Sorry you are having a bad time at the moment.What age is the student in question? I am a teacher(primary),retired but pre-cancer diagnosis was doing relief work.I miss it a bit but can't face it with facial changes.Have adjusted to the idea of not teaching any more ,I think. Not sure what you can say to the student.Can you tell him or her that you will be around for a long time and expect to see improvements in attitude or behaviour because you know he or she is capable of this ? Can you say this without even referring to your cancer? I do not know your prognosis or you so I don't know if this is appropriate or helpful .I apologise in advance if I am out of line. I can imagine to some degree how you feel .Nobody can say that they really know for sure how another is feeling . ... View more

I had previously commented on this topic.I had mentioned how some of my siblings had not even spoken to me since they were told I had cancer , some only once. I wanted to add that four of them often ring me often and/or send me messages on Facebook. I have 2 brothers and 9 sisters. One has an excuse for not ringing as she is deaf,but she could write. I don't feel I should be the one to initiate contacts. Two friends who live in a different state are in constant contact. My main point is you certainly find out where you stand with some people and with some it changes and it's difficult to know where you stand . I admit that I am surprised and disappointed that I have not had a real conversation with some of my siblings about my cancer . I would not have neglected to show any of them that I cared if it had been one of them. I hope that if anyone else in my family gets cancer or any serious illness I will be able to support them.It has been 13 months since they were informed. It's not so much that I need some of them ,but it would be feel good to know they cared. ... View more

When I first saw the topic I thought "how is this possible?".Then I realised that although some people,friends and family have been supportive most of my relationships have changed. I have 9 sisters and 2 brothers.My mum is still alive but not my dad. Just before surgery 1 year ago I decided to tell my family mainly as I was possibly going to lose my eye and thought it was better to prepare them. Some have been in constant touch- one brother never yet ,the other one only when I made contact to ask after him and problems he has.One sister visited me as it was convenient for her to see Mum whilst Mum came to stay and I never heard from her since.My husband is and will always be my best friend and still tells me all the time how beautiful I am, despite some disfigurement. I kept my eye but feel that friends' reactions are because of my changed appearance. Some have become closer ,some more distant,some ask how I'm going,others don't. Some seem sincere ,others not. I wonder what some are really thinking sometimes. One said that she had become used to the new me.I appreciated her honesty. It is confusing when thinking about where I stand with some people sometimes. At least many just act as though nothing has changed.Some don't like to ask how things are because it's uncomfortable,others feel they are prying. Sometimes the answers I've given made people uncomfortable ,sometimes I've given the impression all is ok. ... View more

Thanks,Sailor. Found it and registered. ... View more

I like " I am not my body-I live in my body". ... View more

All interesting. Many doctors are not against CM ,at least some forms of it, but their main job as I see it is to treat the physical symptoms.I am talking about physical illness eg cancer.They hardly have time for treating the whole person ,although do try in some ways.I do agree that a more more integrated approach using a variety of health care practitioners may result in an improved outcome .Yet as pointed out by Samex sometimes the battle is still lost. We can't heal forever . The reality is we all die in the end. ... View more

I've heard that people have to go through 12 months of special occasions ,eg birthdays, Christmas etc without the loved one who has died before they start to find it easier. I lost my dad in 1973 and although I thought I was over the grief years ago I sometimes miss not having a dad and I am 60 now. It really does get easier with time but you can't rush it .It seems to just happen after you go through varying emotions ,which you need to feel. and living as normally as you can. You will get on with life when you are ready and remember grief counselling is available if you need or want it. I wish you well. ... View more

I've heard that people have to go through 12 months of special occasions ,eg birthdays, Christmas etc without the loved one who has died before they start to find it easier. I lost my dad in 1973 and although I thought I was over the grief years ago I sometimes miss not having a dad and I am 60 now. It really does get easier with time but you can't rush it .It seems to just happen after you go through varying emotions ,which you need to feel. and living as normally as you can. You will get on with life when you are ready and remember grief counselling is available if you need or want it. I wish you well. ... View more

So sad that after all that has happened you may have to leave Australia.I hope somehow you will be able to stay .We need more doctors here and you have put in so much effort and your whole family should be shown more compassion because of your wife's illness. ... View more