Anyone from Montreal, Qc?
Comments
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Wow!!! That's a terrible story! I waited three months for an ultrasound because I am 31, have no family history, and the physical exam did not indicate cancer. I could have gone to a private clinic immediately but figured I'd wait as they are better at the hospital anyway. I am not sure if I regret it. I don't think in the grand scheme of things those three months really made a difference and the doctors seem to agree. I hope you reported that Info Sante nurse! So crazy. It's so good that you have that support system though. I can't imagine that stress! What about radiation? Every day? Or will you be able to do that in Gatineau?
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You know, because radiation is every day I don't know what to do. I did meet with Dr Muanza in September and I see him again at the end of Feb. I thought he was really nice and i've heard only good things about him. I also met a woman who did chemo at the Montreal General but radiation at the JGH because she said it was the best place to do radiation. I've looked into a bus pass for Ottawa-Montreal. It would be like a regular workday - get on the bus at 8, do radiation, get on the bus and be home to get the kids from daycare/school. I don't know for sure yet.
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Yeah, it is supposed to be good at the Jewish. I guess they can't design your treatment plan and then administer it somewhere else? Via Rail has a pass too. It's probably more expensive than the bus pass but maybe not that much? You could try calling them and explaining your situation. They may give you a compassionate rate on it.
Keep me posted anyway because the bus or train won't let you off anywhere near the hospital. I will come pick you up a few times if you need it!
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Oh, yes, you're right. It's not anywhere near the hospital. I looked into a month Metro pass too. I am totally going to call Via and ask if they have anything they could offer me! The train is soooo much better than the bus!! The other reason I am not unhappy about going to Montreal for treatment is because we used to live in Montreal. We moved to Chelsea 5 years ago. It has been nice to go back.
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Hehehe - Montreal stays in your heart! Sometimes I get nostalgic living in the West Island. If I can't get downtown, I watch Barney's Version a few times.
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I love that movie!!
I have found a place called Maison Jacques Cantin that is a kind of hotel/residence for out of town cancer patients. The rooms are either private or semi-private. A semi is?$20 a day which includes three meals a day. Am thinking about staying there during radiation and going home on weekends. Would be tough to be away from family that long but could also use the time during the week to check out the Hope and Cope centre's programs. Have any of you tried out the programs? I was specifically looking at the yoga, stretching and meditation classes. All things I wanted to do during chemo but couldn't because I don't live in the city!
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That's great news! The weeks will go fast and since you will be able to come home on the weekend I don't think it will be that bad.
I have never been to Hope and Cope. I had heard of a few people who either went there or a similar centre and said they felt odd as they were 30 years younger than everybody else. However, I enrolled in a clinical trial for exercise during radiation and I will be going there regularly to complete sessions with the physio. It's actually the only place I'll go since I now have marker all over me for treatments and don't want to endure the stares at the gym! I have been doing Classical Stretch on DVD at home also. It's been making me sore and my range of motion is improving drastically. I can't believe how out of shape I am! I did no real physical activity during chemo, except some walking and biking, and not regularly.
I've never been a huge fan of yoga. I'm not very flexible. But I read an article in the Gazette about Dr. Bali who does a lot of work with BC survivors/patients and it sparked my interest. I wouldn't mind going by and trying one of his classes. If you move here and you are interested we could go together.
Anyways, my first radiation was yesterday - 28 more to go!
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That is too funny! I have never been a fan of yoga either. But I, too, had been reading in the Gazette about it (my husband still gets the Gazette!!). OK, well, if you're up to it I say let's do it! And could you let me know more about this clinical trial you're doing? Sounds interesting!
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Awesome! We'll definitely do that.
I am sure that they will approach you to participate in the trial. You get randomized into an exercise group or a status quo group. There is no restriction on any activity regardless of which group you are in but if you are in the exercise group you have to meet with the physio periodically. To be honest, I can't remember the frequency or whether it is during and after the radiation or just after. They also draw blood to measure your inflammatory markers throughout the process. Since I'm a strong believer that that the reason why exercise may lower your risk of recurrence is by reducing inflammation, I'm interested to see the results of the blood tests.
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Oh, and way to go on getting started on radiation! It's like you're starting on the home stretch now!! I have to start focusing on surgery...which I did today by shopping for button up shirts!!
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Oh yes, the shirt shopping! Heehee! They have a great post-mastectomy bra at La Vie en Rose. It comes in lots of styles and looks like a normal bra which was important to me. I'm all about feeling normal. It has these pockets with removable inserts though.
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Bumping this up - in case there are any others from the Montreal area on here.
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nobody has been here for almost a year!! Anybody else from the area?
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Hi dancingdiva
I'm from Montreal, but I dont post to much now...but I m around this forum, it helps me alot
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Hi Ashley! nice to see somebody from here. Where were u treated? I'm at the jewish. I just finished AC and started weekly Taxol for 12 wks. It's the never ending story it seems.
I see u r in a trial. That is really good.
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hi dancing diva
was treated at Montreal general. finished chemo August 2012(4 AC and 12 taxol+herceptine),radiation in 1nov 2012, and herceptin ( this is the trial inJne2013 . Im ok now, just try to forget. I see my MO every 6 month, mamografie every year, MRI every year
good luck with taxol, its easyer than AC. just the last 2 or 3 treatements were a bit difficult because of SEcumulation. but after you'll see, beter every day/week. good luck again and if need any infos Ihere..
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Bonsoir ladies!
Dancing diva, I am also at JGH and starting ACT on January 16. How has it been so far, SE-wise?
Looking forward to connecting with more Montrealers and orher Canadians as well!
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Hi all,Just found this thread! I'm in the Laurentians, St-Sauveur. Nice to meet you all.
Linda
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onsoir Linda!!! Just came back from a a lovely week in St-Faustin du Lac Carré albeit no snow... Lovely meeting you!!!
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Thank you Tennisfan - glad I found you all and wishing you all a Happy New Year!Linda
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Hello to all Montreal area ladies,
I too live in the Montreal, in the same area as MrsDarcy.
I'm being treated for stage IV ILC at the Jewish. No surgery or radiation, even though I have bone mets.
After 20 months on Herceptin I started chemo on Jan. 20th, 2015, with Herceptin, Taxol and Carboplatin, every three weeks. Anyone on the same regiment? Would like to compare side effects. Dreading the upcoming hair loss...
Starting chemo felt like I was being diagnosed all over again...hard to keep my spirits up...
Bon courage to all of us
Jen
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Hi Jen - sorry you had to join these forums but welcome. I live in St-Sauveur. I was diagnosed stage 4 in Nov 2013 with bone mets. Did not have surgery and I am on hormone therapy (my bc is hormone sensitive). I am treated in St-Jerome but upon diagnoses went for a second opinion at l'Hôtel Dieu of Montreal (CHUM). Had radiation on some of my bone mets for pain relief.Depending on the pathology of your bc (hormone sensitive or HER 2+) you will find a lot of information and support on the stage 4 threads. I haven't had chemo so not much help to you but the stage 4 threads is a wealth of information.
Bon courage to you too and keep us posted.
Hugs - Linda
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Thank you Linda for the warm welcome, very much appreciated
Yes indeed my BC is estrogen+, progesterone-, HER2 neu. It is also lobular (15% only of all BCs, just my luck..). I did not have radiation for my bone mets (all clustered around the hip area), I was offered it, but I declined as the pain is not significant enough.
I am going to investigate this site thoroughly, lots of good info.
Thank you for your encouragement and for replying
Jen
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Jen - I have a question if I may. Since you are ER +, were you ever offered hormone therapy?
Linda
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Yes I was.
After diagnosis I started on Herceptin, every three weeks and Femara daily. Also, once a month a Pamidronate infusion for my bone mets. At about 16 months, I started having nodules on the right side of my neck (BC in the right breast). The oncologist changed the Femara to Aromasin. Also due to a bone scan he changed the Pamidronate infusion to exgeeva, an injection once a month. Exgeeva has worked well for me since it has healed one of the bone mets.
The neck nodules multiplied and became more pronounced, I had another neck biopsy, and in a couple of months he stopped the Aromasin and on the 20th of January 2015, I started on the Herceptin, Taxol, Carboplatin cocktail, every 3 weeks.
What I find irritating is that my oncologist will not tell me for how long I will be on this treatment. He's very good at what he does, but a VERY difficult character. Very...I have to work xtra hard with him to stay on his good side. That's what I need on top of everything else right? C'est la vie... And it's not fair.
Take good care Linda, let me know if you have any other questions
Jen
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Thanks Jen for your response. Too bad your Onc is difficult but competence is quite an asset. I'm very pleased with my Onc, but she cannot tell me how long my treatment will last either. Femara has kept me stable so far, except for a little panic back in May 2014 where I was switched to Tamoxifen because a new met popped up but the side effects were really bad. So back to Femara since September 2014 and so far so good. My next CT scan is in Feb, keeping my fingers crossed. I have Aredia every month.Good luck with your treatments and I hope side effects are not too bad. This stage 4 journey is quite something. However, I'm doing relatively well and I'm very grateful.
Linda
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Bonsoir Jen! I am also being treated at Jewish - I feel very lucky to be a patient there. Going for treatment on Friday - we might see each other on floor 8 one day! Marjori
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Hello Marjori
Oh yes, the 8th floor....my treatments are usually on Tuesdays, but you never know...
I see you were also on Taxol. How did you experience the hair loss, if you don't mind my asking? I really dread it and it will happen any day now for me. I see from your photo that your hair grew back, did it come back while you are still on treatment?
Thank you for your kind regards and for taking the time.
Take good care
Jen
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Bonjour Jen! I am actually at the beginning of my journey, going to second AC cocktail this friday. i will have two more and start Taxol in April. Here is a picture of me with my wig - I started wearing it right after the holidays so everyone except a few close people to me clued in that this is not my real hair hahaha. When did you start chemo? Have you joined one of the discussion forums such as the December or January chemo girls start? I wouldn't have survived without all the tips, tricks and encouragement!
A bientôt,
Marjorie
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Wow Marjori, you look simply fabulous! So natural looking and so great looking! You picked very well! And how smart of you to start wearing it in advance! I did not think of that. Where did you get your wig if I may ask?
I started chemo on January 20th. I will get my second dose on February 10. I don't mind telling you I'm not looking forward to 6 hours on the chair...I have not yet joined the January chemo discussion forums but I plan to. I've read some of the posts.
Take care
Jen
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