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Canadians in British Columbia

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  • stellamaris
    stellamaris Member Posts: 313
    edited May 2016
    hi Phoebe - no news. Just hanging out on the wait list :). Hiking and working keep my mind otherwise occupied, and it's not noticeable in the sports bra, so all is well. practicing my patience. Hope all continues to be well with you :) Hugs to all
  • marianelizabeth
    marianelizabeth Member Posts: 1,156
    edited May 2016

    Hope no news is good news for all my BC/BC buddies! Crazy weather and much needed rain here in Vancouver last night. All is well and I am again learning to adapt to the BC take-aways~~I know it is much harder for some of you and I wish you well as you work through your individual issues. Love to you all! XXOO

  • phoebe58
    phoebe58 Member Posts: 96
    edited May 2016

    hey marianelizabeth, I was wondering how you were doing, and if finally back to your cherished yoga? Overall I am doing well. Still kinda tired but it's coming back. Working all week, fitting in chores and doing a bit of gardening at home and then head to the lake. I was at costco today getting huge bag of potting soil -- i put it into my cart fine, but I struggled and struggled to get it up and out from cart to car hatch. Lovely young man came along thank goodness. Last year I could easily heave those things! Hugs everyone.

  • Goldieone1
    Goldieone1 Member Posts: 22
    edited June 2016

    Hello ladies,

    It has been months since I have been on this site. Just finished catching up with all the 4 pages of posting that I have missed and glad that you are doing well.

    For me it has gone good. Finished my radiation in February and started on Letrozole. Went back to work at the end of March and life went back to normal. Had a bit of side-effects with the Letrozole at the beginning but slowly things are where they are supposed to be. Came back last week from Jamaica where I went to celebrate my 40th year anniversary since I finished high school, so 14 of us girls went to Jamaica to celebrate. That was a well needed holiday.

    Hugs to everybody.

  • Ossa
    Ossa Member Posts: 685
    edited July 2016

    Good Morning everyone

    Sitting here waiting for summer =) Hope you are all doing well, been quiet here guess that means everyone is getting on with their lives =) My friend Heidi (some of you met her at Marians) has another recon done, she was not happy with her implant so she decided to try alloderm, She is still a bit swollen so hard to say what final result will be, I am thinking I might try the same as mine is bothering me and not looking very good To much scar tissue. Have to wait until my other shoulder is better though as I have a frozen shoulder and have very limited mobility in arm/shoulder.

    Marian I hope you had a great trip

  • marianelizabeth
    marianelizabeth Member Posts: 1,156
    edited July 2016

    Thanks for the update Ossa. Too many of us are unhappy with our recons, not to mention shoulder issues and for me add scapula that keeps on popping out between my ribs. But I am on a waitlist though some days I think maybe having the implants removed might be the answer. Good luck to Heidi.

    My trip was really good and I got lots of swimming and snorkelling in which has to be good for my shoulder etc. I know it is only July but my DH will get to NZ in late fall and I will probably fly there in January. I think we should plan on #4 either in November or early January and add a sleepover option too.

    Summer is coming I think!

    Marian

  • She
    She Member Posts: 131
    edited July 2016

    Dropping in to say Hi and apologize to both Marian and Ossa for disappearing in January.

  • MarieK
    MarieK Member Posts: 467
    edited July 2016

    Just checking in...

    Sorry to hear about the set backs and additional surgeries and treatments some of you are having.

    Knock wood - everything going well on my end.

    I have a mammogram scheduled for next week and a visit to my MO in September. All routine and I'm back to seeing MO every 6 months again after my set back in 2013 (has it really been that long?).

    Time flies and I can't believe that next month will be the 7 year anniversary of my original diagnosis.

    My memory is not that good but I feel like I went through it all and have the scars to show for it.

    I can second OSSA's recommend for the 3D nipple tattoo - had mine done at the same place and although it's faded it still looks pretty good. I too had worries about fipples falling off so decided to go the 3D route.

    OSSA I do have allerderm holding my implant in place and the only complaint I have is that after surgery I could see the dark purpley discolouration along the bottom of my breast.

    But 3 series of fat grafting have taken care of that and my foob is much fluffier now. As fluffy as a gummy can feel...

    It's still not a match at all to my reduced (twice) natural side but pretty good in a bra and t-shirt. For bathing suits I still have to wear a padded top but I have cleavage!!

    I'm having some weird breast pain on my good side but I do believe it's the Arimidex. Breast pain/ache is listed as a rare side effect. And I checked back in my posts and read that I have complained about this on and off for years now.

    I try not to worry about it but you know how the mind wanders into the dark side whenever you feel any odd pain or twinge....

    I hope you all have a great holiday weekend and enjoy the sun!

  • MarieK
    MarieK Member Posts: 467
    edited July 2016

    PS I changed my profile pic to show current grey hair - didn't love it curly and short after chemo but loving it now!!

  • marianelizabeth
    marianelizabeth Member Posts: 1,156
    edited August 2016

    She, good to see you back! MarieK, I love your hair too.

    Nothing new to report from my end other than summer seems to be going so fast. I finish a 4 week kayak course Tuesday night and I would say it was challenging but I have passed all necessary steps to get my certification. Thank goodness for wet suits even on hot sunny nights as we spend a lot of time in the water practising recoveries!

    Oh, I had my second Prolia injection and no S/E it seems though I am increasingly stiff in lower back and hips and last few days my right ankle. I guess it will take a while to start to work.

  • stellamaris
    stellamaris Member Posts: 313
    edited August 2016

    hi Marianelizabeth, glad to hear from you. I have also been prescribed Prolia but have not filled the prescription yet. I am trying to get special authorization from my extended health provider to cover it. If they refuse, I will take on the expense myself. Are you using single kayaks? My husband and I have a 20 foot double. Lots of fun! We have taken it down to Point Roberts a couple of times, and are hoping to do the Broken Islands some day 😃. Keep well!

  • marianelizabeth
    marianelizabeth Member Posts: 1,156
    edited August 2016

    Stellamaris, how is being back at work full time? Single kayaks for beginner class.

  • stellamaris
    stellamaris Member Posts: 313
    edited August 2016

    Being back at work is great. Managing very well - maybe only one more year!

  • stellamaris
    stellamaris Member Posts: 313
    edited August 2016

    Yaay! Going for stage 2 surgery on August 23rd. Can't wait to get evened out! lol

  • BeachLife
    BeachLife Member Posts: 41
    edited August 2016

    stellamaris: Good luck with your surgery! You have had quite a few all in less than a year, and seem to be quite brave about it. Are you going to have both the Breast Surgeon and the Cosmetic surgeon for the surgery again?

    Take care!

  • phoebe58
    phoebe58 Member Posts: 96
    edited August 2016

    hey everyone - I hope you all are able to enjoy the dog days of summer. Getting my energy back more so between being out at lake lots swimming and paddling and tackling overgrown garden in town, I am not on bco very often.

    I'm sure your kayak course was lots of fun Marianelizabeth -- I did a similar one in Vanc decades ago - starting in pool then moved on to open water. Sorry to hear about your ongoing implant healing challenges.

    YAY Stellamaris on getting such a soon stage 2 date. Best of wishes - thrilled for you and your impending symmetry:).... and keep us posted on how it went. I need to call and get a date for mine which should be fairly minor. Hoping for late fall.

    I transfer over to my gp next week for ongoing followup so will find out his ideas re plan tests and schedule...... and how they match with mine. Experiencing some more stiffness from Letrozole, R arm gets heavy and achy when I overdo it, and harder to lose weight -- think I put on 5 this summer :( aak - despite all the activity -- how does that happen!! ...no room for slacking off I guess. Back to work the following week so hope routine and discipline will return!

  • stellamaris
    stellamaris Member Posts: 313
    edited August 2016

    beachlife, phoebe - thank you for your well wishes. Looking forward to getting next step behind me. Phoebe so glad you are enjoying the beautiful west coast summer! I envy your summer place and tour pup. I hope when I move to the island we can get a dog and some goats. I am in love with the Norwegian dwarf goats lol. My boyfriend, coolest guy ever!!! Surprised me yesterday with a trip to Kauai in September for one month! I am just so thrilled that this BC nonsense is not going to be allowed to cramp our style ! Love you ladies, keep well and keep on truckin' 😃

  • allyp71
    allyp71 Member Posts: 16
    edited August 2016

    Its been a while since I've posted. Nice to meet some new people although the reason you are here isn't great but its a wonderful supportive group. I have a question for those that are BRCA2.

    I've been waiting since January and found out last week that I am definitely BRCA2 positive (which didn't shock me). Will now be referred to a gynecological oncologist to talk about preventative measures. I was told they won't do too much about the breast because I already had a BM from breast cancer in 2013. The genetic counselor said that the monitoring for OC (CA125, pelvic exam and ultrasound) is what they would do but BCCA does not consider them that 'effective'.

    Can I ask if it's better to do BSO or a full hysterectomy? I'm 45 years old and have 2 boys (11 and 9) so I'm done with having kids of the 2-legged variety 😉.

    I will also ask my question in the BRCA forum but thought those in BC who has done the OC preventative measures can give me some insight and advice.

  • Wendy3
    Wendy3 Member Posts: 872
    edited August 2016

    Ally your post was very interesting after my diagnosis my sister found out she is stage 0 she went for the test and we are still waiting for results. Pelvic exam not helpful I wonder why that would be not useful. Please let us know how things continue for you. It's such a long wait for results frustrating...

    Wendy

  • marianelizabeth
    marianelizabeth Member Posts: 1,156
    edited August 2016

    Just looking back here, this past month has gone by so fast. Heat wave, now cooling and fall not far off. Stella, you do have a great partner and a Kauai trip to look forward to post-op. Do you have a retirement goal date for the move to the island? Phoebe, sounds like you are on your way with healing and back to work too. I came through PG again two weeks ago with my son who is back in Terrace for a second year of nursing school~~has field studies in Stewart/Telegraph Creek area so back early. It was a beautiful drive but we just did a fast O/N in PG and I flew back the night after we go to Terrace.

    BeachLife, how has your summer been? And Wendy also? Wendy, what does Stage 0 mean? Pre cancer?

    Allyp, I note you are Stage 0 too and Tripe Neg. Iknow nothing about BRAC but as far as monitoring and treatment I suspect there will be a forum on BCO with information relating more specifically.

    I got to spend 24 hours this week with a BCO friend from Quebec and her family though we got out for dinner on the water on our own. We "met" on the chemo Sept. 2012 thread and some of you may recall 15 of us met in Vegas in a big rented house in Sept. 2013. Alison and I also spent time together last Nov. when she and family had a layover here. Always good to spend time with our BCO sisters.

    Speaking of which, I hope we can have a 4th get-together late fall or early January. The last one was so good with old friends and new.

    Still on a wait-list for my revision but supposedly have moved up as it is medically necessary due to the cording which now extends up into my shoulder area along with contractures which don't help. I say supposedly because when I asked when it might be it was end of year which was same. LOL! Ah well, maybe it will be 3rd anniversary from tissue expander change to implants Dec. 6, 2013.



  • Wendy3
    Wendy3 Member Posts: 872
    edited August 2016

    I know I didn't know of stage 0 till my sister was diagnosed. I think it's just really really tiny. Unfortunately she had two spots in one breast and another in the other. We are still waiting for the biopsy result for that one. Ughhh been three weeks already getting ridiculous.

  • phoebe58
    phoebe58 Member Posts: 96
    edited August 2016

    stellamaris - fabulous surprise - you will heal happily in Kauai! Marianelizabeth, sorry I missed u coming thru…. you both could have stayed at the lake and paddled about - lots of room!! Likely doing my stage two in later Nov or early Dec…. but still no date. Hope that wait list shortens for you. So nice you had a lovely visit. Mariek I am going to try fipples, as one side has a crop circle and is a bit flatter than the other….. and then do 3d tattoos, so would love to ask where you went. My curlychemo hair is almost straight now after most recent cut, and kinda wish a bit of a wave would have stuck around!! Fingers crossed for your sister Wendy - that sucks. Hi Allyp - best wishes getting info and making the best decision for you.

  • juststace
    juststace Member Posts: 14
    edited September 2016

    I'm new;) and from pemberton bc- started chemo yesterday - Docetaxe carboplatin herceptin - 6 treatments planned every 3 weeks and then we will see about surgery options. I'm her2+- tripe positive. grade 3 and stage 2. I'm 39 yrs old.

    excited to see a British Columbia post here- and will start checking in regularly.... scale in to read about side effects as I want to be prepared for my next couple weeks- so far today feel good.

  • marianelizabeth
    marianelizabeth Member Posts: 1,156
    edited September 2016

    Nice to meet you here and this is a good place to start. Another thread you might like to look for is chemotherapy, September, 2016. I am still friends with many from my September, 2012 group which remains supportive to all of us. Also you can go to "My profile" and put in what is relevant and then is is easy for us to check on your progress. Did you have a lumpectomy?

    Welcome Juststace

  • Ossa
    Ossa Member Posts: 685
    edited September 2016

    Welcome Juststace, sorry you have to be here, |Your diagnosis is similar to mine other than I was PR-

  • koshka1
    koshka1 Member Posts: 93
    edited September 2016

    Hi, I haven't been on in a while...how is everyone??? Kosh I know Ossa is enjoying grandbabies and Marianne - I love your chickens! How is everyone else?

  • marianelizabeth
    marianelizabeth Member Posts: 1,156
    edited September 2016

    Thanks for the post Kasha! Chickens and chicks yes~~3 adorable chicks now almost 2 weeks old and the hens and chicks are always good therapy. Still waiting for my revision and hopefully removal of cording~~supposedly now higher up the wait list as it is medically needed rather than cosmetic but in reality still maybe end of the year.

    Anyone want to weigh in on best time for our annual potluck?

  • marianelizabeth
    marianelizabeth Member Posts: 1,156
    edited November 2016

    Wow, not much action here! I have been busy seeing more of Canada. Nova Scotia for 10 days in October, home for a week and then a trip with friends to Haida Gwaii. I was gone 2 weeks with 9 days in HG after which my 3 friends flew home and I spent a few more days visiting my nephew and wife in Prince Rupert, my son in Terrace and another friend in the Kispiox. I then spent a night with Phoebe~~one of our BC/BC sisters who has a lake cottage near Prince George. I overshot the turnoff by about 30 KM and it took 6 cell phone calls to finally find it. Not only that but she met me part way up a very dark gravel road and when to turn around but another similar car came up behind me and I followed a stranger home. Ah, too much fun after with good wine, dinner and company in her beautiful place. Now to try to post a photo! Success it seems! Hmm, maybe not but will keep trying.


    image

  • marianelizabeth
    marianelizabeth Member Posts: 1,156
    edited November 2016

    Next, another encounter with Cdn.Chick before I left for Haida Gwaii in the Costco parking lot. We talked to long that she ended up in traffic home as did I but so worth it!

    I finally got a surgery date with Dr. Lennox on Dec. 12 and have been promised (as much as that is worth) I will not be bumped. Can't wait to have this cording gone which not only inhibits shoulder movement but burns down my arm front and back when I stretch it out. New implants of course too to replace the contractured ones.

    As for annual get-together potluck, I would like to suggest one of the first Saturdays in January since I am having surgery in December and I hope to go to NZ in mid January as it will have been a year by then since my husband left and have only seen for two weeks since then!

    image

  • BeachLife
    BeachLife Member Posts: 41
    edited November 2016

    You both look happy and great! Happy pre-holidays everyone, look forward to seeing all of you!

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