Canadians in British Columbia
Comments
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I haven't seen or heard from my friend since her 2nd infusion of AC on March 20th. She's on the 3-week protocol and still had her hair then so I know it was working up until that point (I lost my hair about 2 weeks after my 1st infusion). She had to set this up beforehand with the chemo unit. I think your best bet is to just head up to the unit and ask the nurses how it will all go down. Now that they've dealt with someone using the caps they'll have an idea as to how to direct you.
I see my friend again on April 17th and will ask if she has any tips she could pass along.
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Thanks Sneakychiquita, I was there today for chemo class but didn't think to go and ask. Of course that makes great sense and I appreciate your help!!
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Hi Shipsgirl, welcome!
Hi Sneaky, how ya doin?
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Thanks She! I've been a lurker here for a couple of weeks. Now that I'm a week away from my first chemo, it all seems much more real.
So very sorry to hear you are not a stranger to this. Blessings to you.
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Hi She. I'm in research mode trying to figure out if I'm going through with radiation or not. Currently sitting at a 10-15% chance of recurrence and it's estimated that rads to chest and axilla would bring it down to 3-5%. I'm leaning towards going through with it, but I'm not at peace with it all yet. Last chemo was on March 19th and I'd have to say I've been more tired lately than I was in the final half of chemo. This said, I was a little quicker during yesterday's run than I have been in a long time so perhaps I'm turning the corner. Anticipating skin tightening and shrinkage my PS has overfilled me and now my left foob is quite literally double the volume of the real thing on the right. I see a lot of baggy shirts in my life for the next 6 or so months. Where are you? And what's the plan of attack for the recurrence?
Vancouver area ladies - I was referred to the BC Compassion Club by my MO for some cannabis to help me with some side effects. What I didn't realize is that not only do they supply herb but they also offer a lot of complementary services like acupuncture at a very reduced rate. I've finally gotten on a regular acupuncture regime through them and it's pay what you can ($5 minimum is recommended). So if money is tight and you'd think you'd benefit from this treatment ask you doc to refer you to the club. Your doc will need to complete a form to get this all going and there's a waitlist. However, those in active treatment for cancer are fast tracked so the wait isn't too long for us.
shipsgirl - Just talked to my friend using the cold caps. Her 3rd infusion is tomorrow and she still has all her hair. She emphasized that it's a team effort but it's possible. Talk to the chemo unit to ensure they're aware of what you're up to. Have you got all your cold cap supplies already? My friend recommended a trial run before chemo.
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Hooray for your friend Sneaky!! I'm so happy for her. My program is more intense than hers, but with the same drugs. These drugs are the least successful with the caps but they've made great improvements recently and this is very encouraging! I will have my supplies in a few days and was planning a trial without dry ice.
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Shipsgirl - unless your signature is wrong, you and my friend are on the same chemo cocktail. Only difference may be timing. My friend couldn't afford the Neupogen so she's on the 3-week cycle.
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Thanks Shipsgirl, sorry you're a member of the club we didn't want to join.
Sneaky it's a difficult decision. I did AC and rads rt side for triple neg grade 2 and tamoxifen and rads to lt side for pos grade 1. Wish I hadn't done rads to left cause it would be a good weapon to have now that I'm grade 3. I'm in Africa, waiting for hormone receptor status retest that is taking to f-bomb long. If I flip to negative it will be TC (DC) if I stay positive they still want me to do TC and then Letrozole. I asked for the science behind recommendation for chemo if positive and response was its your choice. Insert multiple f-bombs. I just want proof there is any effect. Whatevah is researching too and one link she sent me showed a 1% difference between doing and not doing chemo for pos CWR. 1 freeken percent is so not worth it.
Compassionate society is great. Herb helps with neuropathy, pain, eating issues and sleep, all the complementary services are a huge bonus. I was going to say I highly recommend it and realized its a double entendre lol.0 -
Yes, we are. I was originally going to be on the 3 weeks but after they checked the lump and described the cells as bizarre large, they went more aggressive. Wish I could skip the Neupogen!! Not loving the idea of injecting myself daily.
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My plastic surgeon said my 3D nipple tattoo was the nicest he had ever seen (don't get that compliment every day hehe) He said it would not have been that nice had I gone with the nurse. Ps said go live life and in a year if I am not happy to come back and see him and he will do some revisions, He said I my body has been through so much and lots of surgeries so need to rest for a year before potential more surgery.
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Ossa
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Nice one Ossa !!
Good vibes to everyone today - love ya xxxxxxxxx
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Results positive, NO CHEMO. Praise The Lord.
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That's great news, She!
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Yay, She! So happy for you.
Ossa - I want to see the tat. If we get together on May 11 be prepared to flash some nipple
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Sneaky no prob.. quite proud of it. She and Marian got to see it last time
She yay yay yay
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She, that's great news!!
Ossa, I'd love to have a peek too. I was going to set up a consult with the tattoo artist you used but my PS is going to do some lypo first so my nipple reconstruction and tattoo will be a little later in the year now. I'm gonna try and make it May 11th depending on what time the get together is.
Shipsgirl, good luck with the cold caps.
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Lol Ossa, Sneaky I got to see theirs too ... darn fine work.
Cdn Chick, the fipple recon doesn't have a high success rate, if too much work is done swelling pulls the sutures out and you lose the projection but it's worth the attempt. If that happens the 3D tatts make them look so real you have to touch them to know they aren't. And then if you want some more projection, ask your PS about using lip filler. I'm thinking of trying it but need to heal for some time first. hmmmmm pencil eraser headlights vs nubs .....
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She.... whatevah.... Marian.... I got THE prescription today
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GO OSSA. 💃
Edited to add check your PM's giggle0 -
She, thanks for the tip on the lip filler. My PS originally wanted to take a graft from my native nipple so it would be a good match but I would lose sensation as she would be taking half. I'll definitely ask her about the filler the next time i see her.
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Hi Ship'sgirl! I somehow missed a page or two of the discussions. So much information! I think I will have to go back and read it all again in the morning.
Ossa, remind me closer to the 11th. I would love to get together again and maybe with more of us.
Sneaky, 2.5 weeks and no word from the Compassion Club. MO put weight loss, depression and I can't remember the third. I would like some acupunture for sure at a reduced rate and some ingestibles too.
I can attest to the great nipple work on Ossa and She! It is too far down the road for me to even think about though. I had my necrotic excision excised on Tuesday and resutured so now waiting and hoping it heals well. Another fill next Wed. and then CT simuation April 22 if all goes well. Ha, best laid plans...
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Marian - Call them to see where you're at on the waitlist. Then mention that you're about to start radiation in case your doc didn't write down that it was time-sensitive. I was told the wait is many months long, but that they fast track cancer patients in order to help with side effects from active treatment. I probably waited only about a week to hear from them, but then again I was in chemo and my doc specifically mentioned that the referral was due to chemo-related side effects....
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ossa, who did your tats. I hear there is great gal on van island but I can't remember her name.
She, glad for your posistive results. A round of chocolate brownies for all.
Sneaky, I am done treatment for a few years but suffer some SE. Do you think I can get on a waitlist for the compassion club?
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Hugz..
Deborah at Unicus studio in Chilliwack did my tattoo. I can guarantee you will not be dissapointed she is fantastic.. Check out some of her work at unicusstudio.com or facebook unicus studio. Ph or text 604 791 3011 Thanks for the brownie...
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Thx ossa
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I'm so thrilled that mother nature saw fit to give me one last period. She decided not to show up early to be sure I had a "doozy" before my chemo on Thursday. I hope that this will be the last one I ever have to see.
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Hope the aches and pains leave you soon, shipsgirl. I was expecting only 1 period during chemo, but got 2. And that last one came with a vengeance. Normally I'd be cursing over such an event, but in a way I admired my hormones for not going down without a fight. I felt all womanly that week.
The countdown has begun for your chemo. You'll be in good hands with the nurses in that unit. In a weird way, I kind of miss them. Will be thinking of you this week.
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Hi ladies much to quiet here, hope that means you are all busy living life
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Sneaky I sent you an email today re Compassion Club and thanks again for the heads up. I am just so much less assertive than I used to be that I just assumed that I was not a candidate when in fact BCCA screwed up~~or the nurse who had the form filled out which I saw never had it faxed. So I have an appt. tomorrow. Lily at the Club told me to have them tick the really urgent box and this was Wed. so it worked! I am looking forward to hearing more about the wellness clinic.
Ossa I plan to call you this weekend since I know you work during the week. I am pretty sure I have your phone number. Sneaky and anyone else in Vancouver; any of you interested in driving to Langley for lunch May 11?
I saw my PS yesterday and he put a "baby fill" as he called it~~30 cc in and hopes that the incision which looks good holds up. One more small fill Monday and CT simulation Tuesday.
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