I enjoyed reading your story and wish I had a few percent of your obvious strength. Look forward to further instalments. ... View more

Yes thanks Jules , the oncologist noted the marked reduction in tumour size which she said was a good sign. She said that my specific type of cancer , P16 + being a throat cancer due to HPV virus tends to respond well to chemo. I realise it is early days yet as yes there are still two more maximum chemos to go however I am recovering now a little from the first chemo which will provide a little window to the next chemo. The oncologist is adopting a soldier on policy now and I am supportive of this. I am pretty much in survival mode now with the PEG in full use. It is good news though , much better than if there was no response from the tumour. Dare to dream. ... View more

Thank you both. I am feeling a little better today. The oncologist was happy yesterday as the lump has noticeably subsided after one chemo treatment . Early signs are good however I am not sure whether to hope yet. She said I am " tolerating " the treatment and then found it funny when I the definition of tolerating is still breathing and has a pulse. I will soldier on. ... View more

Hello , I write this at 7.15 a.m waiting for patient transport to take me to my first chemo ever. I am a chemo virgin. Three hours of high dosage expected today followed by dose 2 of radiation. To say I am nervous is an understatement. However now I am in treatment stage I am sitting back for the ride. Good luck with your ride , I'm sure it will go well. ... View more

I agree. I also agree with the karma part. I accept that my current situation is as a result of past misbehaviour in past lives. Please note that this is my own personal view and does not extend to anyone else. This is part of the reason I turned vegan. I hope that I do not have to suffer more treatment though than the current round. If I do then I must accept this although I hope that I am cured and as a result a better person. ... View more

Fair enough , I get the picture. In regards to the properties if there is any reason you cannot sell these properties under what they call hardship provisions they may be exempted. You can look at asset hardship on their website or enquire directly. As you mentioned previously a Low Income Health Care Card might assist you as there are no asset requirements here. I am in a similar situation with no Centrelink payments despite 30 years tax paid. I know I can't get a pension until my doctors decide I am pretty much cactus so as much as a pension would help financially I prefer to recover and live. I hope things work out for you and you beat this thing. ... View more

I don't want to appear impertinent but I have had some experience with Centrelink and what is the actual problem there. Are you receiving Newstart ? Have you had a formal decision on your application for DSP ? I was told the issue with cancer for DSP is that it is not considered permanent as permanent is fully treated. I suppose that is a good thing but it leaves cancer sufferers only eligible for Newstart. It is true however that Centrelink is hardly a " customer " friendly organisation with long wait times for service either in person or on the phone but it seems there is little that can be done. Good luck. ... View more

It takes a while. Things moved pretty quickly for me from diagnosis by GP to confirmation by specialist ( about a week ) but when I was referred to Peter Mac things slowed down. One week waiting for an appointment which lasted barely 10 minutes . Reality set in then. The public system at the pointy end is good but you can wait. Takes about a month to start treatment from first appointment at the hospital that does the treatment. Often there is waiting and then the phones starts ringing with your appointments - often in 2 days time. You get used to it. I was urged to use the " free time " to prepare. I did a will , talked to people and stocked up . I went through the classic symptoms of shock/denial/despair etc. Lots of tears and lots of thinking about life/mortality etc. My psychologist drew me a picture of a road with the destination LIFE and houses on the side that you must pass like chemo etc. Basically stay on the road and the houses are only temporary and you reach the end which is life. Focus is the key. Think of things that matter to you which represent life - in my case family. You must believe that all this will pass. ... View more

The oncologist said the nasal tube is the preferred option but in my case PEG is the go. I am slowly recovering - pain in the shoulders from the anaesthethetic was intense but has now subsided , first bowel motion post PEG today. Just tired and moving slowly but definitely on the improve. No - no-one has mentioned bicarb and salt. I am still coming to terms with being Stage 4. I have a lot of appointments next week . Does the bicarb and salt help the pain in your throat ? ... View more