New to Forum from Northern Ontario

Anonymous · September 2007

Anonymous · September 2007

Hello everyone!

Just wanted to say hello. I'm from Northeastern Ontario, 46 yrs old, married with 2 grown kids.

My DX will hopefully show up at the bottom of my posts.

I had a lumpectomy on Aug 23 and see the radiologist next week, then have an ultra-sound and bone scan 1st of Oct and blood work on Oct. 4th. Meet with oncologist on Oct 11th. I imagine I will be a whole lot smarter once I've been to all these appointments. I hope to be able to communicate (via this forum) with some of you. Are there any others from Northern Ontario?

Nicky

Curlylocks · September 2007

Hi Nicky,

I am from Ontario too, but Southwestern Ontario....

I am 43 and was 41 when diagnosed with Invasive Ductual Carnicoma, 4 cm tumour and 3 positive nodes. My tumour was a grade 3 and I had the kitchen sink thrown at me as far as treatment due to age and aggressiveness of tumour. Also had lumpectomy with the removal of 23 lymph nodes, 6 months of chemo (8 treatments - 4 a/c and 4 taxol), 5 1/2 weeks of radiation. I am now on Armidex and Zoladex injections to chemically keep my ovaries shut down. Tumour was er/pr+ and her-.

You will have a little bit of breathing room when you go to the oncologist and a plan is put in place for treatment to get rid of this beast. This is a physically and emotionally exhausting journey but it can be done!

I am proof that you can come out the other side of breast cancer, I am a 2 year survivor!!!

Your bc sister

Michele

Beesie · September 2007

Nicky,

I'm not from Northern Ontario - I'm in Toronto - but I want to welcome you here. Good luck with your scans and blood work. Hopefully from this point forward all your news will be good news!

PinkFairy · September 2007

Hi Niky

I'm located just east of toronto, best wishes with all your upcoming appts. Its alot of info to swollow at once, take your time, ask lots of questions. I wrote all of mine down and my Onco was good enough to go over each of them with me. I'm hopeful that alot of our canadian members use this area.Sending warm thoughts your way that you feel more empowered with each appt.

Hang in there

Sierra · September 2007

Hello:

I am not from Northern Ontario

however, Welcome to this Forum

so sorry to meet you here

If I can assist in any way,

please PM me.

I am at 7 3/4 years now

Grade 3..

3.5 lump.. 4 ac and 4 taxol

rads..

er-pr-

It is a long journey at times

but with support and steadfastness

you will come through

Big hugs up there to the North
Love Northern Ontario
I have a family member who had a masectomy
last year, late seventies doing well
Sault Ste. Marie area

and

Best to all sisters posting here
wherever you are on your Path

))

bish · September 2007

Hi Nicky,

I'm not a northern Ontario girl either, Toronto here, but I'll be sending good thoughts your way. I'm 18 months out of DX and 6 months out of TX and I remember how exhausting the whole thing was/is. Sierra's so right that it can be a long journey at times, but lots of us have made it and I'm sure you will too.

This site has been a huge source of information and reassurance for me. I hope you don't hesitate to avail yourself of the wonderful information and people.

Take care.

shell · September 2007

Hi Nicky, I to am new here, and I'm North or Toronto about 2 hour drive, In the Barrie Ontario area..

I hope all goes well for you and all.

talk soon.

ducky1 · September 2007

Hey Nicky;

Although I am from Alberta, I do have a close friend who is from Smooth Rock?? Where exactly are you?? Hang out here and we'll see you through this!

Cath

Motherbeartosix · September 2007

Hey, there, I'm not Canadian, but I do believe you can get private diagnostics in Vancouver, Canada, if anyone is willing to travel. You can find them on the web, although I'm not sure if they have any breast diagnostic specialists.

My daughter lives there. Ahhh, so pretty!

janiceb00 · September 2007

Hi Nicky

I'm not in northern ontario either...I'm in south eastern ontario. I'm a little ahead of you in treatment...dx on june 27 had lumpectomy and sentenil node removal (2) neg on july 28 and I just started chemo. This site is excellent for information! I used it alot to find out what doctors were talking about. The people here are even better, very supportative .

Hope you doing well and not on information overload!

anuuta · September 2007

i am from romania. my mother has breast cancer she had radical mastectomy before an year chimiotherapy and radioterapy and now she is taking aromasin. my mother s friend she did the same things before an year but today i found out that monday she suicide herself

she had metastases on the liver and the bones. i don t know what to think how it will be for my mother. i can t believe what i found out today.

Merlette · September 2007

Hi, Nikky, yes, there are othrs here from Northern Ontario! I live in Sault Ste. Marie, and finished treatment in April. I went to Sudbury for radiation treatments, as we don't have a radiation bunker here yet. I am so glad that you found this site - it is a godsend. Things will be a lot less scarier when you can read that many other women are going through the same thing - and making it! Best of luck!

Anonymous · September 2007

Hello again,

Thanks for replying everyone. My son was born in SSM Merlette. Smooth Rock Falls is about 4.5 hours drive north of where I am ducky1. Shell I am only about 2 hours north of you. I am in Sudbury so do not need to travel for any TX (thank gawd). I've been to see the radiation oncologist and it has been determined that I will only have 4 weeks of radiation as there is a new completed study (as of Aug '07) that states that the delivery of a highly daily doses of radiation shortens the treatment time from 5-7 weeks to 3-4 weeks. You can read more about it at:

http://www.yalemedicalgroup.org/news/breast_807.html

I see the chemo oncologist on Oct 11/07. My life for the next little while should all be scheduled during that visit. I've gotten my haircut to lessen the shock (yes it was long). I go for a bonescan, ultra sound and more bloodwork tomorrow. The journey begins ....

I hope to hear more from you ladies ;=)

Nicky

Ontario · September 2007

Hi Nicky

I was born and raised in Sudbury. Went to LaSalle high school. Moved to southern ontario some 35 years ago. My Aunt and Uncle still live in Garson

DragonladyTina · October 2007

Best wishes from Windsor,

Welcome to BC.org

Tina

Anonymous · October 2007

Yes I know where Garson is. Drive through it quite often on the to and from Sudbury. I'm actually out in the "Valley" so will come home via Garson, Airport and Radar Road. My niece goes to Lasalle High.

I lived in Garson for a short while when I was very young. Corner of Penman & Sandra. Left there in 1963 and grew-up in the "Valley".

Small world - amazing isn't it?

Ontario · October 2007

It is a small world indeed. I lived on Dejardin in Garson when I was small. Moved to Sudbury when I was about 8 which was about 1963 as well. Too Funny.

As far as your desease and treatment go, it's amazing how knowledgable you will be when you come out the other side. Knowledge is power and with it you will find a lot of fear will disappear. Hang in there. Its a long road but one that has and end.

asicsgirl · October 2007

Hello everyone,

I have lived in Ottawa for the past 20 years but I grew up in Northern Ontario (Timmins) and most of my family is still there.

I was diagnosed in Feb. 05 (stage 3, grade 3), with locally advanced breast cancer at the age of 39. I had an 8cm tumour in my breast and a 3cm tumour in my armpit. I had 6 month so chemo, surgery (mastectomy) and then radiation. I just had my reconstruction 9 weeks ago in Ottawa and my new breast looks amazing -it was totally worth it. I am having problems with my abdominal scar but I am sure it will be fine in time. I want to give hope to anyone just diagnosed or going through treatment that as scary as the diagnosis it, there is still tons of hope for a cure. I am almost at my two year cancer free mar despite having a not so great prognosis.

Anonymous · November 2007

Hi Asicsgirl!

I know where Timmins is. I have family up there. I also visited there in September after not seeing it since 1985. WOW...it sure has grown and really changed. It's nice to see your positive attitude and am very happy to know that you are doing just fine after all you've been through. Keep smiling - it shows in your writing.

Nicky

linda447 · November 2007

Hi Nicky36

This is my first time posting even though i read on a daily basis. Another northern girl (Kapuskasing) but did 1st chemo in Sudbury along with 5 weeks of radiation...thank god for the daffodill lodge and medical rate that bearskin offers....i could fly home every friday and come back early mondays. I still go back for follow ups with hubby and we make sure to make a real trip out of it.....suitcase is always full on the way back.

linda447 · November 2007

Nicky....i just wanted to add i have Dr. Robinson for (chemo) and Dr. Want for radiation which i have great respect for. I know that you are in treatments at the moment and i wish you the best of luck...I've been out of treatments since October 2006 and doing fine.

Linda

kimvidito · November 2007

Hi Nicky

I am from Sudbury. I was diagnosed in April 2007. I am all done my tx and on my way to recovery. The doctors are very nice at the cancer center. My oncologist is Dr. Germond and radiation oncologist is Dr. Bowman. I had 5 chemo treatments and 30 radiation. I had a pretty aggressive tumor. Dr. Perreault was my surgeon. Everyone helps you to be strong. Take advantage of the therapy services like social workers and physiotherapy. It really helps. I live in New Sudbury. Talk to me anytime. I can help you out. If you are interested I could give you my e-mail address and we could chat if you are scared or have questions. It probably would help me too!!

take care and prayers out to you

KIM

ps you look very familiar

CherylG · November 2007

I am from Ottawa and about 2 years out from treatment too. I have an aunt who lives in Sudbury and when I was small we lived in Rouyn-Noranda Quebec which is near Timmins. Small world eh??

I had bilat and 8 nodes (only 1+)6 FEC chemo and 25 rads and now on Tamoxifen. I didn't have recon though. It's no party but it is doable. PM me any time at all I would be glad to help anyway I can. Once you have your plan in place you feel more in control and somehow that helps erase some of the fear. Knowledge is a powerful ally ... but only take on as much info as you need. Do not get too ahead of yourself because it might just overwhelm you. These people are all great and ready to lend an ear or offer advice and comfort. Post often and stay here... we will help you get through this.

Diana1993 · December 2007

I have been travelling to Sudbury for 15 years now and must say you are in good hands. What a wonderful team in Sudbury. I live in the Muskoka area and had a choice of going north or south and I am so grateful I chose north. I have been stage 1V for six years now and every couple of years a new treatment becomes available. When I started out, it was almost one standard treatment fits all. Now it is more specialized to the 'client' and it seems to be working. If I can give any advice it is to stay active. I took up linedancing and let me tell you, I have no time for neg. thoughts because I'm too busy trying to keep dances in my head. Try and find an activity that you can become passionate about. Best wishes, Diana.

pearl49 · December 2007

I used to live in Red Lake thats the end of the road in NW Ontrario and I miss it with all my heart. I now live in London and it has one of the best cancer clinic's in Ontario. I am hoping that I can get as better as possible then move back to the North, I miss the clean air, water, fish I can eat and all of my friends there. I raised two sons up north and one still lives there. Right now I have to stay in London but when I here from anyone in the north I just ache for clean snow,dry cold, dry heat, boating, picking blue berrry's. But if I was in Red Lake I would have to travel 5 hours for each chemo treatment and Dr.s appointments so I stay where I am. But wish I was north. I don't think alot of people understand how beautiful it is in the North. I better stop now feel like crying miss home.

Anonymous · December 2007

I've been procrastinating but am here now. I am 1/2 way thru my chemo treatments. I have completed three FEC treatments and will be starting the taxotere on 12/20/07 and hoping that it goes as well as the FEC went. I can honestly say I did feel nauseated but was only sick on 2 occasions. Both times were my fault for not listening to the medical advice of taking the anti-nausea pills even if I feel good and to ingest as little fat as possible. Well I felt good after the 2nd day following the 1st chemo so stopped the stemitil (sp) but paid for it later. I also allowed myself one of those little wee bags of potatoe chips that you hand out at halloween and boy oh boy I was sick that night. Now, I do what I am told and I still have some nausea (not really bad) and NO throwing up. The really bad heartburn is eased with Ranitidine so I can eat sensibly. I do get tired but not too bad. I've been kept busy with trying to get ready for the holidays. We've also recently had 4 deaths (2 due to cancer) and so there's been that to contend with also. But the best part of it all is that I am 1/2 way thru the chemo and am now seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. I must say that it's great to see other notherners here. I am so thankful that I do not have long distances to travel for treatment. I'll agree with you ladies that had to travel for treatments and stayed at the Daffodil Terrace. My cousing was there and she had great accommodations, activities and the staff were wonderful. However, I hope you NEVER have to stay there again.

Linda447 - I was in Kapuskasing for the 1st time in Sep/07 and stayed at "L'Auberge" across from the tourist information place. Nice town you have there. I hope all is well with you and that you enjoy this festive season.

Kim - I have the same doctors as you. Dr. Germond and his nurse Lisette are very knowledgeable and caring, helpful people. I too will be seeing Dr. Bowen for radiation in 2008. I've known her for a bit as she treated my Dad for 12 years before he passed on this past May/07. I am scheduled for 4 weeks of aggressive radiation and 1 huge boost. I am hoping the next 3 rounds of treatment goes as well as the first 3. Be well and hope you get back on track for the holidays.

CherylG - yes it is a small world when you're looking at the WWW. I hope you are doing well and that you also have a wonderful holiday season.

Diana1993 - The Muskoka's huh? Well I drive a motorcycle and your area is one I love to ride to, and through, as it is very scenic. I think it's great that you enjoy your line dancing as it sounds wonderful. I haven't taken up any extra activities but I have managed to get some Christmas baking done, shopping and holiday decorating. My energy level is not where I would like it to be but I am coping. It has been bitterly cold lately so I do not venture out unless absolutely necessary. I hate the cold. Enjoy the winter wonderland of the season. Be well and keep the positive attitude. It really helps.

pPearl49 - I haven't been up your way yet but hope to someday. The more north you go, the colder it gets so it will have to be during the summer. I hope that you return to your hometown as you wish and that you enjoy that clean air, water, all the fish you can eat and get back to having Jack Frost nipping at your nose.

Having said all of this, I hope to read and post to this forum a little more often than I have. Perhaps once the holidays are over, I will. But until then, I hope we can stay in touch and that we can all tell each other how our Christmas season went.

Take care.

Nicky

snowyday · December 2007

Hi Nicky: Your treatment sounds much like mine. I had alot of fatique with the FEC. But when you start the taxols read up as much as possible. They will give you more steroids to get you through the treatment. I had and still have alot of bone pain and wieght gain from the Docetaxel. I didn't have the wieght gain unti the second treatment and I was shocked, I didn't think there would be a big change between the two treatments but it's like night and day. Some people tolerate taxels well but I'm not one of them, I hope you are. My last chemo of Dox I had a different Onco and he prescribed more steroids so I wouldn't crash so hard I wish I would have had hime to start. I didn't take all the steroids they scare me but instead of just boom they're gone. I was able to wean and the crash wasn't so bad. Another thing they asked me to do was take part in a study about 5FU 5-Fluorouracil and an enzyme deficiency called Dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase. I was surprised that they asked me once I had been through the FEC and just about finished the Dox. But I wanted to know if I had the deficiency or even a partial deficiency. While on the FEC my viens in my arms collapsed and I had to where a picc for the rest of my treatments I had alot of side effects on FEC but I think alot of it had to do with being misdiagnosed for almost two years. They only asked 100 people to take part in the study in London but when I looked it up they knew there were problems in 2004. Oh I also went into a rads trial and I was hoping for the 5 day twice a day but didn't get it, first they said it was 30 days then they told me I'm on a 16 day course of rads. Yeah! So I'm going to check on the link you added I'm curious. Canada always seems to be slower with trials and changes but they do the best they can and of course there is a process each hospital has to follow. I've had three treatment of the rads and feel good a little heat and I noticed last night my skin colour is changing already but more fatique than pain. Well I sure have babbled all about me, sorry. I hope the rest of your treatment goes really good and you can handle the taxols well. Good Luck Pearl.

Anonymous · January 2008

Hi Nicky, Viv here. My husbands mothers side is from sudbury. We spend alot of time up there from may-october. Have a fixer upper camp on Penage Lake. See mom and relatives at same time and we get to cottage while we're at it! Love the sudbury area! Tried to talk my daughter into going to Laurentian .....told her grandma would spoil her if she was there LOL....she didn't go for it...oh well. Hows the north this winter?????

Anonymous · January 2008

Hey all you beautiful northern girls, how are you all doing?? Getting thru this winter??? Hope the roof on my camp survives the snowchallenge for another winter! Can't wait to head north again once the camp road dries up. Last year we were over anxious and buried my car up to the doors in a sucking pool of mud! Thank god some PPL were watching the muck runs down the road and came to our rescue!!! Gotta love camp life!! Hope the snow leaves early!!! Best to all of you!

snowyday · January 2008

Hello all; Just thought I'd check in on this site to see how everyone is doing. Crazydaisy I enjoy your posts they're always to positive and helpful, and I love your big smile in you picture. Nicky how is the taxotere working for you, I hope your doing better than I did with it. Curlylocks how are you doing. Linda447 we used to call Bearskin, scareskin, bad nickname, but at the time I worked for the other airliner, they do have good rates for medical treatments though. And how is everyone else. Did any of you read the post about China and meds coming out of there, it's scary but a must read. Well here's hoping that everyone is doing better. I had a nasty day yesterday and realized I had forgotten to take my morning medication so that why the pain was bothering me so much and I was so crabby. I have to start using my medication box so I don't do that anymore. When medication is a daily thing somedays I really think I've taken it because it's always at the same time. So to prevent that from happening again I'm going to use the weekly med case. I'm babbling. Pearl49

New to Forum from Northern Ontario

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