Marisa 'eM' Louw

  First published in Parys Gazette on 29 October 2020 October is breast cancer awareness month, and in today's article, I will be writing about the different surgical options that are available to breast cancer patients to remove a tumour. Being diagnosed with breast cancer does not automatically mean you will require a mastectomy. A mastectomy is the total removal of the breast organ on one side, and a bilateral mastectomy is when the surgeon removes both the breast organs. "There are certain times when one has to perform a mastectomy," explains Dr Charles Serrurier, a specialist cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgeon in Rosebank, Johannesburg. "If it is a large tumour or when cancer appears over large areas of the breast, a mastectomy is the best option." Figure 1 When the cancer is severe, like my own diagnoses, specialist surgeons almost always perform a mastectomy followed by immediate reconstruction. The oncology surgeon then removes the breast ...

  I remember this day, one year ago, as if it happened yesterday. At 10 o'clock, I walked into the radiology practice for my second-ever routine mammogram. And at noon I left confused, and in tears, because the radiologist found a suspicious mass in my right breast. Four agonising weeks later, my general health practitioner confirmed that I have breast cancer. Over the past 12 months, I have had six surgeries under general anaesthetic and 18 weeks of chemotherapy. I started an 18-month immune targeted therapy regime with an insanely expensive drug called Herceptin. My breast cancer is HER2 positive, which means that I have extra copies of the gene that makes the HER2 protein. The drug attaches itself to the cells and blocks the growth signal, which can slow or stop the spread of cancer significantly. My cancer also tested positive for hormone receptors which means that the estrogen produced by my body acts as food for cancer. As a result, part of my treatment includes blocking my b...

  I'm scrolling through the Twitter hashtag #BreastCancerAwarenessMonth and even though there are more stories of survival than anything else, I cannot deny that I am afraid. My body is recovering well after the three surgeries I had on 1 August (lumpectomy - 1 hour), 30 August (bilateral mastectomy and reconstructive surgery - 3 hours), and 29 September (debridement - 1 hour). Yesterday I managed to drive the 140 km from Parys to Joburg and back for business meetings. I was fatigued and sore by the time I arrived back home, but I am slowly getting my independence back. My body is still suffering some unpleasant side effects from being on antibiotics non-stop since 30 August. The last dose is today and hopefully, I won't be put onto another course when I see the surgeon tomorrow for a follow-up. Tomorrow I'm also meeting another oncologist for a second opinion. The first oncologist still hasn't confirmed to me in person what stage my cancer is in. I have a stack of rep...

  On the 8th of July, I went for a routine mammogram and on the 23rd of July it was confirmed - I have breast cancer. Following an array of diagnostics tests and surgery, I finally sat opposite my oncologist on the 21st of August receiving the news that I have aggressive Grade 3 invasive lobular breast cancer. A week later I was admitted to hospital for a bilateral (double) skin-saving mastectomy and direct to implant breast reconstruction. Today, on the 16th of September, I heard that I will start chemotherapy in the next two or three weeks. But let's take a step back and allow me to explain a few things. Cancer cells were found in my right breast. My type of cancer is stimulated by estrogen and it has aggressive growth patterns. During the mastectomy, we managed to obtain what the doctors call surgical clearance. This means that all the cancer cells were removed during the surgery. A total of eight lymph nodes were removed around the area of the cancer (six in the right breast an...

  As you may be aware by now, I have been diagnosed with aggressive grade 3 invasive lobular breast cancer about three weeks ago. I have since had a bilateral (double) mastectomy and will be finding out whether I will be receiving chemotherapy this coming Monday. Those of you who know me knows that I am level-headed and able to do multiple things at once. I am a hard worker who is dedicated to my clients and work-related commitments. My personal affairs have always played second fiddle. But over the past three weeks, I had to learn to put my personal affairs first. And it came with several sacrifices - some by choice and others forced. Being diagnosed with cancer has, so far, been an administrative nightmare! First and most frustrating is being passed from doctor to doctor to doctor. And each visit comes with diagnostic tests and a medical bill that is not covered by my entry-level hospital plan. My inbox looks like a tornado hit it with all the invoices from doctors, pathologists,...

  It has been five days since my bilateral skin-saving mastectomy and direct to implant breast reconstruction. I want to share my story of how post-operative complications broke my spirit, and about the knight in shining armour that came to my rescue. I am 45-years old and this is my second surgical procedure ever in my life, both in the same month. Eight weeks ago I was healthier than 95% of women my age, and today I suffer from water retention, fatigue, digestive problems, a dry mouth, and blurry vision. I cannot bathe myself or wash my hair. I can't get in and out of bed without someone physically helping me. And the worst of all, I cannot feed or hold my furry children. Those who know me understand that I am independent and ambitious. But now I find myself helpless... and with a broken spirit.  It all started yesterday morning with a call from the surgeon's office: "Mrs Louw, the labs found a bacteria in the tissue that doctor removed that must have come from the previ...

  Friday, 30 August 2019: At 10:04 I stepped into the ring to begin my fight against grade 3 invasive lobular breast cancer with a bilateral skin-saving mastectomy and reconstructive surgery. Let me tell you a little more about the first round. We (my hubby Stéfan Louw and I) left home at 05:00 that morning so that we can be at the Rosebank Clinic at 07:00 for admission. The admission process was smooth and handled very professionally and efficiently by Thabiso (if I remember his name correctly).  Upon arriving at the ward I was very surprised to learn that I have a private room. The nursing staff were very friendly and helpful, and started with the admission tests immediately. Once my patient file had been opened and all my vitals recorded, I was escorted down to the nuclear medical science department in the basement of the hospital. This is where an isotope scan and marking of the lymph nodes took place. It is important to mark the lymph nodes so that the surgeon can remove...

  After six emotionally draining weeks, the day that I will step into the ring and start my fight against breast cancer is around the corner. On Friday, 30 August I will be undergoing a bilateral skin-saving mastectomy and direct to implant breast reconstruction. What does this mean? An oncological surgical team will remove both my breast organs after which a reconstructive team will immediately begin to reconstruct my breasts. The surgical procedure will last between two and three hours. After the procedure, I will be in a high-care unit and should be discharged after three nights. The surgical sites will be drained for about 10 days and I will be shown how to monitor and care for the drains, after which I will be admitted again to have the drains removed. 14 days of rest is recommended for recovery, but when you work for yourself time is money. Lucky for me I work from home and my computer has voice recognition which means I don't have to sit and type, I can talk to my computer a...

  I have been diagnosed with grade 3 invasive lobular breast cancer and I want to share my story on how I went from healthy to cancer patient in the wink of an eye. My mother had a heart attack when she was about my age. In June I decided that it may be time to go for an electrocardiogram (ECG) so that our family doctor can check whether my ticker is in any risk of stopping like my mom's.  Other than the ECG I also wanted to ask my doctor why it could be that I am getting worse menstrual cramps than before. Am I going into menopause, perhaps? I am 45 years old, so it is not an impossible thing to think. So, on 26 June I walk into the doctor's office at 9 am, a little nervous about the ECG because I haven't had one done since I was in primary school. My mom had problems with her heart ever since I can remember and I recall both my sister and me have had ECGs when we were kids. Running on that treadmill with cables attached all over my chest was scary! Sister Margy, who has b...