Tina, could you change the name of a tumor to something else. LOL. Tom.

Sorry Don if I am confusing you. I have changed my profile a bit. I had biopsies at two spots in the spring of 2013. Then in late October 2013, I had a larger biopsy on the upper spot.

At this point, the Vancouver Cancer Centre has had the October biopsy for about two weeks. I am unsure as to where the actual sample is.

On Nov 19 in Prince George, I had the CT and MRI (no biopsy). On Nov. 20th I met the oncologist at the PG Cancer Centre. He set up a PET scan in Vancouver for Dec 2,2013.

Thanks. So you have a solid diagnosis and now you are in the process of establishing your treatment options and they want to do more scans the get more details before finalizing your treatment. That is how it seems to me. Hang in there, the wait is a drag but take comfort that you are getting lots of eyes and brains on you case and will end up with the best treatment options. Don

Thanks to tina77, PaulB, n74tg, Cheryld, and Tom O'Sullivan for replying. I have to get outside working as winter is advancing.

The Prince George(PG)Cancer Centre was brand new in November of 2012. It was built to serve the northern part of the Province of BC, and Yukon Territory. It has all new equipment. Google "How big is BC" for some comparison graphics. I live midway between PG and the Pacific Coast in a town of about 5000. PG has about 70,000. The Cancer Centre is adjacent to the hospital which is a teaching hospital attached to the University of Northern BC in PG.

The PET/CT scanner, however, is located in Vancouver BC. PG is a 4 1/2 hour drive each way for me. Vancouver then, is about 10 hours drive south of PG. So, my road time to Vancouver is almost 15 hours, or 1 1/2 hours on a droning turboprop Dash8 aircraft. We get used to waiting for things in this part of North America. The BC people further north of me have things even worse, not to mention folks in the Yukon and Alaska.

n74tg, as for options outside the Canadian medical system, I know they exist, if you can pay. Domestically there are huge legal battles whenever someone tries to start a private clinic outside the gov't system. As a Poli-Sci major, I will leave it there. In order to say more, I would have to know much more about how the Cdn system works. A better understanding of the US, and several other nations' systems, would also be helpful for any informed discussion.

I hope this makes my geographical situation more relevent to the timelines I posted. Thanks again everone.

Hello Carp:

Yes, the other thing I remember about working in Canada, was everything was a long, long drive away. Grande Prairie to Revelstoke was like a 12 hour drive.

Ain't life grande.

Ive been reading this over the past couple days and have not posted yet. I was unsure of your diagnosis so didnt comment. If I am understanding your posts, currently you have not yet diagnosed with OC. After a couple more tests you are expecting to get your diagnosis. Is this correct?

Let me at least say welcome to OCF. If you are diagnosed with OC then Im certain we will be able to assist you. Until that time, live it up and try to stay busy. Waiting is the worst!

Good luck!

[quote=Tom O'Sullivan]Tina, could you change the name of a tumor to something else. LOL. Tom. [/quote]

Sorry Tom - the name fit "Tom the tumor" - for some reason it had to be a man, and it had no "r" or "s" involved, lol!

Tina too funnny!!!!

Tom I appreciate the distance.. I'm Canadian... I totally get it. I am however blessed enough to be close to Toronto and Princess Margaret Hospital. If you ever do decide to get treatment in Vanc - be aware that there is likely a hope lodge you can stay at during your treatment - most people spend 5 days a week there and head home on weekends though I think you could just stay the whole time if need be. Don't let distance be a determining factor - your survival is more important. And damn you must be COLD!!!! Brrrr... hugs.

Thanks to all who have responded to my introduction. Please do not add anymore to this as I am going to start a thread over on Currently in Treatment.

Carpe Diem

Greetings to the newbies here. I am sorry you are here, if you indeed have OC, but on the other hand this is probably the best place to get info from people who truly know what they are talking about.

I am bumping this to the top to let folks know my future posts will be on "Currently in Treatment." I hope to be able to contribute by making suggestions about some of the more mundane issues newbies face, such as approaching the board, food, surgery logistics etc. Good luck.