Introduction

Sarvs Falefitu is a 40year old NZ born, Auckland bred Samoan/ Niuean. Sarvs is mother to four teenagers (Kroydon 19 years, Denae 16 years, Kendra 14 years, Grayson 13 years) and has been married to her 'Samoan warrior' for 19 1/2 years.



My gals, Denae (left) & Kendra

My boyz, Grayson (left) and Kroydon

I have breast cancer and so...

This blog has been created in the hopes that I could raise awareness of this 'evil influence that spreads dangerously', according to Collins English Dictionary, Compact Edition, to fundraise to cover the majority of my Herceptin treatment and hopefully this might help other women even in the tiniest way who might be living and dealing to breast cancer also.
I have Grade 2, HER2 positive type cancer and my cancer has moved away from the primary spot and invaded other parts of my body via my lymph vessels and blood vessels. Along with chemotherapy and radiotherapy I will also need Herceptin. NZ only funds Herceptin for 9 weeks but a full 12 months is recommended. I have opted to take the recommended 12 months and it will cost exactly $96,273.60. While some specialists are 'comfortable' with 9 weeks of Herceptin, I am not. I want to attend my teenagers graduations. I need to wave them goodbye when they go on their OE's. I wish to witness them all walk down the aisles, be present at the births of my grandchillens and finally do my big OE with my hubby too - of course without the grandchillens!!! Clearly I have far too much to live for and I implore anyone with time to please support my fundraisers or send any fundraising ideas our way.
Your support will make a lasting difference to my quality of life and I sincerely thank you all in advance for your love and support.

Accolades

Sarvs wishes to acknowledge the amazing staff at St Marks Clinic who at the early days of her breast cancer diagnosis helped and coached her through one of the darkest days of her life.Thank you Michelle, Beverley, Jenny, Tracey, the wonderful surgeons Stephen and Stan. Most importantly Sarvs would like to acknowledge 'Johnny' for having the foresight to establish a beautiful haven such as St Marks Clinic many years ago for women such as herself.



Breakdown of Herceptin costs

Since day dot Dr Mike McCrystal my oncologist has been apologetic of the horrendous Herceptin costs for HER2+ women. Nothing to apologise about Mike it is out of your hands and ours however look closely at what Pharmac and NZ Government are blissfully content in handing to a cancer patient and their loved ones -

Loading dose cost: (1 loading treatment)
Drug cost, delivery (+GST) 500mg $7018.65
Nursing $250.00
Medical $350.00
Consumables $35.00
Hospital charge $100.00
GST $969.20
Sub-total $8722.85 for loading dose at 8mg/kg

Maintenance dose cost: (13 maintenance treatments)
Drug cost, delivery (+GST) 370mg $5251.35
Nursing $250.00
Medical $350.00
Consumables $350.00
Hospital charge $100.00
GST $748.30
Total $6734.65 maintenance dose at 6mg/ kg
Overall total for full course: $96,273.60

So dealing with the diagnosis of breast cancer, losing a breast, having major surgery, being put through chemo treatment, being hospitalised 3 times, going through radiotherapy, getting through the remission period, dealing with the emotional side of this all and then having to fundraise endlessly for Herceptin do you think Pharmac or NZ Government have the right to play God with our lives?!!

08 February 2008

Zoning

Immediately after my diagnosis I was surrounded by breast surgeons, breast care nurses, specialists, oncologists etc etc etc. I have been in great company with people who are familiar with cancer. It is part of their lives. It's how they make a living.
I have always referred to it as 'the safe zone'. I was in the same zone leading up to my first chemo cocktail surrounded by professionals who care for cancer patients and my loving supportive family and friends who care, fullstop.
Everything I had been doing over the past 3 months has been done in my safe zone including time with family and friends, shopping, sporting, schooling activities, you know everyday living. Of course this was all done with a whole mass of black curly hair, (okay give or take a few strands of wisdom grey). I don't believe my hair has really defined who I am as a person but it is a part of my make up and my identity.
So today while lunching with long time friends I suddenly had an anxiety attack when I realised that my patchy scalp was partly exposed under my turban. I am not sure what I was more upset about really. Was it that people may have noticed my patchy scalp or that I felt so completely naked (OMG perish the thought!!!). Either way it was the longest few minutes ever and I felt at that moment I was losing my identity to cancer - 'the danger zone'.
After checking myself out in the bathroom, some reassurance from my friends and a lovely Banarama Cake from the manager of Cafe Massimo, New Lynn I finally arrived back to 'the safe zone'.
It is only hair and it will grow back but it's not being able to control this part of my life that frustrates and upsets. Even with my mastectomy and a couple chemo treatments suddenly without my hair the cancer has become more real...strange but true.
Today is day 4 after my second chemo cocktail and while the side effects have not been as unbearable the pains, aches, tiredness, nausea feeling and the dark moments have arrived...this is when I have to really dig deep and believe that beauty is within and I am winning this evil.
It's been a tough week as I am forced to watch the faces of my beautiful family adjust so lovingly to the ever changing battlefield of the cancer but I take great comfort in knowing that many inspirational women in this 'sisterhood' have walked before me, fought a great battle, lived to share their experiences and with family.
I will be one of these women.

Time permitting next week I am off to Wigs by HairCreation to have my head shaven just so I can move on and complete the quest ahead of me.

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