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Canadians in British Columbia

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Comments

  • Sneakychiquita
    Sneakychiquita Member Posts: 110
    edited December 2014

    sadvan - here's the link to a December chemo group:

    https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/69/topic/...


  • tanyah
    tanyah Member Posts: 9
    edited December 2014

    Hi Sneaky - no, I have not met with the oncologist yet.  Surgery was Nov 7, follow up with surgeon (where I received the pathology report) was Nov 24 and I go to the BC Cancer Agency for the first time on Wed, Dec 10 - 2 days from now!  I'm surprisingly not that nervous, just happy that there will finally be a plan in place along with some dates.  Especially this time of year, it has been really hard not knowing when chemo will start etc. 

    SadVancouver - if you post in the thread provided by Sneaky, they will add you to a private Facebook group.  There are quite a few ladies on there under the Age of 40, going through chemo now, with young children as well.  They are a very positive and supportive group.   

  • Ossa
    Ossa Member Posts: 685
    edited December 2014


    Had my checkup today (every six months) was told I don't need to come back for a year. Just need to see my Gp in six months woohoo for little milestones

  • Carrie61
    Carrie61 Member Posts: 26
    edited December 2014

    That's great news Ossa! I just had bloodwork done and my tumours markers are low so I'm celebrating too...one day at a time right?

  • Ossa
    Ossa Member Posts: 685
    edited December 2014


    Yay Carrie. Celebrating with you , You are right one day at a time

    Have a very Merry Christmas everyone. Wishing you all a happy holiday surrounded by the ones you love. May your days be full of laughter and fun,

  • allyp71
    allyp71 Member Posts: 16
    edited December 2014

    I have a weird question and not sure if this is something I need to worry about. I've noticed that in the last month (4 weeks) that I haven't had the urge to go #2. I've been using Senakot for about 3 weeks once a week cause I thought I should be going and just switched to Restoral LAX along with using Fiber One cereal this week. It seems odd that it just came out of the blue. I was never a '7:30AM every day' regular person but it was at least every other day at least.

    I made an appt with my GP and she's not available till Jan 20th. Could this be a symptom or something I need to be concerned about? I am currently just doing follow up appts every 6 months. No treatments going on right now.

  • lamp
    lamp Member Posts: 15
    edited December 2014

    Hi Allyp71,

    There is nothing worse.......but, try my remedy?.......A good brisk walk everyday, Metamucil and lots of water!

    Lamp

  • Tazzy
    Tazzy Member Posts: 1,442
    edited January 2015

    I don't post much these days.   Just wanted to pop in and wish you ladies and your familes and safe, happy, healthy 2015 !

  • Ossa
    Ossa Member Posts: 685
    edited January 2015


    Tazzy, was thinking about you yesterday We were in Summerland at my sil and BIL and their dog Tazzy =) for a couple of days and wished I had a chance to meet you It was a quick trip at the spur of the moment. Next time we go up I will try to get hold of you

    Happy New years ladies. wish you all a happy healthy new year. May all your treatments be easy and your meds be tolerable.

  • Tazzy
    Tazzy Member Posts: 1,442
    edited January 2015

    Ossa... lucky you weren't here yesterday !!  Almost 2 foot of snow in 24 hours.   But yes, next time if you have more time would love to meet up.  I know its hard to carve time out - however our good intentions.  I am the same if I came to Lower Mainland.   Love they have a dog Tazzy :)

  • Fluffygerbillips
    Fluffygerbillips Member Posts: 20
    edited January 2015

    Hi Ladies! Im from Aldergrove, BC & I'm on the hunt for a new plastic surgeon right in the middle of my reconstruction!! UGH!!

    Anybody LOVE their plastic surgeon?

    Anybody also plus sized & struggling with the inadequacy of 800cc implants?

    Anybody know if they will overinflate saline implants in Canada (within manufacturers guidelines)?

    I'm supposed to be getting my implant swap done in March but it doesn't look like that will happen until I can find a surgeon willing to explore some options with me

  • Ossa
    Ossa Member Posts: 685
    edited January 2015


    Most Plastic surgeons will not take over others patients. My GP contacted a new PS for me, but they would not accept me as I was already seeing one. They don't want to "step on each others toes"  Also the elasticity of your skin will determine how full you can fill your implants.. Radiation tightens skin severely and it will not stretch well

    Good luck with your search

  • Fluffygerbillips
    Fluffygerbillips Member Posts: 20
    edited January 2015

    I haven't had radiation, I have lots of great, healthy, expanded skin (even some extra) & my plastic surgeon is the one refering me to a different surgeon for different reconstruction options Because he doesn't think 800cc implants are big enough. ;)

    I just want to know if there's someone I should be asking for.

  • Sneakychiquita
    Sneakychiquita Member Posts: 110
    edited February 2015

    Hi Fluffygerbillips,

    Love your avatar name. Unfortunately, I don't think I can help you out with a recommendation. While I love my PS (Dr. Peter Lennox), I think he only takes on patients who are beginning the reconstruction process at the time of mastectomy. Perhaps his office may be able to recommend someone though?

  • Fluffygerbillips
    Fluffygerbillips Member Posts: 20
    edited February 2015

    Thanks for your reply Sneakychiquita... My Dr already tried to get me in to see Dr Lennox but was told he is no longer taking reconstruction patients :(. He did recommend Dr Bovill & Dr Gdalevitch?? So that's who we are looking into now. Also Dr Rebecca Nelson... Anybody have any experience with them?? :D

  • sunflower123
    sunflower123 Member Posts: 1
    edited February 2015

    Hi - I'm not sure if this particular topic is still active, but I need some help. I was diagnosed with breast cancer when I was 24 years old. I am now 34 and no signs of recurrence! I had a double mastectomy and reconstruction (breast and nipple). At that time, I was very scared and just went with the surgeon I was referred to. But I have been living with breasts and nipples that I am unhappy with. I'm not sure if we're allowed to call out surgeon names here, but I will refrain. I am now in a position to get them replaced and I'm hoping they can do something about my nipples as well.

    Can anyone highly recommend a surgeon that does breast reconstruction in Vancouver very well? I am also open to going to another province or even to the States. I just want to be happy with these as I was so young when it all happened. I know that usually you can't see other plastic surgeons other than the one you originally went with, but its been 10 years in my case so I feel some surgeons would be open (unless I'm totally wrong!)

    Thank you so much!


  • Ossa
    Ossa Member Posts: 685
    edited February 2015


    sunflower.. have you thought of getting a 3D nipple tattoo instead of nipple recon.. I had nipple recon that failed (went flat after a short time)

    Decided to try 3D tattoo I am very happy with it. It looks like a real nipple/ I went to Unicus in Chilliwack to get this done . A female artist and she is very professional and understanding  She does great work

  • Sneakychiquita
    Sneakychiquita Member Posts: 110
    edited February 2015

    sunflower - I'm not 100% sure, but I believe 1 woman who came to our potlucks had a revision with Dr. Sheina Macadam. Her original surgery was also a very long time ago and, from what I heard, not done at all well which is why Dr. Macadam agreed to take her on. I believe Dr. Macadam is like Dr. Lennox in that she only takes on cases at the time of mastectomy. I could be wrong, though. Are there any other potluckers out there who can confirm this?

  • Ossa
    Ossa Member Posts: 685
    edited February 2015


    Sneaky you are right, but I cant remember her name (chemo brain)  She was at both potlucks.

  • marianelizabeth
    marianelizabeth Member Posts: 1,156
    edited February 2015

    Can't remember either. Somehow I have managed to remove by mistake the Canadian thread. Can one of you post the name of it?

    Interesting time on our catamaran in the Caribbean~~week 5 almost over. We had two lots of friends first weeks and too long really as it is a small space for 24/7. But it was fun and now we are on our own for nearly 3 more weeks then friends and our daughter for my last 2 weeks. Our boat is getting old (me too~~66 next week) and always problems. Latest is a starter motor and Dick has left me on anchor watch while he makes his way by bus to a main town on Martinique for a new one. I am in a beautiful bay though and snorkelled on the anchor I felt fine about it all.

    My cording is probably not worse but I look forward to some intense physio when I get home and have lots of appts. booked. Beyond that, nothing to complain about.

  • adagio
    adagio Member Posts: 713
    edited February 2015

    marian - great to hear from you - was just thinking about you yesterday! Sounds like you are having a blast! Glad that things are well for you - hopefully the cording will be fine till you get home! Enjoy yourself

  • adagio
    adagio Member Posts: 713
    edited February 2015

    Marian - I think the group you are looking for is called "Canadian Breast Cancer Survivors

  • Ossa
    Ossa Member Posts: 685
    edited February 2015


    My link has also disappeared

  • Kathy044
    Kathy044 Member Posts: 94
    edited April 2015

    I don't remember the topic name either but whatever it was there is no trace of it anywhere.

    Ossa I know that you posted on the Canadian thread in the forum in past weeks, but when I click on your name to look at your public profile listing your recent posts all I see is the British Columbia topic, and the same when I look at Marion's profile. No such thread topic is listed under the Canadian Breast Cancer Survivors Forum in All Topics either.

    Marian what DID you delete? Just kidding. We'd better notify the mods. Perhaps we filled too many pages?

    Kathy

  • She
    She Member Posts: 131
    edited February 2015

    Happy Valentines Day!

    Marian, sounds like you're having a great time! Hopefully we can connect in YVR this year lol.

    I noticed the "Canadian Connection" thread missing too and have been wondering what happened.

    I was back in Canada to see my Onc last month and I'm NED! Letrozole is working so I'll gladly suffer the miserable side effects.

    Hello to old friends and new

  • Ossa
    Ossa Member Posts: 685
    edited February 2015

    Hi she nice to "see" you again. Glad things are good


     

  • Ossa
    Ossa Member Posts: 685
    edited February 2015


    Moderators.

     Wondering what happened to.the link. The Canadian connection..calling all Canadians?? It has disappeared from the forum

  • Carrie61
    Carrie61 Member Posts: 26
    edited March 2015

    Hi everyone...just popped in after a few months.

    Fluffy...I live in Langley and just was referred to Dr. perry Gladavitch in Vancouver. She was really nice and was experienced with DIEP which I am interested in. She accepted me as a new patient so no problems with being too busy👍. However she told me I didn't have enough tummy fat so that was discouraging. She recommended fat grafting with an implant...I only have one side to do

    I believe it was Maria who had the reconstruction done by Macadams? Could be wrong though...

    Marian, glad you are having a good holiday....sounds ideal.

    We, hubby and me, are going on a 4 month RV trip next week...touring the USA and Canada, so will be putting cancer behind me for a while.

    Wishing you all a great day...

    Carrie.

  • Fluffygerbillips
    Fluffygerbillips Member Posts: 20
    edited March 2015

    Thanks, Carrie! I have an appointment with Dr Perry Gdalevitch in 2 weeks and I'm really excited to get back on track :)

  • Sneakychiquita
    Sneakychiquita Member Posts: 110
    edited March 2015

    Hi all,

    I heard back from the moderators and apparently The Canadian Connection…Calling all Canadians! thread got accidentally deleted and would be too costly to restore. At the moment, I'm not on here often enough to feel the need to establish another thread to replace it, but maybe somebody else who is on here a fair bit will get it going again. I did find it very helpful when I was going through treatment.

    Hope you're all doing well. I'm gradually returning to work and am surprised at how tired I am still. When I try to work 3 days in a row, I'm usually bedridden the next day. And I constantly feel like my feet and knees are going to explode. Can't see any swelling so I've no idea why my feet hurt so much, but I'm chalking up the achy kneads to taxomifen. Oh well, I can only do what I can do. I can't fathom returning full-time yet, but maybe things will change in a few months. I really need the $$ otherwise I would just work part-time.

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