Hi Lampwork, great to hear from you. Also good to hear treatment is going as well as it can. I think there’s heaps to nutrition that hasn’t been thoroughly explored yet in the science world, but good healthy food seems to be helping, those smoothies and soups at least! Strange about the fish, is that a side effect of the treatment do you think? How have you gone with other proteins?    Re that tree falling across the lady in Melbourne, it’s unfair, and happens every day. I think of her family going about life and then everything changes. We’ve at least been given warning, choices, information about what or how, and weirdly enough it’s comforting even though it’s also really scary. There’s a lot to be grateful for.    I love that that you’ve made some beads- but get what you mean about not doing much. My time is spent reading books, magazines, watching TV, staring out of my window across the farm, thinking about what we need to plant for the veggie garden, or just musing on what I’d cook if I could get up and do it. I have loving friends and family who call everyday for updates and in some instances I’m just letting it go to voicemail and following up later with ‘no news is good news’.  I love that you and your husband have worked out signals for eating. I clearly don’t have the same challenges, so it’s by no way a comparison, but I know that this whole thing has made me rely on my husband/family much more, and we’re closer because of it. I’m really headstrong and fiercely independent, never asking for help most likely to my own detriment, (a family trait) it’s been a steep learning curve, but actually good to learn I need to.  With the sleep thing, I’m honestly not sure what’s going on. I’ve never been a good sleeper (also a family trait)- surviving on about 5-6 hours a night. I can fall asleep easy enough but not stay asleep and then I’m awake at 2 am or 4am in the morning.  Im trying not to get too stressed about it and make it up with naps, but like you, I’m not napping either. My food intake is really low- appears my guts can’t process anymore food than the size of grapefruit before debilitating pain, so I’m on smoothies and soups. Not sure if that’s my new normal, but either way I suppose it will be fine. I’m seeing my GP on Monday to check.   Now onto some good news, my surgeon says they they think they’ve got all the cancer with clear margins- so just waiting on head of radiotherapy to decide on whether I need treatment or not. I’m cautiously optimistic. so good to hear from you Lampwork, even if it’s ‘no news’- it’s just good to know you’re ok xxx  cheers claire      ... View more

Hi Budgie, I realised I haven’t reached out and said hi! How rude! The banter here is a great surprise to me too, I wasn’t sure what I’d find when I signed up but it’s been endless relief to find people battling similar issues and just knowing I’m not going mad. Tell me a bit about yourself-  where did your nickname come from?  Cheers  Claire  ... View more

Hi Lampwork, im reaching out to see how you’re going- it’s been quiet and I’m worried about you. I’m hoping you’re resting up in between treatments and doing as okay as you can.  I’m at home, going slightly stir crazy. Sleep is a memory, eating normally seems to be a thing of the past too. Welcome the new normal- and yet, so damned grateful to just be here. Please let me know,  cheers Claire  ... View more

Hey Phil, Totally understand the lack of motivation, I feel like I’m forgetting very basic stuff, and I’m usually the master Organiser, triple juggler of the household. I’m trying to remember simple things like responding to texts, what medications I’ve taken etc. My bro who is also final yr Med student said that the meds impact, but more obviously is stress and lack of sleep- and to try to keep your list small. Mine is 3 things now. Get out of bed. Eat. Respond to messages. Everything else is gravy. So I’m passing that sage advice on. Not sure if it’s helpful or not. You can tell me to blow it out my ass.    With the tablets- I have an idea that we used for my son cause he hates tablets too. do you eat protein balls or truffles? They can be made with pretty much anything in them. I wonder if you either buy or get a batch made and then push those tablets into them, take a massive swig of something to push them down- OR- is there a liquid version of the meds?  Claxane injections are evil. I just don’t understand how anyone in their right mind could think ooh good idea!  ‘oh this person is being sent home post operatively rattling with meds, in pain so let’s add self administering injections to the mix’ it’s crazy. I’ve done two- I loathe it, but the alternative of not doing it is grimmer so it’s gotta be done.    Omg food- I cant eat either and I love everything to do with food, cooking, growing etc. I reckon I’m eating about 1/4 of my usual intake. It’s worrying but I’m not sure what to do... also, I could lose a few pounds so maybe it’s okay- I just don’t know.    I hope today is a is a bit better than yesterday and you’re getting some good moments in between the crappy aspects. Let me know,  cheers Claire  ... View more

Hi Phil, how are you feeling today? Hopefully the nausea has abated. Have you tried ginger like Lampwork suggested? I used it for nausea after surgery and during pregnancy, not sure about chemo but could be worth a shot.  You mentioned a mental blocker, can I pry and ask what you mean? Im home, warm, really sore from the surgery but finally able to rest without being checked by nurses every 30 minutes to an hour, so that’s something. Oh and the food here isn’t trying to kill me so that’s something too.  Thinking of you and your good wife today and hoping you’re hanging in there- doing a slow dance, leaning on each other and knowing we’re here for you if you need to chat. Please let us know how you are going.  cheers Claire  ... View more

Hi Lampwork, I’m home now , rugged up, with family and catching up on messages. Yes to ginger, watermelon and I’m going to talk to GP about endep- sounds like a great solution to sleeplessness.  How are you today?  Cheers Claire  ... View more

Hey Lampworks, great to hear from you- sorry you’re stuck in the radiation cycle, I think your idea of soups and juices is good. I’m doing the same- soup is boring me to tears too... I read in your last post that you were worried about overburdening friends and family with radiation visits , I get it. I’m very much in the ‘solo’ camp wanting to do it myself but we do need people.  They’d probably love the opportunity to spend time with you and it may break up the monotony if you have them on a roster? Also, saves you having to ring people after and give updates- they can be the ‘anointed whisperer’ of the day. I reckon updates may be the most exhausting thing!    BTW- my morning blast juices might be of interest to you (I have 2 for 2 different purposes):   brekkie blast (anti inflammatory/enzyme building) 2 bananas 1/4 avocado  1tspn raw oats 1tsp chopped ginger 1tsp chopped fresh turneric 1/4 cup of kale or broccoli or spinach  coconut wster *optional manuka  honey   alkaline apple 2 apples 1/4 cucumber 1/4 celery stick 1 kiwi fruit 1 tsp ginger 1/4 cup kale coconut water    Theyre both really really green!    The injections are for blood clotting- so next month only but not something I want to get used to.  Missed you Lampworks! You’ve been an anchor in a pretty stormy sea so thank you. Yell out if you need to chat about anything xxx  claire        ... View more

Hi Phil! You’re awake Yay and also not so great. What is it with the night time? I can’t sleep for longer than 2 hours at a go... its been trying to snow here in Ballarat too, my hospital bed overlooks the town (thankful for a window believe me) but nothing yet! Weird about chemo fingers, I wonder if that’s a new side effect or related to the guitar playing? It’s definitely cooler than jazz hands . 😂 see what I did there? Don’t thank me, the mistress of pun needs no applause. 🤣 Totally happy to be back, and thanks for keeping the thread going, epic effort, and for checking in too. It was really good after loads of well meaning family and friend questions to come back to the brutal honesty about what everyone is going through. I’m so grateful for it.  Cheers, Claire      Current view from hospital room     ... View more

Aww you guys!! I go away for 5 lousy days and come back to posts of dogs, cats, TODDLERS, I think I saw a budgie too- have you people all gone bonkers? Yes?    Brilliant!!! I agree with Phil, let’s go for a record, I like that kinda thinking!    On a more sombre note, I’m writing this laid up in a hospital room, I’m still waiting on more results (next Wednesday)  I’ve lost how ever many kilos in a few short days, but I’m up walking, eating and clearly giving you all a mouthful of cheek so I’d say this last dance was a pretty good one. Sore, tired, had to learn how to inject myself (why didn’t anyone warn me?) probably off to home tomorrow (YAY!) and in awe of your ability to create the longest thread so far.   Missed you all- hope you’re well? Updates?  Cheers, Claire  ... View more

Hey Phil/pepper/Edward/Ed (which would you prefer by the way?) Fantastic on both counts, poo jokes are all the rage at our place too with a 5 yr old boy running about, and your two girls are gorgeous- King Charles cavaliers right? They’re fun. We had our KCC Harriet for 11 years and she was the most super funny,  affectionate dog ever, I miss her.    How are are you today? How are you feeling heading into nxt treatment?    Tomorrow is a big day for me, 4 hours of surgery to look forward to. Thankfully I’ve convinced the family I don’t need a cheer squad to deliver me to the hospital so I can just quietly go and chew my finger nails down to bloody stumps in private. Kidding! I don’t chew my nails but I may make an exception.   so I’ll be offline for a bit- will keep you posted when I’m able. In the interim, take care and we’ll chat soon.   ... View more