Hi @Deb1 ,   My Dad was in a similar situation to you. He lived alone on a 1,000 Ha property near Glen Innes. He had overcome bladder cancer and had to deal with a urostomy bag. He survived like this for something like 15 years before he passed away from pneumonia.   He used to call me twice a week. I had 4 siblings, so I expect that he called at least one of us each night. And then he had his property, cows and sheep to look after. He was also interested in dancing and so taught ballroom dancing to teenagers in preparation for debutante balls. And then he would go on a big "holiday" every 3 or so years to visit us all, one at a time. He also had a crush on a younger woman - a case of unrequited infatuation.   This all kept him adequately occupied and he simply got on with whatever needed to get done. The one good thing about my Dad's approach was that he managed to keep off the booze - 3 of his 4 brothers had been alcoholics.   So why not call your family on a regular basis and, even better, talk to them face to face via Skype? And surely you can find some interest that will get you out to mingle with others at night? Next time you are in town, go along to your local rissole or bowls club and join up in one or two evening activities - even if you don't like the particular activity, the companionship can only do you good.   Just get on your bike and start enjoying life while you can.   Let us know how you get on!   Big hugs, Rick ... View more

Great to hear. As is often the case, not as serious as you thought it might be. But best to get things checked sooner than later to avoid the worry over "nothing", or catch it early if it is "something". No worries - we are here for each other no matter how big or small the need. Hugs, Rick ... View more

Hi all,   As far as exposure to high intensity electromagnetic radiation is concerned, less is more.   I believe that there are only a few types of cancer that metastasise in limbs. Consequently, a full body scan would only be recommended for those candidate types.   However, for my gastro-oesophageal cancer, I did ask for the initial scan to include my head because a brother of mine had developed lesions on his brain while dealing (unsuccessfully) with his oesophageal cancer.   Hugs to all, Rick ... View more

Hi @Ma-le,   I realise that it is easier to sing than do, but "Always look on the bright side of life... "   All of the clinical information available points to there not being any major problem. All sorts of things could result in a lump on your neck. The fact that it is a lump should be reassuring that it is a very localised condition and not a systemic problem. Try not to let your nightmares take over your reality.   You have done the right thing in arranging a consult with your GP. Given your medical history, they may refer you to a specialist for a biopsy. But that does not mean that it is anything really sinister (ie, cancer), it is all about getting the right person with the right specialist training to make the right assessment.   In the mean time, be positive and trust that there is no way that anything really nasty could have slipped through the net of care that has been there for you throughout your journey to date.   Let us know what the GP says.   Hugs and best wishes, Rick ... View more

Hi @Lisa2,   Sorry to hear that you are not coping with your chemo treatment.   Short answer Don't give up! Ask for alternatives.   Your situation? It is interesting that you had radical resection rather than total gastrectomy. I assume that your gastro-oesophageal junction (GEJ) must have been cancer free and worth saving to minimise negative flow up your oesophagus. Is this correct? What are the details of your treatment protocol?   My situation Sampling during my initial diagnostic gastroscopy found cancer cells predominantly in the upper portion of my stomach and extending along the lesser curvature. The need to remove my GEJ meant that it would be less problematic for me long-term to 'simply' remove my entire stomach.   My treatment protocol involved: pre-surgery chemo (cisplatin, epirubicin, capecitabine (CEX)) - 3 cycles total gastrectomy - no remaining cancer cells found (first series of chemo did its work) and there was no evidence of the cancer having spread to lymph nodes or other organs post-surgery chemo (oxsliplstin, epirubicin, capecitabine) - 3 cycles   Notes: The change from cisplatin to oxaliplatin was made because the cisplatin was causing severe tinnitus and likely to result in deafness. I only had 2 cycles of oxaliplatin because of the extreme pain experienced during the transfusions.    Other than as mentioned in the 2 notes above, I managed to get through chemo quite unscathed. I did suffer from chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy, but that was managed by the wearing of gloves and warm socks plus avoiding cold drinks. I still (2 years later) have peripheral neuropathy and have to avoid the car's A/C blowing directly onto my hands or feet, but I can hold my drink (ie, literally and not figuratively).   I still suffer from diarrhoea on a regular (pardon the pun) basis, but that is now part of my new "norm".  The new plumbing of my intestinal tract has bedded in and I now eat fairly normal meals with serving size about 50% of pre-surgery.   Recommendation Doctors don't prescribe these toxins to us out of spite - the chemo is meant to help us in the long run. So have a D&M discussion with your oncologist about your side effects to the chemo. There may be other options that will be equally effective that your body is better able to tolerate.  You won't know if you don't ask.   Hugs and best wishes to you, Rick   ... View more

Hi Claire, Is "radio silence" an alias for '@Lehiatus' Thanks for asking - I am fine. Just over 2 years out from surgery, I have progressed from 3 monthly reviews to 6 monthly. That is, I now see my surgeon once per year and my oncologist once per year - 6 months apart (in theory that is - the surgeon tends to run 1 to 2 months behind schedule such that I saw both only 1 month apart for my last reviews). My 2 residual, chronic side-effects of chemo are the tinnitus and peripheral neuropathy. The peripheral neuopathy is worst in my ankles and feet - ankles always ache like they are wrapped in ice packs and my feet are always tingling in a way that makes them feel like they are burning. Such a small price to pay. I sincerely hope for a joyous and pain-free festive season for everyone out there. Best wishes and hugs to all, Rick ... View more

Hi Phil (now without Pepper). Yes, the only way of getting an idea of what is happening in there, without sticking a camera in, is to see what comes out. I know this all too well. For the past 2 years I have been dealing with things being a little too much 'at ease' rather than at 'attention!'. At least that means my visits to the toilet are usually short, albeit not so sweet, and pain free. Hugs, Rick ... View more

Hi Phil,   Yes, they removed your tumour during surgery. You have not had cancer since then and consider yourself to be cured. But all of what you have been and are going through is directly attributable to the cancer.  If you hadn't had the cancer, you wouldn't have needed the remedies. So it is all "cancer treatment".    Your condition, treatment and emotions are still relevant to dealing with cancer. Stay with us and continue to share that with us so that others can get your perspective on the end-to-end effect of this insidious affliction that we call cancer.   You know., I was hoping that it wouldn't come to this, but...   Threatening to leave us is 'An act of war'. 'Nobody wins'. You have 'A good heart', and we would miss seeing your photos of the 'Dogs in the kitchen'. So make the 'Sacrifice' and keep sharing your 'Big dipper' rides and 'All the nasties' that you experience with us here.  Don't let this be 'The last song'. When you are 'Home again', you can sip on some 'Elderberry wine' while you are 'Writing' 'Your song' 'Whenever you're ready'  to help others as they deal with their 'Runaway train'.    I'll stop here - I wouldn't want to out do the Master.   Big hugs! Rick ... View more

Hi Captain, Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts. Having a young family must make the battle so much more of a challenge. I am in the fortunate situation that my kids are "grown up". Additionally for me, my cancer was localised - no spread to lymph nodes let alone to other organs. Consequently, I consider myself (2 years post treatment) to be "cured" and don't have that perpetual question hanging over me about whether/when it will come back. While I do self-assessments from time to time, I am leaving the majority monitoring to the specialists. Thanks again for sharing. An extra big man-hug to you. Rick ... View more

Hi Joe, While you are online, what about writing a short Blog about your journey so far? We might all manage to learn a thing or 2 from your situation. I hope that you do. Man-hugs, Rick ... View more