I first told my chillens on Sunday 21 October that cancer would never be an excuse to give up nor did cancer deserve pity.
My oldest took me to hospital the first time round when I got sick after chemo.
He called in sick at work that day advising his supervisor that he was in hospital with me.
The next day when he got back to work the ladies asked after me. My son replied that I was still in hospital. Naturally they asked him if I was okay.
My son replied very matter of fact 'oh she has cancer' and then continued on with his job. Mouths just dropped. They had no idea.
When I got home from hospital I thought I would sleep for the rest of the week. After 2 days of sleeping my son sat at the edge of my bed and told me quite sternly that I couldn't sleep the rest of my life away so I was to get up and he was taking me to the zoo for a couple of hours.
I got up quite embarrassed, dressed and enjoyed an afternoon at the zoo.
While tackling the chemo effects one time I told my younger son out of frustration over the fatigue and body pains that I really hated my life at that moment. He told me off and said that I would need to be positive to get through that moment. It turned into a lecture and again I was embarrased with my outburst.
My girls have also put me back on track on days where I could have shut the whole world out of my room and slept on reminding me that I wasn't to let the cancer or chemo get the better of me.
One day daughter 2 came home with a programme that had been offered to her.
The programme provided a counsel like service for troubled and/ or traumatised teenagers. She asked me why I thought they gave it to her. I replied it would be because I have cancer.
She looked at me like really that is not a good enough excuse and then walked off to make herself a hot chocolate still baffled. The pamphlet lay around the house for a couple of days ignored and then I binned it.
Parents with cancer your acceptance of your diagnosis, your positive attitude about your life, your open conversations and discussions about how you are feeling at any given time and your love of life because of them certainly helps the healing process.
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.
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?!!
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?!!
21 May 2008
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5 comments:
Hey Sarvs!
Coffee would be great sometime, just say the word lol! I'm working, but in true Kelston tradition, my hours are flexible and bosses really understanding so I can fit in around you...whenever!
I have been reading your website, and honestly, it's fantastic! I'm positive that hearing you speak so honestly about all your experiences is helping others on their own journies - I wish I had known about it sooner, it's brilliant having someone else able to articulate all that you are thinking and feeling - the good and the bad!
You are SO right about your kids putting things into perspective for you, my three teenagers have blessed me in the same way. Their acceptance and humour have helped me through some really rough patches. A classic was my daughter saying to me (in my days of looking like Uncle Fester from the Adams family) 'Mum, you're so bald, I can see what's on your mind!!!' How can you feel sorry for yourself when you're laughing so much?!!
I finished my radiation 3 weeks ago now. Don't worry...if you've survived chemo, you can do anything! Compared to that, radiation was a walk in the park for me!
I also really connected with what you said about normality being a really scarey place after treatment. You're not kidding! Coming back to school I felt like I had been dropped from another planet! Everything had changed...yet nothing had changed. It's a surreal experience, but it gets easier. Just one day at a time... :-)
Have a great day, enjoy the sunshine, smell the roses!
Lisa
XXX
Hi Lisa
It is really women like yourself who went before me that encourage and inspire!!
I have post chemo assessment today and I always look forward to talking to my oncologist. I have avoided the blood tests which is naughty but I will head up to the bleeding room before I see him! And I am off to the Cancer Society also - aren't they fantastic!!
I am so struggling to keep my eyes open at work and I haven't even started radio yet..hahaha!
Okay you give me a bell for that coffee, do you have my contact details? I sent Grayson to school today with a flyer to advertise my Variety Concert and have asked him to get permission to place it on a notice board at the schoo. I hope he does it as he was a bit apprehensive about asking.
I hope you are keeping well and warm as we head into the chiller nights.
Take care and holler for that much awaited 'sisterhood' coffee!!!
Sarvs
oxo
Hey Sarvs!
If Grayson is worried, just get him to give the posters to me, I will put them up! :-)
Do you need any more performers for your concert? I look after a few of our performing arts groups at school now, and can also give the guys from Sweet and Sour a call if you like? We have been planning to hold a lunchtime concert for you at school with the Bring It On and Polytentials boys (if Grayson is cool with it!)but we have to wait until after our competition on July 19 (Top secret routine until then lol!). The SAS boys have agreed to help us out with the concert and are keen to be involved in your fundraising. Let me know if you want me to try hook them up for your variety show...They are REALLY good...they just won the National Hip Hop title for their age group and are heading to the Worl comp in Las Vegas soon!
I'll get your number off Grayson and flick you a text re coffee! Can you taste it again yet??!! Haha!
Have a great day...catch you up sooN!
Lisa
XXX
Hi Lisa
I've seen SAS and think they are fantastic!! If I am able to talk our stage manager into squeezing them in for the show yes yes please!!
Also I am wondering if you would be able to check that we have KBHS hall has been pencilled in for our concert as Karl was on leave when we went back to confirm.
I am off to bed (what a nana, haha) but would like to know how you are placed for coffee this Saturday morning? yes I can taste the coffee....soy latte though...LOL!
I am stoked about the lunchtime concert, how awesome is that and totally understand about keeping it wraps until after Bring it On! what a privilege!!!
I hope to catch up with you very soon!!
Peace and love
Sarvs
Hey Sarvs!
I have emailed you a reply on the all4sarvs address...too much info to put in a blog lol!
Catch you there!
Lisa
XXXX
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