Ottawa ladies?
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Welcome Anita!
Beth, I'll be done radiation on December 19th. Just in time for Christmas.
I don't have my schedule yet for December 12th. I hope I can make it for lunch.
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I'm good for lunch tomorrow.
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Oops sorry. Thought we were talking about tomorrow for lunch. I have an appt on Dec 12 but will see if I can reschedule it to later in afternoon.
JoJo
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Hi Ottawa ladies! Finally got around to signing up for this great website and chat group. My name is Andrea Douglas and I am the facilitator for the Breast Cancer Action support group in Ottawa. FYI, we meet the second Wed of the month at 10 am at Maplesoft, and the last Wed of the month at 7 pm, also at Maplesoft. Anyone and everyone is welcome to drop in whenever your schedule or energy allows! Last meeting in Dec will be the evening on Dec 14th. Hope to meet some of you then.....or meet you on-line any time.
I'd like to post two things.....first, the new Breast Health Centre which will be located at the General in the Cancer Centre, will become a reality hopefully in about a year. Dr. Angel Arnaout, Ottawa's breast cancer surgeon rock star, is soliciting ideas for what YOU, the patient, would like to see in the new centre? She has set up an email address to receive YOUR recommendations: mydreamcentre@gmail.com
Second, the Ottawa Hospital Foundation is always looking to raise more funds for this important initiative (and countless others of course). Please see what Avon is going to do to support our quest:
Avon is asking Canadians to upload their selfies to www.newfaceofavon.ca and for every photo uploaded, Avon will donate $1 to a Breast Cancer Charity of the contestant's choice from a drop-down menu of 16 registered Canadian charities, which includes The Ottawa Hospital Foundation. It only takes a few minutes and will raise a dollar for each entry submitted (you can only enter once). We are asking you to enter the contest and share and promote it with your friends, family and contacts. The more selfies submitted the more funds raised for TOHF!
Here's what you need to do:
1 - Go to http://www.newfaceofavon.ca/upload.php
2 – Select a photo of yourself to upload and click next
3 - Enter your contact information and click next
4 – Select the Ottawa Hospital Foundation from the drop down menu and click submit!
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I see from another thread than tunegrrl was scheduled for her LX December 1, Has anyone heard from her? Did she get her other side lift at the same time (wish I had done that!! So lopsided now)
I had a job interview today (!) and was too tired last Monday, but I am determined to get to our last .triple .s class this term followed by lunch.
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Also JoJo and I have noticed post-radiation, some muscle wall soreness below the treated breast.
Some people with weakened muscles especially with lymph node removal get rib fractures which I didn't know. Here is an article about the soreness, which may continue for a longtime but NOT indicate recurrence.
Just another thing they don't warn you about.
http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/radiation/ask_expert/question_18
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Hi Andrea. Thank you for reaching out. Actually alot of us ladies here are members of BCA. We are enrolled in one of their fitness classes. That's great news about the new Breast Health Centre!
Christalle, hope your job interview went well. Had to freak'n feel my ribs immediately!! lol That scared me!! I too did not go today as I kinked my back/shoulder area. Couldn't raise my arms without pain. Emailed instructor Jo to let her know I would do everything to heal so I can make it to last class. I went to a see a CranioSacral therapist for help and have another appt on Wednesday.
Chantal, 6/16 complete! Your coming up to the big #8. I luckily had good technicians for that one so it was a piece of cake.
I haven't heard from Tunegrrl.
Beth and Alana, hope things are going good.
JoJo
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Hi, as for lunch on the 12th. I now have a radiation oncologist appointment at 11:45 that day. Should be able to make lunch at 1, may be a bit late if they are running late at the clinic, anyway, I will try to make it. I was hoping all that radiation stuff would start AFTER Christmas so I could get a little break!
I am very slowly getting my strength back....the pneumonitis really did a number on me! I had my first Herceptin only infusion yesterday and so far no side effects (yay!) although I have noticed my sense of taste has not completely come back yet. Lost 12 pounds and haven't gained any of it back yet--even with being on the steroids.
Hope all is well with Beth and Tunegrrl, let us know how you are doing.
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I'm still here! 2 weeks post-last chemo and next Wednesday radiation starts. Yes, very soon. Although I elected to start before Christmas so it breaks it up a bit. Alana, it takes a couple of weeks to get it going from that appointment so maybe you'll be in the new year.
I'm not going to read Christine's post about radiation and ribs....
tunegirl had her surgery last week and is in the recovery phase. I'll let her post how she's doing.:)
Lunch on Monday December 12 is Chantal if rad schedule works, JoJo if appointment can be moved, Alana arriving late from RO, who'd I miss?
B
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hey! I'm back
(Drifted away from this site for a few days after my surgery, no idea why)
Lumpectomy + lift went very well it seems. I should be sleeping now so here is a super-short update. Skipping right to the results.
My renovated boobie is very round and firm, like i just grew it. Wide cloth tape over the incisions so i can't see the actual wounds, and it is nice that way. Tape falls off after 10-14 days, my PS's note says.
Surprised it has not been more painful than a mild ache. When i use my left arm sometimes my boobie hurts, but otherwise it is impressively not uncomfortable most of the time. Too much walking today and i was sore from the bouncy bounce, but i know better now.
I know there is a fair bit of swelling going on, and that radiation will shrink my tit as well, but really it is amazing i am as balanced in clothes as i am right now. They took two golfball-size areas out from up top, then moved the tissues around and sewed me back up with a more buoyant shape. I was a 32F before, and so far it is looking like all my bras still fit well. I tried a few on yesterday and looked completely normal!!! Not that it is going to stay that way exactly, but right now i'm amazed at how well my surgeons fixed me up.
I have a zip-front sports bra. When i take it off slowly, it looks at first like i'm symmetical, then the unaltered side drops down and the reno'd side stays in the shape it was in when the bra was on. Left nipple currently two inches higher up than the right. To be fixed next September for symmetry, six months after radiation.
Sometimes i feel like i'm having milk let down like i did when i breastfed. Odd feeling, don't know what it means.
We have great doctors and nurses here in Ottawa, i am very appreciative. Really couldn't have gone much better. Half an Ativan tablet before leaving to go to surgery helped smooth me out, too.
Looking forward to getting together with you folks sometime soon. At the potluck, if i can make it. (Not sure yet.)
Best of luck everyone
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My radiation appointment is early on Monday morning so I'll be going to the lunch at 1:00 p.m.
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That's great Chantal! Went to PetValu on Alta Vista/Bank and saw this restaurant (Bella Vista) that seemed popular. Thought right away this might be good place to have a lunch and it would be in Chantal's end of town. What do you girls think for Dec 12 lunch?
Received email today that registration for our fitness is now open. After I registered, there are 5 spots remaining! If you haven't registered yet, it appears to be booking up quick.
Tunegrrl...good to hear from you! Happy to hear your surgery went well and your recoup appears to be on a good track.
JoJo
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Tunegrrl, such good news. Glad to get your report. I also had tissues rearranged but I have not been scheduled for the reduction on the other, already larger side. Certainly not eager to go undar the knife again soon.
If you want to exchange nitty gritty details message me privately. I'm not squeamish. Hope to see you at the potluck. Location, and what should I bring? Any food allergies
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Okay let's make this coming Monday's lunch at Bella Vista (1 pm). So looks like we are 5. Anyone else is welcome :
Cristalle, this is not the potluck ( not sure if that's happening).
JoJo, Cristalle: did you sign up for the same class again?
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Beth...yes I did register for same class, same place, same time.
JoJo
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I mistakenly put TUES and Thurs (both Maplesoft) but that's okay as Monday doesn't restart until Jan 30. I'll try to switch back after that.
I'll look up the Bella Vista to see how to get home from there. Can I get a lift from class with one of you?
C
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I'm good for going to the Bella Vista. I've been there for lunch with my coworkers. Alta Vista and Bank is closer to home.
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hi that sounds good for lunch. Also closer for me to get to from my hospital appointment.
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Cristalle, I can give you a lift home after lunch tomorrow as it's an easy stop along the way and I'm going straight home.
Of course it will be snowy again tomorrow..seems like we have had a few snowy Mondays this year.
Not sure if I will sign up again for the fitness class since I'll be back at work but I better decide soon. Seems to me people sign up and then don't come.
B
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Thanks Beth, I'm leaving early for class in case the buses are slow. I'll see you soon
Hope tunegrrl is recovered enough to join us. And I'll finally meet Alana
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Hi Girls. I'm so sorry I'm not going to make it out. My back/neck injury isn't ready for bending/twisting/lifting and I woke up with a bad headache that I will need to possibly medicate so it doesn't get worse. Lost my baby 3yr old cat suddenly (bad heart) over the weekend as well. Still kinda in shock about this. He was a huge source of comfort for me. One minute he's running around and next thing he's having a really bad stroke-like thing.
Take care out there today and have a great time.
JoJo
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Hi JoJo,
Sorry you can't make it for lunch.
So sorry about the sudden loss of your cat . My cat is 13 years old and I know I'll be devastated when he dies.
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JoJo,
I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your kitty
big hugs to you through this.We missed you at lunch today..4 of us conquered the snow and had a good time.
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JoJo we missed you and tunegrrl today at Bella Vista. Fiddler and Chantalbe rocked their chic wigs.
My kitty is having surgery on Friday, also an older girl. She kept me going during treatment so I have to do this for her. Much love to you! I am off from Dec 25- Jan 9 so keep in touch
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Thank you all for your warm and kind words. It has been difficult and our home feels an emptiness but I know in time memories of him will soothe the heart.
I hope we keep in touch throughout the holidays! I'm staying in town Cristalle if you want to go have a holiday drink.
Chantal, hope your radiation is going ok and side effects are minimal.
Beth, your big *R* day is soon. How did the simulation appointment go? Kinda sad you may be missing fitness next session. Class won't be same without you.
Alana, so sorry I missed seeing you. Happy you were able to join the girls for lunch.
I'll finish by posting my beautiful Opie... "we will see each other again my friend and you can shadow me again".
JoJo
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Hi ladies,
Lunch was fun. Jo, SO sorry to hear of your loss. What a sudden shock. Love the picture of your sweet kittie. We have an all-black dog.
So things happened quickly for me after my radiation oncology appointment. Tomorrow I go for my initial CT scan and my first treatment will be Dec 27. I have a Herceptin appointment in the morning that day and then go right down to radiology. Anyway I really like Dr. Chang. She will do the treatments with me lying on my stomach to avoid any possible damage to the lungs. I guess I'm glad to be starting in a couple weeks, the sooner to get it over with.
I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season
Alana
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Alana, I did my radiation treatment in that position as well. Not as easy to get comfortable (as you can't move a millimeter) but knowing less lungs & heart were getting zapped made it worth the hassle. How many rad treatments do you need to do?
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2 rads down, 18 to go. Merry Christmas to me! lol
There's a Fitness Fundamentals being taught on Fridays 9-10:15 starting Jan. 6 for 6 weeks through the maplesoft centre. It's only $60. I'm going to sign up. Anyone else interested? Here's a description.. it's run by a personal trainer. I feel like I need a kickstart.
Exercising has many benefits. People often don't realize those very same
benefits transfer over when you exercise during and directly after your
treatments for Cancer. This workshop will teach you all the benefits of exercise,
how to safely and effectively progress your exercise routines, set goals, and stay
motivated to exercise for the rest of your life. After completing this workshop
you will have some tangible goals set, motivation strategies in place, and a
variety of different exercise programs you can do on your own, or as part of a
group. We're not 'fitness stiffs' either, so you can expect to have fun while
attending this small group course.
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Finished rads this morning. I rang the bell!
Hope everyone has a good Christmas.
I'll be going back to work in January.
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Congrats, Chantal!
I can't believe I still have all this more in front of me....hope it goes quickly.
Beth I am thinking about the exercise class. I am basically lazy (in the physical fitness department anyway), so it takes a big commitment for me to get exercising. We shall see.
Have a great holiday everyone!
Alana
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