Hi Filafrog, They talk to friends and family, they  join community support groups and they join up to support groups like this one. Some of us here have had cancer,  some have cared for people with cancer and others have done both. While this is an online community,  the reality is I do care about your story.   What can you tell me about your husband? How are you?   -sch   ... View more

A big congragulations Marg2!! Well done on being in a position to post on here 8 years later! There has been so many improvements in diagnosing and treating medical conditions, that sometimes it's hard to believe how much they have improved. Absolutely amazing.   I'm so glad that you're here to chat with us. Which region are you from?   -sch ... View more

Hi StayPositive, Let me think back (briefly) to my diagnoses and the rational I went through and see if that helps, because we're similar enough.   I was diagnosed following a colonoscopy and was referred to a specialist surgeon. The original diagnosis was that the cancer was caught early, and that I may not even have to have chemo. They would see after surgery.   After my surgery, they found the tumour had made it through the wall of the large bowel and was nudging up against 1 or 2 lymph nodes, but they were unsure if it had made it into the lymph node.   Prior to my surgery my surgeon had presented me with a number of options for treatment. Keep my large bowel and CT scan every 3 months for 2 years. He acknowledged that statistically if the cancer was going to come back, it would come back in the same place. Remove the large bowel and regular CT scan. Remove the large bowel and chemotherapy for 6 months (12 cycles) after I had recovered from surgery. Like yourself, this was only a 2% drop in risk. Because I was young (OK - I'm calling 40 young) when diagnosed with bowel cancer and because I have lynch syndrome (HNPCC) I elected to take a reasonably aggressive stance because the chances of it coming back were high. 2% drop in the risk of cancer, given my circuimstances seem pretty damn good to me, because my of age and situation and because the risk of the cancer coming back in 5 or 10 years time was quite high.   I hope this helps you.   -sch               ... View more

Hi PeterK, Just to add to what Rick has already said, there is a getting started guide on helping otheres over here; https://onlinecommunity.cancercouncil.com.au/t5/New-Start-here/Get-started-on-helping-others/m-p/29826   Many off us here having lived through it, want to share our experiences with others with a view of "if what we share or advice we can give, in any way, makes a difference to some body else no matter how small, then that can only be a good thing".   -sch ... View more

Hi StayPositive,   Did the surgeons feel as though it would be beneficial? Have you discussed with your oncologist/doctor (the surgeon my have done so already)   If the specialists don't feel as though there's any benefit, I'm not too sure I would put myself through chemo for the hell of it. Having said that, a15% reduction is a 15% better chance of not needing further treatment after chemo. If you decide to have chemo, stay in close contact with your doctor and if you have symptoms you can always stop the treatment, as RGB mentioned.   Chemo sucks, having cancer sucks worse.   What stage is your cancer? Stage 1 or 2a from your description   -s   ... View more

Hi Wordboy,   I'm sorry to hear about your surgery and the effect that it has had on your life. It must be very frustrating. I haven't had a prostatectomy, but just thought I would message you to let you know that I'd read your message and I have been thinking of you.   How are you coping other wise? How is your recovery? Do you need further treatments?   I found some links on the cancer council website. https://www.cancercouncil.com.au/prostate-cancer/ There's also a link on there to a guide to understanding some more about Prostate Cancer that also describes a little bit more about some of the side effects (a bit late now I guess).   -s   ... View more

Thanks Rick.  This provides a real wealth of information on your experience of life without a stomach and I imagine would be of great assistance to anyone else facing the same surgery. -s ... View more

Hi Tward,   I am sorry to hear about your Grandpa. I lost my grandfather to lung disease also. Only a few years ago. I don't know much more about it to be honest, but I just wanted to let you know that I am sorry to hear that your grandpa is going through this. There are many variables that will effect his life expentancy, and you will really need to talk to his doctor to get any realistic idea.  Without the medical details, anything we tell you is likely to be guessing. I'm also not sure how the side effects of chemo change with age.   -sch ... View more

Hi Jerry, I undertstand that you are seeking a second opinion and that is a good thing. It sounds like you have a good friend there, but don't put it off for too long because you might end up with less options that you might otherwise have had. I don't know anything about your the prognosis, what the doctor has told you or how bad any of this might or might not be. But if you get too ill, you might not have any other choice but to go to hospital, potential for longer. How did you go with the second opinion?   -sch   ... View more

Hi Cat, I'm sorry to hear about your diagnosis and what you are going through right now. It must be very difficult. As medical professionals, they deal with this day in and day out, and I guess they have to try and protect themselves emotionally, so they can make the decisions that they have to make. I don't think that it is indifference. Have you tried asking your current oncologist why the first one had a different opinion? If so, what was their reponse? -sch ... View more