Hi Jill, Make sure that you get yourself a pressie!! Make it something that you wouldn't normally indulge in for yourself. Take it easy this week and lots more cyberhugs for you and your whole family. S ... View more

How true Sailor. I am a bit of a Chrisophile but have found the last 2 years the attitude is calmer and possibly more reserved than previously.A new perspective. I know that I am grateful for every Christmas that I have now but the partying is less important and the time spent with family and friends seems much more precious and imperative. Like Jill, peace, love and stregth is what it is all about now. To those of you rejoicing give everyone extra hugs and to those of you struggling I send cyber hugs for Chrissy. S ... View more

Hi WIllow, I know exactly how you are feeling - set adrift? My husband's initial reaction was "well thank god that's over. Now we can all stop obsessing." He stopped - I didn't. (20 months down the track). I didn't seek any help initially and just "got on with it". We had a short holiday, I tried to get my strength back, went back to work and consequently cried in the shower every night from the pain and continuing fatigue. I had no-one to talk to except a couple of friends and my parents but I didn't want to bug them all the time with my woes. I cannot agree more strongly with Sailor that you should seek help ASAP in some form or another, for no other reason than to assure yourself that you are not crazy and to be able to cry with someone who gets it. I am still struggling with the new normal - haven't quite figured it out yet but I am coming closer I think. The fatigue does lesson and again I agree with Sailor with the idea of managing rather than coping and some days I manage better than others. I was lucky that the teachers with whom I work were wonderfully compassionate and my Principal actually sent me home one day for 2 days when she could see that I wasn't dealing with school at that time. These times became less frequent as time went on but there are still times when I just want to shout at the world "STOP". I am currently rading Petrea King's "Quest for Life" book and have found it to be quite consoling in places, and I think it is helpling me to find the new "normal". Christmas will become fun again and remember that if all else fails there is always someone hee to listen but don't be hesitant (as I was) to ask for some immediate help. There are plenty of people out there who actually do understand the disconnectedness that you are experiencing. Sorry if this was a little long winded, but your pleas struck a chord with me as I felt exactly the same. Take lots of care and book in for a pedicure!! S xx ... View more

Hi Jill, You seem to be coping with an awful situation really well. Remember to take all of the help that is offered. Maybe when Grag is home, even though it is hard work, you could try to suspend the unnecessary "normal" stuff and just focus on some quiet time with him, yourself and the kids. I hope that the shopping went well for the kids and go the gift voucher for anyone over 12. If they don't understand then they are not worth worrying about!When I was on treatment it was gift vouchers all round in 2007 - no way could I face shopping malls. More cyber hugs from me as well and for your family, S ... View more

Hi Sally, I had bowel cancer diagnosed in August 2007, 6 months of chemo after surgery. Initially I had 3 monthly blood tests. These have stretched to 6 monthly and annual CT scans. The blood tests looked for bowel cancer markers. I also have an annual colonoscopy. My understanding is that this pattern will continue for anther 3 years. Not sure what happens after that. Be assured that you certainly are not alone in the fear department!! Samex ... View more

Thanks for doing the pushing Nikki. I hope that you have a great Chrissy with your small person. It's so much fun when they are little!! S ... View more

Hi, My husband had 2 melanomas removed from his arma nd shoulder via a professor (can't remember his name unfortunately) at the Melanoma clinic about 7 years ago. they were very good and didn't muck around at all. He saw the Gp one day who sent a sample for pathology, had a phone call that afternoon to come back and he had already made an appointment within the next few days with the prof. He saw him and had them cut out the following week. It doesn't sound anything like your sister but they did act very quickly and effectively. I hope that you all do OK wiht this roller coaster. SAmex ... View more

Hi Mrs Elton, I agree with Jules and Sailor in that you need constantly be asking for assistance. Often it is there but we just aren't sure how to access it. I have had the converstion with my 83 year old parents - they are both very pragmatic people and my older brother has had power of attorney for some years. I guess it often depends on the personality of the poeple involved. Continuing to think of you and your family. Merkel, I hope that you and your family are doing ok. Samex (with digital hugs) ... View more

Hi Jill, Just keep talking when you need to. Always someone here to listen. Hopefully the social worker was of some help. Have you tried the cancer help line direct to talk to someone face-to-face so to speak? Thinking of you S ... View more

Hi Nikki, Been away so I'm a little late in responding. Yes, I really needed help when I finished treatment and had no idea how to get it or who to ask. Initially just chatting here helped enormously as I didn't feel like such a fruitcake but beyond that some guidance for professional advice such as counsellors/psychologists who are specifically geared towards cancer survivors would have been great. Not sure if CC can be that specific but some pointers and/or resources would have really assisted. Samex ... View more