Sangeeta I think that you are on the mark. As sufferers, I sometimes think we become totally self absorbed (and understandably) as we are often fighting for our lives. But what we need to see is that ALL of us are suffereing in different ways and that we need to take life moment by moment and see where it takes us. I am guilty of the self absorption (hence the poem) but as I have seen too mnay good friends not make it and the suffering that their families endured ( and continue to endure)I hope that I am able to see some other perspectives. Thanks for the perspective Sangeeta, S ... View more

I'm sure there is a Cupid in there somewhere. S ... View more

Wow Vanessa . Your friend was something special. One of the things that haunts me about cancer is that it is so indiscriminate in who and how it attacks. I lost 2 very good friends as well (1 before I was diagnosed and one who endured his treatment with me). Sometimes this is what makes me angriest rather than my own situation - which is pretty good at the moment. Merkel, I only read your blogs when I was new to this site but I remember being deeply touched by your honest description of Wazza's last few hours. I hope that you and your family are doing Ok. Samex ... View more

Hi Sammycat, I couldn't agree more with the common nature of this disease. I have attended 3 funerals of people under 55 in 5 years. 2 were very close friends and the other a close friend of my brother. Each one makes me grieve but 2 of them have been since my own diagnosis and I often find that I feel intense anger- perhaps this is a manifestation of my own fear. I would love life to take a breath and allow me to catch up as well. I write this as I head off to yet another appointment - this time with the acupuncturist for my crazy feet. At least I am here to have the appointments!! S ... View more

Excellent that Rob is thinking of slowing down. The problem with the steroids was that all I felt like eating was cake, chocolate and my mum's baked custard. Pity it didn't make me feel like fruit and veg or I may have not been in this predicament(weight wise)! Can you swim with the problems from your accident? I'm a bit of a water baby and I find swimming breaks up the monotony of walking every day. Rob may find that some days the exercise is just too much and maybe even just walking 4 houses down and back is enough.The heat is also a problem with the sun sensitivity etc. Both of you take it easy and keep thinking of that wonderful holiday. S ... View more

Hi aylaah, Your sister is lucky to have a sister who is obviously so caring. Please accept multiple cyber hugs for you and your family. Samex ... View more

Hi Jo, I have no idea how he is still working!I'm a teacher and gave up after 3 rounds!I am still only working 4 days a week as even though I am Ok with the workload I couldn't cope with the stress. 4 days is great. I put on heaps of weight. You gotta love the steroids. I am still fighting (18 months later)to get it off. 7 kilos gone and about 15 to go. I was a bit overweight to start and the doctors are pretty thingy about weight, exercise and recurrence. How wonderful to be going to Bali- one of my favourite places. Glad you are resting and hope you are feeling alittle better. S ... View more

Hi Jo, So glad that Rob is nearly there. when I was close I got really excited for a while but then the final rounds were just so exhausting that all i did was collapse in a heap after the 5FU jetpack came off each fortnight. My onc had warned me that the final stretch would be tough. He was right but we made it!Just a quiet warning for these last few weeks. Rob is lucky to have you go to the long treatment with him. I used to do the first couple of hours on my own but my parents always came up for the last coupole of hours and chatted while we watched the stuff drip through! They then took me to lunch before I was too sick to eat anything! One of the hardest things I found was the sense of being disconnected when I finished treatment. You may have noticed this sentiment being expressed before. You seem much more astute to feelings than my family was so I am sure that you will be aware that "back to normal" doesn't exist. I am now up to 12 month CT scans but annual colonoscopies and 6 month checkups. I am still scared S******s every time.Bloods due in MArch. Can you, Rob and your lovely boys manage to get away for a holiday when Rob is more settled? I promised myself somewhere that I could "swim with the pretty fishies" as I was really dirty about not being able to swim all summer 2007/8 due to the picc line. We went to Hamilton Island and it was perfect. For now, you stay in bed, drink plenty of green tea and take copious amounts of vitamin C. HAng in there, S ... View more

Good to know that there are some sensitive souls out there! I had a beautiful card from my yr 9 class that I still have. Gives you hope. Enjoy the trip to Canberra. I'm hoping to get there these hols as well. S ... View more

Hi Julie, I think by trying to focus on what the alternative may have been is the only way I get my head around the "new us". Thanks for the comments about the writing. I hadn't written for years - I think being an Englsih teacher and therefore constantly surrounded by the great writers gave rise to my witing being worthless. Here at least I can write and not be judged and for me it really helps at times. The shoe thing really gives me the S***s though! S ... View more