Who here is from Ontario??

I'm sure you could Google for the cottage info.

Could it be "Cottage Dreams"?

Michelle, I really like both of them, they are highly knowledgeable and their follow ups are very thorought, I really feel secure being in their care. They won't dismiss any ailments and pay attention of what you have to say. They will not do any unnecessary tests to prevent you getting too much radiation which is fine with me now because too much radiation is not good for us. At first it was scaring me not having regular scans but Dr Segal really reassured me. However if you do have pain that are constants for several weeks or so and feel that is really required to ease your mind then they will send a referral, which right now is happening to me. I have annual bone density test (because of femara) and annual mammogram.  With the AC chemo I was extremely sick, couln't eat or drink for 4 days post treatment, I had home care for those 4 days as I was plugged to IV to keep me hydrated with med. Taxol and herceptin were a piece of cake. When did you start chemo and which regimen are your on?. I assumed that you will start radiation after your done with chemo. I live cross the bridge in Gatineau about 30 mins from the cancer center, I noted that your DH is from Belleville, I live in Beleville 6 years (1996-2002). Very nice area.

Sig

Happy New Year Everyone!  Sugar how are you doing?  Elizabeth, hope everything is still going well with you and your Mom!

Hey Mich, how are you feeling?  Are we going to do the big  Ottawa get together?

Mich, it's always tough getting results around the holidays -- too many healthcare folks seem to want the time off!  Path results should always be available within 5 to 7 working days, but holidays and winter flu bugs seem to hold things up.  Anyhow, here's hoping for good results and a healthy 2010 for you, and for all our Ontario cyber-friends.

And speaking of the weather -- UGH!  It's been snowing on and off here in Niagara since Friday and I'm getting mighty tired of it!  Hey, maybe this will be the worst, and the El Nino effect will kick in soon!  (Not as many evergreen cones on the trees as last year, so that's a good sign).

Hugs, Linda

"Cottage Dreams" is a great program for those people less then Stage IV.  When I was diagnosed Stage IV in early 2007 I found out about Cottage Dreams and applied.  Due to the fact I will always be in active treatment being Stage IV I was denied the ability for my family to go.  At the time I was taking tamoxifen only plus pamidronate monthly. 

When I spoke to the woman about it because I was quite upset she told me that this program is for people trying to move on for treatment.  Basically it isn't at all for those of us that are stuck living with cancer for the rest of our life.

I was so upset and angry about that process.  That vacation was really something our family needed.  Fortunately my brother-in-law's Grandmother let us use her cottage which she never lends out because she felt it was horrible.

 Elizabeth I think even if you weren't on chemo but on a hormonal you would still be denied.

I saw Cottage Dreams mentioned and I just needed to vent. 

Sherri

fmakj - I'm doing well this week, thanks for asking.  Had my second chemotherapy treatment on December 29th.  As a result, I didn't feel great on New Year's but I figure neither did most of the rest of the country! Next one is January 18th.  Went to the Look Good Feel Better program yesterday and that was fun. 

I'll take a look at what this Cottage Dreams program is all about.

Sherri 

Hi Vera - I'm having my treatments at Credit Valley hospital, pretty close to home.  I live in Meadowvale.  I'm having four treatments of Taxotere/Cytoxan and my next one is scheduled on Jan. 18th. What treatments are you having?

Sherri 

msvera- you are at the start of the same treatment I finished about 4 months ago. Just wanted you to know that while it's not very fun, it is doable. I ditched my wig over the holidays with not quite, but close enough scalp coverage.

Ladies,

It's so nice to hear that you have finished this treatment. Now that i have started, I feel the end is in sight! (Although I am still squinting to see it) The nausea was terrible even with the Zofran and another anti emetic which name escapes me. But I look at it as only 4 left after the 21st of January. I still have my hair but my wig is sitting on my dining room table. I cant believe your hair grew back so fast!

Hello everyone. I have a question about reconstruction. I had a left mx Dec 11th. Prior to surgery I had asked the BS about immediate reconstruction and he said no, wasn't sure if I'd need treatment and best to wait. Anyway, since then I've found out that nodes are negative (yay!) so unlikely I'll need rads....hindsight is 20/20, but man I wish I could have had immediate reconstruction to help me feel that this 'journey' might be coming to an end sooner than later.

Still don't have a referral to a PS. I asked the BS' nurse about this again a couple of days ago, and she said "they like to wait awhile after surgery". Problem is, from what I've read in older posts on BCO, seems to take forever to get an appt for a PS consultation (maybe it's worse here in Ottawa?), then forever again, to get booked for surgery. I'd at least like to meet with a PS to discuss options for reconstruction at some point in the future.

So, I'm looking for feedback from others in Ontario who have had reconstruction or are going through the referral/waiting game. How long did it take for you to see a PS, and how much longer to have surgery? 

Thanks in advance. 

Hi thisisme ~ A year for a referral sounds really depressing Can't believe how long it takes for a consultation appointment.

I see you're in Toronto...for some reason I just assumed that it would be easier in Toronto to get in to see a PS.  I absolutely agree with you about getting a few contractor quotes for a kitchen. That being said, I can get quotes within days or a couple of weeks for my kitchen....wouldn't it be great if the wait time was the same for plastic surgeons? I guess I'll just have to lower my expectations and deal with it.

Thanks for your response. Take care

Rinna, go to the College of Physicians and Surgeons website --- www.cpso.on.ca --- this provides info on all docs in Ontario, their specialties, their training etc.

Having said that, the best way is word of mouth!  I can highly recommend Dr. John Semple, Dr. Mitch Brown and Dr. Walter Peters in Toronto, and others have mentioned some docs at PMH.  Don't know of anyone in the Barrie area -- you might have to travel southward.....

Hugs, Linda