Thornhill/Vaughan/Richmond hill/ north Toronto

LovesToFly

hi ladies! I just started chemotherapy, and I've been thinking how nice it would be to meet some local women, either to chat or maybe meet. It seems all the groups and meetings I can attend are at Sunnybrook or downtown,

I don't really want to go to either of those places when I don't have to! I am 42 years old, have two children. Obviously I am not looking for my BC twin (s) but it would be nice to have something in common besides cancer.

I am being treated at North York General Hospital, if anybody has any questions about that. I'm happy to answer anything! I had my first cycle today, fec-d.

Lilyn

Hi Jill. just checked out your blog loved it. I just wanted to say hi as I lived in Thornhill for years at Willowbrook and bay view. My kids who are now 23, 26 and 28 went to Willow Brook public school and Thornlea high school. We have a condo now at Bay view and Eglinton. I was diagnosed in 2008 with bilateral breast cancer, three tumors, one being Her+. I also did chemo at NYGH and my breast surgeon was Dr. Nancy Down. I feel u made correct decision regarding the cold cap. Sounds like a monstrosity. it is weird when hair starts coming out, I shaved mine after about a week after first chemo. It started falling out in little strands so I went GI Jane. wear what makes u comfortable, wig, scarfs, hat etc. one thing though I bought a very soft cap to wear at night because my head was a little cold. I'm sure this is so difficult for u but one step at a time and u will look back like I am eight years later!  I was diagnosed at 55 and now 62. My oldest daughter was married last fall. My middle daughter graduated from U Of T Victoria College this past spring and my son is st Ryerson and he lives with us. loved your pictures beautiful family. My daughter is also vegan. hope u hear from more ladies in your area. Best of everything to u and myself and so many women walk with you through this  challenging time but u will do fine  Lois

Lilyn

Hi Jill. just checked out your blog loved it. I just wanted to say hi as I lived in Thornhill for years at Willowbrook and bay view. My kids who are now 23, 26 and 28 went to Willow Brook public school and Thornlea high school. We have a condo now at Bay view and Eglinton. I was diagnosed in 2008 with bilateral breast cancer, three tumors, one being Her+. I also did chemo at NYGH and my breast surgeon was Dr. Nancy Down. I feel u made correct decision regarding the cold cap. Sounds like a monstrosity. it is weird when hair starts coming out, I shaved mine after about a week after first chemo. It started falling out in little strands so I went GI Jane. wear what makes u comfortable, wig, scarfs, hat etc. one thing though I bought a very soft cap to wear at night because my head was a little cold. I'm sure this is so difficult for u but one step at a time and u will look back like I am eight years later!  I was diagnosed at 55 and now 62. My oldest daughter was married last fall. My middle daughter graduated from U Of T Victoria College this past spring and my son is st Ryerson and he lives with us. loved your pictures beautiful family. My daughter is also vegan. hope u hear from more ladies in your area. Best of everything to u and myself and so many women walk with you through this  challenging time but u will do fine  Lois

LovesToFly

Thank you for your kind words Lois, that's a beautiful neighborhood you grew your family up in. I am in the newer part of Thornhill, I live right near the promenade mall. Your dad was my surgeon as well, I felt very good about her. Oncologist is dr Yu, I also love so far. She actually called me this morning to check in on me after my first chemo.

Lolis197138

hi Jill,

How are your side effects from FEC-D? I found the first one to be Ok and the second of the FEC was a bit harder (the nausea was a pain). listen to your body and eat whatever your can. I was craving mint chocolate ice-cream after my first chemo and then french fries from costco. The D part is a bit easier on the stomach but harder on your joints. Remember to ask for ice on your fingers and toes for the D part if the nurses don't offer it.

LovesToFly

Hi lolis,

I am 12 days passed my first FEC infusion, I have to say I am pleasantly surprised. First few days sucked, mostly because I was queasy a lot, but I hated the way the steroids and the antinauseants made me feel, wired and exhausted at the same time! Once I was off the steroids and the nausea passed, I got tired easily, but mostly felt good asong as I took time to sit down and relax when I needed to, and got to bed early. Since about day 7, I have pretty well felt like myself! I am taking the Neulasta shot, but I'm also taking Claritin for 10 days, and I haven't had any serious bone pain. My legs have been a bit achy at night but not horrible, and since I am a runner, I'm kind of used to having an achy lower body anyway! I do know that chemo is cumulative, so it might not stay this "easy", but I am thankful for at least one good cycle! I'm hoping it doesn't get too much worse! I am taking off my chemo weeks, and working the two weeks after, I'm hoping to be able to maintain that throughout! This cycle it has been totally doable so far.

IHave read all about the ice and will definitely ask for it, I am also going to keep my fingernails and toenails painted dark! I don't know how that works with toenails though, since I am always wearing socks this time of year anyway!

Lolis197138

I am sure you will be able to continue to maintain that routine throughout the treatment. I was doing chemo on Thursday afternoon and only took Friday off and on Monday I was back to myself. (I worked from home during that period). My third FEC session was a breeze as well, just that second one was a pain. I remember I could only drink one brand of water and nothing else and pasta with cream cheese.

I can't remember if I kept my sock on with the ice. They wrapped the ice pack in a pillow case and I could take them off for a few seconds and put them back on. Other than changes in the texture on the nails I didn't have any other issues.

My first neulasta shot felt like I was hit by a bus. The skin hurt so bad!!!

Taxotere put me in chemopause for some time and the hot flashes began on my second last chemo.

Has your hair started to fall or are you doing the cold caps? I shaved mine when the sculp started to hurt.

Let me know if you have any questions.

LovesToFly

I decided not to cold cap. I looked into it, but my hair is very fine and thin, so even a moderate amount of shedding would leave me unhappy. It just seems not worth it. I have gotten a buzz cut, and I'm waiting for it to start falling out. I assume in the next week or so it will. I'm ready for my mustache to go away thank you very much!

Thanks for all the info! It's good to hear that my work plan should be feasible. My chemo day is Tuesday, so I will have Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday and Sunday (sorta, I have kids 6 and 12) to recover. Seems like a long time, but I work out of the home and I'm a social worker, so it is a somewhat stressful job (i'm doing a contract in IT right now and not carrying a caseload, but it is still out of the home, with the commute and a lot of stress)!

I wonder where you had your chemo? I'm at North York General Hospital, so far I haven't seen anybody with the ice there.

Lolis197138

I loved the hair free period. Now the hair grows slowly still (can't complain about the legs). Hope your kids are dealing well you being not 100% with your energy. DH is going to school for social work now and although it is just academic I can see the amount of stress it could carry.

The ice is give on the second part of the chemo (session 4-6), the D part. Are they giving you ice to chew on when you get your chemo. I believe it was during the red infusion as it slowed the damage to the cells of your mouth.

I had my chemo in Oshawa as I live in Ajax. I could have gone to Princess Margaret but I didn't want to delay the process. I was told by the friend (he had a different cancer) to ask for it but I didn't need to.

Have you gotten your wig? I wore mine just a couple of times.

LovesToFly

Yes, I have 2 wigs. I have been practicing wearing them at home. Right now, I cannot imagine wearing one all day...Maybe for a few hours if I go out with family or friends and want to feel a bit more like myself. I have some scarves, beanies and head covers as well, I guess I'll figure it out.

They did give me ice chips the epirubicin! I have heard it is the D that affects fingers and toes (and nails) more.

LovesToFly

Okay 3 wigs if you count the one in my pic<<<<<<<

rozem

Hi Jill

Im in Vaughan...PM any time for my personal email. I was treated at Sunnybrook but it is far for sure and no, I did not go there for anything other than treatment/follow-up

I was 42 when diagnosed with 2 young ones 8 and 11 so Im kinda your cancer twin

lc69

Hi there,

I am 46 years old and I live close to NYGH. I was diagnosed in Oct. 2015. I also have Dr. Yu as my Oncologist. I had my surgery (opted for a bilateral masectomy) at NYGH last week. My surgeon is Dr. McRitchie. I had neoadjuvant therapy as the cancer had spread to my left axillary lymph nodes. Unfortunately, the mammograms did not show anything as I have very dense tissues which is why I chose to have a masectomy.

I started with 6 rounds of chemo - 3 FEC followed by 3 Doxatacel & Herceptin. I am triple positive (ER+, PR+, HER 2+).

I will be meeting with the Radiation Oncologist next week to determine how many weeks of radiation will be required.

I would love to meet. I often shop at Promenade mall so if it is convenient, I can meet you there for a coffee.

I am still waiting for my pathology report...should be available by next week. Clinical stage 2.

Moderators

Welcome IC69! We're sure you'll meet some great members from here!

In the meantime, there're tons of other members right here on the boards that can help. Feel free to join the Spring Rads 2016 group to meet others going through radiation the same time as you for support, questions, and sharing.

We hope this helps and look forward to hearing more from you!

--The Mods

lc69

Hi,

Does anyone know if Biotin is safe? I'm sort of getting mixed reviews. I read on the internet that Biotin promotes estrogen and I am concerned about taking it as I am ER/PR positive. Biotin is supposed to promote hair growth and stronger nails.

Prior to the neoadjuvant therapy, the tumor in my left breast was small and the biopsy showed it as precancerous. My ONC told me that my body most likely destroyed the cancer cells. The biopsy also showed cancer in the lymph nodes however we did not know how many were affected.

I recently had a bilateral mastectomy and the left axillary dissection. The path report came in and it showed the tumor in the left breast as DCIS - the surgeon said it was almost gone. The lymph nodes showed 2/13 with small traces of cancer.

As we did not have a baseline for the lymph nodes, the doctors are not able to definitely say what stage the cancer was. I'm worried....has anyone had a similar situation.

ER/PR positive; HER 2 positive. Thanks.