Anyone from Montreal, Qc?

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  • my560sel
    my560sel Member Posts: 1,065
    edited April 2011

    OK, I didn't get any responses so we have canceled the coffee meeting for this afternoon. We can re-schedule it for another time when perhaps there will be more girls available to meet. 

    Regards,

    Terri

  • Suebee48
    Suebee48 Member Posts: 28
    edited April 2011

    Bonjour tout le monde!

    I live in Deux-Montagnes, which I never minded til this pesky BC which requires me to travel into the city so often for treatments.I feel very isolated out here. I was diagnosed Feb 11, 2011 at Ville Marie by Dr Brabant. Dr K did all my tests after that. Wonderful doctor...the waiting to see him sucks the big one though. Started chemo March 17 with Dr Stern at St Mary's, but she tells me I need to switch to MGH or JGH for rads. She also said I could choose either Dr K or Dr Brabant for my surgery...not sure which way to go...

    Off to a LGFB today at MGH. Very excited.

    Is anyone in Mtl getting chemo right now? I completed A/C #3 last week, One more on the 28th followed by 4 Taxol, finishing June 23rd...can't go fast enough

  • my560sel
    my560sel Member Posts: 1,065
    edited April 2011

    Suebee48, Welcome to our little group. I'm sorry that you have to be here like the rest of us though... I'm being treated at the JGH and just love it there. I didn't have to go through rads or chemo so I'm afraid I don't know firsthand what you are going through. But I hear you on the waiting times....lol I had a lumpectomy and then a revision for margins and then a Bi lat MX with expanders and then implants so I know about the waiting. What are they suggesting as for your surgery? Will you just have a lumpectomy or are they suggesting a mx?

    If you have any questions feel free to ask. BTW, I live in St Lazare so maybe we're not too far from each other??

    Terri

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited April 2011
    Allo, Suebee - also treated at St-Mary, see my earlier post and feel free to PM me and ask any questions you want - everything is so overwhelming in the beginning, I kept repeating to myself ONE DAY AT THE TIME and that got me through it  Smile
  • Suebee48
    Suebee48 Member Posts: 28
    edited April 2011

    My560sel-we haven't talked about my surgery much at all. I have my last A/C this Thursday and then my 4 Taxol. So surgery won't be til the end of July...and that's only if there's some doctor NOT on vacay, I guess! the first onc mentioned lumpectomy, but my onc now is saying partial mastectomy. I presented with a tumour of 3.5cm with a satellite one of 1.2 cm; node positive. I am so curious about surgery! I see everyone talking about TEs and implants. Can you get implants in both breasts...or is this just wishful thinking..lol? Now that the Oka-Hudson Ferry is open, we are about 25 mins away from each other

    Luan-thanks for the kind words. It really is so overwhelming. Just doing one day at a time right now. Anxious to be 1/2 way done chemo on Thursday. Though Taxol is making me nervous...

  • my560sel
    my560sel Member Posts: 1,065
    edited April 2011

    Suebee48: I have implants in both breasts even though I only had ILC in the right breast. I opted to have a mastectomy on both breasts (after the right breast lumpectomy) because of the type of cancer I had which is very hard to detect. Lobular carcinoma grows in a "linear" pattern as opposed to a "lump" and is harder to see on a mammo. I was worried that there was something in the left breast despite the fact that they din't see anything. The pathology from the mastectomy didn't find any other cancer in either of the breasts removed but I at least I have some peace of mind now. The surgeon (Dr Dionisopoulos) did a wonderful job and they are pretty well matched and even. That's about the only good thing to come from this darn cancer...... even, firm, DD's !

    And yes, above all else - One day at a time......... it's a long process but you'll begin to see the light after each treatment. Things will get back to normal - a new kind of normal.

    Terri

  • Wookie
    Wookie Member Posts: 9
    edited August 2011

    Hello everyone,

     I am waiting for results but the person I met last friday was not that great at convincing me I have nothing since she already gave me all the info for surgery and the name of the chirurgian.

    I am from Deux-Montagnes too and I just hope should I have something they can treat it easily. It seems like my family history is not that great and my mom is currently losing her battle of her 3rd cancer. Gosh it's a hard time for us, but I am sure the days will get better soon.

    I am glad I found this website because I could not find anywhere to talk about how I am feeling.

    Marie

  • my560sel
    my560sel Member Posts: 1,065
    edited August 2011

    Marie,  I'm sorry to have to welcome you to this site. It's not a place that I wish anyone to be. But if you have any questions or if we can help you in any way please feel free to ask. We have all been where you are now and we know what it feels like to get a diagnosis. We know the uncertainty and all the feelings and emotions that come with a diagnosis. What hospital are you going to? Do you know when you will get your results?

    Regards,

    Terri

  • Wookie
    Wookie Member Posts: 9
    edited August 2011

    I am going at the Hotel Dieu with their genetic department. I totaly forgot the name of the surgian the lady talked to me about, actually, it sounds so unreal that for some reason, I feel like las Friday is all a blurand I can barely remember what she said, only the part about surgery and other test they need to do.

     I need to go back with my mother and aunt and they will do blood test on them and from there we will be fixed but she said not to wait to have the test done so probably in 2 weeks I will be back there for more tests. The thing is that i don't know what to expect but at the same time I still hope it will not be the case.. delusionnal am I not ?

  • Wookie
    Wookie Member Posts: 9
    edited August 2011

    you know what I find hard, is that I don't know where I fit, so I am not a survivor, but I am not like the regular person with low risk since I know I have the gene

  • my560sel
    my560sel Member Posts: 1,065
    edited August 2011

    Marie, if I can give you some advice it would be to bring someone along with you when you go to your appointments. I completely understand how everything becomes a blurr once you get into the office and so it's always helps to have someone with you who can "listen" for you and maybe take some notes. I personally asked for copies of all my test results so that I could rtead up on what it was that I had exactly and what it all meant. Some don't want to do research, but I found it helped me understand- I'm curious by nature. I suggest you get all the information you can from your Doctor  to help you make "informed" decisions when the time comes. I'm a bit confused, did they find something in your breast or are they just testing you for the gene and suggesting you have surgery to avoid problems in the future?

    Terri

  • Wookie
    Wookie Member Posts: 9
    edited August 2011

    They are testing me for my gene, I never had in my life a mamography, I was supposed to plan for one in a year but things go a bit accelerated with my last appointment.

     I was suggested to have surgery to avoid complication in the future, but I was also asked because I have kyst on my ovaries if I want to adopt or have child naturally because maybe I should have them removed as well. This, though, I knew since I was 14, but I only have a small kyst at the time, but now, I have plenty on my right side and a few on the left. Last time I had an echo I had a huge one (well maybe not that huge but for me I found it was) on my right. It is why it sometimes hurt when I press my belly.

    Why I was being tested is because the more it goes, the more tired I feel and I started to bruise everywhere for no reasons and because of my family history. Maybe I should not worry about it, since I see all of you have been diagnosed (I do admire you so much for being so strong)  but when I see how my mom is and how it is hard for her now, I certainly don't want to go through that.

    She have her biopsy tomorrow for what would be, another breast cancer. She had breast cancer 5 years ago. have been diagnosed on her birthday had the 5 year anniversary this year , but started to feel sick 2 months after and now she looks really in pain and sick. I do have to add though that in between she also had lung cancer (3 years ago) and had almost her entire right lung removed.

     Marie

  • my560sel
    my560sel Member Posts: 1,065
    edited August 2011

    Marie,

    You haven't been diagnosed yet and the bruising could be from something else. Given your family history it would make sense to be tested for the BRCA gene.  I too have cysts on my ovaries that come and go. So far they are not worried about them but they do cause me pain sometimes. I have an ultrasound 2x a year to keep an eye on them. I did have a hysterectomy at 40 but they left my ovaries in. I know alot of women who have the gene and have their ovaries removed. 

    Even though my tumor was relatively small, I had both breasts removed and have had reconstruction. I can't say that it was easy but for me it wasn't too bad. I'm glad that I did it and even though they didn't find cancer in the other breast, I'm relieved that I had it removed. By the sounds of it, you are younger than I am and so surgery is something you should think about carefully. Every one is different and we all have to do what's best for us. Unfortunately, there's no one right answer when it comes to this disease, every case is different. I hope you get the answers you need and that all will go well for  you....

    I'm sorry to hear about your Mom.and I hope that she will be OK and will say a prayer for her. 

    Regards,

    Terri

  • Wookie
    Wookie Member Posts: 9
    edited August 2011

    Thanks Terri,

     I think too the bruises are caused by something else, well I hope. I do find myself pretty young to have both breast removed since I just turned 27 in April. I will be updated on the test in 2 weeks when my mom will have done her blood test.

     Thanks again for your support :) It is nice to have a place to vent and also read on different topics

    Marie

  • Lucie_inthesky
    Lucie_inthesky Member Posts: 9
    edited August 2011

    Hi all,

    I am from Montreal too. Just had lumpectomy last week and I am waiting for the final diagnostic.

    If some of you are walking over the weekend - my toughts are with you !!!

  • my560sel
    my560sel Member Posts: 1,065
    edited September 2011

    Marie,

    Yes, this is a great place for meeting ladies who are going through the same things. It was a great help to me in the beginning when everything was new and scary.

    Lucie, Have you heard back for your results? 

    Terri

  • Giva
    Giva Member Posts: 1
    edited November 2011

    Hi,

    I was diagnosed of BC sometime in March and underwent surgery to my lymphnodes (removed all 15 as 6 was cancerous) and a lumpectomy on my left breast. I just completed my last Chemo. I will be schdule for radiation on 7th December. I am really scared as I do not know what to expect. Is there anything i can do or eat to prevent lymphadema or any precautionary maeasures i can take.

    Advice will be greatly appreciated.

     Giva 

  • Bernicky
    Bernicky Member Posts: 461
    edited December 2011

    Giva make sure everyone knows which arm was effected by the surgery. If you have to wear a medicalert bracelet so that you will not receive any future IV's and no one will try to take blood from that arm if you are not able to speak for yourself. Lymphoedema is not life threatening but can be uncomfortable. You can bandage the arm to help with swelling if it should occurr. Nothing you eat is going to have any direct effect on the arm. Use insect repellant in the summer and be more cautious arround wasps and hornets. Lynn was stung by a wasp on her right arm (17 nodes removed 11 involved) at a dragon boat race and it swelled up quite surprisingly.

  • Bernicky
    Bernicky Member Posts: 461
    edited December 2011

    Giva - I forgot - best of luck with the radiation.

  • my560sel
    my560sel Member Posts: 1,065
    edited December 2011

    Giva, I've never had radiation or chemo for my cancer so I can't answer you but I just wanted to wish you luck. I'm sure someone with more experience in radiation will stop by to answer your questions.

    Regards,

    Terri

  • worriednlost
    worriednlost Member Posts: 54
    edited May 2012

    Hi everyone.  Anyone here going through brain mets ? We are in Montreal and I was wondering what hospital provides best care in situations life that.

    thanks 

  • my560sel
    my560sel Member Posts: 1,065
    edited May 2012

    Hi worriednlost,

    I was diagnosed and have been treated at the Jewish General. Although I don't know much about brain mets, I have total confidence in the JGH and my Dr's have been great from my breast surgeon to my Onc Dr Panasci. I've got nothing but good things to say about the hospital and the care they give, their professionalism and the facility as a whole. They are expanding again and as far as equipment goes they are top notch. They've also got lots of funding and personal donations. The Segal Cancer Center is amazing....

    I guess it's a matter of personal choice and you have the final decision but you are right in asking around for opinions and gettings some facts  before deciding. I'm sorry that you have to be here with us on this thread. This darn disease is affecting so many of us. If you have any other questions plese feel free to ask. Hopefully someone with experience in what you're going through will have some answers for you.

    Terri

  • ashley2
    ashley2 Member Posts: 62
    edited May 2012

    hi ladies, I'm from Montreal also, but living in Chateauguay

    diagnosed at ville marie by Dr K, surgerie Ste Marie by Dr K, chemo at MGH dr Thirlwell..........radiation also at MGH 

    just done with my 4xAC, starting 8 june Taxol/herceptine..I'm in a trial.  

    did somebody need neupogen? some SE ?

    thanks. 

  • my560sel
    my560sel Member Posts: 1,065
    edited May 2012

    Hi Ashley2, welcome to our thread. We're not a big group here and the thread isn't all that busy these days  but I just wanted to welcome you and hopefully someone with experience with neupogen will help you out. I'm living is St lazare so we're quite a ways away from each other. We do sometimes get together for coffee so maybe we can organize something for sometime this summer so we can meet some of the new girls on this thread.

    Regards,

    Terri

  • Babs37
    Babs37 Member Posts: 455
    edited May 2012

    ashley2- I had Neupogen with my 4 AC treatments. 2 days after every AC treatments I had Neupogen shots for the next 7 days. I don't want to scare you because everyone is different but my SE were not good. I had aches and pain in my upper body, from my waist to my jaw starting on day #4 to day #7. My skin hurt to the touch so everyone knew not to touch me on those daysTongue out.  The worst day was the day after the 7 shots, really bad pain in my upper body that Tylenol and Motrin didn't touch. I always said that the Neupogen was worst for me then the AC chemo. BUT.....I kept my WBC to a good level so my chemo was never delayed because of that and that's what was important to me and helped me make it through everytime. Good luck with treatments.

    I too am treated in Montréal at the CHUM (Hôtel-Dieu hospital) by doctor André Robidoux, head-oncologist of the breast clinic there. He really knows his stuff and I trust him completely.    

    http://www.partnershipagainstcancer.ca/about/who-we-are/board-of-directors/andre-robidoux-md/

  • ashley2
    ashley2 Member Posts: 62
    edited June 2012

    hello Babs, I have this pain today - day 7 - and it is crazy!!! never feel something like this in my back ( spine) and I have 2 kids. I already took 6 tylenol and motrin, but nothing...it is 2 AM..........checking on internet something to do with this pain!!! I 'll call in this morning my MO if I should continu my shuts

    thanks 

  • Babs37
    Babs37 Member Posts: 455
    edited June 2012
    ashley- Be careful with the Tylenol. When I took Tylenol during my chemo, it made my liver enzyme go up. Tylenol is hard on the liver. Better ask your onc for something else for the pain. I understand your pain, believe me! And I believe you are doing Taxol with Neupogen???? The Taxol alone gave me aches and pain, the worst being on day #3. So if on top of this you have Neupogen shots....OMG I believe you that it must hurt.Call your doc for pain meds. At the worst of my pain, when nothing else worked, he gave me a script for 1mg Dilaudid and it did the trick. Take care.
  • ashley2
    ashley2 Member Posts: 62
    edited June 2012

    thank you verry much,bubs,  I'll call today my MO . with 4 tylenol and 1 advil I was ok at 2.30am. now I am like a b it dizzy and pain just my upper spine but nor so bad like in the night . I didn;t start taxol yet, will be in 13 june the first. just finished the AC. 

    thanks 

  • Babs37
    Babs37 Member Posts: 455
    edited June 2012
    ashley- At least you don't get Neupogen with TaxolTongue out. But be prepared because I had 12 weekly Taxol and I had bad aches and pain in upper body too on day #3 after each treatment. Hugs. 
  • ashley2
    ashley2 Member Posts: 62
    edited June 2012

    hi Babs, should I understand I'll not need neupogen with taxol? no risk of neutropenia with taxol weekly?

    very happy so. it is the first time I receive the neupogene and my AC was delayed twice . no fever ,just the CBS law.

    because I don't want delays in my treatment ....... 

    thanks....

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