened. Got situated on Maui, back at work at Maui Diagnostic Imaging. Then we rolled into 2020, and we all know what happened that year. I stepped into Lead Mammography position as my co-worker left the island that summer.
In December of 2021, I contacted The Center For Restorative Breast Surgery, which is a hospital dedicated to breast reconstruction. My husband and I had our first zoom appointment with them. I then spent the first months of 2022 gather all and requesting all my surgical notes ( 9 breast surgeries) from the hospitals were they took place. It was a process doing all by phone and email, faxing etc. Once I had all my notes I then forwarded them to the Breast Center. Their team then reviewed all, along with pictures of myself that were sent thru a private portal. We were then offered an in person consultation which we did on October 17, 2022.
I was nervous and excited. Meeting them in person was the right thing to do vs. zoom and or conference calls. My husband and I sat with the surgeon and one of his assistants, he was extremely kind and thorough in explaining what could be done in my particular case. The in person consultation was exactly what I needed to put me at ease and hear his explanation of the recommended surgery vs. reading about it. When we left, I felt really good and hopeful. The decision was made to do the surgery in early 2023, since it would require 2 surgeries. Having it done in early 2023 would allow both surgeries to be done in one billable year, the Breast Center pointed this out. This center is so well organized, different teams reached out to me after my consultation. Scheduling, Financial team, Housing recommendations contacts, pre-op test etc.
Surgery is scheduled for March 1st! We have had our airbnb reserved since last year when the surgery was scheduled. When we were in Louisiana for the consultation we stayed in the French Quarter and did a little sight seeing then. This time around will be different, our stay in New Orleans will be post-op and recovering. I will be required to stay in NOLA for two weeks, before giving the okay to fly back to Maui.
The Procedure: Surgery will be about 8 hours long, it’s called SGAP breast reconstruction. For those of you that have been following my story, know that my right breast was a prophylactic mastectomy, currently with an implant. The implant will be removed and both my reconstructed breast will be with my own adipose. This being done for symmetry and realistic volume of both breast. At this point all I want is two breast. I am so over wearing a prosthetic breast and having the void of a left breast and being uncomfortable in certain clothes. I know that my breast will never be like pre-cancer breast, and I’m okay with that, I just want my new normal to feel a bit normal.
The picture above of my mom and I is one of my favorites, I miss my mom, that picture was taken on March 26, 2012. My birthday is the 25th, we always spent the day together for my birthday. My mom throughout my breast cancer surgeries always prayed for me, I know that she will be looking over me.
Mischief and Repose, 1895 Oil on Canvas…The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles
How does one prepare for a surgery like this? The name is intimidating, Diep stands for Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator artery, which runs through the abdomen. A lot of people think Diep and Tram Flap are the same…not so. The Tram Flap utilizes the muscle where the Diep uses adipose (fat) and the skin along with blood vessels. I am fortunate that my Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Frederick Eko performs this microsurgery.
With that being said my surgery date has been set, it will be on October 24th. I will be hospitalized for three to four days, two of those days will be in ICU. The surgery will be performed at Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage.
My husband and children are all making plans to care for me post surgery, I am blessed to have them available for me. My Diep Flap surgery will be on my left breast. My left breast is the one that had to have the implant removed due to “implant failure caused by irradiated skin”. When the left breast implant was removed on April 4th, all the dead skin was removed as well. Now that is has healed completely you can literally feel my ribs! I tell people that it is like the pictures of the “Radical Mastectomies” from the 1960’s. The right side will also be worked on…a revision is necessary, I have excess skin. That implant will be removed and replaced with a slightly larger one, and some skin will be removed.
The black lines indicate where my current scars are. The scars on the left side will be gone, the new scar will look similar to the picture above. For the right side revision the scare will remain the same. My OR room has been booked for 10 hours. I have a preoperative anesthesia assessment appointment on the 18th, body marking on the 23rd (that’s where the surgeon will draw on my body) and surgery on the 24th.
It has been one long journey….I just want two boobs..or shall I say “foobs” (fake boobs)
Above is one of my favorite pieces from the Getty Museum, the shear fabric, the detail….I could go on and on. I see this picture, and it’s like she is saying “uhh, I just want my reconstruction to end…two boobs…I just want two boobs”
MANY MAHALOS FOR READING MY BLOG
Prayers and well wishes are received with gratitude and love……Pina
My Breast Cancer Journey 