Good on you - Confronting your fears and overcoming them is never easy. You have every reason to be proud of yourself. Best wishes to Mum. ... View more

Congratulations to you both. ... View more

I can so relate to everything you say. I "officially" resigned my job 3 weeks ago even though I had been off work for the past 10 months. I kept telling myself I would go back to work when I was better. I too feel guilty when I see others hard at work. I don't know how much time any of us have, but however much there is I am going to spend it doing stuff I want to do, not need to do. I am going to be here when my kids get home from school in the arvo's and have fun with them in school holidays. We have just had a nice family holiday overseas. If the worst does happen I don't want to have spent my time at work instead of with my family, where it really counts. I look at taking my Super in a lump sum now as being able to cover my lost wages and not adding more pressure on the family. There is enough stress dealing with this already. My doctor (who gave me the initial 12 months) has advised he can't see it spreading yet and seems quite pleased, but no-one has given me a new timeframe. I feel ok physically, even though my 12 months is up in 6 weeks time. I have also been advised mine is aggressive and incurable. Yet it hasn't spread yet, and google is still doom and gloom. I am grateful I am doing so good so far. I hope to be around for a long while yet. You can still concentrate on surviving this and living your life, but at least if they pay out your tpd benefit it will make life easier for you, and hopefully less stressful. Even if it means your dr has to pick a timeframe. Its definately worth having a look at what the conditions for your tpd benefit are. My prognosis timeframe is based on medical foundation, not on any willpower, positivity or determination foundation. I'm sure if they could measure this the prognosis would be a different story. The Timebomb theory. I certainly can understand that one. ... View more

Hi Daniel, I don't know what odds or timeframe you have been given. I know this is hard to face and come to terms with, and financial problems make it even tougher. I was given 12 months prognosis, and my oncologist was happy to sign off on this for my super when i explained the situation. They have released all my superannuation and even paid out my life insurance. I needed 3 doctors to sign off that i had a terminal illness with less than 12 months to go. Speak to your oncologist and local GP as to what they say they estimate your prognosis time to be. Explain to them you are trying to access your super tpd. Talk to your super fund about sending you forms to see what 'requirements you need to meet'. The doctors may be prepared to sign off on your worst case scenario timeframe so don't let this set back your mental attitude. Let me know if you have any other questions. Hope this helps. Lou Lou ... View more

Hi Chris It can be very frustrating playing the waiting game. I had eight weeks between the surgery (had liver resection, abdo lymph nodes and bile duct removed) and starting chemo treatment. I just wanted to get on with it and feel like I had started fighting instead of sitting around waiting. I think Deb is right though in that each person, cancer, doctor and treatment will be different and time vary. Hang in there Lou Lou ... View more

You go girl. Keep on fighting. I sometimes have a down day and then will get back on the with the fight tomorrow. Don't focus on the 'what ifs' in our life, we have to deal with the 'what is'. Take care ... View more

My tests and hospital accomodation are covered as a private patient when in hospital (with an excess of $200.00 per year). However out of hospital the ultrasound tests are $240.00 each and I only get about $100 back from Medicare and cannot claim these through my Private Health Fund. My surgeons also don't bulk bill for outpatients and they are $180.00 per visit. Thankfully my chemo treatment was covered. The only reason I keep a record is that if you have in excess of $1500 out of pocket medical expenses each year you can claim 20% of that back with your tax. ... View more

I know that look. I'm not sure if a) people aren't sure about asking how you are doing in case they upset us or that we don't want to talk about it b)in case we think that it is none of their business c) they just don't know what to say - the right words are sometimes hard to find. d)some people will talk to you about everything else but avoid the Cancer subject e) they don't want to face you are actually sick f) maybe concerned that chatting about everyday things as if everything is normal may seem insensitive,knowing you are facing such a challenge or g) maybe I just have no idea what I am talking about Try giving them a little wave as they pass by just to remind them you are still there, and its ok to come in and talk to you. Keep up that fighting spirit ... View more

I saw a quote that I really like. I am not dying with cancer. I intend to to live with cancer for as long as I can. So far this year, I have been to Fiji, hot air ballooning, jet boating and on a cruise with my husband, children and sister. We made sure we took lots of family pics. All of these new experiences were plans for "one day". So I finally got my act together and decided if not now then when? I particularly want my kids to be able to remember the fun times, not just the tough days. Each time I take the leap and book something I then have a goal to push myself for. I need to prove the doctors expiration date in August wrong. I'm just not ready yet. We have Fathers Day in September, My Daughters birthday in October. So maybe a party in November and I also want to go to Christmas Carols at the Domayne in Sydney. I have never been, so I guess this is the year to plan it. I guess I just stepped up my small goals to big wishes. ... View more

Having supportive family makes a huge difference. It sounds like she is very lucky to have you by her side through this battle ahead of her. Facing fear and pain is never easy, if you can go to her appointments with her and talk to her nurses or doctors about what to expect, but remember everyone is different. Hugs to you Lou lou ... View more