Update:
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I just want to quickly update you.
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I’m just so relieved & happy! (within the given situation…!)
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Yesterday, I was given a piece of good news I had been praying & praying & praying for.
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My breast cancer hadn’t spread anywhere else!!!!
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And this is for sure with complete certainty after the CT scan & whole body bone scan!
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I’m SO relieved…
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Now that the diagnostic stuff is over, it’s all a matter of onwards & upwards with treatments.
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The ‘next-to-do’ is to go in to hospital again tomorrow to implant a device called a ‘port’ under the skin on my upper chest, which connects to a large vein near the heart. This will be used as the access point for pumping in the upcoming chemo meds. I was a bit surprised that it’ll be another general anaesthetic op, & that there will be a noticeable bump but this is like nothing for me & I welcome every step that needs to be taken to get better!
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Huh, tubed up with implanted access port… I also already had two lots of radioactive dye injected too. I feel like a robot in the making! Tamami ver.1.2…?? Lol… Lol… Lol… due for completion in December 2017…!?
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t xx
So glad for the good news :) <3
Comment by Marta - July 27, 2016 8:38 pm
Thank you Marta!!!!!!
Comment by Tamami - July 27, 2016 8:50 pm
I am so relieved to hear that your cancer hasn’t spread. Bionic Tamami is so futuristic and cool! I will keep you in my thoughts for a speedy and complete recovery, Tamami-san.
Comment by Yoshiko Yeto - July 27, 2016 11:06 pm
Yoshiko san, arigatou!!! Yes, it sounds a bit futuristic doesn’t it, lol, I was also thinking that it’s almost like one of those ports for the iPad charger cable to power up…!
Comment by Tamami - July 28, 2016 5:32 am
Such good news, so happy for you and your family!!
Comment by Caroline - July 28, 2016 11:56 am
Tamami, you amaze and inspire me no end. You are AMAZING! Of course it goes without saying that I am more than happy to read your good news but what really touched me the most is your positive attitude. YOU GO GIRL!!!! Sending you big big love and a huge hug. xxx
Comment by Keiko - July 28, 2016 3:15 pm
Caroline! Yes! Very good news!!!! Thank you very much!!!! :) :) :)
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Keiko! :) lol, thank you! Of course there has been the ups and downs especially when the outlook seemed so uncertain, but… but I’ve always considered myself as a ‘glass is half full’ type. I can’t let go yet. I also think being perky even in sketchy situation is the optimum way I can get the best shot at kicking the cancer’s butt! (Ooo-la-la!)
;) xxx
Comment by Tamami - July 28, 2016 4:45 pm
So happy to read this!! Fantastic news, Tamami, I can imagine how relieved you must feel!
You have to celebrate this with a big cake! :)
Comment by Cynthia - July 28, 2016 7:46 pm
Awwwww…., thank you….!!!! Yes, huuuuuge relief…!!! Actually, we’re gonna go celebrate this Saturday, at a Japanese yakitori restaurant! Gonna get lots of good food in me before the chemo starts! :)
Comment by Tamami - July 28, 2016 9:06 pm
Dear Tamami
I am also so relieved to hear of your good news! Thank God, you will come out of this. I am sure that you will recover fully and be healthy again and be ready to follow your dreams again. From what I understand about breast cancer it takes a long time to treat so please look after yourself! I’ll look forward to your next post!
Louise xx
Comment by Louise - July 31, 2016 2:33 am
Dear Louise! :) Thank you for leaving me with such a supportive message! It means a lot to me, it keeps me strong! :)
Yes, from what I understand also, I am in for a loooong spell of treatments…! But if it means that I can bounce back, then yay, bring it on! I am lucky in this unlucky situation that there is an effective treatment and that I can wave bye bye to cancer! xx
Comment by Tamami - July 31, 2016 2:58 am
What a relief, thanks for letting us know! Your positivity is amazing and I’m sure will stand you in good stead xx
Comment by Rachel - July 31, 2016 11:41 am
Thank you so much Rachel! :)
Y’know what, I’ve been madly spring cleaning the house, prior to my chemo, to be prepared, and I was sorting my daughter’s bookshelf – I was once again holding in my hand the book you gave us. It brought back the good memories. Do you remember, it was a Miffy book on dreams. I made you sign the inside front page! :) You gave it to me when I was pregnant still – and now, Sakura is 8. How time flies…!! Thank you so much Rachel for being around! T xxx
Comment by Tamami - July 31, 2016 2:25 pm
Wow! Yes of course I remember and I’m so touched that you still have the book! Can’t believe she’s 8 already. Good thoughts always xxx
Comment by Rachel - July 31, 2016 6:21 pm
Oh I would always keep the book! :) xxx Happy days to you Rachel! :)
Comment by Tamami - July 31, 2016 8:17 pm
Tamami, i hadn’t visited your website for a few months and today i thought i’d stop by and say hello. My heart almost stopped for a second when i read the news. I am so so sorry that you are going through this, sometimes things in life are so unfair. But i am so glad that the cancer hasnt spread and from what i know, breast cancer is one of the most treatable cancers today. My cousin has been in remission from it for 8 years now and although the initial battle was exhausting, she has an almost normal life today except the regular chckups. I hope and pray with all my faith that the same will be true for you. Please take good care of yourself, eat healthy, trust the doctors (and trust god if you are a believer) and most of all keep yourself stress free. Please do not worry about things that are not in your control, and make yourself the highest priority at least until you beat this. We are all rooting for you every step of the way – Poornima
Comment by Poornima - July 31, 2016 8:45 pm
Oh, i forgot to say, if you need anything to supplement your healthy lifestyle, reduce side effects or reduce stress while you undergo treatment (pure essential oils, ayurvedic herbs etc), please let me know. I am in india and i can send you anything that you may not find in uk. Sometimes you may need a bit of extra help when you are undergoing chemotherapy. My cousin used a herbal formula called amrit kalash to reduce side effects of chemotherapy (of course with her doctor’s approval). So if you need anything please do not hesitate to ask.
Comment by Poornima - July 31, 2016 8:53 pm
Aw Poornima…! You are so sweet… What have I done to deserve such a wonderful reader…, THANK YOU SO MUCH for your kindness. In my mind I can see a halo above your head. :)
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And what a coincidence that you mention looking into herbal remedies – as part of finding out what I could do at home to get better, I was looking into essential oils and a muji aroma diffuser! I’ll let you know if there is anything I’d like from India :) (I’m over the moon happy to be offered!) but first I’ll have to read up about it a little more.
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Thank you for letting me know about your cousin. I heard that many many women get through breast cancer and be in remission for years (and never get it again) and I become hopeful each time!
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Tamami xxx
Comment by Tamami - August 1, 2016 8:29 am
You are most welcome Tamami, and you deserve every bit of support as you are such a wonderful person. Essential oils are great to reduce stress. Please also look into Ayurveda and Homeopathy, they are also supposed to help a lot with some of the side effects of chemo. If you have any questions about them, I can go ask the practitioners in some ayurvedic or homeopathic hospital here, they are pretty easy to access. I have also heard that Chinese herbs can help although I don’t know much about it. But I mean it, if you need anything do not hesitate even for a second to mail me.
Comment by Poornima - August 1, 2016 10:49 am
The news are really good!
Thank goodness!
Hang in there girl!
Time flies and soon it will be over!
Cláudia
Comment by Claudia - August 1, 2016 9:22 pm
Poornima, thank you so much…, I am in awe of how your kindness is so grand.
Actually, I’ve never really used essential oils before – I’m a newbie! Lol, I rarely use incense nor perfume for myself either. I need to read up on it.
The breast care nurse who is in charge of me says she’ll hook me up with complimentary medicines, so I’m guessing that soon I’ll speak to a professional about it. Actually, I’m due to see my oncologist later today, I’ll see what she says, I read that some herbal medicines interact with treatments, & affect the way drugs are broken down by the body or the way drugs are carried around the body. I need to study this.
Oh Poornima, there’s simply so much to think about for this cancer newbie! … which is probably good – it keeps me afloat, & stops me from sinking low! :) T xx
Comment by Tamami - August 2, 2016 12:19 am
Cláudia!
Thank you~! Yup, I’m definitely hung in with both hands gripped tight! :) Let the time fly past… xx
Comment by Tamami - August 2, 2016 12:22 am
So happy to know that you going to be OK, we were wondering if you were spending the summer with your kids… Anyway, really glad to know you are OK. I’ll try to learn and bake carrot cake in your honour.
Lots of love from Broadway market and thanks for keeping us posted. Xx
Comment by Rosana - the carrot cake couple - August 3, 2016 10:01 pm
Rosana! So happy to hear from you! Thank you for leaving a message!
The past month has been so dense with so much happening in a short period of time, but I always have Broadway Market on my mind, I very much miss it even now… Now that I have stopped my stall I can tell you the secret: it’s 100g of softened salted butter whipped with 200g of straight from the fridge cream cheese, then finally whip in 100g of icing sugar!!! ;-) Simple 1:2:1 ratio that can be adjusted to however much you need. xx
Comment by tamami - August 4, 2016 5:14 pm
Thanks so much for the secret recipe I will keep it close to my heart and send you a picture as soon as my cake it’s ready :) I can’t promise my pipping will be as good as yours tho.
Keep strong, keep us posted.
Love
Rosana & Davide
Comment by Rosana - the carrot cake couple - August 4, 2016 6:26 pm
R & D
You guys make me smile! :) I’ll look forward to the cake pic then!!! ;) Btw, make sure you use SALTED butter, it makes a huuuuge difference!
xx
Comment by Tamami - August 4, 2016 6:51 pm
Hi Tamami, Sorry to hear of your news, but happy to hear that it hasn’t spread to the rest of your body. My son has haemophilia and he had a porta cath all through his childhood for his treatment of haemophilia. The port a cath was a blessing, so I hope it is a blessing for you too. Take care Kerrilee xx
Comment by kerrilee mackenzie - August 6, 2016 12:41 pm
Dear Kerrilee,
Thank you so much for sharing your story with me about your son. I’m not great with medical knowledge so I read the NHS page about haemophilia and also looked at the video to understand better. Wow…, to have haemophilia, especially during childhood must’ve been so difficult, for you both. As a mum I’m sure you wouldn’t want him to bump into things but children being children I’m sure there had been a few incidences? – I hope from the bottom of my heart that things are going well for you both! ;)
– – and yes, thank you for your kind message, I’m super-relieved that it’s not spread. The portacath is already a blessing like you say, we used it for the first time 2 days ago for my first ever chemo. It means that my arms won’t get poked with a needle! The nurses always say that it’s difficult to find a vein! xx
Comment by tamami - August 6, 2016 4:12 pm
Dear Tamami,
I’m pleased to hear your treatment is going well and that you’re staying positive. I admire your good spirit at this difficult time.
You deserve every bit of support from us all.
Best xx
Comment by Zita - August 12, 2016 4:31 pm
Zita, thank you for checking up on me! Hm, good spirit… … I try! More and more I realise that it’s not just about me y’see, I’ve affected all sorts of people’s lives around me, direct family of course but also a friend I have dearly let down. Keeping good spirit is the only thing I can be doing. xx
Comment by Tamami - August 12, 2016 4:47 pm
Hi Tamami, It is such shocking news but I am glad you’re in good hands. When you get a chance I hope you’ll read up https://www.drmcdougall.com/health/education/health-science/stars/stars-video/jessica-bowen/. Good luck and take care.
Comment by Natasha - August 18, 2016 7:09 am
Oh yes for good news!!!! I hope only positive from here on out! * hugs* your new cut is smashing ðŸ˜
Comment by Jonquil - August 26, 2016 12:45 am
:) :) :)
Thanks Jonquil!!!!
Yes! Positive! I’m on my way!
Re: new haircut, errrr yeah… Shedding loads now like a cat going through its season…, lol! Not sure , not sure…! But don’t worry! I’m still strong n’ positive despite!
Comment by Tamami - August 26, 2016 8:12 am
Thinking of you Tamami. I check in on your blog every now and then as I used to love coming to your stall when I lived in London and my 5 year old son loves making your lemon cake recipe best of all. I was really sorry to hear of your diagnosis. My hubby had cancer in 2014 and it was so scary for everyone, especially him – it came from nowhere! However he came out of it and we are so grateful for his good health now. I am sending you healing thoughts and a return to health from far away. Once you are well again you will be ready for new adventures – take care xx
Comment by Zoe - August 27, 2016 6:28 am
Hi Zoe! Oh my gosh, it’s so nice to hear from an old customer!! :) Makes me very happy, thank you! :)
And thank you so much for letting me know about your husband, I am walking the beginning of this journey and it is reassuring to hear that he came out of it alright with good health. I am going to follow his path.
Much love and peace to your lovely family, so sweet and delightful that your young son likes making my lemon cake!!! Another reason to smile for me! Thank you!
T xx
Comment by Tamami - August 27, 2016 7:53 am
Hello Natasha, sorry for the late reply…!!! I missed your lovely comment – it went in to my spam-pile as it had a link!
Thank you so much for your kind words! I’ll have a read now!
T xx
Comment by tamami - August 30, 2016 2:21 pm
This is good news. I really admire your positivity through all this. Now I’m off to read your other posts (I’m way behind, yeeeheee, hadn’t checked in for a while…) while cracking up about the robot joke :)
Comment by Minik - September 3, 2016 12:06 pm
Hi Minik!
Love it how you’ve left messages on each post! Thank you! xx And yes, it is really really good news! Phew! It’s hopefully just a matter of going through the long treatments, and that’s it! ;-)
Comment by Tamami - September 3, 2016 3:39 pm