New Jersey/NYC/CT/Eastern Pennsylvania ladies

Janetanmed - That sounds great.  I want your button candy on paper strips nipples!  Perfect!  Vinnie has a lot of photos on his website.  You can perhaps find ones you like and show them to Mandy.  

Thanks for the insight and different perspective. 

Jen....It is a GOOD idea that you will be close to your home.....Liz

SuckitBC......There are NOT many Gyn/Onc.......I live in Brick and went to Dr. Thomas Hackett in Wall.....also  I know another who went to him and they lived in Union Beach..........he came recommended......Liz

Hi Everyone - There are so few resources where I live that when I find something conveniently local I do the happy dance.  Yoga Loka offers a free yoga class for cancer patients, survivors and caregivers.  It's in Frenchtown @ 34 Bridge Street.  The number is 908-268-7430 and email is yogaforcancercare@gmail.com and website www.yoga-loka.com.   I hope to go this Tuesday.  The really great part is that I don't have to commit until Monday.  Planning is a challenge when you don't know how you'll feel.  

Bumpin to wish you a HAPPY THURSDAY!

Joan - Thanks for bringing this to our attention.  I responded with the following:

BCO has been my lifeline and that will not change.

I've learned to overlook well intended but uninformed comments from family and friends. They mean well.

I expect a deeper level of "getting it" from all cancer organizations.

I see several woman on here are traveling to The Abrahmson Cancer Center at Penn. I think Warrior woman is the latest. I live in Orange County NY where NY, pa and Jersey all meet. It's about a 3he drive to Penn for me. My Aunt lives in Cherry Hill NJ and it's been helpful to stay over at times.

My vs was Dr. Julia Tchou (I am in love with that woman) my ps is Dr. Kanchwalla who seems capable and takes great pride in his work. My oncologist is Dr. Kevin Fox who is tops on all accounts and quite well known. My genetic councillor is Jill Stopher who pioneered BRCA research 20 years ago. I saw someone write in 2012 that they had Dr. Brian Czerniecki. You will be happy to know his work with the breast cancer vaccine is showing great results. Pennies in Action is the fundraiser for phase three of the trials!

The drive can be hideous, but I've gotten such great care and a lot of attention. Penn always schedules all my appointments for the same day because they know I travel. I try to return the favor by participating in all the trials they offer, giving them my blood and removed tissue to study etc.

Radical, I was a participant in phase 2 of Dr. Czerniecki's vaccine trial.  On my recent follow up visit with Czrniecki, he said they are close to securing corporate funding for phase 3 of the trial which will be nationwide.  I told him he better hurry up because I  want my daughters to get that vaccine! I live in suburban philadelphia, about an hours drive (with no traffic) from the hospital.  I am a strong believer in Dr. Czernieck's research but have very mixed emotions about participating in the trial. I was originally diagnosed wth DCIS and my HER 2 test results were equivocal.  I enrolled in the trial and delayed my surgery for 5 months in order to get the vaccine.  What a surprise when my lumpectomy pathology showed some hidden IDC.  I had no idea that was even a possibility and strongly believe it should have been communicated to me as a potential risk when I was considering enrollment. The good news was that there was no HER2 detected in the final pathology and I've developed a very strong immune response to the HER2 protein.  I will continue to provide follow up blood for testing annually.  I will also always wonder if the 5 month surgery delay might have allowed some of those cells to escape the breast.

The goal of the trial is to prevent recurrence, and results are measured by the rate of recurrence among the trial participants.  So far, the results have been very promising.  Dr. Czerniecki and his team believe that if the vaccine can prevent recurrence, it will also prevent breast cancer from developing in the first place.  It's just much harder to design a clinical trial to test the general population.  The ultimate goal is for women to receive a vaccine against breast cancer similar to the measles or chicken pox vaccine.  There's a lot of information about the trial at penniesinaction.org. 

Radical, interesting as I live in central NJ and recently needed an ENT, the one I found is wonderful but in a conversation, he said the best ENTs are all trained in the Pa hospitals.

since his surgery and treatment has helped me enormously (sinus polyps), I am not arguing.  My treatment for Breast cancer is over and I was very happy with my Jersey docs but still..

Was at my infusion center today and saw a flyer for a free retreat for breast cancer patients. The organization offering it is www.castingforrecovery.org There are 2 being held in NJ sept 12 - 14 in Clinton NJ and Sept 26-28 in Sea Isle NJ. Their web site also listed other retreats in other states I've never fished but it sounds interesting.

I would love to see a vaccine that prevents BC and recurrence.  I know this goes without saying.  

I live in Monmouth county but am being treat at MSK in basking Ridge.  Since I know that I will have to undergo chemo, wondering if anyone has any thoughts on Robert wood Johnson for chemo? Does it matter if I get a plan from MSK? 

I was originally told I would be seeing Dr Gorsky but now I'm being seen by Dr Latif. She's super young. There are pros and cons to a young dr- supposedly she's brilliant and maybe she won't give me a hard time about using the cold caps, but I am wondering if I should meet with her or just switch my appointment now.  Anyone have an opinion on Dr. Gorsky? Or anything? Thanks!