Canadians in British Columbia
Comments
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Hi BluGene, are you referring to the Jim Pattison Outpatient Centre near Surrey Memorial Hospital? I had my double mastectomy there in August. I went to the Breast Health Clinic for my stereotactic core biopsies and was referred to Dr. Zih for further action. He is a general surgeon (I opted for no reconstruction so didn't have a plastic surgeon). Previous lumpectomy (6 years ago) was done by Dr. Rhonda Janzen.
They arrange a “mastectomy class” where you will be shown how to manage the drains you will have after your surgery. They give you a couple of very soft little pillows for using in the car (where seat belt touches your chest) or wherever needed. There will be a physiotherapist who will give you a list of post-surgical exercises and measure your fingers and arms (they follow up at intervals after your surgery to make sure they catch any lymphedema that might develop). I was sent home in a kind of stretchy boob tube thing with a front Velcro closing that has a place to pin the drains. I found all the staff at Jim Pattisonkind and caring.
Hope this is helpful info for you. Happy to answer any questions you might have!
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Hi BluGene
I have been to Jim Pattison...from initial diagnosis, lumpectomy ....i had Dr Janzen, who is very quick in her appointments and can be matter of fact (I guess she sees it all the time) but she’s very pleasant and very good at what she does..so don’t be put off my her speed.
She did my lumpectomy and checking 3 nodes....there was no problem....got very clear margins on a small lump and I had no positive nodes. But I told her I would be back ...as I always said if I got Breast Cancer I would have them off! She said wait and see.
Then I went to the Cancer Agency to discuss treatment. The oncologist will decide whats next..I didn’t need heavy chemo but had Taxol for a short time and then it, as well as Herceptin. Depends on what kind of breast cancer you have. I’m also on medication for my ER/PR + type.
After the first part of chemo I went back to the Surgeon at Jim Pattison and discussed a Double Mastectomey and went ahead with it. Its a very personal decison. Absolutely no one can make it but YOU.
I’m about 5 months since i had it and am glad I did..but then I’m 69 so my breasts hadserved me well. I did not get reconstruction.
Take it easy..don’t jump too far ahead untill you know whats what. Sorry I’m a little long winded in my reply..
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Dr Zih was my surgeon but I had my surgery at Surrey Memorial. Dr Zih works at both SMH & Pattison and I think where he does surgeries depends on the roster and the scheduling space because when I was being originally booked in they had a date for me but no location.
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Hi Go Away (great tag name) & BluGene;
Wish you both the best outcomes. You have to come to the right place. I can't overstate how much these ladies saved me through this terrible process. Lots of good support and info. Would've been so much worse without them.
I had a Mx at Mount St Joe's on May 1st and am skd'd for revision surgery on Nov 26th w a new PS.
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Hi Go Away, BluGene
Welcome. We will be your support along the way. You got this
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Hi everyone,
Thanks for the responses!
Akmom- yes that is the place! I’ve already done all the diagnostics and partial mastectomy here, so I believe I am going for a consult regarding the double mastectomy as I told my surgeon that is definitely the route I want to go, especially if it avoid surgery radiation. Do you know if this clinic discusses such things, or would it be about surgery only? I’m a bit confused as to who I’m supposed to talk to about what at this time.
How long was it from consult to surgery for you? How has your recovery been? Are you considering any reconstruction? A co-worker went through this about 7 years ago and said she was up and ready to go back to work in a mere couple weeks. I’m curious what your abilities were, or when you felt up to your usual light tasks?
Thank you!!
Eily- Thanks for sharing your experience! It sounds pretty positive. Funny how we Just “know” things sometimes. I knew I had cancer from the moment I had my last mammo, and the radiologist pointed out a lump I hadn’t noticed. It felt different, and she said my microcalcs have changed since last year and were clustering. I walked out and I knew. Or at least I knew that I was on the path of a new journey. After I did genetic testing a year ago, and found out I have a cancer gene along with extensively family history, I did some research on the different types of cancer, and it actually made me less scared. I knew that because they started screening me and were doing diagnostic screening at an age of 33, that they could find it early if it happened. Then my husband and I had a few conversations with my genetics counsellor, and we came up with a plan. Little did I know then that the timeline would be forced many years early. Although I’m nervous, I’m also at peace with it. And grateful for early detection!
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Moth, NVDobie and BlueSky,
Thanks for the encouragement!
Moth - thanks for the heads up on the two hospitals. That could help with any possible confusion ! Looks like your surgery and treatment started a while ago. How are you doing now? How was your radiation treatment? Thanks for sharing!
BlueSky- are you sharing what kind of revision you are getting? The 26th is soon! How did you find the expander from your previous surgery?
Thanks again, all
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Blugene - radiation was easy for me. I was given a choice between mastectomy or lumpectomy + rads (which was recommended by the BS) and I chose the latter.
The 5 months of chemo otoh sucked and my white blood cell counts are still recovering as my bone marrow really did not like chemo. I tried to frame it positively as indicating that chemo was really working on me but who knows.... Radiation was easy compared to chemo. I started back in school while still doing radiation and didn't really feel the fatigue that many people experience. It was just annoying having to drive the extra distance and home, rads, school were a huge inconvenient triangle so I was constantly stuck in traffic somewhere for those weeks. I caught up on lots of podcasts and audio books lol. I'm 7 weeks post rads. My skin is fine, just a bit tanned looking. I have a bit of cording in my arm but the stretches and exercises that the physio prescribed have been making a difference and I've been told this will pass very quickly and it's not really impacting my life at all right now other than I have to do the extra stretches.
I'm not just back to normal life, I'm at normal life +++++! I was diagnosed during final exams in Dec 2017 but I was only taking 2 classes then. Now I'm in school full time in a pretty intense bachelor of science nursing program, and we adopted a second dog in the spring. I like to do training & dog sports so my dog hobbies are time intensive, and I'm increasing the amount of time I exercise in addition to all that. Plus I'm trying to sleep >8h every night and meditate and read and do my creative writing. The house is a mess because cleaning never makes it to the to do list
Life is good! The cancer still makes me mad some days - I whine that I don't have time for this!!!! - but I remind myself I don't have time for anger either!
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Hi BluGene, both times I did not see a radiation or medical oncologist until after surgery; they don't really know what is in there for sure until they have the post surgery pathology report. My first experience was lumpectomy and 'only' DCIS was found. Radiation was recommended, I believe due to the grade (2). Then the second time, when DCIS was found on both sides, the surgeon said I would have to have MX for the radiated side for sure. I could have had lumpectomy and rads again on the left, but opted for double MX. And they found invasive cancer on the right side after all, which is why I am now on aromatase inhibitors. You can always ask to speak with an oncologist before making your decision. But it sounds like you are pretty much decided on the double mastectomy, in which case you will get a better idea of appropriate follow up treatment once you have the final pathology.
I do suggest you speak to your surgeon ahead of time about the pros and cons for doing a sentinel or axillary lymph node biopsy at the time of your surgery. Dr. Zih was confident that I had DCIS only and did not do even the sentinel node biopsy. And it's too late now, so I have the worry (albeit slight) about whether the cancer has spread beyond the breast tissue. I know the odds are low, but my friend found a lump on her chest wall that turned out to be breast cancer, 16 years after her double mastectomy. So I know the possibility exists.
Re: timing - biopsy was done July 4, consult with Dr. Zih was July 17, surgery was August 14. It probably could have been even sooner; I told Dr. Zih at the outset that I did not want reconstruction, but he suggested that I consult a plastic surgeon regardless, just to know my options. The PS appointment was made for August 30, but after thinking it over for a week I called back and said to cancel the PS, just go ahead and schedule the mastectomy.
Recovery has been straightforward; only used painkillers the day after the surgery and was diligent about the exercises so my range of motion is good. I am not considering reconstruction; so far I am feeling comfortable going flat. (I did purchase prosthetic breast forms and bras last week. Pharmacare will pay for the prosthetics but depending on your income, there could be a pretty high deductible to be met first. Mine was higher than the cost of the forms, but I can apply to my extended health plan for a partial reimbursement. I am already having second thoughts about buying them as I doubt I will wear them much.)
I didn't have to think about going back to work (retired 2 years ago). Not sure how soon I would have been ready. I think it was about three weeks before I felt like driving, but I probably could have started sooner. Luckily my husband is also retired so was on hand for driving duties (also shopping, cooking, cleaning etc., bless his heart). If I was still working, I think I would have taken at least a month off; even though I would have been physically able to do the actual activity sooner (desk job), I would have found it emotionally exhausting. I am a lot older than you (63) and finding it harder to 'bounce back' to my normal self. For example, I had been walking at least an hour a day prior to surgery but am finding it hard to work myself up to that long of a walk - if I can even get myself out the door at all!
Hope this helps answer some of your questions. Keep posting questions as you think of them; I am more than happy to 'pay back' the great support and information I have received from others on this site
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Meant to add, it's my understanding that sentinel and axillary node biopsies increase the risk of lymphedema. That's why I didn't object when Dr. Zih said there was no need in my case. So it was a trade off between low risk of lymphedema and worry about whether cancer has spread.
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Hi again BluGene....and akmom, wrenn....
I meant to add that Dr Rhonda Janzen, who I had, does surgery at both Jim Pattison and Delta Hospital. I had both Lumpectomy and BMX at Delta..small hosptial..nice new Day Surgery are though. I don’t know how they allocate what Dr you see? Do you know what surgeon you have an appointment for?
As an RN myself (daughter a nurse educator and son in law a Dr)...I like to know how many years they've been doing Breast Surgery. Many of the surgeons are General Surgeons and its good to get an idea of how long they’ve been doing Breast Surgery. For my timeline..i had an appointment with Dr Janzen for my biopsy Nov 7 2017, results Nov 16, Lumpectomy Nov 28......then after the chemo part BMX May 29 2018.
I went on every cancellation list I could . and offered to go to either place for my surgery which sped things up a bit.
I hope you’re not getting too much info now ;-)
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BCO LUNCH INVITATION
Dear BCO sisters in BC,
Several people have asked if we could get together and meet in November. I checked with a few people and we have come up with a plan.
We could meet for late lunch at Cactus Club at Broadway and Ash. (Near BCCA Vancouver. I used to meet my friend here when we were having rads together 🙂.) They have vegan options.They can put tables together for ten people, or we can have adjacent booths for up to 14.
Those who are working have asked for this to be on the weekend. Saturday seems the best day and it is quieter in the restaurant that day. It is very close to the Broadway Canada Line station and parking should be easier on the weekend.
I hope you can join us on:
SATURDAY NOVEMBER 24
1:00-3:00 pm
CACTUS CLUB, BROADWAY AND ASH
VANCOUVER
Please let me know If you can make it by Wednesday November 7 and I will make the reservation.
I hope you can come. It would be wonderful to meet you in person!
❤️
DearLife (Pearl)
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I will be there! I hosted potlucks for Vancouver and all over the mainland plus Vancouver Island three years in a row ending a couple of years ago. We moved to Victoria 2017 just in time to be diagnosed with metatastic breast cancer that summer. I look forward to seeing old friends and meeting new friends.
Right now I am enjoying an amazing cruise on the Danube with my husband and two wonderful friends. Having had to give up leading treks and tours in the Himalaya has been very difficult but this tour has really been a bonus.
Marian
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hi! Are we on for the Nov 24th meet up in Bancouver? I’m in
. Look forward to seeing r eryine0 -
Are you excited Leanna~~Thought maybe the spelling was the cause.
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I will try to change my shift as I am working ar 2:30 that day Would love to see you all again
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Hi Koshka
Yes, we are ON for lunch on: Saturday Nov. 24, 1:00 pm, Cactus Club, Broadway and Ash.
Thanks to all who have replied so far. Six have confirmed since yesterday 😃.
You can send me a PM or just reply on this thread.
Please try and join us, newbies and oldies. It will be great to meet everyone!
❤️
DearLife (Pearl)
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Dearlife (Pearl)
Awesome! Thanks for organizing it. I will be there.April
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On follow up mammogram:
How important it is to go back to the lab that did your diagnostic mammogram? I did mine at a private lab in North Van, my only ever mammogram in that location. They made mistake on the result, left breast vs, right breast so not high on my confidence. Then did my ultrasound guided biopsy at Lion's gate.
One of Rad oncologist said I should do all the mammogram at BCCA so they have good comparisons. Then another rad concologist said I should go back to either the private lab or the Lion's Gate since they have the historic scan.
Will BCCA bother to look at it if I am able to get them a digital copy of historic scan?
How are you ladies managing your follow up mammograms?
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I'll come to the lunch! I hope a lot of us can make it. Thanks for organizing it all Pearl!
m
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Yay Moth, NVDobie, Walden, MarianElizabeth, Koshka, Wrenn and hopefully Ossa! That makes eight of us so far.
We have room for more - if you haven't already done so, let me know if you can join us!
1:00 pm Saturday Nov. 24, Cactus Club, Broadway and Ash
❤️
DearLife (Pearl)
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Thanks for organizing. Yes I’ll be there too. Looking forward to meeting you.
An
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Hi, just saw this today, would be interested in meeting up with the group again on the 24th, if too late for reservations could my name be added to a wait list?
Kathryn (in Coq
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Hi Kathy and Pots
No, not too late! I’m happy you can make it. I added your names to the list. We have ten now!
Still room for 4 more so anyone else?
❤️
Pearl (DearLife
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hi, both Ase and I are attending...,,,,
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Sorry for the late RSVP, but I will attend also Pearl, if there is still room.
Kerry
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Same! I'm looking forward to it. Thanks for organizing it
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Yay BlueSky and Van2018 (Kerry)! We are now 13. Room for one more.
(I can also try and reserve another booth if more want to join us. I know some people only visit BCO once in a while. Just let me know ASAP.)
It will be fun to see you all!
❤️
Pearl
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I am pretty sure Stacey, Can’t remember her Bcaa name, will want to come. As you know I am away in Europe and I’m trying to get a hold of her but please add her for now and I will let you know ASAP if she will in fact be able to come. She has come to all the others so I feel that she will want to be with us.
Maria
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Hi Marian. I will add Stacey to the list. We are now 14 for lunch on Nov. 24 😃. Two booths full.
Enjoy the rest of your trip!
❤️
Pearl
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