Canadians in British Columbia
Comments
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Hi Ladies,
If any of you in the Lower Mainland find yourself suffering from cognitive dysfunction since chemo, you may want to look into a Memory and Attention Training Program being offered through the Vancouver Centre, starting Oct 8 (meet every Tuesday for 8 weeks and there's homework every day). Call Patient and Family Counseling to see if it's something that is suitable for you. I'm having concentration and memory problems so I'm hoping something good comes from this.
Hope you're all well!
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Hum. this sounds good.
If I only could remember if I had chemo..
..... Of course I did...... Its just that my memory is sooooo crusty from it.
.... how on earth could I ever forget all that chemo garbage. 
Going to look into study. Thanks. When are you going for your first session? We should get a bunch of us together.
Then we can all help eachother find our cars after the session. 
I hate what chemo did to my brain.
Anyone else interested?0 -
Thanks Sneaky! That sounds like just what I need. I'm going to call and look into it.
Do you have any word from your friend in Squamish who did cold caps? How is she doing? Was she successful in keeping her hair? I kept enough of mine (even on ACT) that I didn't need a wig or scarf. Since she started ahead of me, I have been wondering about her.
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First class starts Oct 8 for all enrolled. I think it's their first time running it and they're making it somewhat of a pilot study as well. So if you're interested, call ASAP because I don't think there's any guarantee that it will be offered again (guessing it will depend on how this first round goes).
shipsgirl - In fact, I have recently heard from her. I believe she said she lost about half of her hair, but to the outside world it just looks like she has thin hair (finished chemo about 7 weeks ago). She did mention it was a lot of work (especially for her partner), but that she was happy with the outcome. Glad to hear you fared well too. Like you, she's in rads now. Or are you finished?
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Sneaky I saw that class on the board outside the counselling office this week and may just investigate.
For some reason this thread was not one of my "Favourites"~~must have clicked the wrong button~~yeah Sneaky not sure my mind is what it used to be.
Anyway, Koshka has suggested a get-togther on that thread so am copy/pasting what I just put on the Canadian thread:
Vancouver/lower mainland get-together: Koshka from that site has been working on a date. If you are interested it looks like a pot-luck lunch at my place. If you think you can come on Oct. 26 (or 27 if 26 does not work for the majority) then go to that thread. Koshka suggests also we let people know if we can help with car sharing, pick ups from bus, rapid transit, etc. Thread link:
http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/55/topic/808995?page=2#idx_36
I think you will have to copy/paste that as the insert did not work.
My breast lump looks to be a stitch from the alloderm attachment during my surgery in March. My throid nodules are benign but am being referred on to an endocrinologist then we will see. Swallowing over the lumps for life seems a bit much but surgery does not sound like fun either. Still trying to get ROM back to what it was before radiation and head/neck better but an example of how it is would be backing up in my car~~I have to take my seat belt off and move my whole body. But I think it is better.
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Thanks for the update on your friend Sneaky. She was the original pioneer. Everywhere I went, she'd been there just before me. There have been several more since she and I did it - a few I've been mentoring. I have one more week of rads.
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Other offerings from patient and family counseling at the Vancouver Centre:
Oct 17 & 24 - Back to work program. Things to help ease the transition if you have to return. Last time they'll offer this course in Vancouver for the year. They'll be running it in the Fraser Valley in November. Apparently it's helpful even if you've already returned to work and are struggling.
Oct 8 - Therapeutic touch session. I really don't know much about this, but I've signed up anyways because I figure it can't hurt. At least I hope not.
Nov 16 - All day meditation retreat for those who have gone through a Mindfulness Meditation group. They're trying to run it in a room at the Wall Centre, thanks to a patient's connections there. Logistics are still being worked out so they don't know how many can attend. I'm on the waitlist.
Dec 11 - Mindful meditation evening for those who have already done the course. 6:30-8:30
Call patient and family counseling if you're interested in any of these things.
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I wonder how much of the fuzziness is caused by chemo and how much from Tamoxifen?
I've been off Tamoxifen for a week now and I feel really clear headed....
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Been off all chem/hormone drugs since 2010 and I believe my brain is damaged due to chemo. Who knows what chemicals do to us long term? Your guess is as good as mine. My sis keeps saying that I am not as sharp as I use to be. Dang!Phoned the clinic with the chemobrain course, I am hoping that if things work out I may take it.
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hugs, when I got to my Apple appt. this morning and found out I was a week early I called BCCA right away to try to get into that course! I felt a bit ridiculous as even yesterday I tried to reschedule but still did not notice that it was Oct. 4 not today. My son says I should not be so hard on myself~~after I am 64...
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Wish I could do a chemobrain course. MarieK, I'm also suspecting Tamoxifen big time. Some days I struggle to remember people's names, can't find everyday words, don't feel like reading, which is a passion of mine.
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I think too sometimes when onc prescribe drugs to kill our hormones that makes us forgetful too. Since I did Tamoxifen and AI's most of my estrogen has been depleted. I believe Estrogen is the hormone that gives us spunk and keeps our memory working. I also feel like I am a a 80 year old lady. This is my assumption only.Either way I am wanting to take that course.
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Let's hope we all get in!
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sign me up
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Hi Ladies, haven't been posting much but trying keep up with what's been going on.
Sneakychiquita ... thanks for posting the info on what they're offering at the patient and family counselling center. I called this morning and they still had room for the memory and attention training program. I hope it helps. This chemo brain thing is sooooo frustrating.
Well, it looks like I've "graduated" (the words of my oncologist) from the program. Went for my 6month visit today and that's it. I'm supposed to go see my GP from now on. I'm not quite sure how I feel about this yet. On the one hand, it's great and things are going well but it's so hard the think that's it ... I'm done.
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Thank you SneakChiq - I put my name in for the program too. And it means I'll get to meet all you fabulous women
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Were any of you told that Maureeen would call for a screening appt. prior to the course? That is what I was told and have not heard from them. I will call in a couple of days if I don't hear. They have screwed up more than once.
But yes, it will be good to meet more of you!
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I was given an appointment time for Maureen's phone call.
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Marian, I have an appt time with Maureen too. She was off today but Suzanna called me to set up the appt. Maybe give them a call tomorrow afternoon if you don't hear from them in the morning.
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Vancouver get-together October 26. Chemo brain issues but so far Adagio, Cdnchick, maybe Sneaky, Koshka, maybe Ossa, MarieK?. Please let us know here and/or the get-together thread.
What time is the best? I don't mind putting my address here rather than PM everyone as I know I will forget someone.
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Marian - I think lunch time was best for the get together for those driving to/from the Valley and those not able to drive at night. But please speak up if I'm wrong... I haven't been following the threads closely.
Phone interview for the Memory & Attention Training Program was needed for me too. They cancelled my original appointment time and then called out of the blue a few days later. I honestly can't remember if it was Maureen or somebody else I spoke to. For real. Hahaha, this memory thing is funny.
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I am in, noon is great. She will join us via skype
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Great new I am going to be a grandma times two.. One in November and one in April/May.. Good thing I have a big lap for them to snuggle in.. Stocking up on childrens books, need to dig my boys books out soon.. Never to early to start reading to them
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Congrats Ossa !
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Yay Ossa, congrats!
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Great news Ossa!
Yes noon it is on the 26th and I am PMing my address and asking for emails too so people can connect for ride sharing and maybe even what is being brought for the pot luck.
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Please PM me with your email so I can compile an email so that we can all check on ride sharing and what we are bringing. Then I won't have to worry about so many PM's!
I got a call from Joanne at BCCA today and was accepted into the course~~what is that course called? Haha.
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One more thing, if anyone wants to come from the island or other parts of BC, we have a fair bit of room for sleepovers. Two extra bedrooms and some couches too!
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I am still waiting for my call for the course.
I called today and they said they would get back to me. I distinctly REMEMBER this conversation because I can't wait to do it. Good motive for remembering!!!
Now if I could find my keys to get to the course!0 -
BluePearl honey mine was 1.5cm. the BS said it was TN the ONC said it was ER+ then in the end, Onc said he wanted me on Tamox instead of Femara bc the numbers of ER+ were very very low.. ok, so in my head I'm going with it's MORE TN than ER+ .. I really do not like any Dr's anymore! Am going to copy/paste what I messaged in the other forum, but would love to meet up with anyone .. you can find me at angelcher55@gmail.com or on Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/CherSout I've been very busy with working too which is amazing I'm able to.. but easy job, but mentally/emotionally draining.
hope your all staying dry and enjoying life as much as your able!!! I man not post on here a lot.. but your all not far from my thoughts!!
Hi all you beautiful women!! I've been trying to keep up via my phone.. so much has been going on with everyone.
Please know that I'm in everyone's pockets through the good n the bad!! I'm terribly sorry for all the crap stuff some of you are going through and am rejoicing in all the great stuff going on!
My Dad & I went on our 'WE SURVIVED' Alaskan Cruise and boy.. hated to leave the ship to come back to reality!!! Was Da's first holiday (80 this year) he took care of me during my BC time (except chemo-i sent him home) and I took care of HIM during his quad bypass the year before. so we had an amazing time and I spoilt myself for the first time during a holiday!! woohoo!!
I've been going through such a stressful time since I moved to this suite.. so now my notice is IN AGAIN.. omg cannot believe I have to pack again!! This time I'm going to put it in storage, go stay at my DSF house (and passed Moms;) while he's in CA for a few months. I need to regroup, to just relax for a bit.. It took me 3 mths to get this settled here, and it's not completely done. way too many problems! and now mold & way way over-the-top noise from overhead.
I've had these lumps growing in my mid-abdomen since June. I only noticed cuz of the reddish marks in June then all of a sudden they were there. Dr thinks Lipoma (which i had in my foot before) Lipoma's grow really slow I know, so of course I've been concerned. They're not moveable and dont' hurt. they prob are lipoma's but my Dr won't get them checked!!! I even asked for 'at least U/S them'.. no he said. I was even crying, as the last time a Dr said a lump was no biggy and to leave it was when I found my BC lump!!! so duh, of course I'm untrusting! (this is a new Dr of 6mths) He said he'd have his partner check me over.. ya whatever! so I'll prob go get a 2nd opinion from my old' dr who screwed around with me and my care too.. I'm at a loss .. they've not grown in a while though. I've done my research on them, as also when they took it out of my in-step/arch the Dr. said, we have to check to make sure no Cancer. Why on earth does everything have to be a fight! I've been fighting for 3mths with LL on so many things. I'm so tired of fighting for my rights.. it's exhausting! but .. we women KNOW when something just isn't right in our bodies!! I don't think it's cancer.. but I do believe it should be checked out.. NO ONE has even checked my chest at all to check for lumps or do any followups. Anniversary was this past May/13.
So that's me in a nutshell.. the stuff just keeps rolling in.. but am trying hard to keep positive! I love reading all the messages from ya'll --- it helps me to know others are going through life with the 'fight' and the successes too! So I'll keep on keepin on darlin's..
much love & GB
Cher
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