First one.

[Brooke]

Three weeks ago I was diagnosed with secondary cancer. My first cancer was a squamous cell bowel cancer but now there is a tumour in my lung and about seven lymph nodes. Early last week I was introduced to yet another doctor who told me they couldn't 'cure' my cancer they could only reduce it with chemo. I guess I don't really know what that means, I was too shocked to ask at the time and now feel like an idiot ringing up and saying 'you know how you told me it was incurable, does that mean I'm going to die.' Do doctors just assume we know what they're on about or is communication really this bad? I know I sound bitter but I have reason to be. I was misdiagnosed for months in emergency at the Royal Melbourne and in the colorectal clinic. They kept saying I had an absess, giving me antibiotics that didn't work... One doctor even had the audacity to suggest I was turning up to emergency in search of a doctors certificate for a day off... I just don't understand how so many doctors could be wrong. Anyway, the golfball sized primary is gone - with vigorous radiation and chemo. Unfortunately it learned to spread before it left... and now I'm walking around sleep deprived and scared. Well, that's about it for my first blog entry. I'm exhausted after that.

[wombat4]

Hi Brooke, My wife and I were told exactly that in feb 2010 when my wife was dx with bowel cancer primary, and secondaries in her liver,it was inoperable in her liver because it was so close to the main arteries, we were on palliative care straight away. So the primary was removed, or most of and it was chemo for the secondaries, the best we could hope for was stable. How we ended up like that, god only knows and he is not letting on, nobody deserves these insidious diseases, but we get them. Hang in there Brooke, it is a shock, our world went from one of colour to one of grey in the space of minutes.. Do the scans, blood tests and chemo, try meditation, learn of the side effects of chemo and do what you can to lessen them. The people on this site are not in a good place, that is why we are here, we support each other with practical advice and emotional support. Send in your blogs, it helps to talk about it, we know the place you are in, we are there with you, as sufferers, or carers to our loved ones. wombat4

[Brooke]

Thankyou so so much wombat4! You are the first person I have spoken to with any experience of cancer in all these long months. I am so amazed to hear your encouraging words that I have tears in my eyes. I will keep coming here and posting my blogs, now I have seen that the support network works!

[wombat4]

Thats good Brooke. Stay positive and strong. Sometimes it is easier to talk to people that you have never met about these`things, sometimes we feel guilty about heaping so much emotional pain on our loved ones. Keep blogging. Its good to talk about it wombat4

[#5]

Hi Brooke, You hang in there ok? Its tough and challenging, I know about Scc, mine started on my lip from biting it, I had a karapandzic lip rotation op, thought it was over, but nope, my scc loved me so much that it decided to move to my lymph node. Well I am now 3 weeks out from a radical level 1/2 neck dissection and after a visit to the dentist to remove 2 left lower molars, yep nothing wrong with them but oh well, then Im off to Radio for 6.5 weeks of treatment. Cant wait! (NOT). Its a disgusting disease which has no concern for your daily life etc. In 2 months it has totally changed my life and turned it upside down. YOu will beat this, we are here to talk to and yeah as Wombat says keep blogging, keep talking, we will all help fight for you! Stay strong! Leesa

[SILLY]

I think some doctors need a lesson in communication with patients. They don't always give us time to absorb the information and give us the chance to ask questions. I have had problems with some specialists in this regard. Even when you ring to ask a question later some are in no hurry to get back to you,even when it has notbeen easy fr you to call. We shouldn't have to feel silly about these things when we are dealing with big things like cancer. I realise this isn't your main worry as you are trying to come to terms with the situation now but it's not made easier when not all is explained well. I hope the chemo goes well for you.