Thursday, July 7, 2011

Hi Everyone,
It's been a few months since my last update, but today I am having my 6th and final chemo, hooray! As I write this I am being infused with the chemo drugs while wearing the Penguin Cold Caps. And yes, I still have all my hair! Not even any thinning! I have lost a lot of my body hair, including my eyebrows, although my eyelashes are intact, touch wood they will survive this last round.
On Friday of last week I had a follow up MRI to see if the tumor is still present. I got the best news possible......No Evidence of Disease. So the drugs and chemo have totally iradicated the cancer!
Then yesterday I went to see my breast surgeon Dr Giulliano to discuss my surgical options. At first he was very optimistic about being able to save my breast since the cancer has all gone and he recommended a lumpectomy. But after doing a mammogram it showed a large amount of calcification throughout the entire breast. Although this isn't a problem for my health, he has to remove it all because it looks exactly the same as DCIS (early breast cancer) and they will not be able to screen me in the future if the calcification remains. I was a little shocked at first when he told me the news, but in one way it's a relief that the decision is no longer mine to make, as it is an incredibly difficult decision to choose to lose a breast versus lumpectomy. Now it appears that I don't have the luxury of the choice which in itself is liberating!
Please consider signing up to follow me on this blog, as the more followers I have the more I will be able to promote awareness about the Penguin Cold Cap therapy, and help other women save their hair! By becoming a follower you will receive an email each time I post an update as well!
Thanks so much,
love Tricia

9 comments:

  1. Tricia, you are a beautiful and strong woman; a true inspiration!
    http://quick-reads.blogspot.com

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  3. Hi Tricia.. I get to know your blog thru Michelle Phan's video. I pray that you'll get well soon. You're such a beautiful and strong woman! Thanks for sharing your story, it has tremendously blessed me! God bless you.

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  4. I'm sixteen years old now, but about 6 years ago my mom told me the news that she had breast cancer. She had to have her breast removed, and at the time it was very difficult for her and for us to know what she'd gone through. Time is great for healing everything and today we now make jokes about how her single breast is larger than her fake boobs now since her body wants to make up for the missing one (her usually initiating these funny comments) as she is cancer free, and alive, and happy. Losing a breast at some point can be a freeing thing to talk about as it really means you're healthy :) who really needs two boobs anyway? I'm sure this is something you'll get through Tricia, you seem like a very strong person.
    Michelle Phan's video led me to you. The video was very clever!

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  5. Hi Tricia! thank you for sharing your story with the Michelle Phan's Fans. You look so beautiful and strong. Good luck for the rest of the chemo :-)

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  6. hey tricia :) i saw the video on Michelle Phan's channel. although no one in my family has cancer i steel feel that this is something that everyone has to know. you have an amazing story with you. let me do my part by spreading the word in my own little way. best wishes for your chemo and God bless your beautiful heart, i will be praying 4 u even though we are complete strangers and miles apart. :)

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  7. I wish I would have known about the cold cap therapy when my mother in law started her chemo. She is finished now, but did indeed lose all of her hair and it has been a struggle for her to come to terms with all the changes. Thank you for sharing your story and best wishes!!

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  8. michelle phan lead me to your video, and congrats that you are cancer free. I wish you the best on your recovery. Yay!!!!

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