Canadians in British Columbia

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  • Ossa
    Ossa Member Posts: 919
    edited December 2014


    Welcome Tanyah. sorry you have to be here, great group of ladies here with lots of knowledge..anything you need answers to I am sure one of us can help you as I am sure one of us have "been there, done that"

    Such an inspiration to hear about your mom.. Way to go mom

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  • marianelizabeth
    marianelizabeth Member Posts: 1,735
    edited December 2014

    I just sent out an email with the group photo to everyone who was at the potluck but got a bounce from you Carrie~~I looked at what you wrote down but maybe I am getting it wrong. Please PM me and I will send it to you.

    Happy holidays to all of you and though I know it has been quiet on BCO lately I hope anyone new does post with any questions etc. as we are all still here, just a bit quiet.


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  • Kathy044
    Kathy044 Member Posts: 433
    edited December 2014

    Thanks for the picture Marian. The more the merrier.

    [I'm going to bump two messages posted by poniesandpuppies Dec 1 under the forum topic Looking for stage IV bc surviors still battleing the battle to bring then up in Active topics but here is a direct link to her 1st intro msg, (the next one mentions pharmacare)

    I will get this right yet!

    https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/55/topic/820775?page=1#post_4233215


    Kathy

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  • sadvancouver
    sadvancouver Member Posts: 1
    edited December 2014

    I'm going through chemo right now for HER2+, ER+PR+ grade 3 breast cancer, with 3/9 nodes involved. I'm scared to death. I don't know how to keep my emotions in check. I'm only 35 years old. I have two babies under 2 years old. I am so scared right now.

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  • wrenn
    wrenn Member Posts: 2,707
    edited December 2014

    Sad, i am so sorry this has happened to you at such a young age. It's not fair. Be good to yourself and talk as much as you need to about how you feel...either here or with someone who will listen. The cancer agency provides counselling to patients if you think that would help. I see someone there and I take ativan on days when i am really anxious. It does smooth out a bit once treatment is over or at least we adapt somewhat over time. Take care.

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  • Islandmama2
    Islandmama2 Member Posts: 163
    edited December 2014

    Sadvancouver

    I'm 35 too but I'm triple negative. I live on the island. PM me if you want to chat.

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  • Sneakychiquita
    Sneakychiquita Member Posts: 292
    edited December 2014

    Hi Sadvan,

    Wish you weren't having to go through this, and with two little ones to boot. I found it really helpful to join a group on here that was also going through chemo at the same time. Check to see if there's a December 2014 chemo group already started up or considering starting one if there isn't. There was something about being able to chat with a lot of others who were going through the same thing at the same time that I found really beneficial.

    You also may want to consider looking into the mindfulness based stress reduction program offered through the BCCA's Vancouver Centre. I don't think I could have done it through chemo, but was happy to get into a group when I was in radiation. There's usually a wait list so even if you're only remotely interested it's worth putting your name down. Patient and Family counselling runs the program.

    We're here for you too. If there's anything you need help with or want to ask, just let us know!

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  • Sneakychiquita
    Sneakychiquita Member Posts: 292
    edited December 2014

    tanyah,

    Just saw your posts now. I also had extensive lymphovascular invasion and it scared the bejeezus out of me too because the biopsy suggested a cancer that wasn't as aggressive, so you're definitely not alone on that front. Have you met up with your oncologist yet?

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  • Sneakychiquita
    Sneakychiquita Member Posts: 292
    edited December 2014

    sadvan - here's the link to a December chemo group:

    https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/69/topic/...


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  • tanyah
    tanyah Member Posts: 23
    edited December 2014

    Hi Sneaky - no, I have not met with the oncologist yet.  Surgery was Nov 7, follow up with surgeon (where I received the pathology report) was Nov 24 and I go to the BC Cancer Agency for the first time on Wed, Dec 10 - 2 days from now!  I'm surprisingly not that nervous, just happy that there will finally be a plan in place along with some dates.  Especially this time of year, it has been really hard not knowing when chemo will start etc. 

    SadVancouver - if you post in the thread provided by Sneaky, they will add you to a private Facebook group.  There are quite a few ladies on there under the Age of 40, going through chemo now, with young children as well.  They are a very positive and supportive group.   

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  • Ossa
    Ossa Member Posts: 919
    edited December 2014


    Had my checkup today (every six months) was told I don't need to come back for a year. Just need to see my Gp in six months woohoo for little milestones

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  • Carrie61
    Carrie61 Member Posts: 56
    edited December 2014

    That's great news Ossa! I just had bloodwork done and my tumours markers are low so I'm celebrating too...one day at a time right?

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  • Ossa
    Ossa Member Posts: 919
    edited December 2014


    Yay Carrie. Celebrating with you , You are right one day at a time

    Have a very Merry Christmas everyone. Wishing you all a happy holiday surrounded by the ones you love. May your days be full of laughter and fun,

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  • Allyp71
    Allyp71 Member Posts: 25
    edited December 2014

    I have a weird question and not sure if this is something I need to worry about. I've noticed that in the last month (4 weeks) that I haven't had the urge to go #2. I've been using Senakot for about 3 weeks once a week cause I thought I should be going and just switched to Restoral LAX along with using Fiber One cereal this week. It seems odd that it just came out of the blue. I was never a '7:30AM every day' regular person but it was at least every other day at least.

    I made an appt with my GP and she's not available till Jan 20th. Could this be a symptom or something I need to be concerned about? I am currently just doing follow up appts every 6 months. No treatments going on right now.

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  • Lamp
    Lamp Member Posts: 43
    edited December 2014

    Hi Allyp71,

    There is nothing worse.......but, try my remedy?.......A good brisk walk everyday, Metamucil and lots of water!

    Lamp

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  • Tazzy
    Tazzy Member Posts: 2,546
    edited January 2015

    I don't post much these days.   Just wanted to pop in and wish you ladies and your familes and safe, happy, healthy 2015 !

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  • Ossa
    Ossa Member Posts: 919
    edited January 2015


    Tazzy, was thinking about you yesterday We were in Summerland at my sil and BIL and their dog Tazzy =) for a couple of days and wished I had a chance to meet you It was a quick trip at the spur of the moment. Next time we go up I will try to get hold of you

    Happy New years ladies. wish you all a happy healthy new year. May all your treatments be easy and your meds be tolerable.

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  • Tazzy
    Tazzy Member Posts: 2,546
    edited January 2015

    Ossa... lucky you weren't here yesterday !!  Almost 2 foot of snow in 24 hours.   But yes, next time if you have more time would love to meet up.  I know its hard to carve time out - however our good intentions.  I am the same if I came to Lower Mainland.   Love they have a dog Tazzy :)

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  • Fluffygerbillips
    Fluffygerbillips Member Posts: 27
    edited January 2015

    Hi Ladies! Im from Aldergrove, BC & I'm on the hunt for a new plastic surgeon right in the middle of my reconstruction!! UGH!!

    Anybody LOVE their plastic surgeon?

    Anybody also plus sized & struggling with the inadequacy of 800cc implants?

    Anybody know if they will overinflate saline implants in Canada (within manufacturers guidelines)?

    I'm supposed to be getting my implant swap done in March but it doesn't look like that will happen until I can find a surgeon willing to explore some options with me

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  • Ossa
    Ossa Member Posts: 919
    edited January 2015


    Most Plastic surgeons will not take over others patients. My GP contacted a new PS for me, but they would not accept me as I was already seeing one. They don't want to "step on each others toes"  Also the elasticity of your skin will determine how full you can fill your implants.. Radiation tightens skin severely and it will not stretch well

    Good luck with your search

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  • Fluffygerbillips
    Fluffygerbillips Member Posts: 27
    edited January 2015

    I haven't had radiation, I have lots of great, healthy, expanded skin (even some extra) & my plastic surgeon is the one refering me to a different surgeon for different reconstruction options Because he doesn't think 800cc implants are big enough. ;)

    I just want to know if there's someone I should be asking for.

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  • Sneakychiquita
    Sneakychiquita Member Posts: 292
    edited February 2015

    Hi Fluffygerbillips,

    Love your avatar name. Unfortunately, I don't think I can help you out with a recommendation. While I love my PS (Dr. Peter Lennox), I think he only takes on patients who are beginning the reconstruction process at the time of mastectomy. Perhaps his office may be able to recommend someone though?

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  • Fluffygerbillips
    Fluffygerbillips Member Posts: 27
    edited February 2015

    Thanks for your reply Sneakychiquita... My Dr already tried to get me in to see Dr Lennox but was told he is no longer taking reconstruction patients :(. He did recommend Dr Bovill & Dr Gdalevitch?? So that's who we are looking into now. Also Dr Rebecca Nelson... Anybody have any experience with them?? :D

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  • sunflower123
    sunflower123 Member Posts: 1
    edited February 2015

    Hi - I'm not sure if this particular topic is still active, but I need some help. I was diagnosed with breast cancer when I was 24 years old. I am now 34 and no signs of recurrence! I had a double mastectomy and reconstruction (breast and nipple). At that time, I was very scared and just went with the surgeon I was referred to. But I have been living with breasts and nipples that I am unhappy with. I'm not sure if we're allowed to call out surgeon names here, but I will refrain. I am now in a position to get them replaced and I'm hoping they can do something about my nipples as well.

    Can anyone highly recommend a surgeon that does breast reconstruction in Vancouver very well? I am also open to going to another province or even to the States. I just want to be happy with these as I was so young when it all happened. I know that usually you can't see other plastic surgeons other than the one you originally went with, but its been 10 years in my case so I feel some surgeons would be open (unless I'm totally wrong!)

    Thank you so much!


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  • Ossa
    Ossa Member Posts: 919
    edited February 2015


    sunflower.. have you thought of getting a 3D nipple tattoo instead of nipple recon.. I had nipple recon that failed (went flat after a short time)

    Decided to try 3D tattoo I am very happy with it. It looks like a real nipple/ I went to Unicus in Chilliwack to get this done . A female artist and she is very professional and understanding  She does great work

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  • Sneakychiquita
    Sneakychiquita Member Posts: 292
    edited February 2015

    sunflower - I'm not 100% sure, but I believe 1 woman who came to our potlucks had a revision with Dr. Sheina Macadam. Her original surgery was also a very long time ago and, from what I heard, not done at all well which is why Dr. Macadam agreed to take her on. I believe Dr. Macadam is like Dr. Lennox in that she only takes on cases at the time of mastectomy. I could be wrong, though. Are there any other potluckers out there who can confirm this?

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  • Ossa
    Ossa Member Posts: 919
    edited February 2015


    Sneaky you are right, but I cant remember her name (chemo brain)  She was at both potlucks.

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  • marianelizabeth
    marianelizabeth Member Posts: 1,735
    edited February 2015

    Can't remember either. Somehow I have managed to remove by mistake the Canadian thread. Can one of you post the name of it?

    Interesting time on our catamaran in the Caribbean~~week 5 almost over. We had two lots of friends first weeks and too long really as it is a small space for 24/7. But it was fun and now we are on our own for nearly 3 more weeks then friends and our daughter for my last 2 weeks. Our boat is getting old (me too~~66 next week) and always problems. Latest is a starter motor and Dick has left me on anchor watch while he makes his way by bus to a main town on Martinique for a new one. I am in a beautiful bay though and snorkelled on the anchor I felt fine about it all.

    My cording is probably not worse but I look forward to some intense physio when I get home and have lots of appts. booked. Beyond that, nothing to complain about.

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  • adagio
    adagio Member Posts: 982
    edited February 2015

    marian - great to hear from you - was just thinking about you yesterday! Sounds like you are having a blast! Glad that things are well for you - hopefully the cording will be fine till you get home! Enjoy yourself

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  • adagio
    adagio Member Posts: 982
    edited February 2015

    Marian - I think the group you are looking for is called "Canadian Breast Cancer Survivors

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