Ottawa ladies?

Hello to all,

I have not been on BC for quite a while, but felt a need to check-in.



NannaBaby, congrats on reconstruction, so happy for you!



Red, quite a journey with you with the recon... Sorry to here about all the troubles you've gone through.



I had pedical tram and reduction immediately after mastectomy, Feb'12. Unfortunately, I ended up needing chemo and radiation, too. I am dealing with fat necrosis, my breasts are hard as rocks and belly issues. I wear a support, like spandex, for stomach. Can't do anything about belly, as muscle on one side gone (type of surgery), fat pocket accumulated on other side(waiting to see if it will get absorbed... hasn't happened yet) due to pain from necrosis, debating whether to get both breasts removed.... Just a note, My one breast is breast fat, the other is belly fat. They grow at different rates... So I have days where on breast is bigger than other (can be either breast, too). Makes me laugh and shake my head.



My PS is Kristy Boyd. She's wonderful. I had the nicest looking recon breasts.... Before chemo.... then... Once my treatments are all done, we will put my breasts back on the table...



Reconstruction is such a big step. I would never recommend immediate recon. I was diagnosed with DCIS, path report came back IDC, 1/3 lymph nodes. Therefore, treatment, which could affect reconstruction. Afterall, noone knows final diagnosis.



Take care.

Hi ladies, just wanted to check in and let anyone who will have surgery with Dr Lorimer know that the RateMD reviews are all wrong! He's an excellent surgeon! He may come across as arrogant to some but I have nothing but praise for him. He took me on when my own surgeon couldn't (he was on leave), called me before the consultation to clarify a few ponts, somehow squeezed me in really soon after my diagnosis (local recurrence after lumpectomy) and again called me the night before surgery to see if I had questions! He grumled a bit about not wanting to remove healthy body parts, understandably, but went along with my wish for a bi lateral mastectomy. He came to see me before surgery, answered my questions and checked on me again after. While I was in recovery he called my husband and told him that the surgery went well and reassured him that I was ok. The incisions are nice and even and so far everything is healing well. He didn't put drains in so if I get fluid build up he will drain it for me. I'm very happy with Dr Lorimer.

I had Dr. Lorimer for my uni-mast in February 2012 and he was great. I was warned that he doesn't come across as warm and cuddly but he is an excellent surgeon. And I found, like Neta69, that he was good at explaining everything, checking on me before and after surgery, etc. Dr.Lorimer doesn't usually install drains - I had to get drained twice but it was no big deal as there is no feeling there. I was really happy with everything related to my surgery! 

So far, so good ladies. Marple, I don't have drains and so far it's ok. Will probably need to be drained a couple of times but I'd rather have that done than have drains. The biggest struggle right now is in my head trying to come to terms with this recurrence.

Diane, I'm south of Ottawa too.  LMBO, I counted myself in so I'm sure you may do the same. 

Hi ladies, I'm in Kanata, I've had dr Lorimer, dr guay , and Kirsty Boyd. Both breasts are off, and no recon (long story) and I'm really really happy. I am looking forward to July - I will be 3 yrs ned

Hi everyone this is my first post.  I'm 42 and I live in Orleans with my husband of 21 years and my 16 year old daughter and 11 year old son.  I was diagnosed May 2, 2013 with IDC.  I'm scheduled for a lumpectomy with Dr. Lorimer on June 13, 2013 so thank you Neta69 and DorMac for putting my mind at ease.  Dr. Lorimer is the one who suggested the lumpectomy but said if I gave him a good enough reason for a mastectomy he would consider it.  After going back and forth on it I decided to start with the lumpectomy and wait to see what the pathology is before deciding.  Dr. Lorimer thinks I will have chemo due to my age so I feel that I have that time to decide during that time whether to finish with radiation or then have the mastectomy after discussion with Oncologist.  It just seems like a big decision to make without hormone and node information or or even speaking with an Oncologist.  Dragonfly55 thanks for that advice, I was also thinking if I decide on mastectomy to wait for reconstruction.  Did anybody else struggle with the decision between lumpectomy and mastectomy or did you just know?

Thank you all...now if you could just make time go faster that would be great

Hard to prepare for something if you don't know what that something is

Micheleboots!? Mets?! I have not been on too often lately, but your post stuck out. Are you okay? Thinking of you.

Hi JoCanuck - I grew up in Beacon Hill. Lived there right up until I got married. I had a lumpectomy two weeks ago. Still waiting to meet with Oncologist to discuss chemo and make final decision on mastectomy or radiation. I'm probably just being impatient but I find everything takes so long.



Take Care

Happy Canada Day every one.  Michele, here's hoping you get good news, TOMORROW and a great weekend with friends.

It's monday.  Let's see what happens.

Hi,



Just wondering if anybody has the names of some great medical oncologists working out of the Cancer Clinic at the Ottawa General Hospital?

I have Segal and I love her.

Dr Shal Verma