Canadian Health Care

((((((PIP)))))

My dear, dear friend.  I cannot imagine what you have gone through.  I wish I could be there to give the biggest hug.  No parent should have to go through what you did. 

(((((((HUGS))))))) 

(((((((((PiP))))))))), I was watching that Dateline special last night and thinking of you too.

Also thinking of my cousin Gary who died of sarcoma in 2007 -- and all the fundraising needed in order for him to continue treatment.  Fortunately, the huge network of his family of 10 siblings, and 50+ first cousins, and church, and long-time neighbors in the farming community he grew up in, and his carpenter union "brothers" (and on and on) really were organized, energetic and generous in raising money -- but not everyone has such resources -- and a lot of these same people wouldn't have as much to contribute in today's economy -- it's just scary...

Wow, you're getting an MRI for followup? Good for you! I got a mammo....the letter they sent back said nothing showed and to rebook in TWO years. Doi! I have no breasts you assholes...what did you think was going to show!

That follow up stuff is something I had been wondering about as well - and forgot to ask the oncologist last week when I was there. I had an MRI a few months ago and asked about having mammograms - but it was during chemo and I can't recall the answer. I trust my oncologist so figure if there was a great need, he'd be on it. Next time I'll ask.

Speaking of great needs, I ordered a mastectomy swim suit top online - it came from California and arrived today in an envelope that said "Urgent. Rush" and some such nonsense even though I can't see how a swim top could ever be a urgent issue. Apparently that is what is printed on the express envelope. It was so urgent that it arrived before 8:30 am and I had to get out of bed too early! Poor delivery guy had to see my in my pjs. I didn't have my glasses on yet so I didn't have to see me.

Well - the colour is OK - it says it has a tummy slimming effect but that part wasn't so successful. There are some tummies that just are not going to look slim no matter what the clothing tries to do. I think it will work and, as a public service, I will only wear it at places like my brother's remote cottage.

I'm in. I feel a loose fitted cover up over the tummy slimming swim suit works well. He He. We're going to Cuba on Sunday for a week, and my kids are so excited that I can actually go in the pool - no ports, no open wounds..... so I'll be brave and show my belly too.

I just got a new mast bathing suit too!  I went to a store in Newmarket where I could try on several.  It is a good thing that I did.  I also bought some very expensive new boobs to wear with the bathing suit.  My mom has moved into a retirement home that has a pool so I hope to use it there, a lot.  This store will also sew the prost pockets into a regular bathing suit as well.

No. They are not special for swimming.  I just meant that I got them for  swimming.  I am wearing them occasionally to fill out certain tops.  But I still prefer being a 'free girl'.  And they are just little ones.

The store is called 'Changes Boutique'.  They have everything bc women need there.  The only thing you have to  watch for in the regular bathing suits is that the top is not so low that it shows cleavage.  Remember cleavage?  What a weird word! 

There are special foobs for swimming - they are concave in the middle, so the water flows through more easily.  I bought mine at the Mastectomy Store at Mount Sinai Hospital in downtown T.O.  I believe the one foob was $100 , but they will probably last a lifetime, unless you go swimming every day.

Another great store for mastectomy bathing suits is Melmira Boutique on Yonge Street.  Your fitter takes you into a change room and brings you all the suits you want - they have suits from about $80 up. The fitter I had also brought me regular bathing suits (they will sew a pocket in them for you), but I preferred to only buy the mast. ones, and they had quite the selection.  I just walked in, but I believe you can make an appointment in advance.

The Arrogant Worms: are they the group that does that song about the War of 1812?  My daughter and her friends *love* that song!   Canadian humour is a wonderful thing.

Linda

My mom's pool is salt water.  Should I check that out too.  My foobies were quite expensive!

I called a sort of near by shop and found out that their swim foob is about $200 - the regular one was over $400. My knitted ones are  .  . .  free. Some searching around is in order for that swim one.

Yes  Linda,  the Arrogant Worms did the War of 1812 song - and some really fun ones about Canada.

Big surprise to me - I found out this morning that the local health supply store in our not so big town has a secret room with all sorts of breast forms including a choice of swim ones, mastectomy bras, bathing suits to buy or order, lymphodema products to order - with a qualified, really helpful fitter woman. Who knew?! And the nice woman tentatively asked me if I am over 55 - quite, yes  - which qualified me for 20% off on everything.

No more trips out of town for such things. And now almost everything is in place for me to go somewhere - with the exception of choosing a where and when.

This place had a few different brands and I was very pleased to have her show me the different varieties, talk to me about the options and have me choose. I think the prices were reasonable if not lower than in other places - especially after the 20% discount. All but the lymphodema sleeve were in stock too! I suggested they might have some sort of pamphlet available at the hospital.

At the place I went last year,  the woman just handed me something and told me that was what I needed.  Other people might like to check out your neighbourhood health supply store (this one is a chain). I have looked in there before but didn't know about the mastectomy products tucked away - and didn't ask. I hope they stay there - it's a short walk from my house and a great comfort to know it is there.