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A New Beginning at the Very End of 2019 年越し癌点滴
Yoko Katz December 31, 2019

A New Beginning at the Very End of 2019 年越し癌点滴

I am starting a new ER+(estrogen positive) and HER2 + treatment, Kadcyla, on December…

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After Surgery, Back to Work! 術後、お仕事復活
yoko katz September 11, 2017

After Surgery, Back to Work! 術後、お仕事復活

After 2 weeks of the recovery time, I went back to work. During these recovery days, I had basically no social life, no make-up and no hair-do. Some friends pop-up to check up on me, and that cheered me up! But otherwise, I was getting a low self-esteem over time. So, dressing up brought back my good energy! I really needed that effect from the styling.  

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Surgery! いよいよ手術!
yoko katz August 23, 2017

Surgery! いよいよ手術!

I received a phone call after lunch, telling me my check-in and surgery time for tomorrow, Wednesday, August 23, 2017. I will remove a or many fibroid(s) from uterus, and I will be sent home on the same day (wow, unthinkable from knowing some Japanese medical system). Oh boy, the last couple of days, I could not focus on anything!

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MRI and Pre-Surgery Test MRIと術前検査
yoko katz August 18, 2017

MRI and Pre-Surgery Test MRIと術前検査

I had MRI and a pre-surgery test done today. This to confirm that I don't have any other concerns and the fibroid is fibroid and nothing else before surgery.

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Possible Surgery for Fibroid Removal 子宮筋腫を取り除く手術かも
yoko katz August 11, 2017

Possible Surgery for Fibroid Removal 子宮筋腫を取り除く手術かも

This summer in June, I had my regular oncologist visit at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in NYC. There is no sign of cancer so far and that was good. But my fibroid is getting so big that the oncologist requested me to test and check with specialists. Over this summer, I have seen some specialists and it looks like I will have a surgery to remove it. My GYN said my fibroid is as big as a grapefruit, or my utrus with the tumor is about 4 month pregnant size. (The top picture, the hat I made, Hats by Yoko Katz, became a matching set to the hospital gown. LOL.)

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After Chemo, Tamoxifen and Periods 抗がん剤治療後の タモキシフェン口径薬と生理
yoko katz July 12, 2016

After Chemo, Tamoxifen and Periods 抗がん剤治療後の タモキシフェン口径薬と生理

My periods have changed to horribly heavy periods after chemotherapy and being on Tamoxifen medication for breast cancer.

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Pregnancy after Chemotherapy 抗がん剤治療後の妊娠について
yoko katz September 23, 2015

Pregnancy after Chemotherapy 抗がん剤治療後の妊娠について

(My hair has been growing into bushes. It's been 10 months since my last chemotherapy. I used to have very long silky straight hair, but now look how curly it is. I have no idea how to deal with this. It is always going so bushy. I don't feel this represents me and I cannot wait to have it grow much longer.) It depends on the types of breast cancer, but especially when one's cancer grows with hormone such as progesterone positive and estrogen positive breast cancer, getting pregnant raises some concerns. Chemotherapy let alone is a concern for damaging ovaries, there are other things to worry about, too. If a cancer patient is considering having babies after treatments, she should talk to doctors right upfront. This information is only based on my experience, please consult your physician when it comes to details and whether it can be applied to your case. Many cases, insurance companies may not cover this and it can be costly.

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My period is BAAAACK! 生理が戻ってきた(涙) Pose#480
yoko katz June 22, 2015

My period is BAAAACK! 生理が戻ってきた(涙) Pose#480

I am super excited to have my period back yesterday after the breast cancer treatments. I was told that chemotherapy could damage my totally healthy ovaries and could strip away my period FOREVER (at the age 36). I welcome back my period with joy today!

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Option: A Cold Cap コールドキャップという選択
yoko katz March 22, 2015

Option: A Cold Cap コールドキャップという選択

Keeping hair during chemotherapy, we have an option called a "cold cap." If I had more time to find out about this, I might have had this for me. I knew about this, but I just did not have time to consider and arrange this.

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Day19: Teaching Monday/Dr. Appointment
yoko katz November 17, 2014

Day19: Teaching Monday/Dr. Appointment

Day 19 after my 5th chemotherapy. I always learn something when I visit doctor's office.

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A boutique for breast cancer patients (Day8)
yoko katz September 25, 2014

A boutique for breast cancer patients (Day8)

I did not expect to see this, but this is a boutique for breast cancer patients at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in NYC.

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Day 16: Visiting a Support Group -SHARE
yoko katz September 12, 2014

Day 16: Visiting a Support Group -SHARE

My first time, I visited a breast and ovarian cancer support group. The organization, SHARE, is a New York City based breast and ovarian cancer support group, but open to nationwide. It offers hotline help, educational programs and topic based support group meetings. The picture is with Aiko, who runs the Japanese SHARE organization. (日本語は 英語の後に記述。)   (click for the link) TOLL FREE HELPLINE 844-ASK-SHARE Breast, Ovarian, Latina, Caregiver

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My Treatment Timeline
yoko katz August 18, 2014

My Treatment Timeline

I wanted to share my treatment time line for a reference. (Please read "important" at the bottom, if you are diagnosed breast cancer.) As many of breast cancer cases, I did not feel a pain or sick at all. I felt perfectly healthy, in fact, I thought I was one of the most healthiest, or the most health conscious person around me. One major different thing about the cancer from other illness is that removing cancer with surgery is only the very first step (note: some cancer requires chemotherapy before surgery). Many other treatments to follow in breast cancer. When I found about about the length of the treatment I had to have, I was daunted to face that fact. Previously, I never had surgery, I did not take any medications regularly, and I even did not take any vitamins because I self-studied nutrition and my meals provided me balanced vitamins and minerals. Day 11: Almost normal. I took a long nap in the afternoon. I also did another bike ride! [physically] I can feel a mild body ache from yesterday's exercise. I need some exercise. Mild nausea, but I did not take medication. I wake up feeling normal, but gradually my nausea reminds me that I am under chemotherapy treatment, (this is an improvement.) I had head ache and took Advil. My pimples are healing. I don't digest food well, food comes out from me recognizable (I tried not to be very descriptive). [emotionally] Very steady. I can predict the next cycles. Not knowing what will happen to me was a big fear. Next cycle, I might be a little better to handle the cycle emotionally.

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