Tag Archives: #focusonliving

May 11, 2019 · 10:24 am

67: Time For Healing

 

We are now in the month of May and I did not realize that I have not blogged this year! I received a message asking me about my progress and it made me think about the last time I blogged…so thank you for the gentle reminder.

Wow here it goes, in February I had a very candid talk with my plastic surgeon about moving forward with reconstruction. The decision was made to put off reconstruction to allow my body to heal. Dr. Eko was completely on board when I told him that I wanted to postpone reconstruction. I think having five surgeries under general anesthesia and several revisions under local anesthesia, merits taking some  time for healing.  So, we will wait for up to two years before I attempt left breast reconstruction again.

In the mean while I have been going to Eisenhower for Lymphatic Drainage Massage. The Occupational Therapist at Eisenhower Medical Center have been a god send. I asked for a referral for therapy, as I new that the heaviness that I was feeling on my upper arm was not just fat, and I could see my left side “puffier” then my right. However, the main concern as well was the adhesions that formed under my Diep Flap surgery scar. On both sides of my umbilicus (belly button) I have these tube like masses. The Therapist have been massaging them out in an attempt to break them up to no avail. Unfortunately they will have to be surgically removed. With that being said I am scheduled for a Scar Revision Surgery at Eisenhower Outpatient Surgical Center this Thursday May 9th. If the adhesions were not bothersome I would just leave them be, however, at times they cause me pain that stops me in my tracks.

The Therapist have shown me how to properly massage my chest wall, abdominal area, basically my front torso. And Jack (husband) learned how to do the back. The Latissimus dorsi flap is healing really nice. I have been fitted with a prosthetic (boob) and just this past week started wearing it. I kind of feel defeated, I feel like I am right back wear I started from but with a lot more scars on my body, the good thing is that I am alive and thriving! Scars are battle wounds that have a story to tell, I just didn’t think it would be part of my story.

Today is Saturday May 11th, my surgery went well, it was a minor surgery and I feel great. I am going to attach some pictures to this blog for those of you that have been following my journey, and wish to see how I am healing.

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The Latissimus dorsi scar and drainage tube scars have healed nicely

The area in the black box is where the adhesions formed that were surgically removed May 9th.

This is the “donor site” where the skin from my left thigh was used to cover the Latissimus dorsi muscle when my Diep Flap surgery failed. My flap failed because it lost it’s blood supply due to a large hematoma. The picture below is a huge improvement compared to previous pictures. Losing the Diep Flap pretty much saved my life because that is also when the bacterial infections were discovered, preventing sepsis was the main goal. I am so grateful to the Infectious Disease team that worked along side with my Plastic Surgeon at Eisenhower Medical Center.

In the Month of March and April I had my Mammogram (of the Right side only) obviously even though I did have a prophylactic mastectomy of the right side, I also my annual Bone Density and Cat Scan at the Comprehensive Canter in Palm Springs…Happy to report that all my test went well, and my good friend, ex-coworker, cancer fighting sister was right along side me and she is doing spectacular!

Final picture…here I am again just before my scar revision surgery. I am recovering well, it was out patient surgery early in the morning, we were home be noon.

Thank you for reading my blog and feel free to share my story.

Josefina…

aka…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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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!!

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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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August 15, 2016 · 8:03 am

37:Coming up on One Year!

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Since my last blog  a lot has happened, my July infusion of Herceptin was on the 22nd. The day before that on Thursday the 21st I had another Echocardiogram, and a baseline Bone Density. The Echocardiogram (this was my fourth one) I had one before chemo started last year in September, the second was performed in November, the third was done one month after my last chemo and now this one in July. The purpose? The chemo treatment I was given effects cardiac output, also one of the side effects of Herceptin effects the heart. So far so good!!!! The heart is strong!!! I started to take Anastrozole (Arimidex) in February. One of the side effects of Arimidex is bone loss, hence the necessity for a baseline Bone Density. Happy to report I am in the “green”…..fellow technologists will know what the means!!! Normal! As of right now, my bone density is “normal”!….I would like to keep it that way.

I have also been going to Physical Therapy twice a week for Myofascial  Release Massage (covered by insurance) which has been wonderful!!! I have been going to Kihei Physical Therapy with Christine Lachance DPT. MSPT. CLT., she specializes in Cancer patients.

I am back in the ocean! The first week-end in August I paddled out with the Maui Canoe Club, it was beautiful! (With the exception that they were burning cane that Saturday morning and there was a huge brown cloud over the island). None the less, it was beautiful to be out on the water. Once I got back to the condo after the morning paddle out I turned my tv on and started to get sucked into watching the Olympics which were on day 2! I quickly turned the tv off, packed some fruit, grabbed some water, towel, chair, book and to the beach I went!!!! I was at the beach from 10 am till 4pm, so refreshing to be in the water again!

This past Friday, August 8th I was back in Oahu for Herceptin. I had a great visit with my Oncologist Dr. Chong, we talked about the past years treatments and how well I did. He commended me for having that fighting spirit and mentality to fight and stay positive (attitude toward treatment is half the battle) We talked about what is yet to come.

Saturday morning (13th) I had every intention on paddling out, however my stomach said overwise. I have been fortunate that the Herceptin side effects have not been that bad for me, however Saturday morning was plagued with many trips to the bathroom, I didn’t think going paddling was in the cards for me.

My next Herceptin treatment will be my last one!!!!! YES!!!! My last one!!!!!! Can I get an “AMEN” My next trip to Oahu is on September 2nd, after this appointment with Dr. Chong I will see him again in January 2017. It was supposed to be in three months, but that would mean coming in December. So, he pushed the follow-up out to January 2017, also because and that time he would like for me to have an appointment with the breast surgeon Dr. Mari Nakashizuka and the plastic surgeon, Dr. Vincent Nip. So, come January 2017 we will start the ball rolling for the next step……..prophylactic mastectomy and reconstruction!

The picture included with this blog was taken with a feature on my camera called “color selection”. I selected light purple and i pulled that color out with everything else black and white. This next one I selected pink hues!

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Mahalo, thank you for reading and Mahalo for all the patients of MDI that have inquired about me and for all the prayers and well wishes.

 

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June 20, 2016 · 8:47 am

35: Twenty-eight of Twenty-nine!!!

Ever since May 11th I have been going to The Pacific Cancer Institute here on Maui. My employer Maui Diagnostic Imaging has been allowing me to work until 2:30 Monday thru Friday so that I can go for my Radiation Treatment at 3:15 everyday. When I arrive, the team of therapist immediately call me back, that blue thing you see on that picture (partially covered with a pillow case) is the mold of my upper body. I place my head, shoulders, arm in there, it positions me in the exact same position daily. Sometimes I close my eyes, other times I watch the beam was it moves around me. My mind wonders at times, I think about the past year and the coming year or just listen to the music that they playing.  The session is really fast, I am usually walking out of there by 3:3ish. I drive home and prepare for the next day…..one day at a time.

The side effect from the Radiation treatment is primarily fatigue. Also, the skin changes of the area being irradiated. Prior to starting my sessions, the Cancer Centers Nurse Practitioner, Anna sat with me and went over skin care. A cream was prescribed to me, for me to gently apply to the area being irradiated after each session. I have only been using dove sensitive skin soap (as recommended). The Cancer Center is also having me see a Physical Therapist for Myofascial Release massage. I go to Kihei Physical Therapy twice a week. My therapist Christine specializes in working with cancer patients. I have appointments scheduled twice weekly till mid July.

I am really grateful that I have been able to work thru radiation, yes I am tired but I am glad that I have been able to work. Last week I called off on Monday, when my alarm went off to get up I was beyond exhausted like nothing I have ever felt before. I knew that I would not be able to drive myself to work, much less keep up with the work flow of the day. I put my phone on airplane mode and slept till 10:30! However I still had to drive myself to my radiation appointment later that day!

Friday the 17th consisted of flying to Oahu in the morning, straight to Queens Medical Center. Dr Chong, again really impressed on how well I am doing. I went to the infusion area for my Herceptin drip. Next month I will be having another Echo Cardiogram and  a baseline Bone Density along with my Herceptin. Purpose of the Echo is because one of the side effects of the chemo I was given was damage to the heart valve. So far so good! I am taking Arimidex, which helps fight breast cancer by lowering the amount of the hormone estrogen in the body. With this med comes a slew of side effects one affecting bone density, hence a baseline Dexa (bone density) scan.

We made it back to the airport for our flight back to Maui. I made a mistake when selecting the flight times. I thought we would be landing back on Maui at 244pm, when actually our flight didn’t leave Oahu till 244pm landing on Maui at 326pm!!!! I immediately called the direct line I was given to the therapist area at the Pacific Cancer Center on Maui. Tim called me with in minutes of me leaving a voicemail and told me not to worry that he would wait for me!!!! When we were done he says “Monday will be you last treatment” I questioned him because I thought that June 29th was my last treatment. Tim reminded me that, that was the date if a “boost” was necessary. Since my mastectomy pathology came back negative for aggressive cancer cells no boost was necessary!  He said “this is Twenty-eight of Twenty-nine,  Monday is your last day my dear”…..made my day!!!!!

Mahalo for reading my blog!

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Whoever thought to do this to the ceiling was genius!!!!

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May 31, 2016 · 8:06 am

34: Memorial Day

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While most people here on Maui probably spent the day at the beach, my daughter and I went to a small town in upcountry called Makawao. We stopped at the Veterans Cemetery, where every single plot was adorned with a flag and a floral lei. Thousands of plumeria flowers were scattered throughout, with the slight breeze in the air the fragrant flowers were obvious. Because of my ongoing radiation treatment, a day at the beach was not a good choice for me….and besides, the beaches were really crowded. And it’s not like a can get in the water yet….August can’t come fast enough !!

On May 20th, I had my Herceptin infusion, along with a short term follow-up CT of my lungs for that lesion on my right lower lobe. The day was jam-packed, we flew to Oahu, went straight to Queens Medical Center. The radiology department was right on time with my scheduled appointment, after which we headed to Dr. Chongs for my appointment with him. As soon as the infusion was done we headed back to the airport. I needed to be back on Maui for my 3:15 radiation treatment appointment. The day went smooth, the TSA line had me worried there for a bit but we made it!

I received the results of the CT, “stable right lower lobe pulmonary nodule”…HAPPY DANCE!!!!! So what’s next? The nodule has not grown since the last CT done in February, it remained 7mm in size. Back in August 2015, when it was discovered it was 5mm, now the plan is to repeat with another CT in six months to confirm its stability.

Radiation Treatment: So far I have had 13 treatments. My last scheduled treatment is June 29th. I can do this!!!! After chemo this is a breeze!!! At work I have many patients wishing me well. I had one patient that we were doing a six month follow-up from her November 2015 mammogram. She told me she was hoping that she would get me, as she wanted to see how I was doing. Patients will sometimes ask me if they can hug me, this is the rewarding part of my job….hugs are good. My next infusion is June 17th.

My husband bought me a new camera for our wedding anniversary in April. He said that since I can’t get in the water or paddle out with the canoe club I can take photos, I am having fun with my new camera, it’s a Nikon coolpix900. One of the coolest features of this beauty is that it has its own wi-fi. I have an app on my iPhone , I can transfer the picture from the camera to my phone anywhere! Oh my the possibilities…..83 optical zoom!!

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I took this picture when we were leaving the cemetery today. I was probably a good city block away from this horse!!!!

Mahalo for reading my blog, have an amazing day!!!!……..life is good 🙂

 

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February 14, 2016 · 8:07 am

24:Good News and Not so Good News

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Thursday February 11, 2016

One quick flight in the early morning and we are on Oahu. We arrived with plenty of time and I was early in checking into my 830am appt., by an hour. The CT of the lungs went fine. I was done with and without contrast. The Breast MRI was also done with and without contrast. For Breast MRI you are laying down, face down arms above your head with your face resting in donut (like a massage table). I was given button to hold in my hand to call for help if I needed it during  the exam. If this button is pressed after the contrast has been administered and the technologist has to stop the exam, then the exam would have to be rescheduled.

Minutes after the contrast was pushed through my I.V. my throat started to itch! I didn’t want to push the button and cancel this important test. My nose was stuffy, I was on the tail end of a head cold. My nose was just dripping, couldn’t do nothing about that. My eyes started to water and my throat was really itchy. I had to clear my throat a couple of times. I was trying really hard not to move. I was literally talking to myself, saying “I can do this, I can do this”! My throat didn’t close up, I was having to breathe through my mouth, because my nose was so stuffed up. I managed to complete the exam.

The technologist called over a radiologists, Dr. Kristen Nagata to examine me. A first responder nurse also came. I was told that normally they would take me over to the emergency department for observation, after a reaction to contrast. However, because I had an 11 am appointment with Dr. Nakashizuka (breast surgeon) they opted to keep me there and observe me. The nurse was honest in telling me that if they sent me to the ED, that I would not be discharged in time for my 11:00 appointment.

Dr.  Mari Nakashizuka; 11 am appointment:

Dr. Mari already had both the MRI and CT reports in her hand for this appointment. The “Good News” is that the original tumor in the left breast is gone!!!! Also, that area near the chest wall is also no longer there! The lymph nodes were a different story. Some lymph nodes appear slightly more prominent. Instead of doing a sentinel node biopsy during surgery she is now going to do lymph node dissection.

The CT, (sigh) as previously on the first blogs (blog #12) I mentioned a nodule on my lung, small little burger, only 5mm in size. Well today it measured 7mm, could be a difference in equipment, could be human error. This can not be ignored.

Surgery discussion:

The original plan was to do a bilateral Mastectomy with reconstruction. I have made the decision to have both my breast removed, this will still happen, just not as I had planned. Because of the Lymph nodes Radiation Treatment might be necessary. And because of the Lung nodule, it’s just another wrench in the bucket!! What Dr. Nakashizuka is recommending is a Left Mastectomy first, deal with the Lung nodule, get through the remainder of my Herceptin treatments, and have radiation treatment if necessary. Then do the Prophylactic Mastectomy on the right side with bilateral reconstruction. Dr. Mari feels I would opening myself up for the possibility of infection with my immune system being compromised with my continued treatment……………..I just want this over with!

Friday February 12, 2016

My appointment with my medical oncologist was at 1030 am. Dr. Chong went over the test results again with me. He made me feel better, by stressing that the main tumor in the left breast is gone! He wants to proceed with the breast surgery as soon as possible. He feels that I am strong enough for a bilateral mastectomy, however he is going to have me talk to a Radiation Oncologist. If radiation treatment is needed then putting off the reconstruction might be the best course.

So whats next?

Dr. Chong will contact the Thoracic doctor and have them look at my PET CT from 8-2015 and my CT from 2-2016 to determine if a Lung Dissection is needed. The office the Dr. Baker, Radiation Oncology will be calling me to set up an appointment. All of this should happen before my next appoint with Dr. Chong and Dr. Nakashizuka which is set for  Friday March 11th.

Not exactly the news I was hoping to blog about, but it is what it is. I need to stay on course and stay positive that all will be okay. This is just another bump in the road, or lung!

Mahalo for reading, and my apologies to family that I didn’t get a chance to talk to prior to posting this. (you know who you are) Thank you for the well wishes and prayers.

Much Aloha Pina

 

 

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