Biography

My name is Yuyu, and I am 34 yrs old. I live in Los Angeles Area. I don’t have any kids although I would love to someday. I work as a child psychotherapist. I live alone with a cat, Mercedes, whom I’ve been with for more 12 years.

Until my diagnosis, I considered myself living my life freely and independently ever since I came to this country alone when I was 16. I am an outdoor kind a gal, I love camping, fishing, going to a beach, picnics, basically anything to do with nature. I also have big love for food and music.

I have been fairly healthy until now although I do eat junk food, drink tons of diet sodas, and used to be a smoker (for over 10 years). I recently got divorced and was just starting to enjoy my single life again when I received cancer diagnosis.

I was diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma on August 12, 2008. It was later discovered that I have Inflammatory Breast Cancer, which is a rare but aggressive form of breast cancer that counts for 1-5% of all breast cancer cases. I was told that I would have been dead if I waited another few months. This type of cancer automatically puts me in Stage 3B category. The prognosis of Inflammatory Breast Cancer is said to be poor with less than 50% 5-year survival rate…

My life is never the same since then.

Cancer Symptoms

A large mass in right breast found during self-exam. Swelling, itching, and pain in breast. The mass continued to grow, and right breast become enlarged to almost double the size in two-month period. CT Scan later found out that the mass was about 5cm x 4cm x 2cm. I was finally diagnosed with Inflammatory Breast Cancer.

Surgery Description, Dates & Side Effects

Modified Radical Mastectomy with lymph nodes removal in Feb 2009 after 6 months of Chemotherapy. Breast reconstruction planned in 1-2 years.

Radiation Description, Dates & Side Effects

2 months of Radiation after surgery

Chemotherapy Description, Dates & Side Effects

Started Chemotherapy on September 5, 2008; Taxotere, Carboplatin, and Herceptin – originally planned for 6 rounds (every three weeks). I completed 2 rounds and then my doctor stopped(my mass grew back). Side Effects – Nausea, diahrea, extreme fatigue, bone/joint pain, flu-like symptoms, hot flashes, numbing, weird taste in mouth, loss of appetite, hair loss

I then did weekly Taxol and Herceptin started 10/17/08 for 6 weeks. Side effects included nausea, occasional diahrea, fatigue, muscle and joint pain, neuropathy, hot flashes.

I started 5FU, Cytoxan, & Epirubicin on 12/02/08 (4 rounds every three week) while continuing with weekly Herceptin for 12 more weeks. Side effects – Nausea, vomiting, diarhea, hot flashes, mouth sore, fatigue, loss of appetite.

I started Tykerb in Feb 2009.

I will continue with Herceptin for at least 7 more months after surgery.

Hormone Therapy Description, Dates & Side Effects

Tamoxifen for 5 years
Lupron shots to shut down my ovaries
Ovary removal in near future

Comments:

Thanks for your comment. I can’t believe it. He was so young and went so fast. It makes me feel like I have no control. ugh!

Posted on December 31, 2009 at 8:10:13 AM PST by jill

Yuyu,
Here’s hoping you are doing well. Haven’t heard from you since your 1 yr anni. My 8 yrs. were up on Sept. 5th, so I’m heading for 9 yrs now. As I said in one of my posts, “we never stop looking over our shoulders” . Scared that dance with cancer will start up again, but we can not live life that way. I only hope you have learned how to live life to the fullest, laugh again and be HAPPY again too. Sending hugs for happiness,
Sandy

Posted on October 25, 2009 at 9:54:05 PM PDT by granny10

Dear Yuyu,

It’s so good to hear from you! So you’re back to work, huh? I hope that’s going well for you. I know I really appreciated getting back to normal after my treatments, and I went through so much less than you did!

I hope you are feeling well. It’s so true that now the word “cancer” really grabs my attention in a way it didn’t before. I wonder, though, if that will decrease over time. Either way, it’s ok. As we know, worse things could happen…

Take care of yourself and enjoy the summer!!

Peace,
Kathy

Posted on July 15, 2009 at 4:31:42 AM PDT by curlygirl

Yuyu – do you wear a specific bra now for only having one boob? and if so did you find it online? going to have to do some research on bras here soon.

Posted on June 3, 2009 at 3:09:49 PM PDT by jill

Dear Yuyu,

I just wanted to drop you a note to let you know I’m thinking of you and hoping rads are going smoothly. You must be tired…I know I sure was! I hope your spirits are good, though, and that you’re seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

Peace,
Kathy

Posted on May 2, 2009 at 5:15:10 PM PDT by curlygirl