Canadians in British Columbia

Kimmer33

hi Ossa!

Thanks for the info, i will look into that program at the hospital. I do not have an oncologist yet, first i meet with the breast surgeon - tomorrow morning. Surgery is first and should be in 2 weeks. Thanks for the info about Maxines!

Kim

She

Hello Friends, long time!


I arrived on Saturday and saw my surgical onc yesterday. A recurring recurrence. Theres a 7.5cm mass where the CWR was in 2013.

As an added bonus CT shows lesions taking a little road trip through my chest. RARE is a word that should be reserved for how one likes their steak.

I'm waiting to hear from my new onc ... Karen Gelmon. For now surgery is planned for the 21st, but that may change to chemo first.

Marian and Ossa I lost your phone numbers. It would be great to see you!

marianelizabeth

She, am sending you a PM

Gardengirl66

She, just want you to know I am thinking of you , sending positive thoughts. Big gentle hugs to you !

Not sure what else to say...... ((((( hugs )))))

Kimmer33

hi to all the ladies that have responded to me!

I have UMX and ALND on August 31 in Abbotsford - excited and scared to get this show on the road, and Ossa, my oncologist is Dr Uhlman, surgeon is Dr Leung.

Jade-dream

I had a right mastectomy last August. Asked about double mastectomy at the time, but the idea was dismissed and was told by the surgeon "no we don't do that"   Well, here I am exactly one year later waiting for a biopsy in the other breast.  Yearly mammogram & ultrasound indicates calcifications and a 6mm lesion that they say would be technically difficult to biopsy due to it's deep position adjacent to the chest wall. The report says " management of this nodule should be determined based on the result of the calcification biopsy."  I was told by the cancer center here in Vernon that the biopsy would be within one week. 10 days later still no call re biopsy date, so in contacting the booking department, I was told that August 29 would be the soonest date with a 50% chance that I would be bumped. What the heck?  Anyone else have experience with how long it takes to get your biopsy?  It sounds so strange! 

 . . . And what am I supposed to tell my employer?  . . . That there is a 50% chance that I will need that day off?. . .

marianelizabeth

She, I am worrying~~please let us know if you had your surgery on the 21st and even if not please let us know what is happening. My phone numbers are in the PM. Love you!

michelle888

Hi fellow British Columbians! My name is Michelle, and I'm in Victoria - and just popped back on this site after joining in May (April 2015 diagnosis). Was a bit overwhelmed with all things breast cancer and now that my surgery is over with and I know my treatment plan I have a little more of a grasp of things.

I had a lumpectomy in June and started chemo this month. Bit of a journey to go but I am feeling good and ready to tackle everything head on. The BC Cancer Agency here has been fantastic thus far. So thankful to be living in Canada.

Great to find a post here just for BC!

Kimmer33

hi michelle!

Isnt our health care a blessing!!!

michelle888

Kimmer33 - yes a million times, yes. I can't imagine how much treatment would cost in the states. That extra financial concern over all the other concerns would be so hard. I think I've spent $44 so far on the prescription portion not covered by my medical plan (also thankful for having a work Heath plan).

I stayed up super late last night reading about hair loss etc and saw the posts here about cold caps for hair loss. I was curious (not personally interested after reading what it entails) but then came across an article about how the BC cancer agency does not allow them (as they are a disruption to treatment, take up space and resources) Is that still the case? Found it interesting...

GG27

hi Michelle, I too am treated in Victoria and find the care exceptional. Inspire health in oak bay is now free of charge, you may want to check it out. I haven't yet because I'm too far away. Cheers GG

Kimmer33

not sure about cold caps, i am trying to get surgery overwith, then will delve into the chemo chapter of my journey - am interested though!

koshka1

Hello All,

I am oldie to posting...going for my mammo next week...yikes. I am 7 years from treatment. Going for this mammo never gets easier...in fact i think I get worse.

Welcome to all of those in BC. I notice a lot of comments on the treatment and the service we are getting. I did pretty well 7 years ago and I am happy to hear that things are improving at the Cancer Agency and that there are more resources.

Hugs and stay tuned....we have our local annual get together "Potluck" in the fall and have attendees from the lower mainland and island etc etc. I imagine we will be setting a date soon

Hugs.... Kosh aka Leanna

marianelizabeth

Leanna, can we have it in November? I am off leading another trek in the Himalayas mid Sept. and not back until Oct. 22.

Michelle, you are sounding positive. Chemo can be tiring but the best advice I got the BCCA was to keep moving, getting out for walks even they are short ward off fatigue better than anything else.

Does anyone have "She's" #?

koshka1

@Mariannelizabeth, how about Saturday Nov 21? We can do the Christmas theme again?? your house??

marianelizabeth

Works for me but how about no gift exchange? Just community and sharing. Looks good for some new sisters too.

Wishing I could reach She! She said possibly surgery on 21st and asked for phone numbers but nothing since.

Marian

koshka1

Marianne,

Ok, I am cool with whatever. Did you try send SHE a private message to see if she responds ?

She

here I am! I had surgery last Friday and have been mostly asleep since. Im so sorry to worry you. I'm in wait mode now, pathology, scans, the works. I expect chemo for the long haul will follow. My best to all xx

Ossa

Oh she I am so sorry you have to go through this again.. Hope all turns out well for you. Are you staying in Canada for a while?

Look forward to our get together again this year If any of you new ladies living in the fraser valley wants to join let me know and we can carpool. I always carpool with koskha We have a great time and even have show and tell.. Nothing off limits. Great support group

Kimmer33

hey ladies

I may be interested in joining the party in november, however i will most likely be starting chemo in october and dont know where that will take me and how i will feel. Ossa, would love to carpool

Keep me posted!!

koshka1

Yes , we can arrange car pools   

marianelizabeth

Off to the Himalayas again~~Nepal/Bhutan/India and home for Thanksgiving. Now if I can only pack!

Nov. 21 here for the potluck reunion and chance to meet new BC sisters! More to come when I return

BTW, am feeling much better than a couple of months ago.

Allyp71

Hoping for some input if possible.

I was diagnosed with DCIS in March 2013 and in the last year or so have had major pain in my foot. I went to a podiatrist and was told it was plantar fasciitis. I got fitted for Orthotics but doesn't seem to be improved.

It's painful to even put any weight on it especially first thing in the morning. I'm walking with a limp most of the time.

Does anyone know if bone metastasis can go to the foot?

Thanks for any advice or suggestions.

wrenn

I understood DCIS wasn't invasive so I don't think it can spread. Invasive cancers tend to spread near the site like spine or chest wall before it would go to feet I think. If you had had chemo then I would say it might be neuropathy but I don't see that listed in your profile.

I would go back to the podiatrist to see if there is more they can offer. I have heard plantar fasciitis is hard to heal or takes a long time. I think I would tend to trust that is what you are dealing with.

I think it is pretty common to worry though. We all do.

koshka1

hi Allyp,,,,highly highly highly unlikely that you have bone mets to your foot....Plantar Fasciatis is really really hard to get rid of and common for a doctor to diagnose..It is very specific where it is found and they know that it is in the "cushion" part of your foot and not in the bone....hence no bone mets. Plus, if you don't take care of your foot it can come back. Trust me! I am plagued with it.

Do not wear heels!! Wear running shoes out and in the house. Do not wear flip flops or thin sandals without cushioning. By a cushion for your foot to stick in your shoe. Also, doc can wrap it up. Orthotics did not help me....cushioning my foot does. Also, maybe some Ibuprofen for a bit.

No pounding sports until it gets better (ie,,,running, aerobics etc).

If you have further worries,,,please post cause you seem to have a case of Cancer-Itis....that is when you think that simple injury is Cancer. It is a normal among us survivors. That's why don't be shy.

Hugs Kosh

koshka1

Vancouver and Lower Mainland and anywhere from BC Annual Get Together : Potluck

When : Saturday November 21st

Time: Noon

Where : Marianne's House "marianelizabeth"

Details of address will be sent in private message or by email.

If you have any questions please message me : Koshka1 or Mariannelizabeth

This is our annual get together so hoping to see all the oldies and a whole bunch of newbies!

We have a great afternoon of food and beverages and boob stories!

See you soon!

***carpools and pick ups at bus or skytrain can be arranged!!***

michelle888

Hi guys - I just went to a Look Good, Feel Better session put on by the Canadian Cancer Society and it was great. Got to meet some local ladies and got a giant swag box of makeup and skincare items (MAC, Clinique and drugstore stuff). It was a real treat. They also had a part about head covering options (wigs and scarves etc) so it was informative. You can find your local session at www.lgfb.ca/ - it's definitely worth it!

Kimmer33

thanks michelle, good to know

CatsRus

Allyp71, I had planters many years ago, and yes, it hurts worse in a morning. Orthotics did nothing, I had strapping..nothing, and eventually I had a cortisone shot which wasn't the most pleasant of things but it worked...partially immediately and, so far (touch wood), never to return! Hope you get some relief soon, it's painful

Goldieone1

Hi everybody. I'm new to this group. I was diagnosed this past Friday when I went to see my family doctor for the results of my biopsy done on Monday, October 5. When he said the words: "not good news, you have a cancerous lump and it is a bit big", I think that is all what I remember from the appointment. I was in shock. I have had so many problems with my breasts. I'm full of lumps but never serious. I have had many aspirations and lots of fluid taken out. I have had a previous core biopsy done and the results came back negative. But not this time. The core biopsy came back positive and the word cancer just got stuck in my mind.

I didn't ask how big is "a bit big". I didn't ask for a copy of my pathology results. I know he has sent a referral to Dr. Noelle Davis. I hope she is good. My doctor said she is. So this Thanksgiving long weekend has been a very hard one for me. Luckily my daughters are amazing and I have had an amazing support from them this weekend. Now I guess all I need to do is wait for the call from the surgeon's office to get a date for my lumpectomy.

Have lots of questions, but don't know where to start. I have been reading a lot about lumpectomies and what you all have gone through and it is scary. I'm glad for this group and I see there is lots of support.

I guess I'll be posting once I get my appointment with the surgeon and what she says. Oh boy, a new chapter in my life is starting. I hope it ends well. Happy Thanksgiving everybody!