Anyone From the Seattle Area?

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  • GrammyR
    GrammyR Member Posts: 702
    edited April 2014

    SinSin- I live in the Renton Highlands area out of Seattle toward Issaquah. If I can be in any way informing for you. I have been thru much of it all over the past 8 years but actually lived in Fl when 1st diagnosed. The primary thing I have learned at last is not to rush so much into anything your BS or MO suggests. Read as many articles as you feel you can handle regarding the type of BC you have. Treatment varies so much depending on ER/PR and HER status

    Huge hug coming your way and try to find somethings that works for you regarding relaxing-chilling. Too much stress all the time will just sap your spirit very quickly.


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  • Sinsin
    Sinsin Member Posts: 358
    edited April 2014

    Grammy, welcome and thanks! Where in Florida did you live? We moved here from Orlando. I've been researching like crazy. I think I'm driving my poor hubby crazy. 😉 Hope you're doing well!

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  • Kicks
    Kicks Member Posts: 4,131
    edited April 2014

    Sinsin - you asked Grammy where in FL she had lived so even though you didn't ask me thought I say I'm a native Floridian.  Mom's family goes back a lot further to the Pensacola area than Daddy's family does (1880's) in what is now Punta Gorda (was Trabue then).  Hubby's parents moved to St. Pete in the late 1950's.  Hubby was stationed at Cecil Field and Jax (where sons were born) before he was transferred to Whidbey.

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  • Sinsin
    Sinsin Member Posts: 358
    edited April 2014

    Sorry Kicks, I must have spaced out. I blame chemo brain. ;) Sounds like you've lived in a variety of areas of Florida. LOL I have been primarily the tourist trap area of Central Florida. LOL I miss it though. I miss the beach. I use to keep a spare swimsuit and towel in my trunk at all times so I could hit the beach anytime I wanted. LOL Do you miss it there? I don't miss the extreme hot days and sticky humidity. I enjoy being able to have windows open here. I do miss the awesome thunder storms though and having air conditioning. I have to admit, when I moved up here, that was the biggest shock to me. No A/C?! I still think it's nucking futs! LOL

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  • Gingerbrew
    Gingerbrew Member Posts: 2,859
    edited April 2014

    Hi Sinsin, I am over in unincorporated Redmond. Your Taco time is the one closest to my house.  I am just off of Ames Lake Road. 

    We moved here from Chicago in 2010 just a couple weeks after I had surgery. My Illinois Onc researched and referred me to SCCA in Seattle.  My Onc here is Larissa Korde, and I love her and the care at SCCA.    For Radiation I went to Evergreen where you go and my Radiation Doc is Michael Hunter and he receives rave accolades from his peers. The SCCA wing didn't exist at Evergreen when I began treatment.  It was pretty crazy moving in the middle of BC diagnosis. I got my call when I was out in a car with the realtor.  

    I had rough side effects and then I was in a car accident last September and it broke my back. I am in a brace for 5 more months and begin PT tomorrow, so I hope to get stronger. I am 68 so I think the healing may be taking longer. 

    I remember everything tasting like shoe polish during chemo, you have my sympathy.  I used Neulasta injections and did them at home myself, easy peasy, honest. I was nervous but it was really easy and better than go back to the city to get just an injection. 

    I hope your treatment is going smoothly and your side effects are all on vacation. 

    Hugs Ginger

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  • Sinsin
    Sinsin Member Posts: 358
    edited April 2014

    Hiya Ginger! You're real close to me! LOL I live right off of Sahalee. I was just in Chicago this past October for my stepbrother's wedding. I loved it there! I can't imagine moving through treatment. You're a trooper for sure! I am sorry to hear about your horrible car accident! I hope PT isn't too rough on you and recovery goes as smooth as possible. Yeah, chemo hasn't been kind to me when it comes to appetite and taste. I start a new regimen Monday, Taxol, and will do it weekly for 12 weeks. I'm a bit nervous as my last infusion really kicked my arse. Granted, it was rougher stuff but they say chemo is accumulative. So, I'll just have to wait and see. Right now though, I'm doing pretty good and can't complain. It looks like you and I have pretty much almost the exact same diagnosis. LOL And our treatments are only slightly different. I had to have a mastectomy and Dr. Marion Johnson over at Evergreen did it. She came HIGHLY recommended it too. Everyone, including medical professionals, all raved about her when they found out who my doc was. As to the Neulasta shots, I had to go in the day after my infusion for my shot. I didn't have to do it. Thankfully, I didn't get any side effects really from it. I've heard other ladies, unfortunately, really struggle with it and some hate it more than the chemo! But my onc says I don't need the shots anymore on Taxol. We'll see. 

    Hope you're doing well and enjoying our nice weather!

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  • frenchiegal
    frenchiegal Member Posts: 11
    edited May 2014

    Hey everyone. I am new to the forum (just recently diagnosed up at Swedish) and live in Olympia but will be getting 

    my surgery & chemo in Seattle. :(

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  • Sinsin
    Sinsin Member Posts: 358
    edited May 2014

    Hiya Frenchie and welcome! I presume you'll be having your procedure done at Swedish in Seattle. Why are they making you drive all the way up here??

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  • Gingerbrew
    Gingerbrew Member Posts: 2,859
    edited May 2014

    Welcome Frenchie, 

    I hope your treatment and travel all go smoothly. 

    Hugs Ginger

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  • Sinsin
    Sinsin Member Posts: 358
    edited May 2014

    I second Ginger and also, if you need anything while you're up here, just ask and I'll be happy to help!

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  • frenchiegal
    frenchiegal Member Posts: 11
    edited May 2014

    Hi there. I had a consult with a local gal here in Olympia and did not feel good about it. I had a second opinion up north at Swedish with Dr. Shannon Tierney - surgery + Kaplan for oncology and really liked them both. 

    I am in the process of getting my double mastectomy scheduled and figuring out who to use for my reconstruction. Swedish likes Welks, Vaniver, Miles. Anyone have experiences with any of them?

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  • Sinsin
    Sinsin Member Posts: 358
    edited May 2014

    Frenchie, I am not familiar with them, sorry, but you have time to research. Are they wanting to insert an expander during your mastectomy? If not, then you won't need a plastic surgeon for the mastectomy surgery and can take your time researching. 

    I'm glad you got another opinion and searched for doctors you trust and are comfortable with. That's important. Let us know when surgery is and if you need anything, let me know. 

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  • frenchiegal
    frenchiegal Member Posts: 11
    edited May 2014

    Yes, I will be getting reconstruction so I will need a plastic surgeon. I am interviewing another gal this week - Dr. Vaniver. Heard good things about her. 

    I have my double mastectomy scheduled for June 9th. I am kind of a mess but I will get through it. :) 

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  • Tabbygirl521
    Tabbygirl521 Member Posts: 193
    edited May 2014

    Hi, fellow northwesterners!

    Frenchiegal, I'm near Lynnwood. Just dx two weeks ago and looking at a mastectomy, and probably going to choose to have a double (I keep fetching up with DCIS - this time with a bit of invasive component - and I am just OVER IT). My docs are at Virginia Mason; for a plastic surgeon, they recommended Kevin Beshlian at the Polyclinic. He used to be at VM, but moved - I don't know why. I will be seeing him on May 29 so I can't vouch for him yet :). I'm actually considering no reconstruction but want to gather more info before I really decide.

    I hope you'll let us know how you like Dr. Vaniver.

    All best wishes to you on June 9. I will be shortly behind you. I am a bit of a mess, too, but as time goes on I seem to feel more accepting and calmer, at least sometimes. We will both get through this, and I'm grateful for these forums where we can find and support each other.

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  • pumela115
    pumela115 Member Posts: 231
    edited May 2014

    hi everyone!

    Frenchiegal I just have to tell you Dr Kaplan is my onco and has been for 4 years. I LOVE him and he is the best. June 9th will be 4 years from my surgery. Kind of funny i think, same surgery date and doctors. Just wanted to let you know you are in good hands.  Good luck to you and you too Tabby, before you know it, it will just be a memory! 

    Pam

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  • frenchiegal
    frenchiegal Member Posts: 11
    edited May 2014

    Hi Pam:

    Ok that is good to know! I really liked both Dr.Tierney & Dr. Kaplan. I am thinking I am going with Dr Welks for my reconstruction but that won't happen until 

    I am all done with surgery, chemo, etc. 

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  • Sinsin
    Sinsin Member Posts: 358
    edited May 2014

    How is everyone doing? I hope all of you had a side effect free and nice Memorial Day weekend!

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  • traveladdie
    traveladdie Member Posts: 5
    edited July 2014

    I am from Seattle! I live on Queen Anne. Currently being treated at SCCA. Loved the picture from Kerry Park. :)

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  • Sinsin
    Sinsin Member Posts: 358
    edited July 2014

    Thanks Travelladdie and welcome!! I have friends that just moved to Queen Anne!

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  • aimlessbrooke
    aimlessbrooke Member Posts: 5
    edited February 2015

    Hi Frenchiegal,

    I'm seeing Dr. Welk for my reconstruction now. He is wonderful. Through my work I have a multi year relationship with both the Allergan and Mentor breast implant reps and called for their recommendation when I got my diagnosis in December. Unanimously and independently, they both referenced Dr Welk as "The Guy". I hope you are having a great recon experience, do you have any updates?

    Amy

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  • kmahalick
    kmahalick Member Posts: 19
    edited April 2015


    Amy,,

    After 9 procedures I have booked a consultation with Dr. Welk, I am nervous about switching and I am wondering how things have settled so far with your reconstruction. I have heard many good things about Dr. Welk and of course I have heard that he can be a little rough but I need a second opinion.

    Karen

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