Canadians in British Columbia
Comments
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Mirmirpanda, it sucks that your brother and sister are so distant and unsupportive. It must be really hard for your mom too that this is their attitude. She finds herself in the middle - I've been in that position with my adult children, and it's no fun. You are right in moving on. You have no control over them and their hurtful behaviour. So wasting your precious energy on that is simply not worth it. Focus on your DH, daughter and your mom, as well as your wonderful friends. We don't choose our family, but we do choose our friends - what a blessing! Enjoy planning your PFC party!
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For those who had a lumpectomy - how soon after surgery and radiation/chemo did you have a mammogram? Was the mammo on both breasts or just the other breast? Just wondering? I will most likely have a mammo in the fall (one year after the diagnostic mammo) - would prefer an ultrasound, but will talk with MO next time I go if this is possible?
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Adagio I finished chemo/rads the end of May (2010) and had my first follow up mammo the end of September. My RO suggested the timing, my pcp made the arrangements (a pamphlet I was given suggested initial mammo within six months of end of active treatment so this was only four months )
I had diagnostic mammos of both breasts. As my cancer was found during a screening mammogram (with an ultrasound on callback) they hadn't had a good look at the good breast so did so now. They also did an ultrasound of an area of interest and asked me to come back for a repeat mammo in six months - just of the good breast mind you - you'd think while I was there....
As these mammos are compared to any MRI and CT images taken during treatment I don't think you will be able to use ultrasound as a substitute adagio. Are you concerned about having a mammo on the lumpectomy? They were pretty gentle with me, weren't too interested in getting good views in that breast as it was messed up from the surgery. It took until my third year that the report said all stable.
Oh and no waiting months and months for appointments and the radiologist will look at the images while you wait and come out to talk with you.
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Kathy - thanks for the info! At this point in time (6 weeks post rads), I can't even bear the thought of a mammogram on that side. Which oncologist did you have at the Cancer Agency. I had Christine Simmons as my MO (fantastic doctor) and Lorna Weir for my RO - also a very nice lady. Getting the news after 3 years that all was stable must have been a big relief for you.
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Round 6 was today (second of taxol). That meant 9 hours of cold caps. It was an ordeal but it's over. Only 2 more rounds to go.
Just got my appointment card which tells me that I have an appointment with a Radiation Consultant named Dr Tyldsey. Is this a Radiation Oncologist or someone different? Does anyone have any experience with Dr Tyldsey?
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shipsgirl - have the cold caps helped you keep your hair? I used the ice for my hands and feet during taxol and feel that I benefitted in terms of neuropathy and nail issues. I have never heard of Dr Tyldsey - but there are so many doctors at the cancer agency, and I think they are all pretty good. Congratulations on having only 2 more treatments - it is indeed an ordeal, but hang in there!! Now that mine is over it all seems like a very bad dream.
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Hi everyone, I've been trying to stay away from here a bit more. I had my 6 month check today (all good), I am at 4 1/2 years, really looking forward to getting to that 5 year mark.
Welcome to all the new ladies, sorry you have to be here, but this group is great as you've probably already discovered.
I am coming over to Vancouver July 6th-8th, pet sitting at a friends apt at English Bay. Anyone want to get together for coffee or lunch? I won't have a car, but I'm pretty sure I can figure out the bus system. PM me if you can get together. Cheers, GG
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Adagio, the cold caps are the ONLY reason I still have my hair. Most other body hair has long since departed.
I was the second person to cold cap at the BCCA. It has caused an issue there because it means a disruption to what they are used to. I am in conversation with some people and correspondence with others to try and help them see the enormous benefits to cold capping. There are some at the centre that are doing what they can to have it disallowed, but I'm confident that the centre is committed to the mental wellbeing of cancer patients and that ultimately they won't deny women the opportunity to keep their hair.
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I'm very behind with this thread.
Mirmirpanda - Sorry to hear it's been tough as of late. I know I've had those same thoughts and I bet most of the ladies here have as well. As an aside, I absolutely love the "another brick in my fortress of shit," comment. And great words from Liefie. Very soothing to read that from you, Liefie.
Shipsgirl - Glad to hear your hair has hung in there. Good to hear that you've taken up the cause in hopes of keeping it a viable option for the ladies after you. There are so many women out there who will be able to go through treatment in a more positive way with keeping their hair. I'm so perplexed as to why some people at the agency can't see the bigger picture. In the end I was ok with losing the hair on my head (as long as it was temporary) because I'm really liking it short, but the eyebrows and eyelashes were a whole different story. I think it's only been in the last couple of weeks that they've really filled in. Hallelujah. I don't think I'll ever pluck those eyebrows again!
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Kathy - Great to see you both popping onto this thread.
GG27 - I'll be out of town when you are in Vancouver, but would have loved to have met up. Where do you live on the island? I have a family farm in Courtenay/Cumberland area that I frequently visit. Perhaps an island visit could happen one day.
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Sneakychiquita, I would love to meet up on VI, I will send you a PM. GG
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Thanks Sneaky. How is your cold capping friend doing? She's the true pioneer.
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Adagio, my follow-up mammo was 6 months to the day after my last rad treatment (which made it 14 months after the screening mammo that flagged the area of concern). I was dreading it, but it was actually no worse than mammos before the surgery. Hope your experience is the same.
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akmom - thanks for letting me know about your mamo - that would be roughly the same time interval as myself - glad the mammo didn't hurt. Even if it does, I will have to deal with it, I guess.
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hello
i am responding to this post as I am a BC patient living in Cloverdale. I am currently 3 weeks post double mastectomy and will be starting chemo on 8Aug13. Dr. Davidson is my oncologist. Glad to know I have fellow patients in my neighbourhood. Would love to trade experiences, tips etc.
Thank you
Val
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Welcome Val! There are several of us out in the valley and I am sure they will chime in. Where will you be having yoru chemo? I had a umx in March and just finished rads.
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welcome Val, sorry you have to behere, but glad you found us. Great group of ladies here, loads of knowledge.
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Welcome Val but sorry you're here. Dr. Davidson is my oncologist also. I think he's great, how about you?
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Hi All!
I'll be going to BCCA Vancouver for the next few weeks and I was wondering if anyone would be there this Friday July 12th.
I'll be done my treatment by 1030 and could meet for coffee?
Marie
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Dang, I'll still be out of town on Friday, Marie. Is this the start of rads? I may have an appointment on Tuesday and could potentially meet up then if things align.
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Sneaky that would be fun to get together!
Today I was a bit early and grabbed a cheese biscuit from the cafeteria - it was soooo good!
I'll be having rads next week too but I don't have my times yet. I should get them at my Friday's appt.
Maybe I'll post on here when I'll be at BCCA next Tuesday and we'll see who's around for a quick coffee and chat?
Marie
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Marie, I may be able to be able to meet on Friday, just waiting to hear from a friend who is coming to town tomorrow to see when we are meeting. But I would be up for next week too. Keep us posted.
Sneaky, last minute cancellations tonight so am going to work on an alternate maybe week after next. Let me know what night suits you.
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I'm going to be at BCCA Monday to Wed in the morning and Thursday in the afternoon.
Will anyone else be there during that time? Would you like to get together for a coffee and chat?
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Marie, this week I have a mammogram Wed. but at 2:30 at at MSJH. Thursday I am near but seeing PS at 0800. Next week I am actually at BCCA to see RO at 2:30 PM so keep me posted for next week. Would love to meet you in person for coffee for sure.
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Marian good luck with all your appts this week and next!
I will be finished my rads on Thursday - just 10 sessions this time and it's going by so fast!
My daughter lives in Kits so I'm always going over the bridge (I live on the north shore) maybe the next time something is arranged we will all meet up?
Have a good week everyone!
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Wow, Marie you're almost done! I just got back into town after a bit of a holiday in the Kootenays. Appointments near the BCCA didn't happen so I won't be travelling down there. Hope your last zap goes smoothly and you're feeling well.
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I am officially PFC (post final chemo). Wooooohooooo!!!!! I'm sitting here in my second to last cold cap, hardly believing it's over. I've had a busy few days so I am almost surprised to find myself at the end.
It was probably the best chemo day yet. I was sent down to the 5th floor, the "resident" ward. They handle chemo overflow and were having a quiet day. It was a great big room and they welcomed us to have our coolers in the room. The nurses were impressed that I still have hair, interested in the cold cap process, and friendly as heck.
We had a happy friendly time. I told them that many places in the States have a bell that people get to ring when they're done and how much fun I thought that would be. (my cold fish onc didn't think that was a good idea at all) One nurse disappeared and after searching everywhere, she found a bell boy's bell - you know the kind where you tap the top button to let someone know you want service. So fabulous!!
When my IV came out, I went over and rang that bell with great joy. And then I had my mother and brother ring it since they've been through this ordeal with me.
I don't even care that I have to ride out side effects still. I'm just full of joy that it's over, gratitude to everyone who helped physically or in thought, pride that I did it with strength, and relief that I still have hair.
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Oh and if you know anyone that is considering cold caps, I would gladly donate some equipment to save them the expense.
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shipsgirl, yay for the end of chemo! Glad to that the cold caps worked out for you. I still envisage PFC to be post f**king chemo though!
And Marie you finished your rads last Thursday so congrats to you too.
I saw my RO on Tuesday for the last time thank goodness.
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Ships. So glad you did the cold cap and broke the ice on using it. And a big congrates to finishing chemo.
My sis made me a tee shirt with sharpie pen squares on the front. I wore it each chemo and put a big checkmark in each box every time I had a chemo. It was a great way for a count down and then I got to throw out that shirt. It was like ridding myself of the chemodrugs. Kinda physcological.
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