Tag Archives: queensmedicalcenter

August 15, 2016 · 8:03 am

37:Coming up on One Year!

DSCN2981

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!

DSCN3014

 

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.

 

1 Comment

Filed under Uncategorized

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , ,

May 31, 2016 · 8:06 am

34: Memorial Day

DSCN0278

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!!

DSCN0297

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 🙂

 

2 Comments

Filed under Uncategorized

Tagged as , , , , , , ,

April 6, 2016 · 8:53 am

29: Post op

FullSizeRender

To quote my breast surgeon Dr. Nakashizuka,

“ The chemotherapy worked, these are the results we want to have”. “The breast tissue showed no evidence of aggressive cancer cells.” “The Lymph nodes also did not show evidence of aggressive cancer cells!” “There was only signs of non invasive cancer cells.”

Doctor spoke these words in a joyful voice with such excitement. She talked about the size of the original cancer and the lymph node and that there was no longer any signs of the tumor and that the Chemotherapy treatment recommended worked. She mentioned that my medical Oncologist would again talk to me about the need for Radiation Treatment.

Doctor removed the dressing over the mastectomy site. While examining the surgery site, Dr. Nakashizuka was asking Monique about the amount of fluid discharge. Monique was rattling off numbers as fast as doctor was asking for them. Doctor then says, “the drains are ready to be removed”! I immediately ask, “is it going to hurt?” Doctor smiled and said I have been through much worse and tapped my shoulder. Ummmm, that didn’t answer my question! Well, no I didn’t feel pain when she pulled them out.

It was a good visit. I have a busy week of appointments. I am being referred to Physical Therapy, to help avoid Lymphedema. My first appointment is tomorrow at 730 am! No sleeping in for me!! After that I will get my monthly blood draw, and on Friday I get my Herceptin infusion after seeing my Medical Oncologist.

It’s going on 11pm here on Oahu, time to call it a night……good night.

Much Mahalo for reading

Pina (Josefina Wallace)

 

 

‘

2 Comments

Filed under Uncategorized

Tagged as , , , ,

April 4, 2016 · 8:07 am

28: Pathology Results

IMG_2545

Friday evening I received a phone call from the office of Dr. Nakashizuka. Her office assistant called to inform me that the pathology came back on my breast that was removed and the lymph nodes……..no residual cancer cells post chemo!!!!!

Tomorrow (4/4) I have my first post op appointment with Dr. Nakashizuka and she will go over the details of pathology with me and change the dressing over the surgical site. I have read many articles and books, in which they say that it is pretty traumatic for the patient the first time that she sees herself with out her breast. I don’t feel that I will break down, being a Mammographer and my time working at The Cancer Center in Palm Springs has prepared me for this. I have been extremely compliant as far as post op instructions go. I know far to well what happens to the surgical site if you over do it!!!! No seroma for me if I can help it!!!

I have two drains on the mastectomy site that have been draining well. My daughter has been emptying and measuring the fluid daily. The surgeons office gave us a log to track the fluid. I am sure she will be pleased with my daughters diligent entries.

The Little Things:

You don’t realize how important good range of motion of your shoulders is for getting dressed. Due to the ” Lymph node dissection” my left arm has limited mobility. I had planned ahead and purchased  tops with buttons up front. I had to do a little retail therapy today and purchase a couple more tops and easy pull on bottoms. I attempted to put my favorite pair of shorts on today, but pulling the zipper up and buttoning the button was too much! So, shopping one must go!!!

It is getting late here in Oahu (well late for me) so I’m going to sign off. Thank you for reading, will keep you updated on upcoming appointments. Thank you for all the well wishes and prayers.

Much Aloha, Pina

 

 

 

 

1 Comment

Filed under Uncategorized

Tagged as , , , , , , ,

April 2, 2016 · 12:36 am

27: Post Mastectomy

IMG_2523

Aloha Friday! Happy April fools day 🙂

Sunday evening I prepared the clothes I would wear to the hospital the next day. I  had been NPO (without food/water) since Sunday 7pm. I had a lite dinner as instructed, which we enjoyed at Monkey Pod here in Ko Olina. We chose Monkey Pod because we were familiar with the menu, now was not the time to try something new.

Getting up at 345 am on Monday March 28th was easy for me. I did sleep well,  however I was anxious to get it done. We pulled up to the valet attendant in front of the Outpatient Surgery attached to Queens Medical Center. Yes “Outpatient”! Lots of people were surprised to learn that this surgery would be done as outpatient! We arrived at about 520am, I was asked to be there by 530am. I signed in, and was attended right away by registration. Shortly after registering I was taken back to the pre-op holding. Everyone who has had any type of surgery knows the drill, you change, vitals are taken, you verify name, date of birth numerous times and confirm what it is you are having done. I had a clear view of the dry erase board that had the surgery schedule on it. All my Rad-tech family knows what board I’m talking about. I was the first surgery scheduled for Dr. Nakashizuka. Patient names were not on the board, the list was separated by surgeon then listed by type of surgery. Each surgeon was color coded, my surgeons schedule  was written in green.

I was her first case, Left Modified Radical Mastectomy Skin Sparing…….715am. Followed by two Lumpectomies and one subcutaneous mediport placement. Today was an observed holiday so the schedule was lite! All vitals were taken, I was ready! The anesthesiologist came to talk to me, he asked if I had a problem waking up from general anesthesia? I let him know that I usually wake up vomiting. With that being said he would give me something for that.

Just before they took me back I was listening to my “Fight Song” by Rachel Platten……it was on repeat!!!!! They Gurney I was on was put side by side the operating table, the room was cold. My gown was untied in the back and I scooted over. I laid with both my arms spread out. I remember Dr. Nakazhizuka coming over and placing warm roll under my left shoulder. Music was playing in the room, but I don’t remember the type.

Surgery was done by 945am.

I woke up fine, with out they usual projectile vomiting. Shortly after I was given a dry piece of toast and a small cup of juice. I didn’t take long after consuming it that the nausea set in. My daughter Monique told me I’m a “clean thrower upper”, cause I managed to get it all in that small emesis basin they give you. I’m a pro at vomiting, after chemotherapy!

The picture above was taken before the 12:00 hour. I was discharged before noon. Yup, up and walking!!!!! Monique went over to the Women’s Health Center at Queens and purchased this robe for me. Patients who get a Lumpectomy vs. Mastectomy are taken from the Mammography department after their Needle Localization to the Out Patient Surgery Center via wheelchair. They are given this spa like robe to cover them up versus a blanket over them. When one of the Lumpectomy patients was wheeled over she noticed the robe and asked about it. She surprised me with one! I love it!

The past days have been spent relaxing here in this house we are renting till April 30th. My son found it thru VRBO. We are staying in the Ko Olina area of Oahu right down the road from Aulani Resort by Disney, my daughter Monique is in heaven……she loves all things Disney!!!

Right now I feel fine, shoulder feels a little numb but other than that I’m fine. I will continue to blog periodically throughout this month…….tired of typing.

Aloha Friday

 

 

Leave a comment

Filed under Uncategorized

Tagged as , , , , , , , ,

March 13, 2016 · 8:14 am

25:Surgery Date Set!

FullSizeRender

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!

 

 

 

Leave a comment

Filed under Uncategorized

Tagged as , , , , , , ,

February 14, 2016 · 8:07 am

24:Good News and Not so Good News

IMG_1400

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

 

 

6 Comments

Filed under Uncategorized

Tagged as , , , , , ,

December 18, 2015 · 9:02 am

21: Chemo #5!!!

 

IMG_1964

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.

2 Comments

Filed under Uncategorized

Tagged as , , , , , ,

September 20, 2015 · 12:05 am

14: Tsunami Watch

IMG_6737“

Great! My first overnight stay on Oahu, and there is a Tsunami watch! In spite of the Tsunami watch everything went well, however I did not start my chemo yet…..getting a little anxious. One of the four drugs that will be used still needs to get authorized! I have to patient. My husband got to meet the Medical Oncologist, Dr. Chong. Dr. Chong went over the treatment plan with my husband, and at one point looked at me and told me that this treatment was going to kick my ass! I believe that was his way of telling me to be prepared! I am fully aware of what is yet to come, #igotthis! Doctor looked at  my veins and said that these latina veins were not going to cut it, I will need a portacath. There is a certain “calmness” about Dr. Chong, I really like him.

I also got to meet the breast surgeon Dr. Nakashizuka. She comes highly recommended and I really liked our first visit, she was very thorough, I will discuss my surgery option in a future blog.

We went to Waikiki Beach, as our hotel was in Waikiki. We only did this because the Tsunami watch was lifted. We walked around The Royal Hawaiian Hotel, which is a PINK hotel! Loved it! The doctor’s office called me and asked if I had time for lab work? Well of course we had time, this was not a pleasure trip! Jacquelyn and I quickly got in the ocean and took some photos, then we went back to Queens Medical Center.

My portacath will be placed early on September 24th, with my first Chemo treatment on that same day……It is going to be a long day at Queens. I’m sure one of many.

1 Comment

Filed under Uncategorized

Tagged as , , , , , , ,