Who here is from Ontario??

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2008

    Hey, I've got to tell you all I just got back from kingston area....Innisfil. Had a girls weekend at a friends on Collins Lake. They just moved into their brand new log home that was built for her because of an accident she had which left her a parapalegic.......what a place! And what a blessing that the insurance companies came thru for her so that she now has a barrier free home with all that she needs........and she cried for me, I did not feel worthy of her tears when I see how difficult her everyday life is with things I take for granted......my loss will never be as hard as hers.......she has also taught me many things in her brave fight for recovery and independance.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2008

    Hey, I've got to tell you all I just got back from kingston area....Innisfil. Had a girls weekend at a friends on Collins Lake. They just moved into their brand new log home that was built for her because of an accident she had which left her a parapalegic.......what a place! And what a blessing that the insurance companies came thru for her so that she now has a barrier free home with all that she needs........and she cried for me, I did not feel worthy of her tears when I see how difficult her everyday life is with things I take for granted......my loss will never be as hard as hers.......she has also taught me many things in her brave fight for recovery and independance.

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  • ottawagirl
    ottawagirl Member Posts: 27
    edited February 2008

    CherylG - I'm not doing any treatment yet.  I'm still waiting for imaging.  I found out yesterday that thye are going to do an MRI.  I'm just waiting for a date.  So far, I've been to both the General and the Civic.  I'm seeing a ps on Thursday at the Riverside. All of these have been for consulations only.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2008

    Any dragonboat girls here? Have you been to these events or rowed the boat?

    Ottawagirl.....do you have a surgery date yet?

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2008

    OKAY........where'd those groundhogs go!!! I'd like to dive into their burrows after them and shake their furry little bums awake and haul them above ground to enjoy this nasty blast of winter with us! Which furry creature said it was gonna be an early spring?? I'd like to clobber him with my shovel already!! Do you believe the critters??

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  • CherylG
    CherylG Member Posts: 194
    edited March 2008

    CRAZYDAISY .... Lol! That groundhog better steer clear of me. I'm suffering from extreme winter rage... would like to kick his little butt! I want spring and I want it now!!

    OTTAWAGIRL... did they say how long before MRI?? A friend of mine went to a clinic in Kingston (covered by OHIP) and had almost no wait time. The Civic is so backed up they are giving appointments in the middle of the night.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2008

    Me too.....wait till I catch that little critter......I'm gonna make a hat out of him...LOL

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  • dreamwriter
    dreamwriter Member Posts: 3,255
    edited March 2008

    Hi. My name is Regina but there is another Regina so just call me Dream.  I live in Toronto - East York for those that know the old divisions.  I would welcome any get together I could get to.  I do not drive but have a friend who would drive and stay.  The  only way to get through this is with lots of good friends - and I do have lots of those.

    Cool                           Laughing                          Kiss                                     Smile

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2008

    Hi dream........welcome, I'm hoping ladies here would like to have a get together this year any time between spring-fall.

    Okay.....does anyone have suggestions on what and where we could do? Let's here some and then we can get started!

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  • mke
    mke Member Posts: 584
    edited March 2008

    I'm up for a road trip.  I live in downtown Toronto and I drive, can take 4 passengers.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2008

    MKE......LOL, road trip? You mean like going places as opposed to one place? As in sight seeing and stopovers? I like that kind of thing! I drive and could take 3 passengers.

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  • ottawagirl
    ottawagirl Member Posts: 27
    edited March 2008

    CherylG, I was really lucky with the MRI.  I got in on a cancellation and it took about a week.  Got the results and there is no new cancer. My surgery date is April 7th.  I'm having a lb mastectomy and they're leaving the lymphnodes.  I'm also having immediate reconstruction with an implant and a lat flap.  All of this will be at the Civic with Dr. Stedman (surgeon) and Dr. Guay (PS). I wish it were tomorrow.  Waiting sucks once you have a plan. In the meantime, I'm continuing on with as little disruption to our day to day life as possible.

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  • jacqueline56551
    jacqueline56551 Member Posts: 48
    edited March 2008

    Hi: I just posted on our other Canadian thread. I am from Keswick which is one hour from Toronto at the north end of the 404.

    I finished treatment in October and am planning on going back to work in September....giving myself lots of recupperation time.

    Hope all is well with everyone in Ontario.

    Jacqueline 

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2008

    Hi Jacqueline from Keswick, I'm Viv from Port Perry. Congrats on being finished! You are a smart woman to give yourself a much needed break......good for you, Hope you enjoy evey minute of it! I just had a mastectomy this week....the 18th......back to work the second week of april. In hindsight I wish I had just booked the summer off!

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  • CherylG
    CherylG Member Posts: 194
    edited March 2008

    Hi everybody ... sorry I have not been around but I had major computer problems. I will go and read back now. Hope everyone is OK

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2008

    Cheryl....I wondered what happened to you....glad you are back on line.

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  • jacqueline56551
    jacqueline56551 Member Posts: 48
    edited March 2008

    Crazydaisy: I hope that you had a nice Easter and that you are recovering well from your surgery.

    Take Care, Jacqueline 

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2008

    Jaqueline.........thanks. I am feeling pretty good and would like to get back to my own bed.....the couch and recliner don't really cut it, I end up getting sore from sleeping in one position, don't want to strangle myself in the dumb drain tubing! Had lots of TLC this week and went out to sisters for Easter dinner. Now I just want to get rid of the drain and this pouch. So far so good. Hope you enjoyed your weekend to!!

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  • CherylG
    CherylG Member Posts: 194
    edited March 2008

    Craisydaisy.. sorry I guess I missed you had surgery. You will feel so much better when the drains come out. Glad you are doing well, take advantage of the TLC!

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  • Joe562
    Joe562 Member Posts: 6
    edited March 2008

    Hi,

    My name is Joeanna and I'm from Markham, Ontario. I  have been busy fighting this 'chronic disease' since 2000, and I have lung mets and bone mets. I love to read the postings but don't post often.

    I was first diagnosed in 2000, stage 1, 1 cm tumor in left breast, low grade, er/pr & her2 -ve, no node involvement. Had lumpectumy and radiation.  Recurrence in 2002 in left breast scar tissue; excision and chemo. In 2005, right breast, DCIS stage 0, er/pr +ve, her2 -ve; excision and radiation. In 2006, metastated to both lungs, stage 4; chemo and hormonal. In 2008, metastated to bones (vertebrate); just finished 5 high-dose radiation to ease the pain.

    Now, I am living one day at a time, but I am concerned about  my 16 years old daughter and my 19 years old son. My mom had cervical cancer and lung cancer before she lost the battle 7 years ago. My first uncle was taken by prostate cancer and my first cousin  was taken by colon cancer.

    Does anyone know if we have genetic testing in Canada??? Is it covered by the government health plans? such as OHIP in Ontario???? How do I go  about getting tested????

    Joeanna 

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2008

    Joeanna.....I just asked my doctor about the testing a week ago. Yes it is available. I did not get enough details at that time but I wanted to know if we had it too for my daughters sake if she ever wants the test. Your doctor should be able to give you the details on it.

    Take care and I hope they get your pain under control for you. Hugs and prayers for you and your family.

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  • Sierra
    Sierra Member Posts: 1,638
    edited March 2008

    Hi Joe:



    I am very sorry to read this



    Give Willow a call 416 778-5000

    and also call.. Wellspring

    they have all kinds of info

    and referrals.. and will help

    nothing to lose



    416 480-4440 Sunnybrook

    volunteers there all the time



    Good Luck and lots of hugs out

    to you on this





    Sierra

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  • Joe562
    Joe562 Member Posts: 6
    edited March 2008

    Sierra,

    I dealt with Wellspring,  Willow, and Sunnybrook in the past; but I think only I can help myself. Thanks for your concern!

    Joeanna 

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  • Joe562
    Joe562 Member Posts: 6
    edited March 2008

    Hi Crazydaisy,

    If u have more info on genetic testing, please let me know. My Onc is the kind that 'cares too much' for her patients. She prefers patients to know as little as possible. I was diagnosed with bone mets (backbone) in early Feb this year and the pathology report made reference to the first bone mets diagnose (3 right ribs) one year ago which I was never informed. I will have to wait until April when I see my  Onc again to ask her why didn't she tell me about it a year ago; and why there was no treatment for it.

    As I have the feeling that I might not live very long, I am not as aggressive as before to look up new information. I wish somebody could do it for me. 

    Jo 

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  • Amy1971
    Amy1971 Member Posts: 62
    edited March 2008

    well hello fellow canadians!!!

    I am in ontario and would love to connect and share this journey.

    I am almost done chemo two left and lets just say taxol is an awful drug having more bad days than good.... just found out I will also do 25 rounds of rads yuk yuk yuk!!! Cant wait for it all to be behind me and see that plastic surgeon.

    feel free to contact me anytime.

       

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2008

    Hey Amy......glad you found us. If you go through this thread there are a few women close to you in Hamilton area too. There is also the canadian thread.....lots of canuks there! There are also get togethers some are trying to get off the ground if you are interested!! Hope your flying through your treatments and doing well!

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2008

    Joe....I will see what I can find out about the gene testing.

    I can't believe your onc kept you in the dark like that, I think you need a frank talk with her next time you see her, after all, it's your health and you have the right to know even if it's not all good news. At least then you can decide what you want to do. It's scary and sometimes the fear keeps us from fighting back and just being plain tired of it all. Do you take anyone with you to these appointments?? Maybe a good idea for next time and they can write things down for you? Or write your questions down before you go? Just a thought to help you get through the appointment easier and not miss things the onc says or declines to tell you. There are lots of metsters here too you can talk to. Much love to you Joe.......get your answers hon. Hugs.....Viv

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  • kiki56235
    kiki56235 Member Posts: 94
    edited March 2008

    Joe, I just received a package in the mail from Henderson Hospital in Hamilton.  My family doc. or onc.  can't remember which one had to refer me to the genetic testing department.  From there, they send you a package of information that you need to fill out about your family history.  You send the package back and then they contact you.  If they feel there is not enough family history to support your needing the testing they will tell you so.  If they feel there is, it is my understanding that you go for an appointment with a genetic counsellor first and from there you may or may not end up actually tested.  The process takes an extreme amount of time, perhaps up to a year to get the appointment, have test, and receive results.  As far as I know it is 100% covered by OHIP here in Ontario.  By the way the only cancer you mentioned your relatives having that is possibly related to the BRCA genes is the colon cancer.  Lung and cervical are not connected to the BRCA genes.  Hope this helps you, take good care of yourself.

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  • Beesie
    Beesie Member Posts: 12,240
    edited March 2008

    Joe, I just answered Viv's question about BRCA testing in another disucssion thread.  I had it done in Toronto.  Here's what I just wrote to Viv:

    Viv, yes BRCA testing is available and it is covered by OHIP.

    Your oncologist should refer you to a genetic counsellor.  The genetic counsellor will do a complete family background and then assess whether your risk level is sufficient to warrant the test.  In Toronto, I think most of the referrals go to Mt. Sinai.  When I was referred there, they sent me a very detailed family history form that I had to complete and send back.  When I went in for my counselling session, the counsellor already had reviewed and assessed all that information. 

    If it's judged that you have sufficient risk to consider taking the test, the counsellor will explain the implications of the test, both for you and for your related family members, whether the results turn out to be positive or negative.  Then you get to decide if you want to go ahead or not.  If you decide to go ahead, it's a simple blood test that can be done on the spot. 

    The one difference here vs. the U.S. is that it takes a lot longer to get the results.  About 3 - 6 months, usually.  I had already had my mastectomy so the extra wait was fine with me because I wasn't holding off on surgery and I wasn't in a rush to have to make any new decisions, if I tested positive.  I actually found that it was good that the results were going to take that long because it allowed me to completely put it out of my mind.  I think if the wait had only be 4 weeks, I would have been worrying about it constantly. For someone who doesn't want to wait that long, or for someone who is holding off on surgery, there is an option to pay an extra fee out of pocket so that your sample gets to jump the queue.  If I recall, the cost was $250 and it would cut the wait down to 3-4 weeks.  I didn't bother since I wasn't in a rush to know!  As it turned out, although I had sufficient risk to warrant the test both on my mother's side of the family and on my father's side of the family, I tested negative.  The genetic counsellor did tell me that with all the new developments, it might make sense to get tested again in the future.  She said that if I hear about new variants of the BRCA gene that are found, or new BC genes, I should just call up and set up an appointment for a retest. 

    Hope that helps.  Let me know if you want to know more about the process or the information that they ask about.

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  • Joe562
    Joe562 Member Posts: 6
    edited March 2008

    Kiki,

    Thanks for your information. I will ask my family doctor or my Onc about setting me up for genetic testing.

    Good-luck to you too!

    Jo 

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