Hi Joe, everyone has given you great advice and I will just repeat one of those things...DO NOT GOOGLE IT.... We all understand the emotional rollercoaster each day is but trying to live as normally as possible is the best medicine and not worry about things that haven't happened and may never happen is very good advice. It's a waste of a great day! It's sounds as if that is flippant advice but I promise you there is nothing flippant about it. I've got to this stage because I've been through what you're going through, so look after yourself and know that whatever you may be feeling, this is a great place to come and get some support because we can all empathise with how you're feeling. Good luck 🙂 ... View more

Dear Ruby, I have no experience of what you're enduring . I would find it too difficult I think . You are truly made of tough stuff . I hope the withdrawl isn't as bad as it could be . ... View more

Hi Rubes Thanks very much for your suggestions. You're so young to have such an awful disease! My dad is 64 and that's bad enough. It's hard to talk to the treatment team, as they aren't always available when dad goes in for chemo. I think he maybe has to make an appointment to go in and talk to them. I asked him if I could have his doctor's number to talk to him, but he said he would deal with anything that needed to be discussed. I have to respect his wishes, but it's frustrating. He's got his last dose of chemo tomorrow, this will be the 4th cycle. Then there's a two week break to see what they're going to look at doing after that and he's got his CAT scan as well. It would be great to talk to someone inbetween for some suggestions to what we could do. I hope you don't mind if I send you a personal message. It would be great to get some more information about the things you discussed. Kind regards Caitlin ... View more

That has brightened my day, congrats on your marriage too. ... View more

What a wonderful acievement ! ... View more

I feel supported when you just say how it is. You have done that. I can't see "being slack" as applying. I know what you mean about being a ragdoll. I feel something similar during the chemo regime and I just go with it as a scientific thing that will hopefully give a good result. I don't confuse it with my identity which is nothing to do with the health system and its routines. It's not going to be a ragdoll getting married. She's a whole person. Let them stick needles in the ragdoll. So what. That's not you. H ... View more

Go Rubes. I wish I had that much energy. I'm flat out doing two laps of the cricket ground, twice a week. I can't imagine doing 20 mins a day. ... View more

I also either read or heard something recently. I think it was an interview on tv. The person had been in some traumatic experience and he said that "you need to learn to live with fear, rather than conquer it". I wonder if we focussed on that whether it would help in other areas of our lives. I have been tossing this one around in my head for a while and am undecided and yet lean towards liking the concept. Ruby, cancer is just a tough gig on everyone and for each and every person in the family and friends it is different. It can be tough on all relationships, whether they be spouse, partner, sibling etc... I thought about going to some counselling when I was going through treatment, however, due to my being a country patient there simply wasn't time and or the resources to get there. hugsss Julie ... View more

You seem to be doing all the right things to improve your life . Good luck with the relay. ... View more

Hi Rubes1984, As likely you know, going through it is unbelievable, there's just nothing like it in the world. "Sometimes I looked at the world through naive eyes but now I am clearly seeing the world as it truly is and there are parts that frustrate me, excite me and plain confuse me." This statement reminded me of another thing about cancer - the experience takes away your innocence, the "veil" is lifted and you are exposed to things that you didn't ask to be exposed to and weren't prepared for, so the unveiling is very sudden. There are so very many layers to the experience of cancer affecting all areas of life, I guess why it is indeed so harrowing. And, you are (pretty much) alone to process the experience. I share my experience like everyone else here: to find commonalities and uncover fundamental truths, and to articulate my own experience in search of meaning and empowerment for myself. Hopefully we are less alone through the sharing. Sarah. ... View more