Blog for a Cure - A community of cancer survivors supporting each other. Log into your account or create a new account.

avatar

Vital Info


Yuyu (yuyu)


August 14, 2008


Click here.


Los Angeles, California


05/12/74


Cancer Survivor

Cancer Info


Breast Cancer


Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, Inflammatory Breast Cancer


08/12/08


Stage 3


05


Grade 2


Positive


Positive


Yes


Mastectomy


yes


Epirubicin, Fluorouracil, Taxol (chemical name: paclitaxel), Cyclophosphamide (brand name: Cytoxan)


Tamoxifen


Herceptin


It does not discriminate; It's a mental battle as well physical


Everyday is precious and special


Just listen to me bitc*h


Radiation after surgery


Tamoxifen for 5 years




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 diagonsis, I considered myself living my life freely and independently ever since I came to this country 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 a lot of crappy 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. This type of cancer automatically puts me in Stage 3B category.

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 diagonsed with Inflammatory Breast Cancer.

Surgery Description, Dates & Side Effects

Single Mastectomy in Feb 2009 after 6 months of Chemotherapy. Breast reconstruction planned in 1-2 years.

Radiation Description, Dates & Side Effects

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, 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


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!

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

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

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.

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

Yuyu's Stats

Posts: 67
Photos: 18
Events: 0
My Supporters: 63
I Support: 85
Comments: 761
Views: 58183

My Supporters:

MarthaMartha   Ethel Craven-SweetEthel Craven-Sweet   BarbieBarbie   AlyssaAlyssa  
JillJill   SoniaSonia   raissiraissi   Elana GravesElana Graves  
PattyPatty   Donna RichnoDonna Richno   KathyKathy    Katie Katie  
LouiseLouise   SandySandy   TamiTami   WendyWendy  

See all 63 Supporters



Become a Supporter




Advertising






If you wish to become an sponsor please see our sponsor page. All proceeds will go back into building a better system.

JillThanks for your support - Jill, Founder, Cancer Survivor

p.s. If you have any suggestions on how to improve Blog for a Cure, send me some feedback. Keep in touch & let me know how I can make this the best system possible for you.