Anyone from Mississauga???

Hi Nicole4.  With your diagnosis you are in the right place and keep positive thoughts.  My girlfriend worked with many of the Oncologists in Canada dealing with BC.  She wanted me to go to Sunnybrook (she says the docs there are incredible) and had I not had such a simple diagnosis I probably would have done.  My diagosis was straighforward and I was lucky enough not to need chemo.  Had I not been comfortable with the answers I was getting, I would certainly have moved even with the inconvenience. It is obvious that you thought long and hard about having radiation.  It is not something you are going to volunteer for if you don't feel the need! The long drive won't be helping you, no wonder you feel fatigued.  I too was told that I should be sailing through this and that I won't have any side effects.  Turned out the person who told me that was in a study looking at low dose rads for only 16 treatments!!!  I find that breathing seems very tight when I go for my walk as well as severe reflux.  My RO said that it is due to swelling in the tissue and because they are irradiating close to the chest wall in the prone position.  

I had my rads at CVH and would say that my RO was not the Dr. with the best bedside manner but he laid out my treatment plans (post chemo) and answered all my questions. I was stage 2--rads were because I had lumpectomy instead of mastectomy. I was/am confident in the treatment plan that was prescribed by both my MO and RO.

I only had to drive a few minutes to CVH so I am sure the longer drive is a big hassle--every day...Rads were easier than chemo for me but the daily drive to hospital, checking in and getting ready did begin to wear on me after a while. I was so glad for those rads to end...I gave my techs a gift card at Timmies and said that "no offence, but hopefully never see you all again". I would say the techs in the radiation dept at CVH are amazing.

Post stage 2 breast cancer--my MO just does mammo yearly and checkup every 6 months...I asked about a scan and he said only if I have some symptoms that would warrant it. I'm also about 18 months into Tamoxifen--even though I had rad hysterectomy due to cervical cancer--still am on Tamoxifen--Doc said he would keep me on it due to my age etc. I had asked him at my last appointment if I should be switching but he said no.

today was rad number 20, I am feeling very sore and my chest is extremely red and tight.  at the end of my scar a blister (bump) has formed just today.  I have done cold compress and glaxo cream.  I am worried that this week is going to be far worse than its been.  Five more to go!   

I am so happy to be near the finish line, but at the same time I am feeling scared and still emotional, I hope this goes away soon.  maybe once I get my life back. 

schatzi14--my MO was actually at Trillium (by Sherway). I have another MO at PMH for my 1st cancer (cervical--diagnosed 3 months before my breast cancer). I was pretty lucky with my Docs as I didn't have any issues/concerns with any of them. My MO at PMH is the head of gyne oncology so she normally had a group of residents following her around--nothing like 5-6 Docs in a small room with you.

Nicole--I think it is very normal to be a little scared once treatment has finished. I always thought it was like being pushed out in a boat into a big lake all by yourself...I had spent so much time with Docs over the past 2 years that when I stopped seeing them so regularly---I was so scared. It will go away and you will get your life back. There are days when I can't believe how far I have come from my two cancer diagnosis. Days when cancer doesn't even pop into my mind or I talk about it as something that happened in my past.

p.s. Like schatzi said...keep using the cream for a couple of weeks after rads...my techs said the skin keeps cooking for a while after. I had 25 rads too...you are almost at the finish line

Had my chemo at Trillium--rads at CVH.

Yep, had the biggest shock when I was diagnosed with breast cancer as I had been back at work TWO WEEKS after my leave for my rad hyst for the cervical cancer....I think my Boss thought I was crazy. Believe me, I wasn't very positive at the beginning...I really had to dig myself out of a hole after both diagnosis. Ultimately, my Docs were good and my family/friends carried me through. I have two young boys and we tried to keep their lifes as normal as possible.

schatzi--From the looks of your Diagnosis --- we had pretty similar breast cancer.

Cancer really shocked me....I had never thought of cancer before....My Aunt had been diagnosed with breast cancer over 20 years ago..but at that time, I was younger and probably never gave it another thought. Cancer has taken over a lot of my mind in the last couple of years. I went back to work at the end of last summer which was the best for me as it occupies my mind.

schatzi -there's been a get together the past two summers in Niagara-On-The-Lake. Rachel and I went last year together. I wonder if this get together you mention is the same thing.  What thread are the details on?

Yes, I found it.  FYI...I organized a get together in April 2010 and it was well attended.  It was a luncheon at Pickle Barrel at Yorkdale and it was a nice central location. Hopefully we'll get to meet face-to-face!

PB at Erin Mills sounds great.  If the greater group wants to go further east, we could still also have a Mississauga meetup.

LOL...it seems I end up at Erin Mills Town Centre a few times a week anywat buying birthday presents for all the parties my daughter attends, browing waxing, etc. It's my "go to" mall.

rachel...it didn't work for me because it turned out the cause of my headaches are bulging and herniated discs in my cervical spine. Acupuncture can only do so much. I know many that have had relief from many other things tho'.

Come to think of it, I have had a few not so great meals at PB too but at another location. It seems the problem has been solved!

For any that haven't seen the other thread, it has been decided about the GTG.

We are meeting at Thickson/#401 on Sunday August 19th at approx 1 p.m. at Milestones!!!!

Please let us know if you plan to attend so we can make reservations.

sugar...GREAT!! Looking forward to meeting you.

sorry Sugar...I don't. I have a registered MLD therapist here in Oakville but other than calling wellness clinics, I can't even suggest anything.

Why not give the Wellspring a call...they have names for everything...905-257-1988?

Rachel, the woman who runs the exercise program at Wellspring used to work at a private centre in Burlington (I went there two years ago) but now she's back working at the Jurvinski Cancer Centre in Hamilton. She and I have emailed each other about it and so far I've not found anyone else. Kate who is working at Wellspring right now also used to work at the centre in Burlington. I'll keep looking and let you know what I discover!

I'm in Mississauga too