Hi Claire    You couldn't go too far on this subject.  I am the master of poo jokes in my house. I've just refrain from sharing them online because they all stink.   Laughter is the best medicine.    Closely followed by these girls. Sally and Lucy   ... View more

I'm disappointed that I can't go on the Camp Quality Escarpade this year. Chemotherapy is my priority.  It was strange when I first got involved with Camp Quality. It wasn't because I'd had personal experience with cancer. It was because I had an old car being consumed by my garden which I wanted to put to use. So we found Camp Quality Escarpade online and started to get involved .    For those who don't know, Escarpade is basically a bush bash, raising money for charity.    So, we started a team called Running On Empty. I mentioned it to a friend in a shop one day and he asked why I was interested in Camp Quality. Turned out his son was on the receiving end of Camp Quality, so I invited him to join the team.   Unfortunately, my big old Statesman wasn't being restored quick enough, so I bought a Kingswood, affectionately known as Woody. So we've been out fundraising for a number of years, supporting children affected by cancer.   The irony here is I didn't have cancer, and at the start, I really didn't know people who had cancer. On one Escarpade trip, I was talking with a guy who son had been a recipient of Camp Quality support, twice. The good news was his son was also involved that year driving his own car. The family was obviously giving back to the charity that supported them during tough times. However, they remarked on how amazing it was for someone like me, with no experience with cancer, could be driven to get involved with Camp Quality Escarpade . I was surprised to see the different perspective .   Now perspectives are quite different. Now I'm a cancer patient. I don't look at Escarpade through the same eyes. Goes for a lot of things actually. But now, maybe the Cancer Council will accept me in the Shitbox Rally since I have a personal link to cancer. ... View more

Btw, great photo's Claire. ... View more

Okay Claire. Now both you and Lampwork have wiped the floor with me. I've got nothing on you guys.   Phil is kind of my nick name. It's actually my middle name. Not terribly exciting but it does confuse the hell out of a lot of people.    Pepper is more interesting with its origins. Having bowel surgery meant an ileostomy was needed, which means my small intestine is now protruding through my abdominal wall, known as a stoma. I have to attach a bag to catch all the waste. A massive life style change, but only temporary.   So I was looking at my stoma and feeling rather angry about the situation, I referred to it as a butthole. I know! The irony!   Anyway, it made me think of a song called Pepper, by a band called the Butthole Surfers. So I named my stoma Pepper. My wife suggested I used the song as a ringtone for my stoma support nurse, which I'm yet to do. But, I think it's worth extending it's use to the surgeon, oncologist, GP, coloplast and the hospital. Why? Because it will make me giggle whenever they call me and laughter is the best medicine.   Cheers   Edward ... View more

Hi Claire   Your turn... Le hiatus, as in french for the hiatus? Is there a story in there?   I'm back home now. Weekend holiday is over. It was very rehabilitating for the wife and myself. But now it's back to worrying about, work, bills and cancer treatment. Chemo starts Wednesday... Ho hum. So I need to pull my socks up, put on my stiff upper lip and find a bullet to bite on. Time to just get on with it.   Let us all know how hubby is going with the sainthood award.   Cheers         ... View more

Hi Lampwork    That was an epic story. Makes my cancer seem like a common cold by comparison. Don't stop fighting. You've still got a lot to give.    Your beads are awesome. Such a cool hobby. My main hobby is my guitar(s) and writing songs. Lately I've been writing short stories too. I think writing forum posts now counts. I'm also into cars and motorbikes. Unfortunately I have had to give up rallies for the rest of the year and I doubt I'll be able to ride the bike in Canberra winter's with chemo going on.    Now I have my treatment plan mapped out for the rest of the year, I should be good to jump back in the rally car next season. At least I can still play music while doing chemo.   😁 ... View more

Hi.   I went through a similar situation. Diagnosis on Friday, then a whole weekend to digest it. The good news is your Oncologist appointment is soon. I waited almost 2 weeks for the surgeon and 3 for the Oncologist . Under the circumstances, I don't think it impacted the cancer or my treatment,  but the painful wait and all the questions I asked myself. Good or bad, I like to have a plan, but without details, I was stuck, scared and angry.   I went to Dr Google a lot. I was advised not to. Only go to the cancer council site, which is how I found this forum. However, without enough details there, Dr Google was able to help a little by making me aware of other people 's situations. However, take it with a grain of salt. You need real answers from your doctor's and your particular situation. Try not to get hung up on what you find online. You and the hubby will have to write your own story.   With that said, I think this site is gold. I hope it helps you.   Cheers   Phil       ... View more

Hi Lampwork    I've really enjoyed reading the posts between you and Claire. I've drawn so much from following this thread. The nature of this disease... it can be so destructive, but I can see it bringing out the best in people too. Hmmm, Is it? I think it's changed me for the better. Maybe it's just me and everyone else was already a better person before cancer.   Do you mind sharing the meaning of your name, Lampwork54?   Cheers   Phil   ... View more

Hi Claire   I'm doing okay. Occasionally the chemo anxiety breaks through but I'm able to suppress it mostly. I've taken a trip to the coast. There is a rally on at Narooma but I cannot compete, so it's been a good chance to catch up with a few friends and sneak in some fishing. This is my last opportunity for fishing until chemo is over, so I'm making the most of it.   I can remember having my mortality crisis soon after diagnosis. When you are told you have cancer late on a Friday afternoon, you have a whole weekend to fall to pieces... and I did. I guess it's a necessary part of the process. Helps you to understand what you are fighting for. I think you nailed it on the head earlier, having some control over your mortality. It would be easy to do nothing and let go. At some point, it will be inevitable. I'm certainly not going to lay down easily. I don't think you're close either.   I've come up with a weird little analogy. Cancer is like Lego on the floor. Pick up the pieces you can find and put them away. Keep looking, if you think you got them all, you are probably wrong. Keep looking and if you find more, pick them up and put them away. However long I live, I'll keep looking for cancer. I think all I am doing now is controlling the cancer they've found so far. I'm not so naive to think I'll be cured. With any luck, the city bus will get me when I least expect it.   Hang in there Claire. The kids need more cuddles.   Cheers   Phil ... View more

Hi Kate   She is beautiful. She sounds like my Princess, Sally. Hate a bath.   Cheers    Phil ... View more