Dear Reindeer,I use support groups on line,can't find any off-line ones applicable ,but have used Cancer Council and probably will in the future ,Even on the phone you can say anything you need to and get an understanding person at the other end . Thanks for your advice. ... View more

Yes being a carer is a big thing. My husband had prostate cancer 5 years before and was still going for check-ups when my cancer was diagnosed a year ago. He has only one check to go if all is still ok,but mine will go on forever. He has had to put up with more from me than I did from him . We both will always do whatever for each other and that is motivation to want to keep on keeping on. I wish you well. ... View more

It was Margo who made that wise comment that I referred to above. ... View more

I agree with Sarah,I think it was , when she said that some people see us as genetically weaker .Others think that somehow it's our own fault because we didn't eat properly or exercise enough or were angry or unforgiving. From what I've learned to get cancer a combination of factors are usually present but that does not even mean that you will get it ,even if you have all the risk factors. My cancer has not been linked to any so far. It is adenoid cystic carcinoma and it is very rare. Someone also said others sometimes think it is like getting a mole cut off so after surgery and some recovery time they think we are ok.I'll bet many of my friends and family don't know that my cancer has high recurrency rates and that it usually will metastesise to the lungs. They wouldn't all know that you are never considered clear and need follow -ups for the rest of your life.I haven't ,of course ,told them everything I know.It's not everything that you share with everyone.Some don't ask anything and that is a bit hurtful. ... View more

I am so sorry that your daughter,you and your children are going through this . You must all be experiencing a lot of sadness, fear and confusion. I agree it should have been found sooner. It must be very difficult for your daughter and it's natural that she wants her mum when she is so scared and feeling helpless and it's natural that you are so torn because you have other children and their needs too .I feel for you. The suggestions offered by others to get help with the other children and to seek help from the Cancer Council seem very good ones to me. Do you have family or friends that can help either in practical ways and /or in giving emotional support? I hope you get the support you need. ... View more

It was good to read the above even if the comments are nearly a year old . I get soreness, aches ,pains .Some are brief ,some more constant and I believe most are from surgery,but sometimes I worry that it could be the cancer. It's easier to talk to my gp but she is not familiar with my cancer.All the gps in the practice are wonderful .I feel like a hypochondriac too when I talk to my ent . My next check-up is with the oncologist in about 6 weeks. I get a bit nervous too. I get a bit scared to ask him things sometimes. It helps to know you all understand all of this stuff. ... View more

I agree with all the above comments My ent/surgeon told me he would answer if I e-mailed a question.I never did but used to ring and it took a bit of hassling him to get him to ring back within a day or so.He also told me he'd check any info that I printed from the net to see if it applied to me,as long as it was not too much to go through.This was during the 2 months between diagnosis and surgery.I never did this either.This was because mine was a difficult case and it is a rare cancer and he hadn't seen it before .It was also because it took so long for tests ,consultation and debate to decide how to procede with surgery. My husband and I spent a week in Fiji between the op and rt and he sent my ent a photo and update on my condition in an e-mail which we sent to friends and relatives to save alot of phone calls . ... View more

How are things with you now ? ... View more

Dear Sailor, Discovered Cart-wheel is for research. I don't know till I next see my oncologist and my ENT if I'll be able to get the info required by CW . ... View more