Tag Archives: MDI

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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January 28, 2017 · 12:03 am

47: MDI Ohana

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Much mahalo MDI for all the love and support since my Breast Cancer diagnosis! God has a plan for all of us and I truly believe I was meant to discover my breast cancer while living and working on this beautiful island of Maui. My decision to stay here and go thru my cancer journey here with all of you was the right choice. Because of all the love and support from my MDI Ohana, the Maui Canoe Club, friends we have made on this island and my family, I was able to kick cancers (you no what!) It was an honor to work with such an amazing team. My Oncologist thought I was nuts when I refused to get put on medical leave during my treatment, this job is what kept me motivated, and helped me thru the aggressive treatment with flying colors!

To all the patients that have reached out to me to wish me well, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Mahalo Ruth (printed with permission) for the dinner date, I enjoyed our visit and will keep in touch

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Today was my last day working at MDI, this time next week I will be on a plane to California. This will be my last week end living here, so until February 3rd, I will be tying up loose ends before I leave and enjoy the island.

Mahalo Maui for being so therapeutic for me!!!!

Mahalo for reading my blog……Pina

 

 

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December 8, 2016 · 12:28 am

44:Leaving da Island

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It is hard to believe that one year has past already. This time last year I had just finished my 4th chemo treatment, which for me chemo number 4 thru 6 were the worst. With the love and support of my family I managed to get thru a very aggressive chemo cocktail that in the words of my Medical Oncologist was going to “knock me off my ass”, yes those were his words exactly! Bar none he wanted me to understand how important it was to receive all 6 treatments and not quit on him. ” For this to be successful you need all 6 treatments, this is going to knock you off your ass, you are going to want to quit, number 5 and 6 will be the worst” “Are you ready?” I was ready, and I continue to be ready for anything that is thrown my way!

With that being said, I am home early today from work to prepare for a follow-up Colonoscopy. In February 2015, six months before my Breast Cancer diagnosis I had my baseline Colonoscopy. The results came back that they found and removed Tubular Adenoma Polyps. Because those are the kind that can turn into a cancer, I get to repeat my exam. I was supposed to have it done in February, I was given a pre-op appointment in November 2015 for a Colonoscopy in February 2016! The problem was that I was too ill from chemo #4 to leave my home to keep the pre-op appointment. I then asked my primary doctor if I can just wait till I was thru with chemo, surgery and radiation treatment before revisiting the whole repeat colonoscopy exam! Not exactly my favorite exam, the prep is the worst. Hence my appointment is tomorrow morning.

Leaving da island

For those of you who know me personally, you know that my husband works all over the map. However since May of this year his job has kept him on the mainland. After the expense of staying on the island of Oahu, post mastectomy in March, I have been contemplating  going back to the mainland for the next phase of my surgery. However, now that my husband is indefinitely working near our home in California it is no longer practical for me to remain on paradise without my husband. My prophylactic mastectomy and reconstruction will be done in Palm Springs where I used to work. I will not be returning to Maui to work after being released.

I have given my employer notice, my last day working at MDI will sadly be on January 27th. I will keep my Oahu appointments in early January. January 11th, 12th, 13th I will have multiple appointments which include Chest CT and Bone Scan, Medical Oncologist and a follow-up Dr. Nakashizuka.

Today is the 75th anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor by Japan. Living and working here on Maui, I have met people who remember that day, or have been told stories by their aunties and uncles of that “infamous day”.  Prayers to the people of Hawaii and descendants of people lost on December 7, 1941. Mahalo to all military personnel over the generations. Today also marks my fathers birthday, if he were alive he would have turned 88 today.

Mahalo for reading my blog

Pina

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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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May 16, 2016 · 12:49 am

33: Back to Work

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Last week I started my Radiation treatment. As mentioned previously my treatment will consist of  Monday thru Friday for six weeks. If you notice in this picture, the ceiling is made to look like you are looking up at the sky. It is actually quite mesmerizing. Walking into this room the “True Beam” can look really intimidating. The therapist that work under Dr. Baker are truly compassionate and make my feel comfortable. My appointment time slot for this journey is 3:15, when I arrive they are literally ready for me, I am in and out. That mold of my upper body that was made at the simulation appointment is on the table and those two little tattoos enable the therapist to target the area that was configured by the Medical Oncologist.

I have been on medical leave since my surgery March 28th. Tomorrow I go back to work, again,  I am super grateful to Maui Diagnostic Imaging for being flexible with me. My work schedule will permit me to go daily for my radiation treatments. I continue to also get my Herceptin infusions in Oahu. On Tuesday I will get my monthly blood draw to check my blood count levels prior to the infusion. On Friday May 20th, I will have a follow-up Lung CT, followed by my Herceptin infusion, then I need to high tail it to the airport to make my flight to be back for my 3:15 RadTx appointment……yikes……wish me well!!!!

It is going on 10pm, I must somehow try to fall asleep so I can get up early. I have been sleeping in, need to get used to waking up early again. I need to do some physical therapy on my arm before going to work daily, my days will be very structured that’s for sure!!!

 

Mahalo for reading my blog

Aloha, Pina

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May 7, 2016 · 7:16 pm

32: Radiation Therapy

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We flew back to Maui one week ago today on April 30th. The picture above is a picture of Sugar Beach in North Kihei, it’s a really nice long walk!!! On Monday I had my simulation appointment with the Radiation Oncology department here at the Pacific Cancer Institute on Maui. I got to meet Dr. Baker (he was off island the last time I was there). Dr. Baker talked with us (my husband and I) and explained again the importance of radiation treatment after chemo for me. It is important to know that not everyone with breast cancer gets both chemo and radiation…..each case is different.

The simulation CT was interesting. My upper body was positioned on a deflated pillow that contained micro beads. These micro beads when heated up stiffened and hardened, forming a mold of my upper body including my head. I laid down on it with my right arm down and my left arm up with my elbow bent. The mold was created, this will be used for all my radiation therapy appointments. The purpose of the simulation CT is so that the Radiation Oncologist can determine the radiation field and create a treatment plan. That is the simplest explanation I can think of without getting too technical!!!

The Radiation Therapist (Radiologic Technologist with a specialty license in Radiation Therapy) was very kind. Part of the process for the simulation appointment is you get marked (tattoo)  where the laser beam is to be positioned for you treatments. I joked with Max when he was about to tattoo me that this was his “side hustle”! I also let him know that these were my first tattoos, we laughed because seriously they are two very small dots!!!

My treatment will be six weeks long, Monday thru Friday my first treatment is Wednesday May 11th!! I am off of work for one more week, I go back on the 16th of this month. Just like with chemo I will work thru the radiation therapy as well. Maui Diagnostic Imaging will work with my appointments for the next six weeks permitting me to work thru this next chapter of my treatment.

Time to sign off, much Mahalo for reading my blog. It is 9:11 am, I need to do my physical therapy and pick up two very special people that will be here with me for the next seven days!!!

Aloha Pina

 

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March 13, 2016 · 8:14 am

25:Surgery Date Set!

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I took the picture above last week end while enjoying some much needed beach chair therapy. The picture speaks for itself…..I love it.

Since my last appointment in Oahu, I have been busy working and getting settled into our condo that we are renting. Every day I feel better and better, my hair is starting to grow, Jacquelyn says a have “peach fuzz”! When working I get to talk to patients, a lot of patients remember me from doing their mammogram last year. I had one patient literally tear up when she saw me. I told her not to cry for me that I would be fine. She was so sweet, we hugged after the exam, and she said she would look forward to her next mammogram so she can see how I am doing! (that’s a first, “look forward to a mammogram”!)

March 9th:

I Had a consultation with the Radiation Oncologist here at The Pacific Cancer Institute on Maui. I will  be having radiation treatment. The Oncologist was very thorough in explaining the process and how it is done post-mastectomy. I will be having treatment Monday thru Friday for 6 weeks. Basically, Radiation treatment is the “clean up crew”. It will annihilate any residual cancer cells left behind. That’s what I want, NO CANCER CELLS LEFT BEHIND. I will be able to work thru this, just like I have been working thru my chemo treatments. Compared to chemo, this should be a breeze!

March 11th:

My appointment with my Medical Oncologist went well. Dr. Chong is really happy with my progress and how I am progressing. After he examined me, I was back in the chair for my Herceptin infusion. We flew out of Maui on the first flight which meant getting up at 4am. So of coarse I managed a little siesta during the infusion! Since it is only one bag it only takes about 1 hour, so it was a short nap!

After my appointment with Dr. Chong, I was off to see Dr. Nakashizuka. Again she examined me, the original tumor can no longer be palpated, however the lymph nodes still feel irregular. We talked about “the Plan”, she wanted to make sure that I was ok with the recommendation of delayed reconstruction vs. immediate. Here is what will happen:

  • Left Breast Modified Radical Mastectomy with skin sparring for delayed reconstruction, on Oahu, at Queens Medical Center. Will be required to stay on Oahu for 1 month post surgery…..the hunt is on for a place to stay post surgery!
  • Radiation Treatment to begin once healed from surgery. Treatment will be for 6 weeks Monday thru Friday, here on Maui at the Pacific Cancer Institute.
  • Herceptin infusions will continue every three weeks till September.
  • Appointment with the Pulmonary doctor on April 21st regarding the nodule on my right lower lobe. Lets pray that a lung resection is not necessary!
  • After my last Herceptin infusion, the prophylactic  mastectomy  on the contra lateral side will be done (Right Breast) with immediate reconstruction. Well it won’t be “immediate”…..its a process! That’s another blog.

Surgery date……………….March 28th …..On Good Friday March 25, I will be 53 years old, Birthdays after a cancer diagnosis will be special!

Aloha, everyone much Mahalo for taking the time to read my blog!

 

 

 

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January 17, 2016 · 9:56 pm

23: Chemo #6

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January 17, 2016

Chemo#6 was on January 8th. I not only had Jacquelyn and my husband with me, my daughter Monique was also there. The picture above was taken just before the treatment began. Monique got to talking to the other patients in the infusion room and before I knew it they were ordering pizza for everyone, party in the infusion room!!!! No pizza for me however, soon after my infusion starts I get sleepy and I take my chemo siesta!

Today is January 17th, I am nine days post chemo and still not feeling well. I did work half a day on Wednesday with full days on Thursday and Friday. The saving grace was that MDI scheduled me a lite schedule. In case your wondering, these patients were scheduled with my knowledge. Previously I felt better after days 3 and 4 post chemo. So, I did not want to call off and have them rescheduled. I know that all I had to do was tell my manager that I couldn’t work and she would have had the schedulers start rescheduling patients, no questions asked. Maui Diagnostic Imaging is a great company to work for.

Whats next?

On February 11 and 12 I will be back on Oahu. I will have my Breast MRI, CT and my second meeting with the surgeon, Dr. Mari Nakashizuka. Those appointments will be on the 11th. On Friday I will have my Herceptin infusion. My chemo therapy has consisted on of Taxotere, Carboplatin, Herceptin and Perjeta. I am done with TC and P however the Herceptin will continue every three weeks for a year! What I am not clear on is if it one year from now, or one year from when I started the treatment? Either way I will know more about the timeline for my surgery soon!

Since I moved to Maui, we have been renting a beautiful home here on Laumaewa Loop. The owner has had the house on the market since October of 2015. He felt really bad the day he told us they had to sell the house, especially because I had just started my treatment. I completely understand their decision to sell. Fortunately for us we were able to be in this home thru the holiday season. The house has not sold yet, I told the owner that after the New Year we would actively try and find a place to live. And we did, we found a condo to rent and will be moving in February. Jacquelyn and her boyfriend Sean found a condo in the same complex as well. Excited to have my own little place with no stairs! The stairs in this home have been challenging, especially on my bad days. The goal was to move before my surgery!

My husband just left to the airport to pick up two very special people. My two cousins Mary and Carmen dahling just landed (11:40am)!! Super excited to have them here with me this week!!!!

Going to sign off now, I hope everyone is well. Hug and love each other, life is short never take it for granted! Much Mahalo for the love and support!

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January 1, 2016 · 6:30 am

22: Good bye 2015

 

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To say that Chemo number five was easy-breezy would be a complete lie……it has been rough. My husband said, he has never seen me so ill. I remember a patient told me that number five and six would be the worst and not to give up……well I am NOT giving up!!! Having all my family together here for Christmas was the best gift of all. I was too ill for us to venture out on Christmas day.  When we do venture out, I am very select as to where we go. I can not be far from a bathroom…….I know where all the public bathrooms are now….especially the clean ones!!!

The picture above was from our last  Maui sunset for 2015! Later this evening we will all be going on a boat with the Pacific Whale Foundation to watch the fireworks and bring in the New Year! Unfortunately I will not be indulging in adult beverages, but I will be with my family.

The year 2015 will forever be the year that rocked my world. Never did I ever imagine that I would be diagnosed and  battling Stage 3 Breast Cancer. As a Licensed Mammographer one would think that my cancer would have been caught at an earlier stage. That would have been the case if my breast were completely “fatty replaced”. However since my breast are extremely “dense”, my cancer went undetected. Because I am familiar with the normal lumps and bumps of my own breast, I felt it. I have already written about this in previous blogs, but as we leave 2015,  I would like to reiterate the importance of Breast Self Exams (BSE) …….ladies be familiar with the normal lumps and bumps of your own breast. Your doctor only exams you once a year. And, for those of us with dense breast, we should be inquiring about a routine ultrasound for dense breast.

It is only 8:15pm here on Maui. Families are celebrating early, those noise from the fireworks is so loud……they are legal here! I must get going to get ready for the evening. I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year! Thank you for all the love and support you have showed me. I appreciate all the good vibes, prayers and well wishes from everyone. I am  truly blessed to have all of you in my life. Tomorrow will be the start of a New Year, a year of recovery, healing and new beginnings…..be safe!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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December 18, 2015 · 9:02 am

21: Chemo #5!!!

 

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Tomorrow I fly to Oahu for Chemo #5!!!! It feels like just this Monday I was feeling much better from the effects of chemo #4! This last round was really rough. The nausea subsided, however the stomach bowel issues continued. My bones aches and I get really tired. I just ignore the ache and work through it, working through this has been really good in keeping me busy and just having something to do instead of being on medical leave. My Oncologist wanted to put me out on Medical leave, but I opted to work through the Chemotherapy  instead. Really thankful to MDI (My employer) that they have worked with me with my limited availability.

Patients have been so sweet, I get lots of hugs from them. Since I have been working here for over one year, I am doing mammograms on patients that I attended in 2014. They recognize me and ask what happened, I share my story with them. I get lots of hugs, some patients have asked me if they can say a prayer with me before the leave. I have had patients tell me that I have a positive aura and they feel that I will be just fine. I get lots of compliments on my complexion, and the way I use scarves to wrap my head. And then of coarse there is always some people that are not so nice. I have been asked if I am Muslim twice! One patient asked me if I was Middle Eastern? I have been asked if I was Jewish?  I am to the point where my response is “no, I have Cancer and I have no hair, that is why I have this on my head!” One on the patients that asked me if I was Muslim, asked that in a very harsh tone in here voice. I wonder if I would have said “yes”…..would she of let me do her mammogram? Those questions are just not appropriate! This past week and a half at work has been interesting. I don’ let those people get to me, they are a small percentage compared to all the well wishers! Several patients tell me that they will look forward to seeing me for next years mammogram! Yay, they are looking forward to next years mammogram!!!!!! Mission accomplished!

I am not looking forward to the next few days as the effects of Chemo #5 set in. However I am looking forward to having my whole family together here on Maui for Christmas!!! I know that the weather in southern California has been cold, today here in Kihei the temperature reached 91 degrees!!!! Warmest Aloha to all reading this, and please feel free to share my blog if you like.

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