1st 12 months

[TomJ]

November 2024 i started my chemo treatment for lung & bone cancer, had my last session for the 1st 12 months this Dec/ 2025, overall a 45% reduction with some inactivity in bone spots, so all good news & having a Xmas break ready to tackle 2026 sessions. great support from family & staff @ Blactown hospital Sydney. When i have my appointments i treat as though i'm off to work so i wear the same cloths like a uniform, when i get home i clock off and back to daily cloths & life.  I was hoping to post a couple of pictures but feature not working so i'll just post a description 

      2024 - 25 i had 2 shirts, a car club shirt then a shirt i had printed with one of my quotes including the Welsh flag dragon meaning 😆 Strength – Fierceness & eternal spirit in overcoming invaders.

Quote: No matter how shit life feels

             there's always something

             to be cheerful about

             So what's your something?

    2026 i'll be wearing a new shirt with another one of my quotes & the same dragon. 

Quote: I'm NOT dying of cancer

               I'm NOT living with cancer

               cancer is struggling to survive ME

              feel free to post what's your something. cheers everyone & keep on keeping on...........Tom

[Sumeet]

It’s good to hear about the positive results and the support you’ve had along the way. Your words reflect a clear sense of strength and determination. 

[TomJ]

Thanks, hope it all inspires other people to see a better way, i'm hoping people will post what their something is to be cheerful about.

[Sumeet]

I agree, stories like this can gently change how people see their own situation. Sometimes it’s the simplest things that bring a bit of cheer, and sharing them can help others notice their own too. What’s one thing that’s been helping you stay cheerful lately?

[TomJ]

Apart from my #1 supporter, not just lately but since it all started the fact ( the way i see it) is cancer is struggling to survive ME.

......... i also write books for our grandson ( since he was 2yo now 7yo) to read in helping him deal with his own personal issues in life, also books of the fun things he's done with his grandparents & immediate family, what do i get out of it? a title of one book is " It's ok to say you feel Not ok" ...... a lot more people would feel better if they adopted those words.

[Milo01]

Hello TomJ,

 I read your post and liked your descriptions of your shirts, even if I couldn’t see them.

Fierce is what word first comes to mind, to read the words as they are written or their meanings.

 I too have treatment clothes and change when I get home. Though, mine are not as interesting as yours. At all. But I do like that you are getting a custom shirt made for this year.

My thing however is natural gemstone beaded bracelets. There are 3 and they each represent my beloved pets by their colours. So they are there with me through my treatments, right on my wrist. I gain a certain strength from that. Or feel less isolated.

2026 has begun and I wish you well already.

Thank you for your engaging post,

Milo01

[TomJ]

Milo01,

               thank you for your comments, if it helps other people to find a better way at looking at their challengers then goal achieved.

              New shirt had it's 1st day @ treatment yesterday & gave all staff & other customers something to smile about. The gem stone idea sounds like a good one, no matter where you get the extra energy from it's always worth while.............cheers.......tom

[Sumeet]

That’s really powerful, Tom. The way you frame it honestly flips the whole narrative. Writing those books for your grandson is such a meaningful gift, not just for him but for you as well. “It’s ok to say you feel not ok” is something so many people need to hear and allow themselves to live by.
Sharing thoughts like these truly helps others feel less alone. And for anyone reading this who may be looking for support or a safe space to share their own journey, Uhapo provides a cancer support and shared storytelling platform where people can connect and find help at www.uhapo.co.in
Thank you for putting this out there. It genuinely encourages others to find their something and keep moving forward.

[TomJ]

Sumeet,

                   thank you for your response, i will have a look at that link, i may have more to offer (if asked) even if i can't be there in person, communication is much easier in our modern time.

tom