Blue8 What your Mum is going through is possibly denial and her way of dealing with her prognosis at this time.I know from my own experience when you are told you have a certain life expectancy,it is a massive shock,we all react differently to this news,I was able to have surgery for PC and I am still here living beyond the medical expectations for me, however still terminal but life is good ups and downs.I am sure it is harder for my family than me as they see how I am going over time, we talk openly about what is happening,so I possibly understand what you are feeling it is normal to feel the way you do, all that you can do is continue the love and support to Mum and Dad a big ask I know. And Look after yourself as well. And if you or your family need professional help don't be afraid to ask for it we did and it helped but that is a personal decision,I am lucky my Daughter moved back home to help out so if anything happens to me I know my wife will be OK which has taken a huge load off me thinking of you all good luck with the chemo kj ... View more

nessk Well done, good step you have taken today,stress comes with having Cancer you just have to find what helps you. kj ... View more

My husband suffered terribly from mouth ulcers one time so bad that he could hardly eat. We tried lots of things but nilstat drops worked almost immediately. I got the drops over the counter at the chemist. Take care Gail. ... View more

Hi Tony , The usual progression is to have a colonoscopy. It involves a good clean out and a flexible camera inspection of your large bowel. The scope has tools and any polyps or suspicious areas can be biopsied.Good luck with the tests ,hope it's all benign or early stages. Ron. ... View more

I have only ever been a public patient but I have always received a private room - largely I guess due to the fact they thought I was going to die. I have never experienced delays, although, once again both my cancers were rather urgent in nature once they were discovered and probably fair to say that both had not a great prognosis intially attached to either cancer. 25 years later for my first cancer and going on 5 years for the 2nd cancer. For my first cancer I also had a young baby at the time and I am sure that was part of why they gave me a private room. I was able to keep my son with me and actively encouraged to do so, prior to my surgery. ... View more

Yes, I had my whole thyroid removed when I was 18 and now have cancer in my lymph nodes. The reason for that is that some thyroid cancer cells were left behind when the thyroid was removed, too small to see on a scan or detect on a blood test, which 'latched on' to lymph nodes at some point. So, if you don't have thyroid cancer now, then you definitely cannot get thyroid cancer cells spontaneously popping up once your thyroid is removed. The 20% tax rebate is for medical expenses about $2000. It's certainly a help (I can't wait till tax time!), but not the same as a subsidy. Just grateful that I am not in the States where everything would cost so much more, and insurance is even more difficult to deal with. ... View more

Thanks KL for the response! So glad to hear you are in remission plus you are still chatting on here to others. It's nice to find a place where I can communicate with others in the same or similar situations. Friends don't want to talk or listen to negative stuff much & my children don't need to keep hearing it. They know. My daughter will have a wedding without her mum there, & kids..... And it breaks both our hearts. I'm crying as I type this!!! I hope to hear from you & others. It's a rough ride! Thanks, Jennie. ... View more

Hi Michelle It did take a little while for them to answer my request but they apologised for the delay. We are having a chat session on 11 Feb at 7pm eastern time so you could join in the chat then after they accept you as a member of the group. Hope you get good news when you see the oncologist. Cheers Robyn ... View more

I have only just come to this site, after 4 years of stage 4 Lung cancer - clearly I am a bit slow on the uptake. But I am reading some of the older stuff and came across your entry and could certainly relate to it, although I have not, at this stage, gone through as much as you have. I hope you got through Xmas ok and found some joy on the day. My only strategy has been the one day at a time strategy. I occasionally ask myself whether I want to be alive on that particular day, and as long as, on balance, the answer is yes, I start by getting out of bed! There is a myriad of things we feel we need to do and organise. I went a bit manic went first diagnosed, and one of my priorities was to clean out my knickers drawer - I figured no one else should have to face that. Given that it has now been 4 years since diagnosis I have had to do the clean out a few more times, but at least I have nice kickers! It is good that you have done your medical I structions, and Jules2's suggestion of writing lists of what you want do e is a good one. You don't have to actually do everything yourself, but it will make things easier for others if they know what you want done. Being a control freak I have planned my funeral, chosen the music etc etc. still have to do the photo montage! Only wish I was going to be there. It will be more a party than a funeral. My plan includes drinks at the start - no waiting til the speeches are over! I hope things have improved or held steady for you. Please give us an update. And as per my favourite expression at the moment - hold your nerve! Gail ... View more

melz I must admit I do not know much about papillary tumor I done some reading on it yes it is very rare and whipple is an option for you I was diagnosed quite quickly as I went Yellow and was very sick my tumor was in the head and the bile duct blocked hence the yellowing of me, when I awoke from the whipple I had tubes coming out of my tummy some are there for weeks to drain after surgery the pain is controlled by the medications and you will be in and out of a haze so don't worry to much about the pain they will have a pain management team looking after you ,don't be afraid to press the button, the sooner you are up and moving the better it will be bearable you are younger and will probably recover quicker it is major surgery but you will surprise yourself how you adjust.One tip I can give is when you eventually start eating ask for a stool softener as you will get constipated and don't strain yourself I know from my own experience, as to how long you will be in hospital depends on your recovery,don't worry about asking questions if I can answer them I will, I realize this all can be frightening so keep your spirits up it is a lot to take in at this stage of your life kj ... View more