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!
( 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.
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.
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)
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.
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!
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
My Breast Cancer Journey 