Profile for raluca63

Member Since: March 15, 2006
Last Login: August 12, 2008
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Biography

Diagnosis

Recent Posts by raluca63

Posted in: Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis + Stage III Cancer, Created: Aug 12, 2008 05:58 pm

NED after neo-adjuvant chemo??

I have been declared NED after neo-adjuvant chemo as well. I had a huge 14 cm tumor and after the chemo no cancer cell has been found in my breast tissue (conform to my pathologyc??? report). Because I had a very agressive cancer, my surgeon has stated from the beginning that he would remove the breast, no matter the tumor's response to the chemo. Like many other ladies, I think that you should have a second opinion.

Raluca

Posted in: Support & Community Connections + Canadian Breast Cancer Survivors, Created: Nov 17, 2007 07:35 am

Dr. Lipa is leaving Canada

Hi girls,

Sierra and Beesie - thanks a lot for thinking about me. I do think of you all the time, but because I had such a hard surgery (DIEP), I could not get out of the bed for long time, so I could not write emails or be on this board.

Beesie - I am ok now, it's been 2 months since my surgery and I still have the home care nurse coming to change my dressings because the wounds heal very slowly but otherwise I am doing pretty good now. It was a hell of a surgery, but who cares, the results are just amazing...I can't believe .

Ginny - yes, dr. Semple does microsurgery. Actually dr. McCready wanted to refer me to dr. Semple first saying that they have worked together before and dr. Sample is very good in doing DIEP (TRAM) FLAP, but as in your case, I had to have dr. McCready working in tandem with dr. Lipa, so I ended up with dr. Lipa as my PS. - no regrets whatsoever, she is amazing and I am so sad she's leaving us. Unforunately we don't have too many doctors here to choose from for DIEP (TRAM) FLAPS.

I would like to ask dr. Lipa if I can have stage 2 (nipples) done by her in the States, I just don't trust other PS...I know it might be very costly , but I will try at least.

Beesie, I will send you an email on your private address, I miss a lot talking with you.

Ginny, if you have questions about the DIEP surgery, please feel free to PM me, I would be very happy talk with you.

Regards,

Calipso

Posted in: Support & Community Connections + Canadian Breast Cancer Survivors, Created: Nov 15, 2007 06:06 pm

Dr. Lipa is leaving Canada

Hi Ginny,

I don't know anything about dr. Hoffer, but I know that there is another good plastic surgeon in Toronto who is doing DIEP FLAP, dr. Semple, at Sunnybrook hospital. I was lucky enough to hape my DIEP (stage 1)done by dr. Lipa (but not totally lucky, because I haven't have stage 2 yet) but I remember my surgeon wanting to reffer me to dr. Semple and saying that he is a very good plastic surgeon as well . I ended up having dr. Lipa as my PS, and I am extremely happy with her work but in the same time extremely sad that she's leaving us.

Regards,

Calipso

Posted in: Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis + Stage III Cancer, Created: Nov 9, 2007 07:24 am

Happy Birthday Janis!! (Fitztwins)

Happy birthday Janis and many, many, many more to come !!! I have always admired your optimism and sense of humour. You are my inspiration !!!

Calipso

Posted in: Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis + HER2/neu Positive Breast Cancer, Created: Oct 25, 2007 06:38 am

Her2 Positive with Estrogen negative Surviors Stories wanted:

Hi Deb,

I am one of the survivors whose cancer was HER2 +++ and ER/PR-, diagnosed almost 2 years ago. I think I am one of the few girls with a HUGE 13 cm tumor and numerous positive lymph nodes ( the biggest one was 6 cm), but after 2 years from the day I've heard that I have cancer I am still here and NED. I had neoadjuvant chemo (A/C , followed by Taxotere/Herceptin), then mastectomy and radiation. After 3 cycles of chemo my tumor was gone and the pathologic report indicated no cancer in either breast tissue or the 12 nodes taken out. So there is hope for us too. Herceptin is a miracle drug and now NeuVax looks very promising for treting HER2+++ breast cancer.

Calipso

Posted in: Support & Community Connections + Canadian Breast Cancer Survivors, Created: Aug 12, 2007 04:18 am

Toronto area - seeking model

I have sent you a private message.

Posted in: Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis + HER2/neu Positive Breast Cancer, Created: Jun 6, 2007 06:04 pm

Can we do a Her2 roll call?

Dx 3/06, ER/PR-, HER2+++
neoadjuvant AC followed by 4 Taxotere/Herceptin, mastectomy, radiation
finished Herceptin 5/07
NED so far

Posted in: Support & Community Connections + High Risk of Recurrence or Second Breast Cancer, Created: Apr 25, 2007 05:08 pm

contrast dye??

I have asked the MRI technologyst this question and he's said that the injections are different.
I had a slight allergy to the CT dye, but nothing happened after the MRI dye... for me. After the injection for CT scan I had also hot flushes for a few min and a bad test in my mouth and this hasn't happened after the MRI injection.

Good luck,

Calipso

Posted in: Support & Community Connections + High Risk of Recurrence or Second Breast Cancer, Created: Feb 8, 2007 01:36 am

How many times a recurrence can occur? Any idea?

Hi Catalin,

I've sent you a private message.

Regards,

Calipso

Posted in: Support & Community Connections + Canadian Breast Cancer Survivors, Created: Jan 6, 2007 12:01 pm

Anyone had Diep done by dr. Lipa

Hi Bessie,

I have send you a PM...

Calipso

Posted in: Support & Community Connections + Canadian Breast Cancer Survivors, Created: Dec 22, 2006 03:05 pm

Anyone had Diep done by dr. Lipa

Oh,Bonnie I am so sorry to hear that...sounds incredible. I asked myself too why Canada does not have DIEP plastic surgeons,but I can not find an answer. Maybe because you are out of province it takes so long, but it's a shame, you came here long way from Victoria.
As for me, it took 3 months to get a consult with her,but because my surgeon works in the same hospital and he referred me to her,maybe it's another situation. I also need the surgeon to be there when I have my recon surgery, as I want a prophylactic mastectomy on my left side.
What is it your decision now? Please keep me informed, I would like to help you, but I only can give you some info if you need it.
Best luck and Happy Holidays !

calipso

Posted in: Support & Community Connections + Canadian Breast Cancer Survivors, Created: Dec 20, 2006 04:56 am

Node positive chemotherapy...CEF vs AC/T

Wendy, I don't think that you have to worry about doing the AC/T chemo, everybody is so different so you might have had excelent results from the AC/T. I can tell you from my own experience, AC/T worked great. I had a 13 cm tumor and many swollen lymph nodes and I had neoadjuvant AC/T. I can tell you that I had a complete pathologic response, no cancer found in either my breast tissue or nodes.
Regards,

Calipso

Posted in: Support & Community Connections + Canadian Breast Cancer Survivors, Created: Dec 19, 2006 11:54 am

Anyone had Diep done by dr. Lipa

Hi Julie,

Thanks a lot for your response. I will send you a PM, as I have another few questions for you (if you don't mind answering).

Regards,

Calipso

Posted in: Support & Community Connections + Canadian Breast Cancer Survivors, Created: Dec 15, 2006 04:54 am

Taking too Long to see an Oncologist

I had the appointment with the surgeon March 15th and I'saw the oncologyst the same day at surgeon's request. My situation was really bad, because the tumor was 13 cm and I had many swollen nodes, so the surgeon didn't want to waste any precious time, as I was given neo adjuvant chemo before surgery. So, even if I live in Canada where thinks seeem to move a little slower than U.S., I haven't have to wait at all to see the oncologist.
As Beesie said, the cases which are very urent are looked after immediately or in a very short time.

Calipso

Posted in: Support & Community Connections + Canadian Breast Cancer Survivors, Created: Dec 15, 2006 04:45 am

Anyone had Diep done by dr. Lipa

Hi Beesie,

Thanks for taking your time and giving me such a detailed answer. It is much appreciated. I am sorry for the delay in my replay, but I've been through rough times lateley due to an infected area along my scar during radiation. I will send you a PM.

Thanks againg and Happy Holidays !

Calipso

Posted in: Support & Community Connections + Canadian Breast Cancer Survivors, Created: Dec 3, 2006 01:23 pm

Anyone had Diep done by dr. Lipa

Hi Beesie,

Thanks a lot for your answer. I know I have more than enough tummy fat,so I would probably be a good candidate for DIEP. How long did you have to wait until you had the surgery (from the date of your first appointment with dr. Lipa)?
Many thanks again,
Calipso

Posted in: Support & Community Connections + Canadian Breast Cancer Survivors, Created: Dec 2, 2006 06:52 am

Anyone had Diep done by dr. Lipa

Hello sisters,

I would like to know if any of you had DIEP reconstruction done by dr. Joan Lipa at PMH in Toronto and if yes, are pleased with the results ?
I had MRM at the end of September, now I am doing radiation and I am looking forward to having reconstruction next year. I have an appointment with dr. Lipa in January and I would like to know if she does good jobs.
Thank you so much for anyone who will answer my question.

Regards,

Calipso

Posted in: Support & Community Connections + Canadian Breast Cancer Survivors, Created: Nov 17, 2006 02:54 am

finding a good doctor

Hi Dainty,

I am a BC patient and I live in Toronto. I don't know if you would like to come to Toronto to see a doctor, but if you like to, I would strongly recommend my surgeon at Princess Margaret Hospital, Dr. David McCeady. He is a wonderful person and a very good surgeon. If you want, you can send me a PM and I can give you more info.

All the best,

Calipso