Canadians in British Columbia

Beach Life, Please tell me more about "cancer personality." Having had a career as a caregiver, it's really hard to give up on the concept. But hubby asks me EVERYTHING. Typical example: "Will you put the milk away please." His response: "where does it go?" He's become very childlike and it bugs me, then I get annoyed with myself for being frustrated with him because I don't think he's doing it on purpose. Interestingly, he passed a dementia screening test, so nobody believes me when I say he's not communicating normally.

I was sort of joking about the coffee. it seems that everything is either good or bad for you at varying times after dierent studies.

DL

Welcome NewDay123 sorry your in this boat but on these threads you will find lots of advice and kindness. It's scary at first but it gets easier with time sounds like you are getting into the treatment path very quickly that's great it will help. I never had any chemo or radiation so I can't advise there but I'm sure others will be b shortly. Yes I did have an MRI and a pets scan and a ct scan kind of nessecary to get the full picture. Just so your aware we are not all survivors with pink ribbons but we are here to help if we can.

Wendy

Thanks Wendy and Mariane.

Right! I'm in Rmd, but my GP is willing to refer me to the Vancouver Centre, but I'm currently with a Rmd surgeon and oncologist. Almost forgot, I did get a chest xray. I read some of the other threads. Seem "normal" now to be wondering if the new ache or this/that is a new problem.

That's so great, Mariane, that you go trekking! Did you have to ask for a bone scan?

hi newday: sorry that you are here but you will see that if you have to be this is the place to be...I see that you are from Richmond..me too been here 59 years lol.I have always been treated by Vancouver cancer clinic ,as you will see from my info I was first dx in 1999 they didn't have any kind of cancer centre at rgh then .glad too as I never would have met my fab.oncol if I hadn't been treated in van. I didn't have any MRI or ct scans after I was dx with BC this 2nd time but I had been getting them every year anyways at the cancer clinic for 13 yrs from my 1st BC to my 2nd BC the protocol for me was mammo them 6 months later MRI then mammo again repeat I have the brca 1 gene as do almost every single family member as well as BC so we are followed closely

newday I had a bmx cancer was in the right breast this time first time left side I just had a lumpectomy glad I had both sides removed as they found some dcis in the left. I have never had phantom pain I how however had my nipples shrivel when my bra is off and I don't have any nipples lol. I had no time to arrange for recon when I was dx they wanted them off asap so I had the option of having recon at another time .its been 3 years and I didn't bother I do have problems with the prosthetics but then my 3 daughters had bmx and recon and have had lots of problems so 6 of 1 / half dozen of another .but I have heard gals saying that having one side mx and either recon or not ,they never seem to match up

Welcome Newday and I'm sorry you've had to join this club. The ladies here are so wonderful with their advise and sharing their experiences.

I am thinking of asking FVCC to transfer my file to the Vancouver clinic. I wonder if there is a MO that you can recommend at the Vancouver clinic? I just found out that that my MO is no longer at FVCC and to be truthful, I never felt a rapport with him or the RO and I have heard great things about the Vancouver clinic.

If any one can recommend a BC MO there it would be greatly appreciated.

Happy Holidays and I am really hoping that I can make it to the event on Jan 9th and meet everyone.

DeltaLady: Sorry it took me a while to get to this task of looking for the source of the "Cancer Personality" article. Thanks to you I got another chance to read it and find lots of it being so true in my case! Worth reading

http://nurseforhealth.com/treatment-options/2011/6...

I asked FVCC to transfer my file to the Vancouver clinic today. I didn't indicate which doctor so crossing my fingers that I get a good MO.

Thanks for the recommendations.

Thanks Wendy I will call and ask for her specifically.

Allyp71 your very welcome I hope they don't give you any run around I had to be referred from my surgeon whom I never used. It was pretty stressful at the time, I hope it goes smoother for you.😊

Allyp, I would also keep Dr. Shenkier in mind as a backup. Also we all need to keep open minds on MO's as each of us is so individual that one doctor may work for one but not for another.

Thanks everyone!!

It's a strange thing. The GP, surgeon, all checked the collarbone. They seem to assume that if it spreads, it'll go there next and there was no point in checking any where else. I suppose other than an MRI, it's a matter of us reporting any additional lumps or new sore spots?

Carrie61, did you have any symptoms from the bone mets? I looked at the MRI clinics... what kind of scan do you order? Is it a full body MRI?

Updated: No doctor has said anything to me about a bone scan or CT scan.

Carrie it always shocks me how many of us have been badly treated or misdiagnosed by our medical system. I had to fight to get scans done and it's been six months since my last one. Now the fight starts again. Sometimes I think they are trying to save on resources because hey your stage four...let's use this for some folks that we can actually help. I may be wrong and I sure hope so but Marian demand it loud and clear.

Carrie61: I am sorry to hear about your story. When we are dealing with BC, we expect to be heard, cared about and communicated about our options in a timely fashion, but this does not happen sometimes, and it means added stress and possibly different outcomes. Short of resources is understandable, but indifference in attitude is hurtful. One comment on my breast ultrasound reads something like: refused mammo (due to dense breast), u/s is not for screening, the patient should pay by herself. My GP would not order any test, even said there is noscientific proof that Vitamin D would help. Do you mind if I ask you which naturopath oncologist you see, and if you like him/her? You can PM me if you prefer.

DeltaLady: take care of yourself, do the things that make you happy, no matter how small they are to others.

I see Dr. Parmar from Fort Langley integrated Health, and I do recommend him. However not so sure any of the treatments I have done have helped. I do Vitamin c infusions, mistletoe toe injections, some localized hyperthermal treatments, and lots of bloodwork to make sure my levels of vit d, calcium etc. or on target. He was the one who ordered tumour marker tests and advised me to have the MRI. I do value his opinion, and it's good to know I am doing my utmost.

Today I found out that I have lymphangitic carcinomastesis, which is causing my shortness of breath. Now I have to decide if I want to do the chemo route again😖.

So as I said before, it's worth it to be proactive..