topic Re: New member saying hello in Treatments and side effects

New member saying hello

Tassie_Devil — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 00:26:30 GMT

Hi. I am new here. I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in August this year and would love to connect with anyone using this website. I am originally from the UK - we emigrated here 4 years ago - and although my hubby & son, friends, and colleagues here have all been terrific, I don't know anyone who has had a cancer experience to share the highs & lows with. It would be great to meet some like minded buddies in cyber space!.

Re: New member saying hello

Jules2 — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 05:23:15 GMT

Hi Tassie Devil Welcome to the site and I hope you get what you need out of it. 🙂 I am originally from the UK (many moons ago), ex Brightonian here. Have you finished treatment yet? Oh, incidentally we had some tassie devils that escaped a zoo about 50km up the road from me. They managed to recapture them all. It had me giggling a bit as they got two and one was still on the run. haha Alas, he got caught aswell and they are all back in the zoo. Julie

Re: New member saying hello

Tassie_Devil — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 07:12:25 GMT

Hi Julie, Great to hear from you. We were living in Ely (Cambridgeshire)before coming down to Australia - love it here though. Probably been to Brighton only a couple of times. How long have you been in Oz?. I guess I am really at the beginning of my cancer journey. I have had one op - but when they opened me up the cancer was too big for a successful outcome so I've had to have 3 rounds of chemo before they will do the big op which is happening in about 2 weeks (probably a 9 hour job). Feeling a bit apprehensive about it but have a lot of faith in the surgeon. Found the chemo o.k. so far but each round is different so waiting to see what round 4 will bring. Loved your story about Tassie devils!. They are such lovely animals. Here in Tas if they are on the run it probably means they will be fighting the facial tumour disease. Well, gotta run to get tea sorted!. Bye for now. Caroline

Re: New member saying hello

Jules2 — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 08:48:28 GMT

Hi Caroline I have been here since 67 being a ten pound pom!! 🙂 I found chemo not too bad either. I hope that round 4 is as good to you as the others have been. Not uncommon these days to hear of people having chemo before operations to remove tumours. Sounds like a big sleep for you. I don't remember how long my op was for my first cancer. It was a fairly major one so I guess it took a while. Must try and find out. I did have a giggle at the escaping tassie devils as I had this image of these snarling furry things conspiring together to hide out before they got caught. I believe the facial tumours is a real problem and they have a breeding in captivity program to try and preserve the species. I could be remembering totally incorrectly though. Hope your dinner was ok I am avoiding doing that here and might try and talk my son into cooking something. Take care Julie

Re: New member saying hello

kasianne — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 09:58:23 GMT

HI Tassie I am also from the UK arriving just over 3 years ago and I can say the cancer journey was not on my new life agenda. It sucks and I have to say I had chemo prior to my major op last Christmas and the outcome was very positive as there was no evidence of cancer in my esophagus or lymph nodes that were removed so it worked for me and hopefully it will for you to. I was on the table for 12 hours and then had to be rushed back down for a further 3 hours the following day due to my stomach not liking its move. It was all very daunting and I was working myself up about the whole situation but then I sat and looked at my husband who was very supportive and my adult daughters and realised I had the easy bit really,whilst they were all waiting for the phone call to say I was back from theatre and every minute seeming like an hour I was completely oblivious. IT is tough to get around mentally such major surgery but once it was over I had no option but to just work on getting better, which I have to say I am now. Having issues with my remaining ovary too as it was supposed to remain dormant after the chemo but has decided to grow something on it and cause me to bleed. So far all the tests are coming back negative for cancer so when they remove it in two weeks the result will be the same. Good luck and hope everything goes well for you and your family. Kasianne

Re: New member saying hello

Tassie_Devil — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 19:35:46 GMT

Hi Kasianne, So great to hear from you.Which part of the UK are you from?. Most of my family are in Hampshire (Andover) and Berkshire (Newbury). I know - Cancer was not what I expected in our new life down under, but then I thank my lucky stars that it has happened here and not back in the UK as the oncology services here in Tassie are fantastic & I have access to private health care here (which is affordable) which would not have been possible in the UK (totally unaffordable!). I know I am getting worked up about this operation and I also know it will be fine. I guess it is just the length of time that it is going to take & I suppose a fear that I am going to croak it on the table!. My hubby is a GP here and has been great taking on all the domestic stuff and keeping me on the straight & narrow re infection control etc so I don't want to burden him with my silly fears. He has enough on his plate with loads of very sick patients at work plus a bus man's holiday when he gets home!. I arranged him a boys night out tonight with 2 of his mates. Curry, beer and some male bonding is what he needs. He has tried to get out of it, but as social conventions dictate that he will look a right woos if he pulls out now, he has no option but to go!. It will do him good to try and chill out. I really hope that your remaining ovary does not turn out to be turning to the dark side !!. I have my fingers crossed for you. Thanks for replying to my posting. I hope we can keep in touch. Take care. Caroline

Re: New member saying hello

Tassie_Devil — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 19:49:12 GMT

Hi Julie, Great to hear from you. A ten pound pom eh??!!.You must be a true Aussie by now!. I have just become an Aussie citizen and just waiting for my Passport to turn up. Somehow it doesn't feel as though I am an Aussie until I get the Passport in my hand... still waiting but DFAT e-mailed yesterday to say it is on its way!. My 17 year old son has no clue about cooking - but likes to eat whatever is put in front of him!!. He is a good lad. Somehow he has managed to keep his studies going throughout the last couple of months when our lives turned upside down. He sits his first set of TCEs a week after my op so we are hoping that his good run continues and he is able to get the results he deserves. He wants to do medicine (like his Dad) so it is going to be a long, tough haul to get there. Going now to take my mad dog out for the first of his 3 walks of the day. We got him from the RSPCA a few years ago. He is soppy as but isn't too great with small white dogs which seem to send him into a frenzy!. Unfortunately every other dog around here is..you've guessed it... small and white!!. Oh well, keeps me on my toes. Hope we can stay in touch. Take care, Caroline

Re: New member saying hello

kasianne — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 20:04:34 GMT

Hi Caroline I am from Hereford but was in the Army many moons ago and spent a lot of time at Andover and my husbands sister lives in near reading not to far from Newbury. MY husband was fantastic throughout the whole cancer thing, I couldnt eat or drink for a while and he was brilliant at the technical stuff around feeding tubes etc. I had to be fed over night for a period of time and even though I offered to sleep in another room with the machine making a click click noise all night he would not hear of it. Trying to get him to go out for a drink was a nightmare which I thought was ironic really as he would go to work all day but did not want to leave me to look after myself in the evening. I agree I am so glad this happened to me over here and not in the UK I dread to think of the outcome if I had been there, I used the public health system here on the reciprocal system and I cannot fault any of the care I have received even to this ovary thing going on now, which I am sure will be fine as all the indications are it will be and if not well off we go again. Too much to live for my daughter has just had baby so need to spoil her and any more that come my way. Your operation will be fine and I am sure you will be surprised how quick you recover and I know your fears about croaking it on the table but then I thought to myself I shouldn't worry about it as I wont know anything as I would already be asleep, it is those I leave behind I would felt sorry for. Hope all goes well Karen

Re: New member saying hello

Jules2 — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 01:59:30 GMT

Hi Caroline I am as fair dinkum as they get. hehe Roll on the arrival of your passport, I still operate under a UK one and have never been naturalised. In some ways I don't feel it is necessary as I have lived in Aus longer than I did in the UK. Of course the powers that be don't always see it the same way. It is normal to feel apprehensive before an operation. I felt that way and was just plain scared pretty much all the way through. Of course I had periods of normality to ensure my sanity remained somewhat intact. Good for your son for being able to keep his studies up. My son wasn't able to do that unfortunately. Perhaps your son will learn to cook a few things ... could be part of distraction therapy for him. Most kids eat what is put in front of them at that age and are often bottomless pits. I hope his exams go well for him and that he isnt too distracted. There are things that you can do if that does occur and we have a couple of teachers on here that could tell you about that. I hope your mad dog appreciated his walk! 🙂 I have a slightly eccentric smart lamb who can open fly wire doors. His name is Sid and he likes chocolate and he is a bit of a fatty poomba. In fact he just likes food fullstop! He plays footy quite well and can headbutt the ball with the best of them. Ok, I have a day off today and I should be doing things that are more productive like cleaning ... not sure I can get motivated but I should try. Talk to you later. Julie ps Hiya to Kasianne too .... you and Caroline have a lot in common being relatively new to aus ... 🙂

Re: New member saying hello

Tassie_Devil — Sat, 27 Oct 2012 02:32:53 GMT

Hi Karen, It really is such a small world isn't it?. I wonder how you found Andover when you used to go there - I spent most of my teenage years trying to get out of the place!!. How fantatsic that you have just become a Grandmother. You are so right - life is to be lived to the max. I hope you enjoy your beautiful new grand child. Feeling better about the Op. Seeing both the Oncologist & Gynae Oncologist next week so can ask any questions then plus it will be week 3 after chemo which is a week of almost normality for me!. Take care. Bye for now. Caroline

Re: New member saying hello

Tassie_Devil — Sat, 27 Oct 2012 02:43:59 GMT

Hi Julie, Having a good day today and feeling better about the op which is good. My Taj (dog) would love to meet Sid as he is bonkers about playing with balls!!. Have covered things off with the Tasmanian Qualifications Authority to cover a situation of border-line exam results. Hopefully we won't need this help, but just in case things are now (hopefully) in place. To be honest at the moment I think a bigger distraction risk is his renewed interest in girls...well one in particular!. Just got to get him through November and then we can all relax!!. Hope your day off was not too filled with chores!!. Well, better go. Bye for now, Caroline

Re: New member saying hello

Jules2 — Sun, 28 Oct 2012 08:28:56 GMT

Hi Caroline GLad to hear you are feeling a little better about your surgery. It is always good I think to be able to share with others that are going through, or have gone through simliar experiences. Your dog sounds delightful and I am sure he and Sid would race to the ball quick smart. Sid's ball is not quite dog sized to grab but he might have fun trying to get it anyway. That might be a good thing that your son is somewhat distracted and hopefully a bit supported aswell. Good that you have sorted something out just in case things go skewiff a tad. Had a goodish day yesterday and today has been ok aswell. Think we might get some rain tomorrow so we are getting a lot of midgies at the mo. Julie

Re: New member saying hello

kasianne — Sun, 28 Oct 2012 11:29:26 GMT

HI Caroline Andover - I can understand why you wanted out of there as there wasn't much there although most of my time was spent at the army depot there. My granddaughter is wonderful and I cannot wait to be more involved in her life, a little limited at the moment with my daughter breast feeding and all I end up with the calming a crying baby to sleep and the dirty nappies but all so worth it. I had a 4 week break between the end of mu chemo and my op but then I had a cycle of very strong chemo one week and two with continuous chemo 5 FU though a PICC line so it was 7 weeks form the last big hit of chemo. I was just starting to get my hair back looking really hot with a fluffy grey covering. I am in the tropics so I have to say I spent the hottest days of the summer, as reported to me, in hospital in free air con so it wasn't all bad it also encourages people to visit for a free cooling down hour. I don't envy you the operation at all but before you know it you will be on the better side of it. I am sure your son will be fine through it all form my experience he will focus on his exams as a distraction from confronting his feelings on what you are going through, these teenagers are tough cookies and find their own ways through these things. You concentrate on yourself and you will be fine, it is time to be a little bit selfish. All the best and my thoughts are with you Karen

Re: New member saying hello

The_Rowan — Sun, 28 Oct 2012 19:40:40 GMT

Hi Caroline, welcome to the site. You may like to join the Gynocological Cancer Group. This is a group of members from this site that have all had some form of Gynocological cancer. We have a monthly online chat (the next one is set for 7pm on Monday 5th November) that is very informative and very friendly. If you woul like to join in, please apply to become a member, then join us on the 5th for our chat. Leah

Re: New member saying hello

Tassie_Devil — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 07:00:34 GMT

Hi Leah, Thanks for this. I have sent a membership request. Look forward to the on-line chat on the 5th. Caroline

Re: New member saying hello

The_Rowan — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 10:29:13 GMT

See you there Tassie.

Re: New member saying hello

luvmymum — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 11:06:10 GMT

Hi, this is scary for me. My mum has just been diagnosed with mediastinal adenocarcinoma secondary. The tumor is between her aorta and trachea and she has lost her voice.

Re: New member saying hello

suzie_s — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 11:12:34 GMT

Hi Tassie Devil (love your doggie icon!) I too am a ten pound pom - emigrated here with my parents in 1968 when I was 8 years old (I'm 52 now). I would just like to wish you all the best with your surgery, it will be the best sleep you've had in ages! (I can talk, I've only had a couple of 4 hour ops and I was stressed to the max!) It sounds like you have a very supportive family which can really make a difference. It's great you are a 'dog person'. We have 2 beagles named Nala and Belle, I couldn't be without them. Best of luck with everything. suzie

Re: New member saying hello

Tassie_Devil — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 23:44:22 GMT

Dear luvmymum, Your message really touched me - your log on name says it all and you clearly care very deeply for her. My heart goes out to you at what must be a very difficult time for you and your family especially as your Mum has lost her voice at the momemt. But remember a hug or touch is better than a thousand words!!. Your Mum knows that you love her and are there to support her. Being scared is completely normal and I wouldn't be surprised if you are also feeling as mad as hell too!. But yes, things are not going to be normal again and you and your family will be adapting to a new different "reality" than you had before you Mum's diagnosis. Once the shock of the initial diagnosis has receded a little, you will find that the treatments your Mum will have will give you all some structure to your lives, which will effect everyone. I think my hubby and son and my family overseas all found it very useful to have this as it really helps to have small milestones to work towards. Since our cancer journey started 4 months ago we have had 2 operations and 3 rounds of chemo with the 4th starting today. It is amazing how you get used to things. I don't know how old you are, but with my 17 yr old son (who dosen't say much at the best of times!!)we found that just being together walking the dog helped us to connect somehow. Sometimes we talk and sometimes we don't but just the togetherness gives us both comfort and is the most important thing. He has his TCE exams now and has found talking to his closest friends at school invalauble. One thing you can be sure of though, is that your Mum will want you to have your own space and not to feel guilty for wanting to have time out with your friends or just to be on your own if that helps. Your Mum will also be able to communicate with you what her needs are so take cues from Mum as to what she wants and how you can best support her - don't be afraid to ask her - she's your Mum and she loves you. My best wishes to your family and hugs to you as you start your journey. If you just need someone to vent to, please just vent away!!. I normally try to look at my emails daily subject to whether my PC wants to work or not and effects of chemo cycles!!. Take care. I have added you as a friend. Caroline x

Re: New member saying hello

Tassie_Devil — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 23:56:14 GMT

Hi Suzie, Great to hear from you. Thanks so much for your wishes. I came out of hospital this week having been there for 8 days. In fact things seem to have gone quite well. The operation was only for 4 hours in the end and the surgeons managed to remove all visible cancer - an amazing feat in its own right!!. So now it is back to the next round of chemo which starts today, 2 days after leaving hospital!. Ah well, at least the hospital sandwiches are palatable!. I love beagles Suzie - two of them how lovely. Our dog Taj keeps looking at me with loving eyes dying for me to take him walkies!. Sadly at this stage I can't so other family members are having to take him. Not quite the same but he will have to make do!. Well, better be off for round 4. Take care. Bye for now. Caroline