Canadians in British Columbia
Comments
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Oddly enough just received a call from the surgeon's office. They have scheduled my appointment for 2 weeks from now, Feb 2. That feels like a long time to wait for the answers! But it also seems to me that if it was BC that they would get me in to be seen sooner???? Anyone have experience with that?
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Reaelanne, how is your relationship with your GP? The GP will have copies of the results already as well so you could get them there if they have fast appointments. I didn't see the surgeon until after the core biopsy but even my post op pathology results (about margins etc) my GP communicated those to me asap. In fact, she called me right away to tell me the margins were clear etc so I would know as soon as possible.
I'm near you btw, near Lougheed Mall
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Raeleanne76, As moth says, you're GP should have a copy of the pathology report. And maybe you can call the surgeon and ask to be put on a cancellation list. Then you have a chance of getting in earlier if something opens up sooner.
Best, from Coq
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To all West Coast Vancouver women,
Have you had nipple tattoos that look real? Can you recommend a local artist? I live near Coquitlam IKEA, but anywhere in the lower mainland is fine.
Do you know if it's covered by Medical?
Thank you
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Fembot, I have never seen the work IRL but there are three 3D nipple artists in the Lower Mainland listed here: https://www.nippletattoos.com/artists
I found out about these totally by accident when someone I know was thinking about getting microblading at Shauna Magrath's salon (beautyink.ca)
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Thanks moth! There's a lot of discussion re nipples spread around several boards, not all in one place. I'm wondering if I should start a topic called 'All things nipple'. Maybe try to aggregate in one spot...hm
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thanks Fembot and Moth. I will call my GP in the morning. I’ve already called the surgeons office to ask to be out on a cancellation list and to let them know I’m willing to hear results over the phone. Thanks for the idea about the GP
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Vilma huge discussion on a thread on Facebook MBC advocacy group and they are also fighting for this. I myself haven’t done Ibrance but I was approved through my insurance. The creepy thing is I’m getting calls from some nurse in Toronto emails etc on when I wil be starting it. Really hard sell its time the pharmaceutical industry was brought to task and the BC government needs to cover it period. I think it will be covered very soon but hey what do I know😊 let’s hope
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Wendy, I would not call it creepy if you have been approved. It is her job. Probably the same woman who called me in August and helped me through the process of finding out if I was covered and helped me with a conference call with our insurer. I am not apologizing for Pfizer and their employees so don't get me wrong. I am paying attention to what these wonderful young women are doing to help themselves~~one has US insurance but she has helped to make this front and center.
I do believe it will soon be covered.
Mandytam,I hope you have found info on the transfer~~I and a brief read awhile back and since your mom has such severe LE this might be a god chose. Mine is called severe but it is nothing like what you describe. It is such a difficult thing and I can only assume that she is getting treatment, wearing a sleeve, etc.? I only saw an RMT expert last week for the first time and feel so inadequately educated Something as simple as washing our sleeves every night for instance makes a difference as the mesh clogs up with body oil, sweat and so on. My concern for many is the cost. RMT'sare not covered by my insurance but I can afford it~~with all the other costs for those with only MSP all I can say is that I hope your mom can access all she needs.
Roseanne, I had to wait 7 weeks for my lumpectomy after core biopsy~~summer got in the way for holidays throughout the system. Christmas is usually the same. The waiting game as I call it, is the worst. Hoping you get in sooner. Pathology results often take 3 weeks. May I suggest you check other threads for basic answers as often there are really good answers on the process.
It is so good to see all of you here helping each other. For quite a while, it was very quiet. My heart goes out to each and every one of you, having been there 5+ years ago and on through the years.
Ah, almost forgot about the 3D nipples. Ossa has them and those of us who have seen them can tell you they look so real we all wanted (and did) to touch them I know someone else to who had hers done near Campbell River. My PS suggested "Steve the Breadman" in Squamish. Vinny is famous in the US. Google him and you can see some great work.
Marian
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Does anyone know if breast reduction after lumpectomy and rads is covered by medical? I did several Google searches nad cannot find a definitve answer. I see that reconstruction is covered, but no mention of after cancer reduction.
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I have not spoken to my GP about it. I have changed doctors mid-stream with all this and me and new doc have not really has a good sit down, meet and greet. Need to. Will see what I find out them. But I find people on this forum often are as informed about what's available, or not, as the doctors are!
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runor, I don't know what's covered. If you're in BC you can try searching here http://www.bccancer.bc.ca/our-services/patient-guide/fair-pharmacare
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runor, I think it might be covered but needs pre-approval
(I think lumpectomies are technically called partial mastectomies in the fee guide)"Reduction Mammoplasty
• Reduction Mammoplasty is a benefit for female patients only, where there is significant associated symptomatology such as intertrigo, neck or back pain or shoulder grooving. Ptosis and/or size are not sufficient grounds for MSP coverage of reduction mammoplasty. Mastopexy is not normally covered by MSP.
• Unilateral reduction mammoplasty may be a benefit of MSP if there is gross disproportion present, or in association with approved unilateral augmentation mammoplasty or post mastectomy reconstruction of the contralateral breast.
• MSP authorization is required. "
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Hmmm. Well even if they don't approve me because of the cancer surgery (and radiation changes too), I have lifetime monster grooves in my shoulders from my bras. They are permanent. No one can deny that these boobs are too big! Well, one of them sure is. Thanks ladies.
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My daughter had a breast reduction at 19 it was covered. My sister had implants after her surgery and it was also covered by BC medical.
The Pfizer calls were every other day for about three weeks it felt like stalking . Along with a ton of emails I ended up having to phone there and complain. It was all about the money as far as I was concerned. I will try and hold out on the Ibrance until it’spaid for
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Hello fellow west coasters!!
I've already made my own thread for this, but it was suggested that I try asking here, too.
I'm in Vancouver and being treated at the main BC Cancer location. I'm scheduled to start chemo in two weeks, and I want to use cold caps to keep my hair, but I can't seem to get a straight answer on if I'm allowed to use them.
The oncologist was a jerk about it when I asked him and turned me down flat, said cooling caps are banned, my surgeon had told me that scalp cooling is available here and the nurse wasn't sure but didn't think it would be a problem. Three different health care professionals in the cancer system, three different answers.
My question for you is, is anyone here in Vancouver currently using cold caps, or has anyone used them here recently?? How did you go about doing it, who did you contact to make it happen, and what kind of cold caps did you use??
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Hi wrenn!
Do you know who I might contact in the chemo unit to ask if I'd be allowed?? I've already been in touch with the brand I want to use, and I know the expense and onus is all on me, I just don't want to shell out thousand of dollars (that I don't have) for this only to show up with it and have them refuse to let me use it, that's a huge concern of mine.
I'm hesitant to just call and ask around because I haven't had a good experience with the Cancer Agency so far, lots of miscommunication on their part that has left me unhappy and very uneasy about this whole process, so if I knew just who to talk to, specifically, or what extension to call, that would help.
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Hello,
Thought some of you might find this article interesting re: Ibrance and tumour marker testing that doesn't happen in Canada. The article seems to imply these are for stage 4 ... so if you don't want to read it, that's OK.
It's a CBC article about "A tale of 2 friends with breast cancer" where 1 has coverage and the other is forced to pay. The one forced to pay lives in B.C.
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Hi AnxietyGirl,
Welcome, and I'm sorry you have to be here. I didn't use a cold cap so I'm not able to help.
I'm wondering where you can purchase the cold cap, what is their return policy? If you never use it, can you get a full refund?
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I'm not on this site much now that it has been a few years and I'm doing well. I hope you're all doing well too!! I didn't read through all the messages, but thought if more people knew about Ibrance in B.C./Canada can lobby for it, for those with stage 4.
I make sure to get some sunlight/daylight whenever possible and not to work too much. I hope you're all getting a chance to enjoy some sun.
Best wishes.
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FYI: Ibrance will be getting covered through BC Cancer Agency very soon.
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Runor, my breast reduction was covered. I had it 3,? Months after mx
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THank you, Stellamaris. Was it covered as part of cancer treatment or was it under a different reason? Like, boobs causing upper body problems?
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Hi NewDay123,
I wanted to wait until I knew if I would be allowed to use it before I spent the money and made the arrangements, since it's all a big hassle and I can't really handle any more of that in my life these days! Trying to keep this all streamlined.
Then I spoke to the Cancer Agency and they turned me down flat, cooling caps are banned in all of their chemo units, end of discussion, so now it doesn't matter anymore. I'm doomed to lose my hair, there's nothing I can do about it.
It would be hard enough if it was available and I couldn't afford it, but it seems exceptionally unfair that I'm willing and ready to put myself into debt for this and the Powers That Be are actively preventing me from doing it, it's almost like they ENJOY seeing their patients lose their hair. >:((Apologies if I seem angry, I am right now, it's just all too much to cope with at the moment.)
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Oh that's a bummer AnxietyGirl. I'm sorry you didn't get the answer you wanted. I saw a news story from 2014 about it and I guess they're still not budging. http://www.metronews.ca/news/vancouver/2014/07/17/...
Do you know yet when you're starting chemo?
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I start next Wednesday, Valentine's Day, which has always been my least-favourite day of the year (ask me about my Valentine's Day horror stories, ugh). The irony isn't lost on me. It's times like this when it's hard to believe that the universe doesn't have it in for me.
I've been in touch with the Canadian distributor for the Paxman system and she's suggesting that I go to the media with it (CBC and CTV), but I start chemo in 6 days, I'm already exhausted and incredibly fragile from all the stress, I work very long days with no time or privacy to make phone calls to sort this out, and I'm doing everything in my power to keep this diagnosis private, it's all so much, I just don't think I have it in me to tackle this by myself right now.
It shouldn't have to be this hard. Cancer is hard enough all on its own, there's no need for those in power to make it more difficult for us.
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Anxiety, are there no other places? I don't know the Canadan health care systems but maybe you could come the US? In Seattle maybe?
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Hi gurlers!
Might have a rotten recurrence coming up and so I'm doing my homework.
If I had to go to surrey who would you recommend for MO and RO. Not wanting to get too excited and ticked off yet but not being in dark either.
I went on ratesdoctors website but there are not to many recommedations and fvcc surrey website has no MO/RO profiles to view. I called about their profilesand they are clueless.
I'm cancer savvy and I need a mo that can match my questions and research.Bed side manner and patience would be a plus. Not blow me off in five minutes.
Many years ago I saw dr chia at bcca who is arrogant as all but a smart cookie with my stage three hockey puck size ILC tumor. He does know what he is doing but I'm not sure if I want to travel one hour into town to see him if I'm in for the long haul.
Thx in advance.
Anyone know when Ibrance is approved?
Hey all I wish you well!
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Oh Hugz, I hate to hear this. I am hoping it is all a horrible mistake. You sound like you have your ducks in a row. Hope you don't need them. Prayers.
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Thx runor. I like to be prepared. I know the recommendations from our girls speak volumes.
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Hi Hugs4u. I don't think that Ibrance is approved yet. The last I heard it Pfizer was in negotiations with the BCCA but I don't know if there has been a final outcome. I was able to access it through my extended health when I was initially on it. I had to stop due to severe anemia but my MO is now thinking we may try again at a lower dose. I'm not sure if access will be an issue for me now.
As to oncologists in Surrey... sorry I have no suggestions as I am on the island. I don't know how easy it is to request someone in any event. Our system isn't really designed around choice. Fortunately, I think the world of my MO.
Pat
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Ibrance on its way. Negotiations are complete. Now for each province to sign off and approve individually. I was told it could still be months. But there is also Ribociclib trial in the meantime (pretty sure you get the drug. Or letrozole alone.
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