Ottawa ladies?

Ottawamom, welcome.  Sorry you have to go through this.  I am just in the chemo stage.  I remember your stage as it was in March for me.  You get part of the plan then wait for the next.  I see your a mom, how old are your children?  I was seen that the Womens Breast Health Centre and found the social worker helpful at the surgery stage.

In my experience, I am so glad that my mom and other close family knew from the get go, it would of been so hard to tell them later in the game.  Did not tell my children, they are 8, 6, 3 and 3, until a few days before mastectomy.  Friends etc were later.  My neighbours just noticed Im bald.  Hope I didnt upset you by sharing my experience as that is not my intention at all. 

Best of luck with the MRI, my surgeon showed me the images of mine and it was very interesting. 

Ottawamom.  My family had never had any cancer in the family or friends, so the only knowledge of cancer my oldest had was of Terry Fox.  So my son thought I was going to die when I went for surgery.  So glad that I came home the same day as the poor wee guy would of worried all night.  There is a book by Rethink BC which has chapters, surgery, chemo and rads.  So only need to read the pertinent chapter.  I was reminded that children have no concept of time, so not to tell them anything too far in advance.

So glad that I didnt upset you. You will get through the week. Then you will have a plan.    

Hi ladies, this is a copy of a post I put in another thread I'm on - but I wanted some local opinions as well as the really good discussion I've received from some of our US based sisters...

Met with surgeon (Dr A- although 90% of appt was handled by her resident) and given the fact that this is DCIS, but has presented with some "non standard" features, the plan is for a lumpectomy with a sentinel node biopsy BUT not to be scheduled for 8 weeks, because they want to do BRCA testing (my aunt passed away from ovarian cancer v young) so IF the BRCA testing comes out positive, then that would change the course of action, and BCRA test results take 6-8 weeks even when expedited apparently... also, while there the BS found a lump on the left side that she wants ultrasound-ed as a "baseline"... so back in for an ultrasound next week...



So - best case scenario - BRCA results come back negative I have a lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy sometime in August, and then likely radiation...



Worst case scenario - BRCA comes back positive and we're looking at a whole different ball game....



Part of me was so relieved to hear lumpectomy... but another part thinks, if we treat this one hunk at a time... will these dense breasts keep me on pins and needles for the rest of my life?? The doc(s) didn't seem to think mastectomy was warranted...

Have any of you requested second opinions here I town? Also - even though this is DCIS, given its high grade and presence of necrosis, should I be concerned about a two month lag?



Ugh - didn't really get the clarity I was hoping for frankly...



OM12 

Michele - I was thinking about you yesterday actually as I watched people coming in for their mammos while I waited! I can only imagine your panic... my fingers and toes are crossed for you...

My issue at this point is I don't really feel as though I have been given any decisions to make - more like I was presented with a plan... and I'm not sure I'm on board with that plan!  This is truly comical though as 3 days ago - all I wanted was for someone to just tell me what would happen and what to do... I am normally a very decisive, action oriented person - so this waffling is really getting to me (and to my hubs frankly, he's not used to seeing me so totally befuddled!) I'm going to make a list of outstanding questions I have and give the nurse a call... maybe if I get my own thoughts organized and get  plan in action I can at least feel as though I'm armed with the info I need.

I was diagnosed may 2010 and was given option of lumpectomy or masectomy. I chose masectomy. I have dense breasts too. My surgery was in July so two month window.

Apparently it was a busy time of the year.

Thank goodness Michelle, thats wonderful news.  Hope you have a great weekend.

Happy to hear it Michele. 

Great news Michele.

Hi

It's been two yrs since cancer diagnosis. I'm hearing of ppl around me having ct scans and MRI as routine chec ups. I was told by my onc that they don't do that unless they are suspicious, but the way I see it , if u have symptoms, usually it's got worse...so I'm a big fan of early detection. What are u ladies doing for routine check ups

not sure if anyone is interested, the Ottawa Integrative Cancer Centre, is having a free lecture about preventing recurrence.  Its a naturopathic clinic.  Google oicc and go to events.

http://www.oicc.ca/events/198/oicc-prevention-cancer-recurrence-seminar

That sounds very interesting!

Marple, we could carpool together?....

As you should Rachel! Finishing chemo should be celebrated. Good for you and do something nice for yourself.

Rachell, way to go...now it is time to celebrate...put that chemo behind you.

As i recall rads started in a couple of weeks after meeting the onc.  Soooo much easier than chemo..just having to go every day is the sucky part.

Hi ladies - anyone had an experience with a nipple sparing mastectomy here in NCR?