Any Northern Virginia ladies on this discussion board?

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  • sharonw
    sharonw Member Posts: 86
    edited January 2010

    1VAmom

    I was diagnosed in 2007 and went to Shawna Willey at Georgetown for surgery, my onc is Nicolas Robert at Fairfax Oncology and my rads were at NYU Cancer center (did rads in the prone position with 15 treatments).  I have also heard that Arlington has a very good BC team with Stephanie Akabarie (? spelling) as the surgeon - I know Chris Cooley (Redskin) mom and Dan Snyder Redskin owner wife saw her.  My onc is great, but I did not care for the practice (too large) - Willey did a great job and NYU was exactly what I needed and wanted to do for rads - good luck and God Bless - Sharon

  • BRCA-BRAT
    BRCA-BRAT Member Posts: 89
    edited January 2010

    Dawn, Diane and Gi Gi - Thank you for your messages.  I am grateful for any and all guidance and information you are willing to share.  You can PM if you prefer (I plan to check a little more often now).

     Diane, I hope your surgery went well and you get the results you are wanting (and no more failures).

    GiGi, Thanks for your endorsement of Johns Hopkins.  I will look into that if I feel that I cannot get what I need here. 

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2010

    OK Girls - Just checking in with ya all.  I'm heading out to Disney on Saturday for a week.  YIPEEEE!   It was at Disney last year at this time that I received the dreaded "cancer call" YEP - I was on a ride when my phone rang UGH!  Looking to make this trip a better one.  Just wanted to remind you of our February Luncheon on Sunday Feb. 28th at noon.  Let's do Coastal Flats if that's OK with everyone.  RSVP here and let me know if you can make it and I'll start a list of who can come.  Looking forward to seeing you all again.  I also send this out in an email to those on on these board.  HUGS,  Dawn

     I'll post the address when it gets closer.

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2010
  • EngTchr
    EngTchr Member Posts: 184
    edited January 2010

    Dawn, have an awesome time at Disney World!  You deserve it!

    I'm afraid I can't make lunch on Feb. 28th.  My son is getting married in December and he and his fiancee asked me to go to a tasting given by the caterer they've chosen.  I couldn't say no to that!

    I'll miss seeing you all.  I want to see how much everyone's hair has grown!

    Becky

  • sirenator
    sirenator Member Posts: 26
    edited January 2010

    Oh goodie!  I can't imagine a better way to spend my Sunday afternoon than with some local survivors. I need to have some cheerleaders around, and I need to be a cheerleader, too!

    Can't wait...

    Regina (Fairfax/Herndon area) 

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2010

    BECKY - We'll miss you, but I think you have a good excuse.  ENJOY=o)

    REGINA - Great that you can make it, we look forward to meeting you!  You're our second "Regina"

    HUGS, Dawn

  • missrwe
    missrwe Member Posts: 58
    edited October 2011

    I cannot support the recommendation of Tsangaris at Johns Hopkins as breast surgeon. My experience was not good with him. I know others disagree. If you get him on a good day - good for you - if you don't - sucks to be you.

  • champ
    champ Member Posts: 7
    edited February 2010

    Hello, ladies!  I'm new here, but I'm glad I found you, especially those of you living near me (I live in NE Washington DC).  The get-together later this month sounds fun, but I'm at church on Sundays so I won't be able to meet you then; hopefully I'll be able to catch you another time.

    I had a unilateral mast (right side) w/no reconstruction in early Jan.  As if finding out about the cancer at age 33 isn't shocking enough, we found out I'm pregnant as I was prepped for surgery!  So because of the pregnancy, chemo is delayed till I'm in the 2nd trimester, sometime in March.

    It seems like many of you are ahead of me in this journey, so I was wondering if anyone could recommend a good surgeon in DC for port placement?

    Thanks, ladies, and I hope to meet you soon.

    Carol 

  • GramE
    GramE Member Posts: 5,056
    edited February 2010

    Carol:  I had all treatments at Georgetown University Hospital, including port placement.  Where did you have surgery?   

  • champ
    champ Member Posts: 7
    edited February 2010

    lefty: I had my mastectomy at Sibley.  Were you satisfied with the way your port placement went?  Would you recommend your surgeon?

  • GramE
    GramE Member Posts: 5,056
    edited February 2010

    My port was done in the interventional radiology department - no specific surgeon.  My oncologist arranged it all - Dr. Jennifer Engwong.   It went very well.  I was not "out" but rather had deep conscious sedation or La La land.  No memory of anything.   Take a pillow or towel to pad for the seat belt on the way home and for a few day after the port is placed.   It is weird to have it in you, but you get used to it after a while.   Mine was in for over a year since I had Herceptin also.   One deep breath, pinch and you are hooked up and ready for treatments.   

  • BRCA-BRAT
    BRCA-BRAT Member Posts: 89
    edited February 2010

    Hi Champ.  I am also new to the site,,,welcome.  Wow, I cannot imagine having to deal with cancer and a baby on the way.  I am sure you must be concerned from every angle.  Hang in there and keep looking forward.

    Regina

  • GramE
    GramE Member Posts: 5,056
    edited February 2010

    Is Feb 28 still on the agenda?   I need more details and may have a couple of others join us.   

  • BrandonMom
    BrandonMom Member Posts: 412
    edited February 2010

    Champ, there are lots of ladies on this site that had chemo during pregnancy.  I remember one woman had a small child, pregnant, and getting chemo.  I couldn't even imagine, but the odd thing she said was that for some reason they find that pregnant women have fewer side-effects than non-pregnant women. Not sure if it is true for everyone, but in her case it seemed to be.

    I had my surgery at Johns Hopkins with Lisa Jacobs.  She is an awesome surgeon to work with. I spoke with 2 surgeons in Northern Virginia.  one I loved, one I hated, but in both cases, my plastic surgery would be out of network.  At Hopkins, everything was covered, so that's the path I took. I really like the plastic surgeon there.  I'm really happy with my local onc and rad onc.  They are all in the Reston area.

    Looking forward to the lunch!

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2010

    Lunch is still on for the 28th,  I'll try to post more later.  Trying to dig out as we were away for the storm and now dealing with leaking issues.  Will check in later.  HUGS, Dawn

  • EWB
    EWB Member Posts: 2,927
    edited February 2010

    Hi ladies, I am actually in New Jersey but have a sister in Annandale, Va. I visit her on occasion, in fact just back from a few days there..got out just before the snow :D. If Annandale (I think it is but not THAT familiar with the area)  is close by I would love to meet up with y'all!

    Elaine

  • Yazmin
    Yazmin Member Posts: 840
    edited February 2010

    Hi Ladies: 

    I am in Arlington, VA, and would LOVE to attend the February 28 lunch, so please keep me posted...... 

  • Happy2beHere
    Happy2beHere Member Posts: 22
    edited March 2010

    Actually I live in Lompoc, CA....sorry!

  • sharonw
    sharonw Member Posts: 86
    edited February 2010

    Count me in too - sharonw - 2/28 at noon at Coastal Flats at Fairfax Square right?? 

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2010

    HI Girls - Sorry I haven't checked in to post more on our luncheon.  Dealing with a nightmare leak in several places in my house so been going crazy with that.  I'll plan to get the address on here sometime in the next few days.  It is 1/28 at Coastal Flats in Fairfax Square at noon. 

    TATTOOS for me tomorrow and then I'm all done with reconstruction.  YIPPEE - kicked that cancer to the curb.  See ya soon.

    If you see this and could RSVP so I have an accurate count when I call for seating.  Thanks

    HUGS, Dawn

  • GramE
    GramE Member Posts: 5,056
    edited February 2010

    Dawn:

     You mean 2/28...  1/28 is long gone...    I plan on being there.    (formerly leftyAKAnancy).   Changed name since I am now a Grandma.  Details and pictures for all to see and hear when I see you.    Nancy 

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2010

    OMG - you're right 2/28 - see what a house full of leaks has done to me!  Thanks Nancy.

     Love your new name=O)

  • KorynH
    KorynH Member Posts: 301
    edited February 2010

    I'm here ! Would love to join you all on Saturday.

    EWB-

    yes Annandale is nearby!

    ~Koryn

  • BRCA-BRAT
    BRCA-BRAT Member Posts: 89
    edited February 2010

    Count me in for lunch at Coastal Flats.  Dawn, I look forward to seeing you again.  For the rest of you, I am excited to be meeting you all soon.  I am so glad to have found this network of sisters.

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2010

    OK ladies - here's the address for our February luncheon:

    Coastal Flats

    Fairfax Corner
    11901 Grand Commons Avenue
    Fairfax, VA 22030
    (571) 522-6300

    (This is the same center as our last luncheon)

    Sunday 2/28 at noon.

     Please RSVP if you haven't already so that I can get a head count when I call for seating.  I'll try to post a list of who I have so far on here this weekend.  Looking forward to seeing you all!

    HUGS, Dawn

  • GramE
    GramE Member Posts: 5,056
    edited February 2010

    GramE, formerly leftyAKAnancy, will be there - sharing pictures of first grand baby, for those who are interested...   Hugs,   Nancy

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2010

    I'm interested in seeing those grand baby pics Nancy - bring 'em on!!!  Congrats to you - what a great feeling I'm sure.  See you next weekend.  HUGS, Dawn

  • apfuentes
    apfuentes Member Posts: 95
    edited February 2010

    Hi ladies - Sorry it's been a while since I've chimed in.  I am IN for next Sunday at Coastal Flats.  Looking forward to seeing/meeting everyone.  Dawn, hope your tats went well!  I was so sore after mine but am pleased with the results.  Congrats on being done with everything!

     Diane - I hope everything went well on Friday!!! 

    For those who were asking about breast surgeons, I went to the Center for Breast Health at VA hospital in Arlington.  Dr. Akbari was my surgeon and I LOVED her.  PM me if you have any questions or want any further info.

     -Angela

  • Happy2beHere
    Happy2beHere Member Posts: 22
    edited February 2010

    I hope to be at the March gathering....sorry to miss this one, but I am having my mastectomy and DIEP this Tuesday!   I'm so glad that the day if finally approaching.  I'm ready to say goodbye to cancer again.

    Look forward to meeting all of you soon, with good news, hopefully :)

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