Marisa 'eM' Louw

  What follows is a timeline of defining moments in my journey to date. Updated on 11 October 2025. 2019 8 July 2019: Routine  mammogram 9 July 2019: Second opinion mammogram 11 July 2019:  Fine needle aspiration 23 July 2019: The family doctor tells me that I have breast cancer 1-3 August 2019: Hospitalised for a  surgical biopsy 30 Aug-1 Sep 2019: Hospitalised for bilateral  mastectomy and direct-to-implant reconstruction 27-29 September 2019: Hospitalised for  debridement  of the wounds 25 October 2019: Start with chemotherapy ( Taxol  once a week - 18 treatment cycles) 13-14 November 2019: Hospitalised to remove the right implant 22 November 2019: Start with  Herceptin  injections (once every three weeks - 15 treatment cycles) 2020 6 March 2020: Last chemotherapy session! 27 March 2020: COVID-19 lockdown 9 April 2020: Start  Tamoxifen  hormone-blocking therapy 6-8 May 2020: Hospitalised to insert a  tissue expander ...

  Since this is my first blog for 2022, I feel obliged to start it with "Happy New Year!", "Happy Valentine's!" and "Happy Easter!". I have lived with Stage II Grade III  invasive pleomorphic lobular carcinoma (PLC) of the breast  that is  hormone-  and  HER2 positive  for 1,001 days. Living with hormone-positive breast cancer is a roller-coaster ride nightmare that doesn't seem to end.  The first phase is waiting - waiting for the results of the numerous diagnostic tests is like standing in the queue to get onto a roller-coaster. You get tired and often think of leaving the line. Then starts the second phase - that killer climb to the top of the first hill. You've now found out that you have breast cancer. Several doctors confirmed it. The many available treatment options are confusing. With each click of the chain lift, you learn something new, or there are more medical aid forms to fill out. It feels as if you need to rush to make a decision...