Canadians in British Columbia

I didn't realize I wouldn't be notified when someone posted after me - just logged in to do some reading and voila! So many wonderful messages! Thank you for such a warm welcome. I have an event late afternoon on the 22nd but might be able to pop by for a short time.

Thank you for asking about where I am with treatment...here goes...

I've seen my medical oncologist (Dr. Villa) and he's ordered an oncoscore (sp? ) test and a BRCA genetic test. I'm of Ashkenazi Jewish descent but was adopted so no family history. I just can't reconcile that I'll have to wait months for the results and in the meantime have another surgery Dec 1 to clean up my margins, start tamoxifen, and then do radiation. To me, knowing whether I'm BRCA+ would have a big impact on the type of approach I take. Or maybe I'm missing something?

I'm getting a 2nd opinion on everything from Dr.Sasha and will see a physician at Inspire Health too...I have also been working with Dr. Anita Tannis, an MD who does integrative medicine, for hormone issues. She is amazing and has changed my life with natural progesterone. Because I'm much more inclined to use natural therapies and am extremely hormone sensitive, the idea of tamoxifen is making me very anxious and I'm hoping to find workable alternatives.

After unsuccessfully trying to get me to stop the natural progesterone, Dr. Villa finally admitted there is no research proving that it is harmful for PR+ cancer and said that it is actually protective against estrogen - BCCA just likes to be cautious. Hmmm.

This gives me a headache.

will miss you liefie  It was great meeting you last year.. maybe next year??? I am glad you are getting a 3D It still amazes me even though it has faded somewhat.. I will have some touch ups done after my revision surgery and healing time.  Enjoy your grandchild  aren't they the best  Love love being a gramma.. I am lucky enough to have three now.

To my knowledge lumpectomies are always done by a surgeon, usually a general surgeon though many of us have general surgeons who specialize in breast surgery. My BS was Dr. Carol Dingee out of Mt. St. Joseph Hospital. She is well respected and I was very happy to have her for both my lumpectomy and mastectomy. It is the lumpectomy that gives a better picture of size and grade etc.

Dr. Davis is head of surgical oncology. I think the confusion is with a medical or radiation oncologist and a surgical oncologist.

I don't care if a surgeon has a personality (although i like Noelle Davis) as long as they have skill. Your medical oncologist should have a good bedside manner to guide you through treatment after surgery. Some of them are lacking in that dept.

Hi DiZoe,

So, despite the fact that she didn't get clear enough margins, do you still like Dr. Davis and how she performed?    It is getting quite confusing to say the least, saw Dr. Lewis, Dr. Davis, now trying to see Dr. Carol Dingee?!  CRAZY!

ab977, I had Dr. Creedon, he is in North Van...I loved him. The funny part is I have had compliments on the scars ...at how good they are....minimal, and both my breast still look very similar . Sorry your sister has joined the group. I had a partial mastectomy (lumpectomy) . This site is great for help and advice.

I managed to get my sleeve , stronger pencillian , got cleared to fly and we are in Los Angeles.....so happy !

Hugs to all !

Had my revision, fat grafting today.. Hope this one will work.. No lifting for two weeks, not even babies =(

See you all on the 22

ossa, hope your healing goes smooth for you, thinking of you ! See you on Saturday . Hugs

Ab007, I had Dr. Dingee, she has a not so good bedside manner but she is an amazing surgeon. I had a lumpectomy and a second lumpectomy with her due to margins and she managed to crack some humor when needed, provide comfort, and make me feel well taken care of. At the end of my treatment with her I managed to cut through her personality and get her to joke around a bit (this is what i need to get through it). She is a brilliant woman, knows her stuff, and is very well regarded in this business. I will always recommend her.

She was also very very thorough in going through my list (and it was a list) of questions...she took the list from me, read out each question and explained each answer.

I remember when my doctor told me who she is sending me too, she said to me..Leanna, I am sending you to one of the best of the best. She does not have a good bedside manner. Don't worry about that. My job is to be your friend. Her job is to be the great surgeon.

Kosh

I'm looking forward to seeing everyone "old and new" tomorrow at Marian's!

Gardengirl66 - it sounds like we've had the same drs!

Are you going to Marian's? If so, we can chat further about our shared dr experiences.

I saw Dr Klimo (MO) initially - he was abrupt/odd humour/lack of communication but in the end I really liked him. I heard he was back from retirement and "consulting" on the North Shore (I think it's out of my GPs office now).

When Dr Klimo retired I was "transferred" to Dr Sasha (MO) - he is rushed/disinterested at times but has really warmed up to me now and I like him too. Sadly his oncology office is very busy and the receptions are not overly friendly and the wait can be horrible at times...

And Dr Creedon (GS) !!!! I can't say enough about him - I absolutely loved him and his bedside manner is awesome. Obviously my scar was not as nice as yours - he closed me up with STAPLES and DH called me zipper tit (lovingly of course) - but his follow up was amazing.

I had a false alarm - suspicious lump - on my non MAST breast and got in to see Dr Creedon right away. I have lumpy breast(s) and it was nothing (fibrous tissue?). He did my follow up for over 2 years. I saw him more than my GP and as much as my MO during that time. He arranged my PT (for cording post mast) and forced me to do my stretches in front of him every time I saw him - he also fully examined me every visit.

I would suggest that you keep following up with Dr Creedon if you can.

See you all tomorrow - if not have a great weekend everyone!!!

Marie

Three years NED  woohoo

That's a great milestone Ossa...so happy for you! Also nice to meet you on Saturday!

And thanks to Marian for hosting, I had a great time!

Carrie.

Welcome tanyah,

You and your mom sound like incredibly brave and inspiring women. Thanks for sharing a little bit about what both of you have been through and offering hope to others that this disease can be overcome.

Wishing you a smooth and speedy recovery.

Warm wishes and hugs,

The mods

Hi Tanya...sorry to hear about your diagnosis but you've come to the right place. I also have lymph node involvement😁 but have completed chemo and radiation and feel great. Your mom is a great testament to you, and it must be nice to have someone close who really "gets it".

Wishing you success with your treatments, and enjoy being drain free...

Carrie.

Thanks for the messages.  Marian - I re-read my report and mine did say "extensive lymphvascular invasion".  Glad to hear that I'm not the only one that received this wording, that makes it seem a little more "routine" and less scary.  Just waiting to hear when I will see the cancer clinic still.  I am looking forward to that as I will get more complete information and a plan.  But obviously also pretty anxious about what they are going to say.  The pathology report just seems to indicate it's a lot more advanced/aggressive than I would have hoped.  I wish I could compare my report more with my Mom's...but 28 yrs ago, the reports looked very different.  There was not nearly as much information and it was typed on a typewriter!