The week after taking my hair, on my terms I was able to work. I got lots of hugs from patients that recognized me from last year, some would just ask. I am more than happy to share my story, especially is if patients will realize how important Breast Self Exam are. I can’t tell how many women will tell me that they don’t know how to do them…..kills me! I had one patient tell me that she wasn’t sure why I obviously did not have hair, but she said that the way I wore the scarf on my head looked really beautiful, she told me I was beautiful……….made me a little emotional.
You don’t realize how much your fur (hair) keeps you warm at night! I wear a beanie to bed. The rest of my hair is falling, I have lots of little hairs on the bar soap when I shower. Oh, it was really weird showering the first time after buzzing it. I also see that some of my eyelashes are coming off! They somehow always end up in my eye, so irritating. This past weekend Jax and I went to the beach for some much needed beach chair therapy…..felt good to get in the ocean!
Today, October 15th , Jax and I flew to Oahu. I had my appointment with the Genetic Counselor. Received the wonderful news that I am negative for the mutated gene! My girls will not need to be tested. However, with having a primary risk factor, meaning me (mother) they have a 20% increase risk factor for getting Breast Cancer.
My Chemo treatment today went well. The Oncology Nurse offered me an injection of lidocaine on the port site before placing the catheter. I declined, yea, not sure that was the right choice……it hurt! But it was fast, just felt like a shot, and so it started. One of the bags is a Benadryl, which helps with the side effects of the Taxotere drug. I am getting TCH + Pertuzumab. That is Taxotere, Carboplatin, Herceptin, plus Perjeta (Pertuzumab) I got sleepy due to the Benedryl, I took a book for continuing education, when I kept reading the same question over and over I new it was time for my “chemo-siesta”!
The above picture is a device that was placed on my tummy. It’s a little machine that tomorrow will inject a medication called Neulasta. Neulasta helps reduce risk of infection by boosting my white blood cell count to strengthen my immune system. One thing for sure is I can not be around sick people!!!!
It is 10:46 pm here on Maui, but I just wanted to share today with you as I know a lot of you want to stay informed. I also want to say that I truly appreciate all the text, private messages, voice mails etc. I do read/listen to each and every message. I had one friend send me a religious inspirational message that I saved and read it frequently. I am working tomorrow, I Have a light schedule done intentionally for me……MDI is really accommodating my work schedule needs, words can’t explain how much I appreciate them.
Warmest Aloha Pina (josefina)
My Breast Cancer Journey 