Tag Archives: breastcancerjouney

April 25, 2024 · 1:51 pm

#84 East Coast-West Coast

After leaving Manhattan we traveled to Plymouth Massachusetts, keeping us on the East Coast two weeks post-op before flying to the West Coast. I stayed in California with our son till April 6th, while my husband went to do a job in Iowa and Indiana. Once in California, my surgical incision started to open at the bottom tip. Dehiscence of the surgical incision was not painful, actually that whole area is numb. I was advised to put MediHoney on the wound. The plastic surgeon in New York agreed that MediHoney was an option, the other option would be to go back to New York for it to be re-sutured. MediHoney it is!

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( My son insisted on a 1st class ticket back to Maui)

Since arriving back home, on April 6th I was quite busy with a lot of (adulting) aka; taxes. I also reached out to my PCP here on the island. Dr. Haynes placed a referral for me to be seen by the wound care specialist, the same one that took care of me when I had the wound-vac last year. Terri with Venture Physical Therapy is seeing me once a week and taking pictures of the wound for me to forward to the New York surgeons.

I know that in the past I have been very transparent and have posted graphic pictures of surgical sites. I have opted this time not to post pictures of the dehisced surgical wound. What is important is that it is healing and it is not infected….grateful for that.

I am scheduled to go back to work May 6th, which I am looking forward too. What can I say, “I love my job”. Today (April 25th) is our 37th Wedding Anniversary , Jack flew home to surprise me.

Mahalo for reading

Pina

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August 30, 2023 · 3:19 pm

#77 Pre-op/Post-op

Six Drain Tubes

Wow ! Where to begin! The non-cancer side (RT) was reduced/lifted and treated with fat transfer for contouring. The left received fat transfer through two small injections on the flap mound. The healed previous scar was not manipulated.

Scare revisions: The gluteal (buttocks) scar was revised, with fat transfer for contouring. The front diep flap scar was revised, the scar will now sit lower below the umbilicus, and will be tighter. For those of you that have been following my blog, you know that I have a long scar on my back from the latissimus dorsi, surgery in November 2018. My NOLA surgeon asked how that scar felt. I answered honestly,:the scar has been bothersome, sometimes it pulls stopping me in my tracks we talked about revising that scar as well, which he did. It turns out there was a void underneath the scar wear he had me point to at my pre-op appointment.

Seems like a lot, I am not in pain🌸 I did not expect all the scar revisions, however when we talked about it at my pre-op it made sense, especially for the Lat- D scar!

The Lat-D scar is long, starts just below the left shoulder all the way down to below the waist line. I grateful for this facility an all their expertise with breast reconstruction.

The current plan is to discharge me today, I will finish my recovery here in NOLA till next week, we will fly to Cali for a couple of weeks after that. I have always said “ all want is two boobs” I know they will never be twins, I am good with “sisters”

This time it is working 💞🌸Mahalo for reading my blog and continued prayers for Lahaina🏝️ Pina (Josefina)

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May 22, 2023 · 2:17 pm

#75 DECOMPRESSED AND FREE

Since my last blog, I had mentioned how the Surgical Center in NOLA was trying to coordinate wound VAC care on Maui. The two facilities mentioned in previous blog would not take me on as a patient, however the Surgical Center did find a wound care specialist with Venture Physical Therapy here on Maui that took me on as a patient. I am forever grateful to the team in Louisiana for searching high and low for someone that allowed us to return to Maui for my recovery.

Originally I had six drains from the March 1st surgery. Four of the drains were removed 2 weeks post-op, leaving the two on my hips. Traveling with the drains was interesting, but now add on a medical device and it gets interesting. I was also required to wear a compression garment, with ABD bandages padding the drainage tubes and scars around my waist. Let’s just say that I had a private pat downs at the airports getting thru TSA.

Since I have been back on Maui, I have been seeing Terri with Venture P.T. three times a week for wound VAC dressing change, the Jackson-Pratt drains have been maintained by my husband. The WV can be disconnected for two hours daily to allow me to shower. In case you are wondering if it takes two hours to shower? Yes it does. having these tubes connected to your body and wearing a compression garment made it so it was a whole production to shower. The compression garment had to be undone for about half hour prior to a shower to avoid getting dizzy(we learned the hard way). The tubes then had to wrangled on a rope around my neck, they could not just dangle from my body. After showering, the drains, which I named “Bonnie and Clyde” were treated and padded and the compression garment was back on. Then the wound VAC, which I named ” Al Capone” was reconnected and turned on.

Above the tubes with blue are the drains, that are attached to right and left hips. The WV tube is the one that is just below the left breast. With each dressing change, the entry point placement is moved to allow my skin to recover from the adhesive tape. Quite an ordeal, my skin was not liking the tape!

I have been wearing a compression garment and have had the drainage tubes since the March 1st surgery. The wound VAC has been attached to me since March 28th! With that being said, I am now “decompressed and free”! I was given the ok to have the drainage tubes removed on Thursday May 11th! On Mothers Day, the wound VAC was discontinued and we switched to a topical dressing! Last week was a test for discontinuing use of the WC, the decision to keep it off was made on Thursday the 18th!!!!

The left breast flap that detached from my body warranting the surgical debridements and the use of a wound VAC, is not completely closed up. However, it is now to the point where a topical dressing will suffice, so I continue to see Terri with Venture P.T. My first visit with Terri was on April 15th. the open wound measured about 17cm wide and almost 3cm in height, I do not remember the depth. Today the wound is 6cm wide, and under 2cm in height, with the wound being flush to the skin. Wound VACS are cumbersome but amazing !

I am going to stop, I did not intend for this to be so long…Mahalo for reading my blog and for all the get well wishes and prayers.

Much ALOHA, Pina

The picture of me above was taken at The Hotel Wailea, which is where I was treated to breakfast for Mother’s Day by my son-in-law and daughter. We laughed because my shirt matched the orchids!

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March 24, 2023 · 7:24 pm

Back on Maui

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

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March 10, 2023 · 1:28 pm

Recovering From Surgery

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.

Aloha Pina

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February 28, 2023 · 5:14 pm

Surgery Number 9, But Who’s Counting?

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

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February 16, 2023 · 10:12 am

HEADED TO NOLA

#69 HEADED TO NOLA

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.

Mahalo for Reading my blog…much Aloha, Pina

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July 26, 2019 · 10:08 am

Whirlwind

“Rest In Peace Mammasita”

To say that the past couple of months have been a “Whirlwind” is an understatement.

We sold our house in Yucaipa within one week of having it posted. My husband and I then moved temporarily to Palm Springs. The first week of June I flew to Maui and found a condo, we then found ourselves on the buying end instead of being the seller. Concurrently our family was dealing with our mothers ailing health. I am so glad that I got to spend time with her while she was a patient at The Rehabilitation Center in Riverside. My mom knew Jack and I had plans to move to Maui and was really happy for us. However I found myself not wanting to post on social media about our progress from selling our home, shopping for a condo and ultimately moving back to Maui. Our mother was discharged from the Rehabilitation Center on June 24th, where she had been from the beginning of April. She wanted to be in her own home.

Our mothers quality of life was not good, she was more than ready to be with our dad, brothers and sister and other family members whom have passed. I will miss my mother tremendously, I wake up some mornings and the first thing that I think about is ” I need to call my mom” and then I remember that she passed away. Our mother was laid to rest with our father and brother her ashes our in the Urn pictured above…she loved roses.

Today is Friday July 26th, Jack and I will leave for San Diego, stay with a cousin and then fly out tomorrow morning to Maui. Then comes the task of establishing with a new medical team. As a cancer survivor I must be seen by a Oncologist for 10 years….I am only three years out. I will also have to establish with a primary doctor, I can not go back to my previous primary as she has left her practice and is working at an Urgent Care Center. However working in the medical field and going back to MDI, I am well connected and will have not problem finding a doctor.

My car has shipped and is on Maui, husbands truck shipped this week and our small cube container with minimal items is on a ship on its way to Maui!

Aloha and many mahalos for the condolences via FB when I posted of my mothers passing…I did read all of them.

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September 26, 2016 · 7:08 am

39: Voyage to Lana’i

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I remember when I first moved to Maui, Jack and I were inside of Safeway grocery store, we saw this lady who was wearing a Mana’olana Pink Paddler t-shirt. Jack started a conversation with her letting her know that we had just moved here and that I was a mammographer . She invited me to paddle, as this is for supporters of Breast Cancer not just for survivors.

It is strange how the universe works. Here we are just over two years later, and I am a survivor!!! Last year I was looking into taking part of this annual voyage, however that ambition was cut short with my diagnosis of Stage 3 Breast Cancer last year in August.

My first chemo therapy was September 25th, exactly one year ago. I did it!!!! I managed to get thru the 6 treatments, recovered. Followed by surgery, recovered. Followed by Radiation Therapy, recovered! On September 2, I had my last of 12 Herceptin  infusions. I am kicking butt!!! All of this would not have possible without the love of my husband, kids, cousins (very special and dear to my heart)! I can’t say enough about all the amazing people I have met here on Maui…..much mahalo for the love and support.

The voyage? I will have to admit I was reluctant to sign up! After all this is traveling from one island to another and back. I have been paddling on Saturdays (cause I work M-F), lots of people here that I paddle with are retired, or have jobs that allow them to paddle out during the week. The more I thought about, the more the challenge excited me! I called the Pacific Cancer Foundation, talked to the director and she encouraged me, telling me that I could do it!

The Voyage to Lana’i  is not a race, I know that it will be physically challenging, but this past year hast been challenging, if I could survive Stage 3 Breast Cancer treatment, then I can do this, I am up for the challenge. And being placed on a team with the Pink Paddlers is just going to make this journey across the ocean extra special . The picture above was taken in 2014, when paddled with them how ironic is that!

I plan on blogging about my experience, I know it will be emotional and bittersweet for me. It will be my way of saying “nice try cancer” “I won”. The following is a link to my page for donations……please only donate if you are able, any amount is appreciated.

http://paddleforlife2016.myevent.com/participant/389253

This week I go see my Radiation Oncologist. A three month follow up appointment. Also I already have my next appointments set for my follow up with my  Medical Oncologist. My next trip to Oahu will be a two night stay.

January 11th: CT scan of the chest and abdomen. And a Bone Scan

January 12th: follow up with Breast Surgeon  Dr. Mari Nakashizuka/ in regards to the prophylactic mastectomy and my first consultation with Plastic Surgeon,  Dr. Vincent Nip (yes Nip!)

January 13th: follow up with Medical Oncologist; he will go over the results of the scans with me. Just need to pray that no new cancer decided to pop anywhere, and that the lung lesion has not grown!!

Mahalo, for reading my blog…have a wonderful work week!….Pina

 

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September 2, 2016 · 7:41 am

38: The Hair is Growing!!

short hair

I do not recall ever having short hair! The texture is soft and it is curly in the back and wavy up on top. I had to break down and by a hair product, using Tea Tree Shaping Cream by Paul Mitchell. When some patients  see me and remember me from last year, they say “oh , you cute your hair….that looks really cute” My response : “actually this is new hair growth after Chemotherapy”!  Their jaw drops, patients have teared up, hugged me and have just been so kind with well wishes and prayers.

I do the Bone Densities for MDI, twice a month. One of the x-ray technologists does them on Saturdays. My last Dexa day (as I call it) told me she refused a Saturday appointment because she wanted me to do her exam so she can see how I was doing. Apparently I did her mammogram when I was in the middle of Chemo, she was so sweet.

It is hard to believe that a whole year has passed already. The journey has not been an easy one (especially the chemo part of it) but I did it!!!!!!

TOMORROW IS MY LAST HERCEPTIN INFUSION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  After tomorrow I will officially be finished with my treatment! Except for the Anastrozole that I have to take for the next five years (possibly ten) And of course the ongoing test to make sure the cancer does not decide to pop up somewhere else!!!…..one day at a time!!!

Matrixectomy

Well,  besides having a Primary Physician, Oncologist, Radiation Oncologist, Pulmonologist, Breast Surgeon, Plastic Surgeon…..I can now add a Podiatrist to the list! Since Chemo treatment number four and five I have had problems with ingrown toenails. (There has been no coorilation between ingrowns and chemo.) I have experienced and continue to have slight neoropathy of the toes and fingers (not so much on fingers) So the infections seem to creep up on me! I don’t feel them till it’s infected. The past three months have been riddled with frequent trips to the Podiatrist. Literally it seems like I have been to see him every two to three weeks. He has in the past mentioned a procedure to eliminate the growth of the nail going down, causing the ingrown. The procudure is call a Matrixectomy. I had this produre done yesterday, initially went in for the ingrowns, agian. After he (Dr. Lee) numbed both great toes, he offered the procedure. It required more numbing, which was super painful…I mean SUPER painful.  After the side of the nail is removed, acid is placed to kill future growth of the nail. So, once agian I am on ocean restriction…no ocean for two weeks!!! Today was challenging to work, the toes hurt but I managed to work the whole day!!! fyi: the pain was when the injection of lidocaine is administed, after that I didn’t feel a thing… and Dr. Lee continuously kept asking if I felt anything. He wanted to make sure i was completely numbed up.

Hopefully tomorrow mornings flight to Oahu is uneventful. The Hawaiin islands are on huricane watch, so far Maui has been unscathed from this threat (knock on wood), I dont like turbulance on the flights!

It’s getting late and I have to get up early to fly out….good night and much Mahalo for reading…

Pina

oh, one more thing…. I wore mascara the other day for the first time!!! the little things!

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