My appointment with the Oncologist on 23 September 2010 has confirmed that i need chemotherapy for 6 cycles, 1 cycle is for 3 weeks. My condition is in the middle, not the earliest and not the worst. The good thing is that my lymph nodes tested negative for the cancer cells but cancer cell positive for Her2+. Only 15 -25% of cancer patients are Her2+ and i am one of the unlucky ones, the cancer cells growth are more aggressive. That is why i need the chemotherapy.
The shake his head when the answer for all his questions are 'NO'. Do you smoke? do you ever smoke? drink? any history of breast cancer in your family? are you over weight? eat meat excessively?. Then how come i am the given this illness?. There are many other factors, includes environmental pollution, chemical exposure, stress, etc, no way to pin point.
The only regret i have was i did not seek for a second opinion when i first detected the lump way back in March and May 2010. The doctor i saw did an ultrasound and confirm it is not cancerous but luckily i decided to removed it in August just in case. Only if i have known earlier, i could have removed the lump earlier.
The chemotherapy will start on 5 October 2010. I am still not sure whether to implant a chemo pot or not? how will the side effect be.....i will lose my hair! gosh this is really big for me. God let everything be okay and not painful.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Breast Cancer Stage IIa (Day 18)
As the days goes by, i some times forget that i have some very serious activity going on inside me. My taste buds are tempting me and it is so difficult to resist. Last Friday my younger sister came back from KL and my aunt over there packed some nice juicy dried sweet meat....yum....luckily my husband quickly finish most of them and last night my husband and kids went out and had KFC for dinner, i had my dinner earlier so i only had few fries.
A childhood friend visited me on 15 September 2010 evening, we talked and she lend me a very useful book about antioxidant. Read it a bit and it really is an introduction to Vitamin E, C, polic acid and etc. Do you know that too fully benefit from the vitamin C or E, you should consume both E and C together. I did not know that!
I bought my supplements last Friday, Vitamin E, C, multivitamins, Calcium Magnesium and Co enzyme Q10. Have been taking all the vitamins for two days now along with consuming fruits and vegetables with abit of chicken or fish meat. Hopefully the antioxidant in my body could control all the free radicals that is harmful to my health cells. I read in some articles that taking soy can cause cancer so do taking milk. Is it true? i am not drinking my milk and calcium making my back ache, that is why i have to take Calcium tablets.
How about taking Spirulina? Husband, kids and I have been taking spirulina tablets for months now but a friend of mine told me that it causes lung and liver cancer. I have to get more information on this.
My left arm is still aching. 12 days after the operation and the pain is still there. Those who have survived this illness explained that the toughest time to go through is during the chemotherapy period. It all depends on the side effect it causes you, some would be so weak that they could not get out of bed, feels hungry but have no appetites to eat or difficult to eat due to dry throat, nausea, body ache and migraine. Oh God hope i can go through all of this and please lighten the suffering during my treatment.
My Oncology appointment will be on 23 September 2010 2pm. The specialist doctor will decide what suitable treatment will i be put on. Hope for the best.
Will get you updated after the appointment.
A childhood friend visited me on 15 September 2010 evening, we talked and she lend me a very useful book about antioxidant. Read it a bit and it really is an introduction to Vitamin E, C, polic acid and etc. Do you know that too fully benefit from the vitamin C or E, you should consume both E and C together. I did not know that!
I bought my supplements last Friday, Vitamin E, C, multivitamins, Calcium Magnesium and Co enzyme Q10. Have been taking all the vitamins for two days now along with consuming fruits and vegetables with abit of chicken or fish meat. Hopefully the antioxidant in my body could control all the free radicals that is harmful to my health cells. I read in some articles that taking soy can cause cancer so do taking milk. Is it true? i am not drinking my milk and calcium making my back ache, that is why i have to take Calcium tablets.
How about taking Spirulina? Husband, kids and I have been taking spirulina tablets for months now but a friend of mine told me that it causes lung and liver cancer. I have to get more information on this.
My left arm is still aching. 12 days after the operation and the pain is still there. Those who have survived this illness explained that the toughest time to go through is during the chemotherapy period. It all depends on the side effect it causes you, some would be so weak that they could not get out of bed, feels hungry but have no appetites to eat or difficult to eat due to dry throat, nausea, body ache and migraine. Oh God hope i can go through all of this and please lighten the suffering during my treatment.
My Oncology appointment will be on 23 September 2010 2pm. The specialist doctor will decide what suitable treatment will i be put on. Hope for the best.
Will get you updated after the appointment.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Breast Cancer Stage IIa (Day 14)
Notice the changes in the title. Stage IIa : the tumor is larger than 2 centimeters but not larger than 5 centimeters and has not spread to the axillary lymph nodes.
My 1st doctor review after the major operation was this morning. The stitches were cut off and some fluid and blood in the empty space between the breast tissue were drained out via needle and syringe. I was given both a good and a bad news. The histopathology report states the followings which the doctor underline;
1. No invasive carcinoma seen in margin ( no cancer cell on the breast tissue )
2. Lymph node summary : Number involved : 0 ( no cancer cell spread to the Lymph node) Thank God!
3. Estrogen receptor: negative, Progesterone receptor : negative ( cancer cell are not towards hormone receptor, so hormone therapy is not suitable for me)
4. Nottingham prognostic index:2.5 (tumor size 2.5cm)
5. Her2 type of tumor (ER/PR negative, Her2 neu positive) (Bad news for me)
HER2 is a gene that sends control signals to your cells, telling them to grow, divide, and make repairs. To shrink or get rid of the remaining cancer cell i need to be treated with a drug called herceptin which will be injected into my blood veins also called chemotherapy treatment. I read these information from the wed. The doctor only told me that my next appointment will be on 27 September 2010 and he will refer me to the Oncologist at Hospital Likas. Before the doctor starts his treatment tentatively 1st week of October he need to see me.
The treatment will have side effect;
Some Common Side Effects: Chills or fever, Weakness, Nausea, Body pain
Less Common Side Effects: Headache, Abdominal pain, Back pain, Infection, Flu-like symptoms, Diarrhea
I really cannot wait to start with the treatment. I believe mentally i am strong (at the moment), hope it will continue through out the treatment.
My 1st doctor review after the major operation was this morning. The stitches were cut off and some fluid and blood in the empty space between the breast tissue were drained out via needle and syringe. I was given both a good and a bad news. The histopathology report states the followings which the doctor underline;
1. No invasive carcinoma seen in margin ( no cancer cell on the breast tissue )
2. Lymph node summary : Number involved : 0 ( no cancer cell spread to the Lymph node) Thank God!
3. Estrogen receptor: negative, Progesterone receptor : negative ( cancer cell are not towards hormone receptor, so hormone therapy is not suitable for me)
4. Nottingham prognostic index:2.5 (tumor size 2.5cm)
5. Her2 type of tumor (ER/PR negative, Her2 neu positive) (Bad news for me)
HER2 is a gene that sends control signals to your cells, telling them to grow, divide, and make repairs. To shrink or get rid of the remaining cancer cell i need to be treated with a drug called herceptin which will be injected into my blood veins also called chemotherapy treatment. I read these information from the wed. The doctor only told me that my next appointment will be on 27 September 2010 and he will refer me to the Oncologist at Hospital Likas. Before the doctor starts his treatment tentatively 1st week of October he need to see me.
The treatment will have side effect;
Some Common Side Effects: Chills or fever, Weakness, Nausea, Body pain
Less Common Side Effects: Headache, Abdominal pain, Back pain, Infection, Flu-like symptoms, Diarrhea
I really cannot wait to start with the treatment. I believe mentally i am strong (at the moment), hope it will continue through out the treatment.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Breast Cancer Stage 1 (Day 9)
I removed the dressing on my wound for the first time today. There will be two long scares when it heals. One on upper side of left breast and one on my left armpit. Armpit still feels numb. Is it normal? Hope the numbness will disappear.
Last night we went out and drove along the Inanam old road which was so bumpy i feel like something is tearing me apart from inside. Why in the world did he took that road! It is so difficult when my son suddenly wanted to be carried all the time. Manja Mama. My left arm could not be straighten or the muscle connected to the armpit will stretch the stitches. Pain!
Hope within a week the pain will slowly subside so i can stop taking the pain killer. I have started to browse through information on what supplement to take to improve the immune system and starve the cancer cell. I had stop taking sugar and anything contain sugar. For dinner today i ate a bit of chicken fillet which was cooked together with leafy vegetable, carrot and tomatoes. Before dinner around 5pm i ate oranges and mango fruit. I read in an article that explains that fruits are to be taken on an empty stomach so that all the nutrients will be absorb into our body.
Tomorrow will be a joyful celebration for the Muslims and there will be preparing a lot of delicacies, very tempting but i think i will have the will and power to resist all those sweet, fatty and spicy food. I had to just sit in and recover, no Berhari Raya for me this year.
My husband and his friends planned to spend a night outdoor at a river in his Kampung this weekend. what a wrong timing, it will be an excellent experience for my kids. Maybe we will have our picnic there at the river and spend a night at my in-laws. To bad i could not deep into the river.
When i have recover from my illness i will start a new interesting way of life. I will do the things that i have wanted to do for many years, taking better care of myself, health, appearance and be more outgoing, be in touch with the environment and be involve in outdoors activities with my husband and kids.
Stressing about your work and money are not healthy. Yes, we need money to survive but why must we be stress about getting more when it will affect our health. Work to pay of your future illness?
I did took photos of my breast tissue and lymph nose surgically removed on 7 September 2010, Not sure whether it is appropriate to upload in this blog. Maybe i will upload the next time.
Last night we went out and drove along the Inanam old road which was so bumpy i feel like something is tearing me apart from inside. Why in the world did he took that road! It is so difficult when my son suddenly wanted to be carried all the time. Manja Mama. My left arm could not be straighten or the muscle connected to the armpit will stretch the stitches. Pain!
Hope within a week the pain will slowly subside so i can stop taking the pain killer. I have started to browse through information on what supplement to take to improve the immune system and starve the cancer cell. I had stop taking sugar and anything contain sugar. For dinner today i ate a bit of chicken fillet which was cooked together with leafy vegetable, carrot and tomatoes. Before dinner around 5pm i ate oranges and mango fruit. I read in an article that explains that fruits are to be taken on an empty stomach so that all the nutrients will be absorb into our body.
Tomorrow will be a joyful celebration for the Muslims and there will be preparing a lot of delicacies, very tempting but i think i will have the will and power to resist all those sweet, fatty and spicy food. I had to just sit in and recover, no Berhari Raya for me this year.
My husband and his friends planned to spend a night outdoor at a river in his Kampung this weekend. what a wrong timing, it will be an excellent experience for my kids. Maybe we will have our picnic there at the river and spend a night at my in-laws. To bad i could not deep into the river.
When i have recover from my illness i will start a new interesting way of life. I will do the things that i have wanted to do for many years, taking better care of myself, health, appearance and be more outgoing, be in touch with the environment and be involve in outdoors activities with my husband and kids.
Stressing about your work and money are not healthy. Yes, we need money to survive but why must we be stress about getting more when it will affect our health. Work to pay of your future illness?
I did took photos of my breast tissue and lymph nose surgically removed on 7 September 2010, Not sure whether it is appropriate to upload in this blog. Maybe i will upload the next time.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Breast Cancer Stage 1 (Day 7)
Hai everyone. Thanked God my operation went well yesterday but my left armpit is abit numb.
The day before the operation, i had so much office work to complete, prepare NCR for KPU, draf a memo to HQ and complete the Zonal HMR report which i managed to complete at around 11pm.
The day of the operation which is the 7 September 2010 i woke up at 6am, packed up my things then my husband sent me to Damai Specialist Clinic. I was send to the OT at 9:30am. I did not feel a thing during the operation but when i was just started to wake up from the sedation, the pain under my armpit is really overwhelming. The doctor had to give me pain killer and mix some in the drip. I was in the OT room for almost 3 hours.
The night in the ward was like a family get together slumber party, all my 6 sisters came to visit me and brought me fruits to eat. The most memorable thing is that my husband bought me a bouquet of flower and the note says ' To mummy, get well soon. Luv, husband, Lara and Kyle'. So sweet, really appreciate and love my husband.
I guess there will always be a good thing that is hiding behind a bad situation. I am so grateful that i detected the lump early, i have a loving and supporting family and friends and an understanding Boss. He has help me to arrange for the company to reimburse my medical expenses. So, i do not have to disturb my personal insurance for my future use.
My next treatment will be decided on the next doctor review. Thanks everyone for your support.
The day before the operation, i had so much office work to complete, prepare NCR for KPU, draf a memo to HQ and complete the Zonal HMR report which i managed to complete at around 11pm.
The day of the operation which is the 7 September 2010 i woke up at 6am, packed up my things then my husband sent me to Damai Specialist Clinic. I was send to the OT at 9:30am. I did not feel a thing during the operation but when i was just started to wake up from the sedation, the pain under my armpit is really overwhelming. The doctor had to give me pain killer and mix some in the drip. I was in the OT room for almost 3 hours.
The night in the ward was like a family get together slumber party, all my 6 sisters came to visit me and brought me fruits to eat. The most memorable thing is that my husband bought me a bouquet of flower and the note says ' To mummy, get well soon. Luv, husband, Lara and Kyle'. So sweet, really appreciate and love my husband.
I guess there will always be a good thing that is hiding behind a bad situation. I am so grateful that i detected the lump early, i have a loving and supporting family and friends and an understanding Boss. He has help me to arrange for the company to reimburse my medical expenses. So, i do not have to disturb my personal insurance for my future use.
My next treatment will be decided on the next doctor review. Thanks everyone for your support.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Breast Cancer Stage 1 (Day 4)
It is a normal day today, when to church this morning, had our lunch, when home before sending Lara to her ballet class.
This few days, i am easily feeling exhausted. Why? maybe it is only in my mind. I need to fight it. Tomorrow i am going outstation to Kuala Penyu. Work still need to go on.
I have cut almost 90% of meat intake for the past 2 days. I did not even tried the chicken my husband grille last night for dinner. It used to be my favourite. I only ate white rice, cabbage with ikan bilis and water melon. Hope i can maintain a healthier eating habit. I also cycle about 10km on my exercise bike today.
My husband plan to bring us for a camping trip next weekend on one of the beaches at Kota Belud but we maybe need to reschedule it. It will be my 4th day after the operation.
The stitches from the previous operation have not entirely healed. Maybe it needs at least a month to recover.
Tomorrow will be the last day for me to enjoy all the food that i like after Tue, no more meat, eggs, sea food and milk for me. I need to adopt a whole new menu. Still need to do some research.
Let you guys know if i have done that. Hope i will be relax the whole day tomorrow and Tue.
This few days, i am easily feeling exhausted. Why? maybe it is only in my mind. I need to fight it. Tomorrow i am going outstation to Kuala Penyu. Work still need to go on.
I have cut almost 90% of meat intake for the past 2 days. I did not even tried the chicken my husband grille last night for dinner. It used to be my favourite. I only ate white rice, cabbage with ikan bilis and water melon. Hope i can maintain a healthier eating habit. I also cycle about 10km on my exercise bike today.
My husband plan to bring us for a camping trip next weekend on one of the beaches at Kota Belud but we maybe need to reschedule it. It will be my 4th day after the operation.
The stitches from the previous operation have not entirely healed. Maybe it needs at least a month to recover.
Tomorrow will be the last day for me to enjoy all the food that i like after Tue, no more meat, eggs, sea food and milk for me. I need to adopt a whole new menu. Still need to do some research.
Let you guys know if i have done that. Hope i will be relax the whole day tomorrow and Tue.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Breast Cancer Stage 1 (Day 3)
I am feeling slightly better. The first night after the shocking news i could not sleep, woke up at 2am and i rearrange the small cabinets in the bedroom quietly so not to awake my husband and kids. sudden urge to do something.
Called the doctor yesterday and rescheduled the operation to 7 September 2010 8:30am. I need to spend at least 2 nights at the Hospital away from my kids. Still have not told my kids yet. Will they understand!
I have only told my mum that i need to have another operation to remove some more of the tissue. It is so difficult to tell her that I have breast cancer. It will brake her heart.I have decided to let me go through with the operation first then tell her the whole story.
This morning i have told my friends at work, Carol, Patricia and Daniel. They are so supportive. Thanks guys.
I need to folk out RM7k this time. Not sure whether i need to implant the chemo pot during my next operation. what if i do not need chemotherapy? the chemo pot will cost my RM2k. Need to discuss with my doctor.
My back is aching, will this be one of the symptoms of feeling depress?or lack of sleep? i need to cut my meat intake,maybe to 90%.
Really cannot wait to have the operation. The faster it finish the faster i can recover.
Whoever is reading my blog, i would like to say thank you and please pray for my fast recovery.
Called the doctor yesterday and rescheduled the operation to 7 September 2010 8:30am. I need to spend at least 2 nights at the Hospital away from my kids. Still have not told my kids yet. Will they understand!
I have only told my mum that i need to have another operation to remove some more of the tissue. It is so difficult to tell her that I have breast cancer. It will brake her heart.I have decided to let me go through with the operation first then tell her the whole story.
This morning i have told my friends at work, Carol, Patricia and Daniel. They are so supportive. Thanks guys.
I need to folk out RM7k this time. Not sure whether i need to implant the chemo pot during my next operation. what if i do not need chemotherapy? the chemo pot will cost my RM2k. Need to discuss with my doctor.
My back is aching, will this be one of the symptoms of feeling depress?or lack of sleep? i need to cut my meat intake,maybe to 90%.
Really cannot wait to have the operation. The faster it finish the faster i can recover.
Whoever is reading my blog, i would like to say thank you and please pray for my fast recovery.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Breast Cancer Stage 1
It was not a good feeling when the doctor break the news that the lump which was surgically removed from my left breast last 21 August 2010 has tested positive for tumour stage 1. All i though was who is going to take care of my kids, they are only 4 and 2 years old. So depresing. I cried alittle while in my doctor's room and holding my tears all the way to my car and cried while i drove all the way back home. I manage to suck all those depressing feeling in when i saw my kids waiting for me at home.
Played with them for while then when they were busy spending time outdoors with their baby sitter, i broke the news to my husband, we discussed about the many treatments and options that we need to do. I browse through my insurance policies which i need more clarification from my insurance agent which i have made appoinment to see her on Friday.
What a day, before this the biopsi shows negative result but how can it be wrong. I have to endure another operation to remove some more portion of the breast tissue. Another operation! but this time the doctor will put me to a deep sleep. Hopefully i will not feel the pain as i did the last time.
I have to call my doctor later to reschedule my surgery to 7 September instead of 15 September. The longer i wait the more worried i will be. Please god let everything be ok.
I love my husband, Lara and Kyle very much. I will survive this one.
Played with them for while then when they were busy spending time outdoors with their baby sitter, i broke the news to my husband, we discussed about the many treatments and options that we need to do. I browse through my insurance policies which i need more clarification from my insurance agent which i have made appoinment to see her on Friday.
What a day, before this the biopsi shows negative result but how can it be wrong. I have to endure another operation to remove some more portion of the breast tissue. Another operation! but this time the doctor will put me to a deep sleep. Hopefully i will not feel the pain as i did the last time.
I have to call my doctor later to reschedule my surgery to 7 September instead of 15 September. The longer i wait the more worried i will be. Please god let everything be ok.
I love my husband, Lara and Kyle very much. I will survive this one.
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