Aloha, all. It’s Anita posting. Larry has been having so much fun keeping my blog updated that I was thinking that I might have to change the password on him. I hear he has been very amusing. One day, I’ll have to read the blog to ‘see’ my recovery.
Larry and I would like to thank you all for your love, prayers and support thru my cancer journey. All of your prayers, your friend’s prayers and their friend’s prayers have been answered-I am 100% breast cancer free AND I do not have to have any chemo or radiation therapy. Hallelujah!! I am soooooo lucky. I think I am the 10% of the 10% of the 10%...or something like that. (I’ll have to read what Larry wrote in the blog!) I see my oncologist in January to map out my treatment plan. He just attend a huge symposium (with the Susan G. Komen Foundation) to hear the lastest in the discovery, disgnosis and treatment on breast cancer.
We would also like to thank all our friends who have delivered delicious dinners to us. OHGosh. I am not sure how we would have survived without you. (We all might have lost a lot of weight if we had to rely on Larry’s, Brett and Kristi’s cooking during those surgery and recovery weeks!! LOL!!!) Mahalo to Bridget Mondt for setting up and organizing the awesome CareCalendar for the meals and shoppers and to Roslyn Cronmiller for keeping the calendar current and for all the follow up phone calls. The peace of mind of not having to worry about what to fix for dinner was huge…knowing that Larry and the kids (and sometimes the kid’s friends) were taken care of. And me, too!! I thank you and my family thanks you for time, your generosity and for the awesome eats!!
A big shout out goes to all my shoppers and helpers. The Costco/grocery/Trader Joe’s shoppers were wonderful. If not for you, we would have just not washed dishes because we ran out of dish soap, not had milk with cereal because we ran out of milk, and so on. And Mahalo to my special helpers, those who came to the hospital with my ‘lists of needs’-bottled water, disinfectant wipes to wipe down my hospital room for the germs and bacteria, phone charger, etc. To my drivers who drove me to my doctors appointments and to the hospital, a huge mahalo. I would also like to thank my special helpers at the house-all those who came and helped water my plants, indoor and outdoor (I know, sounds stupid but it was a lot of work), my friend who came and cleaned all my leather couches just before surgery so during my recovery and sleeping downstairs, they all didn’t smell like ‘boys’, all my ‘babysitters’ so I would not be alone at home and could help me out if I needed anything. Gosh, if I left anyone out (and I hope not!), thank you.
I have more to say but will save some for the next post.
Larry, Brett, Kristi and I would like to wish you 'Mele Kalikimaka' (Merry Christmas in Hawaiian) and a joyous, prosperous and healthy 2011!!!
aloha, anita
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Monday, December 6, 2010
December 5th update-FINALLY on the mend!!!
sorry i have not been keeping up with the posts lately, so let me summarize where we started and where we are today:
- in early november (like the 10th or so), anita had her 3rd surgery to help clear up the infection.
- by about the 13th or so, the infection finally turned the corner and every day since then, each day got better
- she has been on daily IV antibiotics until last Wed, Dec 2.
- she has been progressing excellently since then, we have been to 5 or so ducks games, and she can climb the very steep stairs there with relative ease now!!
- she uses her walking cane very infrequently
- she has started to drive a bit now (hold the jokes about an asian woman on pain meds just coming off surgery, please!!!)
- she is sleeping in a real bed now
the only problem she has now is she thinks she is 100% and is trying to act as such. she has been to a few get togethers with friends and has tired herself out with making food and such to take. i keep telling her i think people will understand is she shows up empty handed!! anyway, its a good sign she is well enough to think of these things.
we saw dr. D in early december and he is very happy with the recent progress. we dont have to see him for another 3 weeks or so (too bad, his receptionist is hot). dr. thompson, the infectious guy, has released her from his care now too (receptionist not hot).
we just saw her oncologist, Dr. barth today, and he is starting his analysis of her current health state. he is going to a massive breast cancer symposium in san antonio, where he is going to find out about several clinical trials related to aftercare of patients like anita (stage 0 cancer, but a large (10 cm) cancer). this type of cancer is going to be specifically discussed, and he is going to use these findings in determining what treatment anita is going to get going forward (i.e., tamoxifen or its related cousins). again, for a short recap, tamoxifen and its cousins either inhibit or reduce estrogen in the bloodstream, and most breast cancers grow better in the presence of estrogen.
as bad as it has been for anita, going to dr. barth's office is sobering. she is about the healthiest patient he has. he has a little clinic there where people go to get their chemotherapy. it's really sad and helps to keep things in perspective.
she is truly on the mend now, and once again, we cant thank everyone enough for the support, the meals, the visits, flowers, and such
- in early november (like the 10th or so), anita had her 3rd surgery to help clear up the infection.
- by about the 13th or so, the infection finally turned the corner and every day since then, each day got better
- she has been on daily IV antibiotics until last Wed, Dec 2.
- she has been progressing excellently since then, we have been to 5 or so ducks games, and she can climb the very steep stairs there with relative ease now!!
- she uses her walking cane very infrequently
- she has started to drive a bit now (hold the jokes about an asian woman on pain meds just coming off surgery, please!!!)
- she is sleeping in a real bed now
the only problem she has now is she thinks she is 100% and is trying to act as such. she has been to a few get togethers with friends and has tired herself out with making food and such to take. i keep telling her i think people will understand is she shows up empty handed!! anyway, its a good sign she is well enough to think of these things.
we saw dr. D in early december and he is very happy with the recent progress. we dont have to see him for another 3 weeks or so (too bad, his receptionist is hot). dr. thompson, the infectious guy, has released her from his care now too (receptionist not hot).
we just saw her oncologist, Dr. barth today, and he is starting his analysis of her current health state. he is going to a massive breast cancer symposium in san antonio, where he is going to find out about several clinical trials related to aftercare of patients like anita (stage 0 cancer, but a large (10 cm) cancer). this type of cancer is going to be specifically discussed, and he is going to use these findings in determining what treatment anita is going to get going forward (i.e., tamoxifen or its related cousins). again, for a short recap, tamoxifen and its cousins either inhibit or reduce estrogen in the bloodstream, and most breast cancers grow better in the presence of estrogen.
as bad as it has been for anita, going to dr. barth's office is sobering. she is about the healthiest patient he has. he has a little clinic there where people go to get their chemotherapy. it's really sad and helps to keep things in perspective.
she is truly on the mend now, and once again, we cant thank everyone enough for the support, the meals, the visits, flowers, and such
Thursday, November 18, 2010
11/18 - Finally on the Mend!!
Ok, we really had a good last week. After Anita's surgery last Wed, things really started looking up this last weekend. The infection and the swelling really abated during the weekend. We saw Dr. D on Tuesday, and the infection specialist Wed, and they are really happy with her progress. She will continue getting IV antibiotics for the next week of so.
Anita felt well enough to go to Bunco night yesterday, and went briefly to her other bunco group tonight (thanks to lori r. for being her ride tonight).
She is starting to be able to do many of the little things that she has been unable to do, like going up and down the stairs, taking showers, washing her hair, and she can even walk at about 3/4 speed now (dont have to pass her in the hallways anymore!!!)
Anita felt well enough to go to Bunco night yesterday, and went briefly to her other bunco group tonight (thanks to lori r. for being her ride tonight).
She is starting to be able to do many of the little things that she has been unable to do, like going up and down the stairs, taking showers, washing her hair, and she can even walk at about 3/4 speed now (dont have to pass her in the hallways anymore!!!)
Monday, November 15, 2010
Monday, 11/15
Nothing new to report. The Infection seems to healing up quite nicely, i think the swelling is almost back to normal now. We are going to see Dr. D tomorrow, and the infectious disease guy Wed.
Overall, i think anita is getting a little better every day. She actually made a trip out to guess where?? COSTCO!! - where the employees there thanked their lucky stars that their favorite shopper was back on her feet again. Many of them came up to say that they had missed her and were wondering where she went. I think they were worried that they weren't going to get their usual christmas bonuses!!!
Anita is continuing to get daily IV doses of antibiotics (2 types), which i think will continue at least through this week. we'll probably get a better handle on that after we see the infectious disease guy.
Once again, thanks for the support
Overall, i think anita is getting a little better every day. She actually made a trip out to guess where?? COSTCO!! - where the employees there thanked their lucky stars that their favorite shopper was back on her feet again. Many of them came up to say that they had missed her and were wondering where she went. I think they were worried that they weren't going to get their usual christmas bonuses!!!
Anita is continuing to get daily IV doses of antibiotics (2 types), which i think will continue at least through this week. we'll probably get a better handle on that after we see the infectious disease guy.
Once again, thanks for the support
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Late night 11/10-back home again!!!
back home again!!! the procedure went excellent, there was a lot less infection than was expected, and dr. D. took the time to do some "trimming" of the initial surgery.
anitas in a little more pain than before, but overall, we're happy that it is done and she got back home in one night. Got in at 6pm and out at midnight.
anitas in a little more pain than before, but overall, we're happy that it is done and she got back home in one night. Got in at 6pm and out at midnight.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Wed 11/10-Going back into the hospital
Saw an infection guy today. He's not really happy with the progress, and he and Dr. D decided that another trip to the hospital is needed to clean out the affected area. 8-9pm is the likely surgery time. Kind of hard to stay positive at times, but we are soldiering through it all.
Will try to update tonight after surgery.
Will try to update tonight after surgery.
Weekly update 11/10
Well, this past week has been a long week. Anita is still fighting off the infection. I would say that it peaked sometime this weekend, as positive progress was finally seen Monday and Tuesday (today).
She is receiving in-home IV antibiotic therapy, which a local nurse comes in to administer. They are also adding an anti-MRSA antibiotic just to make sure everything gets cleared up. Dr. D. has been fantastic, he has seen anita every day since she went back into the hospital, even this past saturday and sunday. He is going out on a short trip from Wed to Sun, so he wants to make sure everything is on the mend before he leaves.
Once again, i cant say enough about all of the people who have visited, helped to take anita to doctor appointments, shopped for us, and especially brought food. it's been a major help to us. The only thing that confused me was that my Egyptian friend Tarek brought us lasagne. ???????????
Overall, anita is getting much better, she is moving around the house at more than snail-like speeds now, and she can get into and out of a chair without assistance now.
She is receiving in-home IV antibiotic therapy, which a local nurse comes in to administer. They are also adding an anti-MRSA antibiotic just to make sure everything gets cleared up. Dr. D. has been fantastic, he has seen anita every day since she went back into the hospital, even this past saturday and sunday. He is going out on a short trip from Wed to Sun, so he wants to make sure everything is on the mend before he leaves.
Once again, i cant say enough about all of the people who have visited, helped to take anita to doctor appointments, shopped for us, and especially brought food. it's been a major help to us. The only thing that confused me was that my Egyptian friend Tarek brought us lasagne. ???????????
Overall, anita is getting much better, she is moving around the house at more than snail-like speeds now, and she can get into and out of a chair without assistance now.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Wed 11/4-PM - Anita's back home again
Anita came home Wed afternoon!!! She has an embedded IV line in her for the injection of IV antibiotics. Apparently, someone is coming tomorrow to do the first injection, and perhaps after that I'm on my own.
The IV stuff showed up today, it is all in small IV bags just like you get in the hospital. No needles involved. I was looking forward to that............
The IV stuff showed up today, it is all in small IV bags just like you get in the hospital. No needles involved. I was looking forward to that............
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Wed 11/3-Just a quick update-still in the hospital
Anita is still in the hospital. Infection-fortunately not MRSA. they're trying to figure out what is the best antibiotic to use now. I think they're going to put in a PICC line (peripherally inserted central catherter) today. This is an IV catheter which is inserted in the upper arm area, and winds its way near the heart.
It's often used for long term antibiotic therapy, or for people who have hard to find veins. They have been having a lot of problems finding good veins to use. Also, it gets the antibiotic into the bloodstream faster, with less irritation to the veins. an update to this note: they're treating with cestriaxone (a relative of the commonly used keflex). i think it only comes in IV form, which is why the PICC line is needed.
Yours truly will have to administer the injections, taking me back to my college days when i worked in a hospital as a vampire (phlebotomist). Needles dont scare me at all-especially if i'm on the giving end!!!
(note to my sister the doc-it's a bacteria of the serratia family)
she is being released this afternoon
not to minimize this issue, but overall she is feeling much better this hospital stay, as the infection is not causing much pain.
P.S. you might note that one of the hospital volunteers was one of the commenters on the last post. can you believe that? it just goes to show that the level of care at this hospital is amazing
It's often used for long term antibiotic therapy, or for people who have hard to find veins. They have been having a lot of problems finding good veins to use. Also, it gets the antibiotic into the bloodstream faster, with less irritation to the veins. an update to this note: they're treating with cestriaxone (a relative of the commonly used keflex). i think it only comes in IV form, which is why the PICC line is needed.
Yours truly will have to administer the injections, taking me back to my college days when i worked in a hospital as a vampire (phlebotomist). Needles dont scare me at all-especially if i'm on the giving end!!!
(note to my sister the doc-it's a bacteria of the serratia family)
she is being released this afternoon
not to minimize this issue, but overall she is feeling much better this hospital stay, as the infection is not causing much pain.
P.S. you might note that one of the hospital volunteers was one of the commenters on the last post. can you believe that? it just goes to show that the level of care at this hospital is amazing
Monday, November 1, 2010
Hospital Stay #2 update-good news
ok, its 8pm, just saw Dr. D. Everything went well, actually he said that the infection was not as bad as thought he was going to see. he said it was more an issue of cellulitis (inflammation) versus an infection. So he cleaned up the area, and she is on IV antibiotics.
Dr. D. said that breast tissue post-mastectomy is not real healthy at first (not as much blood flow as before), so infections and inflammation are real common
In recovery now-have not yet seen her.
she will likely go home tomorrow.
Dr. D. said that breast tissue post-mastectomy is not real healthy at first (not as much blood flow as before), so infections and inflammation are real common
In recovery now-have not yet seen her.
she will likely go home tomorrow.
November 1 - Back in the Hospital
Doctor: Larry, we have a little problem
Larry: What is it?
Doctor: Anita's breast is bigger than it should be-it's a little swollen
Larry: I thought you said there was a problem
We're back in the hospital for a one night stay. It appears that anita has an infection, so they're going to open her up a tiny bit, flush out the affected area, put her on some IV antibiotics, and keep her in until tomorrow (tuesday) night. It's a relatively common problem with this type of surgery, what with them having her on the table for so many hours.
No one seems to be too worried about it, they just want to jump on it right away before it becomes a problem.
update you tonight after she is out
Larry: What is it?
Doctor: Anita's breast is bigger than it should be-it's a little swollen
Larry: I thought you said there was a problem
We're back in the hospital for a one night stay. It appears that anita has an infection, so they're going to open her up a tiny bit, flush out the affected area, put her on some IV antibiotics, and keep her in until tomorrow (tuesday) night. It's a relatively common problem with this type of surgery, what with them having her on the table for so many hours.
No one seems to be too worried about it, they just want to jump on it right away before it becomes a problem.
update you tonight after she is out
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
October 26, 2010 - First visit to the oncologist-more GREAT news!!
A very tiring but good day today. Saw Dr. Guerra today for a quick followup, nothing new there. Still a problem with water retention, but nothing time wont solve.
Saw Dr. Barth after that for our first time - he is one of the foremost oncologists on the west coast (head of oncology at hoag and former chief of staff there, too). Before his very long and thorough explanation of his analysis of anita's cancer he started out with this:
Anita is in a very rare minority of breast cancer patients where all of the planets have lined up perfectly:
- Her cancer was of a VERY slow growing nature (DCIS grade 1)
- The characteristics of the actual cancer cells point to a non-aggressive form (low grade)
- The cancer cells were of a type that are extremely estrogen/progesterone receptive. (with a 3+ rating). This is good because she can opt to use "estrogen inhibitors" like Tamoxifen to decrease the likelihood of future cancers. There is an 80% chance that Tamoxifen like drugs will have the desired effect when you have a 3+ rating. In a nutshell, these drugs work by blocking estrogen from binding to cancer cells. When blocked, the cancer cells are more susceptible to eventually dying off (like most cells do) rather than multiplying uncontrolled. Statistically speaking, Anita has a 1% chance PER YEAR of developing breast cancer again over her lifespan. So in 5 years, she has a 5% chance, etc. Tamoxifen reduces that chance to 0.5% per year.
(There is another, newer class of drugs called Aromatase Inhibitors (AI's) that actually reduce the amount of estrogen in the bloodstream (not block it). Once Anita is more on the mend, Dr. Barth is going to do a massive workup on her to determine the best course of action.)
He said that Anita's favorable combination can only be found in approximately 1% of all breast cancer patients!!
As for me, I was able to escape last night to go to the gym. (Rusty Ito my nephew this is for you!!). The last time I saw my nephew Rusty, we kind of talked about doing a half marathon next year (his mom, my sis Dianne is a runner too). I decided to see if I could run a 10K - 6.2 miles on a lark, so off on the treadmill I went. Good news-I did it. Bad news - I did it. Moving very slowly today, I can see that more training is in order!!!
Saw Dr. Barth after that for our first time - he is one of the foremost oncologists on the west coast (head of oncology at hoag and former chief of staff there, too). Before his very long and thorough explanation of his analysis of anita's cancer he started out with this:
Anita is in a very rare minority of breast cancer patients where all of the planets have lined up perfectly:
- Her cancer was of a VERY slow growing nature (DCIS grade 1)
- The characteristics of the actual cancer cells point to a non-aggressive form (low grade)
- The cancer cells were of a type that are extremely estrogen/progesterone receptive. (with a 3+ rating). This is good because she can opt to use "estrogen inhibitors" like Tamoxifen to decrease the likelihood of future cancers. There is an 80% chance that Tamoxifen like drugs will have the desired effect when you have a 3+ rating. In a nutshell, these drugs work by blocking estrogen from binding to cancer cells. When blocked, the cancer cells are more susceptible to eventually dying off (like most cells do) rather than multiplying uncontrolled. Statistically speaking, Anita has a 1% chance PER YEAR of developing breast cancer again over her lifespan. So in 5 years, she has a 5% chance, etc. Tamoxifen reduces that chance to 0.5% per year.
(There is another, newer class of drugs called Aromatase Inhibitors (AI's) that actually reduce the amount of estrogen in the bloodstream (not block it). Once Anita is more on the mend, Dr. Barth is going to do a massive workup on her to determine the best course of action.)
He said that Anita's favorable combination can only be found in approximately 1% of all breast cancer patients!!
As for me, I was able to escape last night to go to the gym. (Rusty Ito my nephew this is for you!!). The last time I saw my nephew Rusty, we kind of talked about doing a half marathon next year (his mom, my sis Dianne is a runner too). I decided to see if I could run a 10K - 6.2 miles on a lark, so off on the treadmill I went. Good news-I did it. Bad news - I did it. Moving very slowly today, I can see that more training is in order!!!
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Sunday - Anita's Pain In the A***
Main problem the last few days is pain in Anita's posterior section. Too much sitting around, so again stuck in a quandary between moving around too much (which hurts everything else) and sitting too much (hurts rear and lower back area. It seems a bit better today, as she is spending more time sitting up and walking around.
Neighbor Joanie with her daughter Jacqueline (not sure about the spelling here) came over and brought over a nice plant-kind of bambooish. Joanie was not feeling her best, so it was nice of her to stop by anyway.
Her family is over today to cook dinner. Incredibly, Kristi's boyfriend has never eaten a piece of pie until tonight, so we made him eat the most traditional of pies, the apple pie a la mode. He's awfully skinny, probably the result of eating healthy. We set him straight on that tonight. I think he enjoyed it - hes now thinking about buying a Marie Callenders franchise!!!
Neighbor Joanie with her daughter Jacqueline (not sure about the spelling here) came over and brought over a nice plant-kind of bambooish. Joanie was not feeling her best, so it was nice of her to stop by anyway.
Her family is over today to cook dinner. Incredibly, Kristi's boyfriend has never eaten a piece of pie until tonight, so we made him eat the most traditional of pies, the apple pie a la mode. He's awfully skinny, probably the result of eating healthy. We set him straight on that tonight. I think he enjoyed it - hes now thinking about buying a Marie Callenders franchise!!!
Danny's first EVER bite of pie!!!
Her niece Kiana brought over a rug she made herself-pretty impressive. Nice japanese font. Thank goodness she had the sense to put subtitles in it so i could read it!!!
Niece Kiana with a rug she made!!!
Neighbor Joanie with daughter Jacqueline
Going to see Dr. D tomorrow, more updates after that
Saturday Update-a pretty good day
Much progress being made. Anita is getting around the house better now, hardly has to stop in the middle of her trips. I think maybe well try to go for a walk outside tomorrow.
Today, good friend Rosalyn Cronmiller came over to stay for the morning. She is really a great person and we treasure her as a friend. She's had many issues with her feet over the years, so she knows what its like to have mobility issues. Good friend Yukari S. stopped by with some japanese lunch boxes, which were much appreciated. Also cousin Diane Kam came and stayed for a good part of the morning, also bringing some needed asian soup. BTW, will someone please teach Diane how to use the blog?? My 82 year old mom can do it - apparently working for THE AIRLINES where you have to use the computer all day is not enough practice for her!!
Today, good friend Rosalyn Cronmiller came over to stay for the morning. She is really a great person and we treasure her as a friend. She's had many issues with her feet over the years, so she knows what its like to have mobility issues. Good friend Yukari S. stopped by with some japanese lunch boxes, which were much appreciated. Also cousin Diane Kam came and stayed for a good part of the morning, also bringing some needed asian soup. BTW, will someone please teach Diane how to use the blog?? My 82 year old mom can do it - apparently working for THE AIRLINES where you have to use the computer all day is not enough practice for her!!
Friday, October 22, 2010
Friday Night notes
OK, a full day home from the hospital. Went to see Dr. D today, going back to see him monday. Things are looking real good so far, no infections or anything, he seems real proud of his handiwork. Still a bit of swelling in the reconstructed breast which, unfortunately Dr. D says is going away soon. :)
Still a moderate amount of swelling everywhere else, which is a combination of meds and laying in a bed for 7 days straight.
We found that we need to be more prompt for our appointments, as sprinting upstairs isn't one of our options anymore. I have a newfound tolerance of slow-walking people now.
Today, Vivian Stapleton, a longtime friend (from the Girl Scouts), came to stay in the morning, AND brought breakfast and coffee. I have to say that it was nice to have a real breakfast. Sue Kouba (the only blond Hungarian i know), came over to visit and pick up some stuff from Costco for Anita. Dinner was provided by Carol Stewart, another longtime friend from the next block (also a girl scout parent). It was chicken and potatoes, which was good, because the doc wants Anita to concentrate on protein over carbs for now (apparently it helps with the swelling). Anita is making good progress, she's pretty much making trips around the house without having to stop.
p.s. if you own Costco stock, you may see a small dip in the next month. The loss of revenue attributed to Anita's bedridden status is causing a temporary hit in their profit!!!!!
Still a moderate amount of swelling everywhere else, which is a combination of meds and laying in a bed for 7 days straight.
We found that we need to be more prompt for our appointments, as sprinting upstairs isn't one of our options anymore. I have a newfound tolerance of slow-walking people now.
Today, Vivian Stapleton, a longtime friend (from the Girl Scouts), came to stay in the morning, AND brought breakfast and coffee. I have to say that it was nice to have a real breakfast. Sue Kouba (the only blond Hungarian i know), came over to visit and pick up some stuff from Costco for Anita. Dinner was provided by Carol Stewart, another longtime friend from the next block (also a girl scout parent). It was chicken and potatoes, which was good, because the doc wants Anita to concentrate on protein over carbs for now (apparently it helps with the swelling). Anita is making good progress, she's pretty much making trips around the house without having to stop.
p.s. if you own Costco stock, you may see a small dip in the next month. The loss of revenue attributed to Anita's bedridden status is causing a temporary hit in their profit!!!!!
She's Home!!!!
Anita made it home on Thursday, October 21!!! It was kind of a stressful ride home as you can guess-it seemed like the potholes and bumps in the road were all bigger on the way home. And it was hard on me for the embarrassment of having to actually drive BELOW the speed limit. I slinked down in the seat so no one could see me drive so slow. It was kind of different-I actually got good gas mileage yesterday. The van almost got stuck in the driveway from the weight of all the flowers we took home, all of which were much appreciated.
Anyway, back to Anita. She is resting comfortably downstairs (she might be able to do stairs in a few days). And mainly resting, watching TV, and shuffling on cane or walker for exercise. Had some bouts of coughing yesterday, which we attribute to the scopolamine patch she had for nausea (which is now gone for the most part)., so we ditched the patch
Lana Simning came and watched over her late in the afternoon while i saw some clients, which was great, and our neighbor and long time friend Susie from down the street came after dinner for a spell.
We are going back to see Dr. D today midday for a quick followup, so it's back on the freeway, slunk down in my seat in disguise, going 60mph again. If you see us, please dont honk.
Sorry I missed posting yesterday, I should have another update tonight
Anyway, back to Anita. She is resting comfortably downstairs (she might be able to do stairs in a few days). And mainly resting, watching TV, and shuffling on cane or walker for exercise. Had some bouts of coughing yesterday, which we attribute to the scopolamine patch she had for nausea (which is now gone for the most part)., so we ditched the patch
Lana Simning came and watched over her late in the afternoon while i saw some clients, which was great, and our neighbor and long time friend Susie from down the street came after dinner for a spell.
We are going back to see Dr. D today midday for a quick followup, so it's back on the freeway, slunk down in my seat in disguise, going 60mph again. If you see us, please dont honk.
Sorry I missed posting yesterday, I should have another update tonight
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Wednesday Update
Things are looking up. Main problems are nausea and lower back pain (probably a result of laying in the same position for a week). Off all IV meds, just taking oral pain meds. Trying to figure out how to handle the nausea. trying a scopolamine anti-seasickness patch today.
Thr internist stopped by and was happy about her progress related to the fluid buildup early this week. The extra fluid is gone. He's modifying the pain meds a little to try to find the best combination that will allow her to eat.
Today, Donna Meier stopped by for a few hours , which was great!! Also, Anita had a CCE (a student volunteer), Stevi Jo, who is currently trying to get into nursing school. Anita was totally enamored with her, Stevi Jo stayed a full 45 minutes helping out arranging and cleaning the room. Stevi Jo is a waitress at the Main Place Olive Garden on weekends, so if you are there, ask for her!!
Thr internist stopped by and was happy about her progress related to the fluid buildup early this week. The extra fluid is gone. He's modifying the pain meds a little to try to find the best combination that will allow her to eat.
Today, Donna Meier stopped by for a few hours , which was great!! Also, Anita had a CCE (a student volunteer), Stevi Jo, who is currently trying to get into nursing school. Anita was totally enamored with her, Stevi Jo stayed a full 45 minutes helping out arranging and cleaning the room. Stevi Jo is a waitress at the Main Place Olive Garden on weekends, so if you are there, ask for her!!
Stevi Jo and Anita
Fearing that she might get addicted to Ensure, Anita is trying to eat some real food, with mixed results. Right now she has fallen off the wagon and is gulping down some strawberry ensure to try to keep something in her stomach.
Overall things are looking real good. she just got out of bed without assistance to take a little walk-thats big progress.
She should be coming home tomorrow.
p.s. Dr. D. stopped by at 930pm tonight. is very happy with the progress. Also, Stevi Jo stopped by even later than that-she has been around off and on since 7AM today!!!
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Thanks for the meals!!
We at home want to thank you for the meals. To be honest, I was not really all that excited about getting them, but there is a great time saving element to being able to walk in the door after work, grab a quick meal, and run to the hospital.
I do have one complaint-Mike and Stef from across the street labeled the chili container "hot to touch". May I say that the container was only warm, but what was in it was sure hot!! (Kristi got all excited about the chili, by the way-she LOVES Stef's chili). That chili was so good, I even had it for breakfast the next morning!!
So far i think we have had a taco casserole, chili, mexican lasagna, and (today) chicken enchiladas. All of the meals have been excellent-and pretty healthy too!!
(in any case, it's a lot better than Ensure)
I do have one complaint-Mike and Stef from across the street labeled the chili container "hot to touch". May I say that the container was only warm, but what was in it was sure hot!! (Kristi got all excited about the chili, by the way-she LOVES Stef's chili). That chili was so good, I even had it for breakfast the next morning!!
So far i think we have had a taco casserole, chili, mexican lasagna, and (today) chicken enchiladas. All of the meals have been excellent-and pretty healthy too!!
(in any case, it's a lot better than Ensure)
Tuesday update-great news!!!
We just received the full pathology report this afternoon, and it is totally clean!!! No radiation or chemotherapy is going to be needed, as Anita did eventually end up with DCIS, stage 0 (non invasive form of carcinoma). This matched the initial diagnosis perfectly.
The cancerous area that was removed was fairly long, 10cm, or 4 inches. (Initially it was thought the affected area was 7cm). This means that most of the affected milk duct was infected with pre-cancerous cells. The "margin", or the area directly around the affected area was free of cancer cells, too. The other 3 areas tested were the skin, a piece of rib cartilage, and the lymph nodes-all were negative.
What a relief-it's nice to have this information before leaving the hospital.
Anita is doing much better today, much less nausea, and she is now off the pain pumps and onto pain pills, an important step to going home. Dr. D is thinking maybe Wednesday, but more likely Thursday for her to go home.
Anita is getting an early start on "later in life" nutrition - they are starting her on Ensure!!!!
Apparently, this gave her the motivation to try to eat some solid food tonight for the first time-we'll see how that goes.
The cancerous area that was removed was fairly long, 10cm, or 4 inches. (Initially it was thought the affected area was 7cm). This means that most of the affected milk duct was infected with pre-cancerous cells. The "margin", or the area directly around the affected area was free of cancer cells, too. The other 3 areas tested were the skin, a piece of rib cartilage, and the lymph nodes-all were negative.
What a relief-it's nice to have this information before leaving the hospital.
Anita is doing much better today, much less nausea, and she is now off the pain pumps and onto pain pills, an important step to going home. Dr. D is thinking maybe Wednesday, but more likely Thursday for her to go home.
Anita is getting an early start on "later in life" nutrition - they are starting her on Ensure!!!!
Apparently, this gave her the motivation to try to eat some solid food tonight for the first time-we'll see how that goes.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Monday Night 10/18-later update
At about 730pm, BOTH her docs made an appearance. Dr .Guerra and Dr. Dickinson were very happy about the surgical sites and the general healing, but were of course concerned about the nausea issue. They're powwowing about it now. Below, Dr. Dickinson (L) and Dr. Guerra (R). Anita's the one in the middle!
Our good friends Taro and Dr. Steven Barag came by tonight, and Steven got to meet his "brother", Dr. D. check out the picture below:
(Thats Steven on the right, if you didn't figure that out!!!!!)
Our good friends Taro and Dr. Steven Barag came by tonight, and Steven got to meet his "brother", Dr. D. check out the picture below:
Monday Night update-not the best of days
Some mixed news. Anita had a not so great day today. Still lots of nausea, and she is having a problem with fluid buildup around the lungs and heart-she felt a lot of pressure in her upper chest this morning. An internist came to visit for about an hour, and they are modifying her meds and ramping down the IV liquids a bit to compensate.
the nausea issue is still a problem, though. they have tried zofran and compazine, and one dose of emend. one nice side benefit is that compazine also cures symptoms of schizophrenia, so she seems a little less crazy to me today!!!!!!!!
It is dinnertime now, she did not eat anything again, but at least the fluid buildup issue seems to have abated. she actually got out of the room to walk today. making it about 20 feet and back, which was a lot better than yesterday, when she could literally only go about 2 feet per session.
Anitas swollen little feet:
Her brother AJ and his family. As you can see, she is looking more like herself already!!
the nausea issue is still a problem, though. they have tried zofran and compazine, and one dose of emend. one nice side benefit is that compazine also cures symptoms of schizophrenia, so she seems a little less crazy to me today!!!!!!!!
It is dinnertime now, she did not eat anything again, but at least the fluid buildup issue seems to have abated. she actually got out of the room to walk today. making it about 20 feet and back, which was a lot better than yesterday, when she could literally only go about 2 feet per session.
Anitas swollen little feet:
Below, our good friends the Koubas and Lana Simning examining "the button"
Her brother AJ and his family. As you can see, she is looking more like herself already!!
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Sunday, October 17th - Evening Update
Had lots of visitors today. My mom and dad "the graduate" came, Jeff and Sue Kouba, and Lana Simning from the scouts came before dinnertime. This seemed to perk her up and ALMOST made her forget about "the green button" pain pump. Our neighbor Susie and her hula sister Linda then followed. Anita's brother AJ and his family came around dinnertime.
Dr. Guerra (the breast surgeon) and Dr. Dickinson (plastic) have been in tonight. They are targeting to get her out tuesday or wednesday.
Anitas jello is looking good right now, i'm going to scam it off her
they're trying to get her out of bed and into a chair right now
Dr. Guerra (the breast surgeon) and Dr. Dickinson (plastic) have been in tonight. They are targeting to get her out tuesday or wednesday.
Anitas jello is looking good right now, i'm going to scam it off her
they're trying to get her out of bed and into a chair right now
Sunday-midday-moved to a real room!!!
Anita has been moved to a regular room now - she is now in 4E-030 (east wing, 4th floor, room 30). She is looking much better today, looking much more like herself now. Still a little concerned about low blood pressure, and nausea is still a problem-cant really eat much of anything. Maybe i can scam some jello off her tray. i think visiting hours are now unrestricted.
she is in much less pain now-basically when she is not moving she's ok. she got up once today, and they want her up a little later this afternoon. We are charging up her phone now, she can receive calls and texts in a few hours.
she is in much less pain now-basically when she is not moving she's ok. she got up once today, and they want her up a little later this afternoon. We are charging up her phone now, she can receive calls and texts in a few hours.
Sunday 10/17/2010
As i was walking into the hospital last night, i could not help but see a young couple walking out - looked like they were in their mid 20's. The young woman was sobbing uncontrollably, and i could not help but wonder what tragedy had intruded on their life. Was it one of her parents? A sibling? Perhaps a friend or relative, or even worse, a child?
I'm sure a lot of people we know think about Anita and I and perhaps feel sorry for her. Don't. She's a strong person, we got an early diagnosis, and were lucky enough to live in an area where excellent doctors and health care abound - and dodged a major bullet in the process. We have great friends that are supporting us in a big way. Even though it's obviously a long road ahead, a full recovery is at the end of the tunnel.
Of course, when we first got the news that Anita had cancer, your first thought's are why me? Why us? Life at that point seemed really unfair. After seeing the young couple, I now realize that WE are the lucky ones.
So today, as you go on with your life, think about that young couple - you know the phrase "life is short?". Well, it sure can be, so let's treat it that way.
We truly appreciate the support, calls texts, emails, etc. Calling or texting UNTIL she gets out of CCU is difficult due to the cell phone ban there, so pardon any slow responses. I'm resting up right now and plan on heading back right before lunch. I'm starting to realize I need to take better care of myself so I don't get worn down.
I'm sure a lot of people we know think about Anita and I and perhaps feel sorry for her. Don't. She's a strong person, we got an early diagnosis, and were lucky enough to live in an area where excellent doctors and health care abound - and dodged a major bullet in the process. We have great friends that are supporting us in a big way. Even though it's obviously a long road ahead, a full recovery is at the end of the tunnel.
Of course, when we first got the news that Anita had cancer, your first thought's are why me? Why us? Life at that point seemed really unfair. After seeing the young couple, I now realize that WE are the lucky ones.
So today, as you go on with your life, think about that young couple - you know the phrase "life is short?". Well, it sure can be, so let's treat it that way.
We truly appreciate the support, calls texts, emails, etc. Calling or texting UNTIL she gets out of CCU is difficult due to the cell phone ban there, so pardon any slow responses. I'm resting up right now and plan on heading back right before lunch. I'm starting to realize I need to take better care of myself so I don't get worn down.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Saturday Night-Post Surgery Day 1
Kind of treading water here. Anita's blood pressure is still a little low, and she is still on the supermodel diet (ate practically nothing today.) She got out of bed for a while, but problems with nausea put her back in bed soon. Really nothing to worry about says Dr. D, just a side effect of being under anesthesia so long. Its a difficult balance between too much pain meds and not enough. So she is in CCU probably thru tomorrow.
I was not around much of the day. I went to Compton College, (Southern Californias oldest junior college) where my 86 year old dad received his college degree today. My dad was about to enter as a freshman in 1942, when he was sent to the interment camps for japanese americans in WWII. A recent state assembly bill made it possible for him and his classmates to receive their degrees today. They had a full on ceremony just like a regular college graduation. So after 68 years, dad finally got his degree. By my calculations, he may be the slowest college graduate in modern history!!!! I guess we have to start taking him to job fairs and stuff like that.
A big thanks to hula sister Arlene who stepped in to take care of Anita in the AM while I was gone, and to Donna and Susie (from tennis) who took the afternoon shift. I think Rose, one of my tennis buddies wife, might have been there also in the afternoon
She is resting easily, napping a lot. Update again in the morning.
I was not around much of the day. I went to Compton College, (Southern Californias oldest junior college) where my 86 year old dad received his college degree today. My dad was about to enter as a freshman in 1942, when he was sent to the interment camps for japanese americans in WWII. A recent state assembly bill made it possible for him and his classmates to receive their degrees today. They had a full on ceremony just like a regular college graduation. So after 68 years, dad finally got his degree. By my calculations, he may be the slowest college graduate in modern history!!!! I guess we have to start taking him to job fairs and stuff like that.
A big thanks to hula sister Arlene who stepped in to take care of Anita in the AM while I was gone, and to Donna and Susie (from tennis) who took the afternoon shift. I think Rose, one of my tennis buddies wife, might have been there also in the afternoon
She is resting easily, napping a lot. Update again in the morning.
Saturday Day 1 post surgery midday update
Dr. D came a while back, checked up on Anita and everything is looking good. They're a little concerned about low blood pressure, so they are wanting to back off the pain medication a little bit, and substitute some IV motrin-like painkiller (i.e non-opiate) and see what happens. I think its called Toradol. Currently they are trying to wrest the dilaudid (similar but more powerful than morphine) pump switch from her hand-they may need to call security on this one!!!!!
She's still wanting to sleep a lot.
My niece Stephanie, her Husband Ryan, my sis Dianne, and her boyfriend Josh just stopped in on their way to my dad's college graduation (more on THAT later today)
Below, Anita's new best friend (the pain pump control button - these new high tech ones light up green when you can use it). Not pictured in her other hand is a machete which she has threatened to use on anyone who tries to take it away!!!!!!!!!!!
All in all, things are going well. Once again, thanks for the many texts, calls and emails. I am reading them all to anita as they come
She's still wanting to sleep a lot.
My niece Stephanie, her Husband Ryan, my sis Dianne, and her boyfriend Josh just stopped in on their way to my dad's college graduation (more on THAT later today)
Below, Anita's new best friend (the pain pump control button - these new high tech ones light up green when you can use it). Not pictured in her other hand is a machete which she has threatened to use on anyone who tries to take it away!!!!!!!!!!!
Saturday AM-Day 1 Post surgery
930 AM - Nothing much new to report at this time. Anita is still resting comfortably, kind of nauseous, not taking any kind of food yet. I think she is in better shape than me right now-after being up for 24 hours straight, getting up this morning was a cruel reminder that my best days have passed me by. Sucking down the strongest coffee they have right now.
Don't yet know when they will be moving her out of CCU. CCU is tough, no cell phones, no food, no flowers, etc. But the care is great-they are really looking after her good.
p.s. last night's food was excellent-the crust on that thing had a sweet quality to it. not sure who brought it, but thanks!!!!
Don't yet know when they will be moving her out of CCU. CCU is tough, no cell phones, no food, no flowers, etc. But the care is great-they are really looking after her good.
p.s. last night's food was excellent-the crust on that thing had a sweet quality to it. not sure who brought it, but thanks!!!!
Friday, October 15, 2010
Friday late night update
Anita is resting relatively comfortably tonight. She is complaining of pain in her left arm, which we figured out was the lymph node removal area. It doesn't seem that bad, as so far it is not keeping her from resting. Considering what she went through, I'd say she is progressing as well as could be expected.
The level of nursing care here so far has been superb. Her night nurse is Carrie, who has been taking really good care of her. Of course, so far she has been just in surgery, then in CCU, but even so the nurses have been excellent.
It's 11 oclock and we're waiting for Dr. D to come check on her
update: Dr. D has come in to check on Anita-excellent progress report, he is very happy. She is going to a regular room sometime tomorrow, and is going to start getting out of bed a little tomorrow, too. They are going to give her stuff to help her sleep for the night (adavan).
Signing off for the night
The level of nursing care here so far has been superb. Her night nurse is Carrie, who has been taking really good care of her. Of course, so far she has been just in surgery, then in CCU, but even so the nurses have been excellent.
It's 11 oclock and we're waiting for Dr. D to come check on her
update: Dr. D has come in to check on Anita-excellent progress report, he is very happy. She is going to a regular room sometime tomorrow, and is going to start getting out of bed a little tomorrow, too. They are going to give her stuff to help her sleep for the night (adavan).
Signing off for the night
In CCU now (Friday, 7pm)
Anita's been moved out of recovery into CCU now (West Wing, 4th floor, CCU-18). Limited visitor availability. No visitors between 7-8AM and 7-8PM.
She's in a lot of pain, but it seems manageable. Having a lot of trouble talking (throat is a little irritated i guess from having the airway tube stuck down her throat for 10 hours). She's pressing the pain med button like a video game player, but unfortunately, it's programmed to work only once every 15 minutes or so. She can't have much of anything except a little water now. Shes VERY sleepy (I dont know why, shes been sleeping the last 10 hours). Oh, well it gives me time to blog. They think she will be in CCU for about a day or so. Dr. Dickinson is going to visit later tonight to check on her.
Above, Dr. Brian Dickinson. For the hula group, does he not look a little like Dr. Steven Barag's better looking younger brother?????
Dr. D just saw her (730pm) and said she is doing perfectly well. He's coming back at 11pm, so i guess i'll update again then
Time to grab some dinner since I've been kicked out until 8pm.......
She's in a lot of pain, but it seems manageable. Having a lot of trouble talking (throat is a little irritated i guess from having the airway tube stuck down her throat for 10 hours). She's pressing the pain med button like a video game player, but unfortunately, it's programmed to work only once every 15 minutes or so. She can't have much of anything except a little water now. Shes VERY sleepy (I dont know why, shes been sleeping the last 10 hours). Oh, well it gives me time to blog. They think she will be in CCU for about a day or so. Dr. Dickinson is going to visit later tonight to check on her.
Dr. D just saw her (730pm) and said she is doing perfectly well. He's coming back at 11pm, so i guess i'll update again then
Time to grab some dinner since I've been kicked out until 8pm.......
She's Out!!!
Surgery finished at 515pm. just talked to the plastic surgeon, Dr. Dickinson, and he was excited about the result. They had to take a little stomach muscle to make it work (The transplanted material needs blood flow to stay alive), but a small enough amount that he felt she would not notice it.
she is currently in recovery, probably cannot see her until she goes to ICU.
Dr Dickinson thought it went so well she might get to go home in 4 days instead of 6
Check back in a few hours
she is currently in recovery, probably cannot see her until she goes to ICU.
Dr Dickinson thought it went so well she might get to go home in 4 days instead of 6
Check back in a few hours
345pm - progress report
Nothing much new to report. I got a call from the anesthesiologist about 230pm. She said all was going well, and they anticipate Anita being out of surgery at about 6pm.
They figure she will be in recovery for about 1 hour, then moving to ICU for the rest of the evening.
I will update when she gets out of surgery
They figure she will be in recovery for about 1 hour, then moving to ICU for the rest of the evening.
I will update when she gets out of surgery
Great News - Part 1 is done, and the cancer has not spread
Great news - at 1030AM, Dr. Guerra came out of surgery and told me that the sentinel lymph nodes have been examined, looked normal to the naked eye, and also came out clean in the screening biopsy!!! Although they will perform the full biopsy anyway (we'll know the results of that later next week), all signs point to what we thought-stage 0 (non invasive) cancer. So the mastectomy is done, Dr. Guerra is finished, and they're moving into the reconstructive phase.
Dr. Dickinson is now working his magic, and we'll probably know a little more about 4pm or so, with the surgery finishing about 6pm.
The anesthesiologist has called a few times with some updates, Anita is doing fine so far.
Dr. Dickinson is now working his magic, and we'll probably know a little more about 4pm or so, with the surgery finishing about 6pm.
The anesthesiologist has called a few times with some updates, Anita is doing fine so far.
Larry's taking over the blog-Anita's in surgery
They just wheeled Anita into surgery at 8AM, after 3 hours of prep and paperwork. The nurses and staff here have been excellent so far. Anita was amazingly calm this morning, she did not show any traces of nervousness. She will have 2 hours with Dr. Lisa Guerra, her breast surgeon. They will excise her breast and her "sentinel" lymph nodes. They injected a radioactive dye into her last night to see where her initial or sentinel lymph nodes are, and take them out. The sentinel nodes are the first nodes that would have cancer cells in them. They will quickly do a biopsy (during the surgery) of the sentinel nodes to see if any cancer cells are in there. If the sentinel nodes are clean, she gets to keep the rest of her lymph nodes. Breast surgery has progressed a lot in the last few years, it's a long way from the day where they immediately took out all of the lymph nodes and the chest muscle. (Below is Anita with Dr. Guerra)
After Dr. Guerra is done, the hard work begins. About 10AM, Dr. Dickinson, the plastic surgeon, will start his end, which will be about 6-8 hours more. He will be transplanting tissue from the stomach area, and creating a new breast out of the tissue. It's all done microsurgically (lots of veins and arteries to be disconnected and reconnected), which is why it takes so long.
I will update when Dr. Guerra comes out of the OR.
And guess what? Her anesthesiologist is from Hawaii, is our age, and attended the same school Anita went to one summer (Punahou, where our Prez went to school)
Thanks for your support-talk to you in a few hours
After Dr. Guerra is done, the hard work begins. About 10AM, Dr. Dickinson, the plastic surgeon, will start his end, which will be about 6-8 hours more. He will be transplanting tissue from the stomach area, and creating a new breast out of the tissue. It's all done microsurgically (lots of veins and arteries to be disconnected and reconnected), which is why it takes so long.
I will update when Dr. Guerra comes out of the OR.
And guess what? Her anesthesiologist is from Hawaii, is our age, and attended the same school Anita went to one summer (Punahou, where our Prez went to school)
Thanks for your support-talk to you in a few hours
Thursday, October 14, 2010
"Twas the Night before Surgery..."
And all thru the Takemoto household...…ok, wrong story. Seriously, mahalo to everyone who has called me, emailed me, visited me, sent flowers, sent books and gift cards (my kids are sooo happy!!), stopped by, those who signed up for meals and shopping, those who are helping me out (babysitting and special helpers) and kept me in your thots and prayers. (Did I miss anything? If I did…MAHALO!) Wow, I am soooo blessed to have this circle of Ohana (family) and Friends.
Now that I have the thank you’s done, you ask how am I doing? Today was rather difficult. I had a couple of meltdowns but have bounced back rather well. I am getting ready for a good nite’s sleep and check in at 5 AM.
I am looking forward to seeing you all soon!! Take care. Hugs to all!
Now that I have the thank you’s done, you ask how am I doing? Today was rather difficult. I had a couple of meltdowns but have bounced back rather well. I am getting ready for a good nite’s sleep and check in at 5 AM.
I am looking forward to seeing you all soon!! Take care. Hugs to all!
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
TWO Days Till Surgery...
Tick, tock, tick, tock! Wow, how time flies. I can’t believe that in just a couple of days, I am gonna have the best sleep ever! Seriously, thank you to all who have posted comments (and I know that is difficult to do on my blog!), emailed me, called me and stopped by to see me. I so appreciate your efforts to ‘touch’ me. My heart and soul is filled with your love and support and PRAYERS!! Mahalo!
Yes, my mom and Larry’s parents now know. It was really, really difficult to tell them…well, Larry told his parents and they took it very well. Telling my mom the news was so hard. Thanx, Karen (my sis), for watching over mom. And to Keven (my bro) for worrying about mom.
Because so many of you have asked, here is a note from my friend, Bridget:
If you have not heard by now our friend Anita Takemoto has been diagnosed with Breast Cancer. She will be going in for surgery on Friday the 15th and is in need of help with meals and weekly grocery shopping. I have started a Care Calendar for anyone who wants to sign up and help.
Here are the log in instructions for the care calendar:
To access Anita Takemoto's personal CareCalendar site,
visit http://www.carecalendar.org/logon/52789 and enter
the following information in the appropriate spaces:
CALENDAR ID : 52789
SECURITY CODE : 9350
Username: mondtb
Password: goofball
I don’t have everyone’s e-mail so please feel free to pass this e-mail on to anyone you think would like to help Anita and her family.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact me:
Bridget Mondt
Home: 360-1253
Cell: 533-2137
Please, if you are busy (and I totally understand) or are too far, no worries. Just knowing that I am in your thots and prayers means so much to me.
So, how am I doing? I am doing great. I am too busy to be really…worried is not the correct word…ummm, ok, worried is the best word I can think of at midnite. I will not allow myself to really, really think about the surgery. I do think about it but not dwell on it. Until maybe Thursday nite! LOL!! I am doing a lot of ‘last things’. We took at last family vacation, just the 4 of us, to San Diego. We kayaked in La Jolla, stayed in San Diego and went to Sea World the next day. Yes, even Brett had a good time at Sea World. We saw the ‘Social Network’, the 4 of us this past weekend (mahalo for the movie tickets and munchies!!) I went on two of my crazy fun crafting getaways, one with Leslie, Yuko, Michelle and Laura, and the second one with Michelle. Can you believe that we have so much fun, so much crafting that we got tired?? I don’t get it. Maybe I am getting old!! I’ve been to my last buncos and last hula class before surgery. I got an adjustment from my chiropractor yesterday. (I feel so much better thanx to Dr. Loaiza!) My last nail appointment is on Thursday. That’s really a priority!! I am crazy busy with work and trying to straighten up the house. That is a never ending chore!
Gotta get ready to go to bed. Nite nite, all…
Yes, my mom and Larry’s parents now know. It was really, really difficult to tell them…well, Larry told his parents and they took it very well. Telling my mom the news was so hard. Thanx, Karen (my sis), for watching over mom. And to Keven (my bro) for worrying about mom.
Because so many of you have asked, here is a note from my friend, Bridget:
If you have not heard by now our friend Anita Takemoto has been diagnosed with Breast Cancer. She will be going in for surgery on Friday the 15th and is in need of help with meals and weekly grocery shopping. I have started a Care Calendar for anyone who wants to sign up and help.
Here are the log in instructions for the care calendar:
To access Anita Takemoto's personal CareCalendar site,
visit http://www.carecalendar.org/logon/52789 and enter
the following information in the appropriate spaces:
CALENDAR ID : 52789
SECURITY CODE : 9350
Username: mondtb
Password: goofball
I don’t have everyone’s e-mail so please feel free to pass this e-mail on to anyone you think would like to help Anita and her family.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact me:
Bridget Mondt
Home: 360-1253
Cell: 533-2137
Please, if you are busy (and I totally understand) or are too far, no worries. Just knowing that I am in your thots and prayers means so much to me.
So, how am I doing? I am doing great. I am too busy to be really…worried is not the correct word…ummm, ok, worried is the best word I can think of at midnite. I will not allow myself to really, really think about the surgery. I do think about it but not dwell on it. Until maybe Thursday nite! LOL!! I am doing a lot of ‘last things’. We took at last family vacation, just the 4 of us, to San Diego. We kayaked in La Jolla, stayed in San Diego and went to Sea World the next day. Yes, even Brett had a good time at Sea World. We saw the ‘Social Network’, the 4 of us this past weekend (mahalo for the movie tickets and munchies!!) I went on two of my crazy fun crafting getaways, one with Leslie, Yuko, Michelle and Laura, and the second one with Michelle. Can you believe that we have so much fun, so much crafting that we got tired?? I don’t get it. Maybe I am getting old!! I’ve been to my last buncos and last hula class before surgery. I got an adjustment from my chiropractor yesterday. (I feel so much better thanx to Dr. Loaiza!) My last nail appointment is on Thursday. That’s really a priority!! I am crazy busy with work and trying to straighten up the house. That is a never ending chore!
Gotta get ready to go to bed. Nite nite, all…
Monday, October 4, 2010
A Public Service Announcement and a Favor…
A Public Service Announcement-(just imagine a voice like George Clooney or Jennifer Aniston):
If YOU need to see a medical specialist (like YOUR DOCTOR!!) for any reason like experiencing pain, lump, annual, semi-annual or WAY OVER DUE ANNUAL), please, PLEASE MAKE A PHONE CALL!!!
To date, I have 13 of my friends and relatives who have said they need to make an appointment with their doctors. To those who have seen their doctors and have received their results, they have all been negative! YEA! Now to those who have promised to call their doctors and have not, do it today. And finally, to those who have not yet called OR THOSE WHO NEED to make an appointment, PLEASE DO IT! Do it for me, for your spouse, children and for your family so you do not need to tell them news like I had to do. Let me share with you that telling my kids, Larry’s parents and my Mom (oh, I haven’t told her yet!! Shhhh.) and our families was agonizing. It was so hard because I didn’t want to them worry and I didn’t know how they would take it. Believe me, you do not want to be in that position. And let me know if you are my 14th, or 15th, or whatever number person.
Now to the Favor part. Thank you, everyone, for your phone calls, emails and visits, of support, love, prayers, flowers, books and loving thots. And offers to do meals and whatever. I am calling in the ‘meals and whatever’. My recovery will be long (BTW, Larry, the doc said I will out of work for 6-8+ weeks!!) so I would love some meals for my family. I think my family would be healthier if they didn’t eat top ramen noodles everyday. Tho Brett would love it.
And would someone please coordinate it. I would really appreciate it.
Till the next entry, take care.
Aloha,
Anita
PS. Please leave me a comment. I love the read them:)!!!
If YOU need to see a medical specialist (like YOUR DOCTOR!!) for any reason like experiencing pain, lump, annual, semi-annual or WAY OVER DUE ANNUAL), please, PLEASE MAKE A PHONE CALL!!!
To date, I have 13 of my friends and relatives who have said they need to make an appointment with their doctors. To those who have seen their doctors and have received their results, they have all been negative! YEA! Now to those who have promised to call their doctors and have not, do it today. And finally, to those who have not yet called OR THOSE WHO NEED to make an appointment, PLEASE DO IT! Do it for me, for your spouse, children and for your family so you do not need to tell them news like I had to do. Let me share with you that telling my kids, Larry’s parents and my Mom (oh, I haven’t told her yet!! Shhhh.) and our families was agonizing. It was so hard because I didn’t want to them worry and I didn’t know how they would take it. Believe me, you do not want to be in that position. And let me know if you are my 14th, or 15th, or whatever number person.
Now to the Favor part. Thank you, everyone, for your phone calls, emails and visits, of support, love, prayers, flowers, books and loving thots. And offers to do meals and whatever. I am calling in the ‘meals and whatever’. My recovery will be long (BTW, Larry, the doc said I will out of work for 6-8+ weeks!!) so I would love some meals for my family. I think my family would be healthier if they didn’t eat top ramen noodles everyday. Tho Brett would love it.
And would someone please coordinate it. I would really appreciate it.
Till the next entry, take care.
Aloha,
Anita
PS. Please leave me a comment. I love the read them:)!!!
Saturday, October 2, 2010
It’s been too long since my last post…
I know, I know. I said that I would TRY to post once a week. Yes, I know that I am behind. How does that saying go: all good things come to those who wait. Ummm, what’s been happening? Well, Tuesday, I had my pre-op appointment with the fabulous Dr. D, (that’s Dr. Dickinson, my plastic surgeon!!). He got his marker and was drawing pictures of Larry and me on my body…well, really making a map of the incision cuts. If he ever wants to give up being a surgeon, he can definitely making a living being an artist!!
Wednesday, I saw my awesome breast surgeon, Dr. Guerra. Before someone has surgery, the doctors today are very thorough. Boy oh boy, she put me thru the wringer! I had a mammogram, blood test, X-ray and EKG. OK, in a day or so, I may forget how it feels to have a mammogram…maybe more than a couple of days!! LOL!! I’ll let you know. (I may give up eating pancakes!!) On to the blood test-the guy stuck me in the left arm and went fishing…for my vein. I know it’ll be sore for days. AND, to top it off, he totally missed my vein. So then I got stuck in the other arm, too. At least he found it that time. Do you know they do an EKG on you before surgery to check if you had an undetected heart attack? I guess all the times I felt chest pains were NOT heart attacks!
RAKs-definition; Random Acts of Kindness. I want to share a couple of RAK stories with you. You know how I love to go on my ‘crafting getaways’. There are swaps at these events. Someone will post ‘let’s do a ribbon swap, or a page layout swap’ or something like that. There were two charm swaps and about 65 people signed up to make 80+ charms (yes, make like in hand-made). I wanted to sign up to be part of the charm swap but didn’t have the time to make them. So, Michelle was a total dear; she gave me half of the charms she received and made a bracelet for me!!! And I didn’t even make a charm!! OMGosh! I was so touched! Then, I shared my cancer journey with Leslie M. from Texas, a friend that I had met thru this event a couple of years ago. She had a necklace with the charms from both swaps. She gave me her entire necklace!!! Another OMGosh moment!! To Michelle and Leslie; Mahalo for their very generous RAKs.
For the most part, I think I am doing pretty well. Other than being more emotional (is that is possible??), I am really good with the whole cancer thing…except for Tuesday. I don’t know what caused all the emotion. I was crying and fretting. Thank you, Rebecca, for being my rock that day. She has been down the same road as I and it was good to just cry and talk about stuff. It was the same day as my first pre-op appointment. Maybe I have been so busy with work and the funeral and family and my fun events and stuff that I haven’t really, really put a lot of thot into this until my first pre-op appointment? Maybe the stress just got to me? So I got all my crying before and at my appointment out of the way, came home and took a time out…oh, I mean a nap. It’s amazing what closing your eyes for 30 minutes will do for you. I felt ready to go celebrate Barbara’s birthday. Being with Barbara and the girls was the most important part of the day! A perfect way to end the day. We had so much fun that they we closed the restaurant!!
I have already started the next entry so either 1) subscribe or 2) bookmark:
www.atakemoto1.blogspot.com
And check in tomorrow!!
PS. Please feel free to leave a comment:)!!
Wednesday, I saw my awesome breast surgeon, Dr. Guerra. Before someone has surgery, the doctors today are very thorough. Boy oh boy, she put me thru the wringer! I had a mammogram, blood test, X-ray and EKG. OK, in a day or so, I may forget how it feels to have a mammogram…maybe more than a couple of days!! LOL!! I’ll let you know. (I may give up eating pancakes!!) On to the blood test-the guy stuck me in the left arm and went fishing…for my vein. I know it’ll be sore for days. AND, to top it off, he totally missed my vein. So then I got stuck in the other arm, too. At least he found it that time. Do you know they do an EKG on you before surgery to check if you had an undetected heart attack? I guess all the times I felt chest pains were NOT heart attacks!
RAKs-definition; Random Acts of Kindness. I want to share a couple of RAK stories with you. You know how I love to go on my ‘crafting getaways’. There are swaps at these events. Someone will post ‘let’s do a ribbon swap, or a page layout swap’ or something like that. There were two charm swaps and about 65 people signed up to make 80+ charms (yes, make like in hand-made). I wanted to sign up to be part of the charm swap but didn’t have the time to make them. So, Michelle was a total dear; she gave me half of the charms she received and made a bracelet for me!!! And I didn’t even make a charm!! OMGosh! I was so touched! Then, I shared my cancer journey with Leslie M. from Texas, a friend that I had met thru this event a couple of years ago. She had a necklace with the charms from both swaps. She gave me her entire necklace!!! Another OMGosh moment!! To Michelle and Leslie; Mahalo for their very generous RAKs.
For the most part, I think I am doing pretty well. Other than being more emotional (is that is possible??), I am really good with the whole cancer thing…except for Tuesday. I don’t know what caused all the emotion. I was crying and fretting. Thank you, Rebecca, for being my rock that day. She has been down the same road as I and it was good to just cry and talk about stuff. It was the same day as my first pre-op appointment. Maybe I have been so busy with work and the funeral and family and my fun events and stuff that I haven’t really, really put a lot of thot into this until my first pre-op appointment? Maybe the stress just got to me? So I got all my crying before and at my appointment out of the way, came home and took a time out…oh, I mean a nap. It’s amazing what closing your eyes for 30 minutes will do for you. I felt ready to go celebrate Barbara’s birthday. Being with Barbara and the girls was the most important part of the day! A perfect way to end the day. We had so much fun that they we closed the restaurant!!
I have already started the next entry so either 1) subscribe or 2) bookmark:
www.atakemoto1.blogspot.com
And check in tomorrow!!
PS. Please feel free to leave a comment:)!!
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Finally, a Surgery Date!!
Now I can plan my life…for the next couple of months, at least. The date of the surgery is set for October 15th at Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach at 7:30...AM!!!! As you all know, I am NOT an early bird. Oh, I guess it’ll be ok. I’ll get a chance to have a long nap during surgery to get caught up on my beauty sleep!! LOL!! Hoag Hospital is the same hospital that Brett and Kristi were born in. I am blessed to have a fabulous team of doctors on my side-Dr. Lisa Guerra, my surgeon, Dr. Brian Dickinson, my reconstructive surgeon and Dr. Neil Barth, my oncologist. Everyone I talk to says they are totally awesome. I feel so much at ease knowing they are so highly well respected in their fields.
This is my first attempt at blogging. Please subscribe to my blog and I think that you will get an email when I post a new entry. Or you can ‘bookmark’ my blog at:
www.atakemoto1.blogspot.com
My plan is to post at least once a week. Larry will be a ‘guest blogger’ during my recovery and will be able to keep you all ‘in the know’ about post surgery and recovery.
The outpouring of emails and calls from all of you has touched my heart. Although I may not have replied to you, I have read each and every one of them more than once. I thank you for taking the time to email me, call me, stop by to see me, to think about me and for keeping me in your thots and prayers. I always say you can never have too many prayers. All your emails are saved in a folder in my Inbox. I always knew I had awesome friends. You have just shown it to me again. I appreciate your open offers of help, for shopping and running errands and for meals. Post-op, I am sure that I will need some assistance.
Have you ever had a CT scan with contrast with iodine? Well, if you haven’t, here’s the 411. First, they want you to be well hydrated. Translation, drink a lot so when they stick you to set up the IV, they can find your vein. Translation, they want you to have a full bladder. So, the tech tells me they will give me an iodine push twice (and it’s a lot of iodine!!), once to time how long it takes to get where ever and the second time to do the actual scan. She says you will get a warm feeling starting from the neck down to the bladder. And, you feel like you are peeing…but you are not. Well, with a full bladder already and the iodine push, I was really concentrating hard and felt like I should cross my legs!! I didn’t want to be the first person to pee in the CT machine!! LOL!! So, beware of CT scans with contrast!
Remember in my last blog post I had told you about 3 people who have made long, overdue appointments to see their doctors, I need to up it to 4 people and one who I will be contacting tomorrow to remind her to call her doctor. I skipped my annual mammogram. If I had gone on time, the extent of my cancer would have been a smaller area because it would have been detected earlier. So, if you are due or overdue for an appointment or annual whatever, please go. Do it for me. Do it for your family. Do it for YOURSELF!
Till the next post, take care…
This is my first attempt at blogging. Please subscribe to my blog and I think that you will get an email when I post a new entry. Or you can ‘bookmark’ my blog at:
www.atakemoto1.blogspot.com
My plan is to post at least once a week. Larry will be a ‘guest blogger’ during my recovery and will be able to keep you all ‘in the know’ about post surgery and recovery.
The outpouring of emails and calls from all of you has touched my heart. Although I may not have replied to you, I have read each and every one of them more than once. I thank you for taking the time to email me, call me, stop by to see me, to think about me and for keeping me in your thots and prayers. I always say you can never have too many prayers. All your emails are saved in a folder in my Inbox. I always knew I had awesome friends. You have just shown it to me again. I appreciate your open offers of help, for shopping and running errands and for meals. Post-op, I am sure that I will need some assistance.
Have you ever had a CT scan with contrast with iodine? Well, if you haven’t, here’s the 411. First, they want you to be well hydrated. Translation, drink a lot so when they stick you to set up the IV, they can find your vein. Translation, they want you to have a full bladder. So, the tech tells me they will give me an iodine push twice (and it’s a lot of iodine!!), once to time how long it takes to get where ever and the second time to do the actual scan. She says you will get a warm feeling starting from the neck down to the bladder. And, you feel like you are peeing…but you are not. Well, with a full bladder already and the iodine push, I was really concentrating hard and felt like I should cross my legs!! I didn’t want to be the first person to pee in the CT machine!! LOL!! So, beware of CT scans with contrast!
Remember in my last blog post I had told you about 3 people who have made long, overdue appointments to see their doctors, I need to up it to 4 people and one who I will be contacting tomorrow to remind her to call her doctor. I skipped my annual mammogram. If I had gone on time, the extent of my cancer would have been a smaller area because it would have been detected earlier. So, if you are due or overdue for an appointment or annual whatever, please go. Do it for me. Do it for your family. Do it for YOURSELF!
Till the next post, take care…
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Let's try this again...
OK, so I found out how to post my second post. (It really helps if you have the user name and password...DUH!! Mahalo to Larry!) So this is the latest: I have finally decided on the treatment plan!! YAY!! This decision was agonizing. It took 3 weeks, many doc appointments, phone conversations and emails with the doctors to give me enough information so I could make a decision that is right for me and one that I am comfortable with. I am having a mastectomy on the left breast. There is no cancer in the right breast. As soon as my surgeons and the operating room get on the same page with a surgery date, I'll let you know.
I am so lucky to have found this cancer today. 10, even 5 years ago, detection and even treatment has changed. I am blessed to be EXACTLY where I am today. I feel that I have this cancer for a reason. God gave me this disease, right now, in the early stages, for a reason. I am not sure why. Kristi has a friend that has had a lump in her breast for some time and has ignored it. Kristi is making sure that her friend has it checked out. A friend of mine confided that she has not seen a doctor in years. I will be making sure that she makes an appointment with a doctor. Another friend of mine has been self diagnosing herself her years and has not seen a doctor for a health condition. She has made an appointment with her doctor. So, maybe this is why...
For everyone who reads my blog, will you promise me that you will get off your... (what language would you like it in-Hawaiian, Spanish, Latin, English, etc.?) little tush and make an appointment with the doctor if you are over due to see them? Will you please, please do that for me? Maybe me having cancer will help someone else be healthy, stay healthy or get healthy. Make me a promise, please?? Pinky swear???????
I gotta get back to work. (Don't tell my boss, Larry, that I wrote this during work hours. I might get fired!! LOL!!)
I am so lucky to have found this cancer today. 10, even 5 years ago, detection and even treatment has changed. I am blessed to be EXACTLY where I am today. I feel that I have this cancer for a reason. God gave me this disease, right now, in the early stages, for a reason. I am not sure why. Kristi has a friend that has had a lump in her breast for some time and has ignored it. Kristi is making sure that her friend has it checked out. A friend of mine confided that she has not seen a doctor in years. I will be making sure that she makes an appointment with a doctor. Another friend of mine has been self diagnosing herself her years and has not seen a doctor for a health condition. She has made an appointment with her doctor. So, maybe this is why...
For everyone who reads my blog, will you promise me that you will get off your... (what language would you like it in-Hawaiian, Spanish, Latin, English, etc.?) little tush and make an appointment with the doctor if you are over due to see them? Will you please, please do that for me? Maybe me having cancer will help someone else be healthy, stay healthy or get healthy. Make me a promise, please?? Pinky swear???????
I gotta get back to work. (Don't tell my boss, Larry, that I wrote this during work hours. I might get fired!! LOL!!)
Saturday, August 14, 2010
First post-my breast cancer log
This is very hard to say-I have Breast Cancer. Let me start by saying that my outcome (says the docs) is excellent. Just a little surgery here, some recovery, probably no radiation or chemo, and I'll be as good as new! If there was a 'good' breast cancer, this is the one. I am one of the lucky ones. My cancer was found in one of the earliest stages.
First of all, please, please DO NOT say anything to my mom. She is getting more fragile and I have not yet decided how to tell her. Thank you for your support in my decision.
So, let me just catch you all up to how this all began...
I had a routine mammogram. The lab said there are some 'probably' calcium deposits and told me to go get a biopsy. 'Probably' nothing to worry about. So, I didn't worry about it. There were other things in life that was more important-holidays, family dinners, our annual Memorial Day vacation where we celebrate Brett's birthday (23 this year!), lunches, dinner...you know the drill. The lab sent me letters, then the letters said it's the final one, then more letters and phone calls. Geez Louise, OK already! I get the message. All this grief for some 'probable' calcium deposits. I called the lab to go in for the biopsy. My biggest worry at the time was how much the needle was going to hurt and the inability to use my arm for the next 24-48 hours. LOL!! Was I ever not on the right page!! I had the biopsy on Friday, 7/16 and they called me on the 20th, on MY BIRTHDAY, to tell me that there cancer. I was at home all by myself, both the radiologist and my OB calling me at the same time! Yes, it was very traumatic!
I have a wonderful surgeon, Dr, Lisa Guerra out of Hoag Hospital. She is totally awesome and Larry and I just love her. Well, I totally love her and Larry should only LIKE her! LOL!! I feel 100%, maybe 200% comfortable knowing she will be with me in the operating room. There are a few more decisions that we have to make and will be setting a date for surgery.
Larry is my rock. He's has been at my side from the first moment. His major in college was NOT computer science but microbiology. Larry is (as i like to say) an OLOGY person and I am a calculator person. I do not get the ology words, cannot pronounce the ology words and do not know the definition of ology words!!! The doctor will say something and Larry totally gets it. I am beginning to get it. The learning curve is HUGE!!!! I really don't want to have to learn all this new terminology and medical stuff. You all know me-I do not like change.
Please forgive me for not telling you all sooner. Even though my cancer was found very, very early and my outcome will be so positive, this has been very difficult and scary. I have family members who have some medical issues that this news will be very difficult. Plus, I needed the time to digest the diagnosis and find the path that I will take.
I have been blessed to have found this cancer sooooo very early, to have a fabulous surgeon, to have such a great family and friends, to have 2 wonderful kids and a fabulous husband. Without him, I do not know where I would be. Larry, mahalo and I love you.
First of all, please, please DO NOT say anything to my mom. She is getting more fragile and I have not yet decided how to tell her. Thank you for your support in my decision.
So, let me just catch you all up to how this all began...
I had a routine mammogram. The lab said there are some 'probably' calcium deposits and told me to go get a biopsy. 'Probably' nothing to worry about. So, I didn't worry about it. There were other things in life that was more important-holidays, family dinners, our annual Memorial Day vacation where we celebrate Brett's birthday (23 this year!), lunches, dinner...you know the drill. The lab sent me letters, then the letters said it's the final one, then more letters and phone calls. Geez Louise, OK already! I get the message. All this grief for some 'probable' calcium deposits. I called the lab to go in for the biopsy. My biggest worry at the time was how much the needle was going to hurt and the inability to use my arm for the next 24-48 hours. LOL!! Was I ever not on the right page!! I had the biopsy on Friday, 7/16 and they called me on the 20th, on MY BIRTHDAY, to tell me that there cancer. I was at home all by myself, both the radiologist and my OB calling me at the same time! Yes, it was very traumatic!
I have a wonderful surgeon, Dr, Lisa Guerra out of Hoag Hospital. She is totally awesome and Larry and I just love her. Well, I totally love her and Larry should only LIKE her! LOL!! I feel 100%, maybe 200% comfortable knowing she will be with me in the operating room. There are a few more decisions that we have to make and will be setting a date for surgery.
Larry is my rock. He's has been at my side from the first moment. His major in college was NOT computer science but microbiology. Larry is (as i like to say) an OLOGY person and I am a calculator person. I do not get the ology words, cannot pronounce the ology words and do not know the definition of ology words!!! The doctor will say something and Larry totally gets it. I am beginning to get it. The learning curve is HUGE!!!! I really don't want to have to learn all this new terminology and medical stuff. You all know me-I do not like change.
Please forgive me for not telling you all sooner. Even though my cancer was found very, very early and my outcome will be so positive, this has been very difficult and scary. I have family members who have some medical issues that this news will be very difficult. Plus, I needed the time to digest the diagnosis and find the path that I will take.
I have been blessed to have found this cancer sooooo very early, to have a fabulous surgeon, to have such a great family and friends, to have 2 wonderful kids and a fabulous husband. Without him, I do not know where I would be. Larry, mahalo and I love you.
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