Anyone from Montreal, Qc?

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?

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!

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. 

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! 

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. 

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. 

nobody has been here for almost a year!! Anybody else from the area?

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. 

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!

onsoir Linda!!! Just came back from a a lovely week in St-Faustin du Lac Carré albeit no snow... Lovely meeting you!!!

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

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

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

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

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