Regarding tatoos ,I have a Facebook friend who has decided to get a tatoo because she and her mother both have cancer. Some anti-cancer thing is what she's thinking about .I'm not a tatoo person but yours is necessary. My marking for radiation was on my mask . ... View more

Yes the waiting rooms, foreboding places, with people trying their best to be positive, flicking through magazines wishing they were anywhere but right there. thinking to themselves, why me?, why us ?. But here we are with stark clarity, in the the waiting room, cramped, tiny, our thoughts drifting back to happier times in our lives. The drive to the hospital took 1 hour every 2 weeks for chemo, I used to think, why are we not driving to a picnic or something equally lovely in our retirement. Why are we diving to chemo, this cannot be real. You are giving support Tina, in your words, telling of the journey you are going through,your thoughts your fears, your hugs, spending the time here, letting people know, that whatever stage of the journey they are in, they are not alone in the travel. There are people like yourself that understand what they are going through,and are prepared to enter a cyber world to offer words of comfort. That is immense support.Thank you. wombat ... View more

I've never heard of this abbreviation MDT although I come across about multi disciplinary team concept. There are too many strange new vocabularies in this new world for all of us. Hope you enjoy learning and share knowledge with us. ... View more

Hi Sally,Im not really sure if one hospital is any better than the other I know how great the Peter Mac hospital is just through talk in general about anyone who knows anyone. My own experience with the Alfred has been nothing but good everyone has been so kind,understanding and helpful as well as caring and professional.Kids are wonderful arent they they have the ability to make life go on no matter what,they keep you smiling and busy Im sure huge hugs and wishes X ... View more

Wombat what you said is so true. I try and live as normal life as possible but what is a normal life with cancer. I will never be the same healthy, fit and out going friendly person that I used to be but I try hard. There's not a day that goes by that I don't think of the cancer inside me that will never go away and that one day will take my life and every now and then I cry and I'm not ashamed of it. It helps me to talk about it with the few friends I have made that also have cancer and I know it helps them also. In fact every time I go in for my chemo I meet someone new and even though we don't talk about our cancers we talk and get to know each other and it just helps to pass the time away whilst receiving chemo. I talk and joke with the nurses and staff and after all my hospital is now basically my second home. Every now and then I email all my friends and relatives just to fill them in with how I am and what the latest cat scan says, or I post on facebook so that those that aren't that close to me are still able to catch up with my progress. I try and plan a future knowing that it won't last long but at least I'm thinking outside the cancer square and that is one of the main things to help keep the sanity, don't think of the end as you don't know when it will come. I plan for years yet even though I know I may only last maybe another 12months and when I'm through the next 12months I will extend my future plan. I look at all future possible pancreatic cancer treatments continually and the latest with the laser treatment that should be through in about 5 years helps to keep me going. I made a big mistake in trying to protect my loved ones and kept my feelings, doubts, insecurities to myself, this mistake nearly led me to taking my own life, now I know that I have to open myself up to them and they also know to make sure I don't keep my feelings to myself anymore. They now ask me more and we all talk more openly about my cancer. It no longer matters if it is just a very very tiny thought that gets to me, I now share it. Just messaging on this site helps and knowing that I am not alone in this fight against cancer, reading others fights, despair, worries, happiness helps keep the sanity. It's only if we allow ourselves to drown within our own despondency that we lose sanity. Cancer is a bitch and that's putting it mildly. While we are all on this site and talking we are fighting it to the best of our abilities and that is saying a lot. My love, thoughts, prayers, hopes and dreams are for everyone on this site whether they be a cancer fighter or a carer. ... View more

Tina Thats exactly what i was diagnosed with back in June 2010. I got through it all by taking each treatment process as a step, once the diagnosis was done (which when i look back was one of the hardest parts waiting to hear what is going on) i then only dealt with what was coming up next ie the five weeks of treatment. I didnt let my mind wander to the operation or the bag. Im not sure which is the right way to deal with things but i felt by doing that i could stay strong and concentrate on what was happening at the time and i could get a grasp on all the medical jargon etc. Make sure you see the nurses at the radiation place if you get any discomfort (ie skin burn etc) as they are very helpful, where i got treated in WA they were fantastic, dont be afraid to ask for help and rest up! I wish you all the very best, please keep us updated with how you are going, you are in my thoughts Stacey ... View more

Good Luck on Wednesday Tina xxx ... View more

Dotty and Rex, I'm sending heartfelt special thoughts today to you. The writers to your blog have offered thoughts, methods and ways to attempt to cope. All I would offer is stay connected here. Write your thoughts and fears here. Share. Often. It's not a complete answer, but often putting your thoughts down is a relief that can bring clarity and comfort. I wish you peace, love and happiness. George. ... View more

Hi Kim good to hear from you thanks for getting back to me Im sure you are busy and I really appreciate the advice.Not really sure which way this cancer is going am currently on 6 weeks chemo through a picc line as well as radio 5 days a week for 6 weeks.I then meet again with the colorectal surgeon for a permanent colostomy bag operation,and have found out via the oncologist that I will have 1 day a week chemo 2 weeks after the op for 6 months.All sounds pretty scary to me but I am no expert and am completely in their hands.Will take your advice about support groups and am currently seeing psychologist from long term depression so she has been very supportive.Again thanks for the advice and kind words huge hugs and wishes Tina X ... View more

Hi Emma,I to am new to the site but I just wanted to wish you good luck with your next round of treatment stay positive and stay strong hugs and wishes x ... View more