Hi DI1977, I'm very sorry to hear of your partners diagnosis.  It's a very difficult time.   NHS is I believe the UK based public health system. CancerCouncil is an Australian based organisation, so you probably won't that many people who are based there as you would on website based in the UK. If I've got this wrong, please let me know.   -sch   ... View more

Hi Claire,   It's great to have you back. Did you get much of a chance to do some sight seeing in Hawaii? How long were you over there for? I trust you kept us in mind while you were lazing on the beach??   How long do you have to stay on the medication for? Sounds a bit awful. You don't always have to be positive on here. If you can't be negative here, then where can you be negative?   I'm still delaying going in for more surgery. Other than that, all good here.    -sch   ... View more

Hi PhilPepper, Yes, I agree, the whole situation stinks and it's a crappy place to be. But don't give up keeping us posted how the whole thing is going for you. It has made, if not enjoyable, an enlightened read. I, for one, am looking forward to hear how you overcome the obstacles before you.   -sch   ... View more

Hi, Yes, if you are in pain definitely ask for some pain relief. Good luck with the colonoscopy. When is that scheduled for?   -sch ... View more

Hi Joey19, I'm sorry to hear this. While I haven't had breast cancer, I'm sure someone will be along soon who has.   Have you tried calling the hospital or seeing your doctor to make sure that everything is OK?   -sch ... View more

Hi Jacquiwilson,   I'm sorry to hear about your diagnosis. How are you? Is investigation in to the DVT how the cancer was discovered? What is the treatment plan for you?   -sch ... View more

Hi Sarah7,   I'm sorry to hear about your mum and dad. It can be very stressful with everything that is going on. I can't speak on your Mum's behalf as I don't know her, but I wonder if she doesn't want your life to be put on hold while she struggles to accept that the end of hers may also be approaching. Maybe she would like to think of life continuing on as normal when she has gone? Have you asked her why she doesn't want you to come?   Look, I'm no therapist, I can only try and provide you some insight based on my experience. Accepting that things are coming to an end can be quite confronting, especially if she feels as though she's losing control. Trying ask her if you haven't already, or potentially ask a third party to (a friend for example). All the best.   -sch ... View more

Hi Travis, I'm sorry to hear what you and your mother are going through. I don't think that an oncologist would be involved unless it has been confirmed as cancer (but I have no expert knowledge here). If you're not satisfied so far, I think you probably have two options. 1. Sit down with the doctor and discuss a plan moving forward. 2. Seek a second opinion from another medical professional.   -sch ... View more

Welcome back to the land of the shitting. I guess it's been a bit of a rude awakening. How are you otherwise?   -sch ... View more

Hi CaptainAustralia   For me, the only answer winds back to that Manly Stereotype. Find your inner strength. Adapt and carry the weight of it yourself. Until you can't.   It's interesting that you should say this. I think, often as adults, there are things we feel that we just need to get on and deal with it. I've sought counselling or assistance from a therapist/psychologist on three occasions in my life. Two of them were around the time that my father died. The first one I saw was a therapist. He asked, and I told him why I was seeing him and what had happened proceeding this.  The look on his face was priceless. The next sentence was "I think given what you've been through you are doing amazingly well, but what can I do to help?". I didn't bother going back. The next one was a clinical psychologist, but after two sessions, she conceded given everything that had happened there wasn't much she could do. Righto. Next. I think you're right. I'll just carry on. Until I can't.   -sch ... View more