Glad to see you having some time out. Hope your weekend was full of gossip and trivial chats laced with some heart to hearts where needed. Samex ... View more

Great site harker. Very easy to understand but I still hating reading the stats about bowel cancer being the second biggest killer. I have to constantly tell myself that mine was detected early enough. 2 years down, 3 to go!! Samex ... View more

Hi Lydia, The emotional roller coaster is possibly harder than the physical one. Until I noticed other people's thoughts on this site I thought that I was the only crazy person who in some bizarre way wanted to hang on to treatment (even though of course I couldn't wait for it to finish). It seems that it is quite common. I had a clonoscopy last week with clear results and I assure you that I was terrified leading up to it. It never left my mind. I am hopefully heading away overseas on Tuesday (standby ticket so you never know if you are getting on te plane)and it has really helped to think of other things. I hope that I can send you a hug to help you through the constant nagging worry. Samex ... View more

Fabulous news Bev. It is so good to hear the good news on this site. I feel privileged that you wished to share it with us. Enjoy them - I'm sure that they will keep you young!!(and tired) Samex ... View more

Well Sailor, welcome to the girlie world (atleast in part!) A friend of mine calls the hot flushes "power surges". I like that term much better. S ... View more

Hi Jules, I haven't had rdiation, only chemo but my Dad had radiation and he looked at it as each day that he went, it was another one that didn't have to be dealt with again. Be kind to yourself for this period. Samex ... View more

I would have gone go for the chocolate and the biscuits!! I agree with the warning labels. Not only do I still have a level of chemo brain (Much prefer other people to make decisions) but even though I was warned about the neuropathy left by oxalipalitan, no-one told me that it doesn't go away!Anyway, still better than the alternative. Samex ... View more

Hi Larn, Ruby and Nikki, As a 2 year survivor, I still have great trouble with the fatigue and ability to cope with stress (mentioned this on another post I think Ruby).My husband was very supportive when I was very sick but I don't think he realised how sick I actually was. Your husband may also be feeling very isolated but because he is a bloke, he won't talk about it. I have always been the peacemaker and the gobetween in my family as well and so often didn't discuss those things with my husband which were really troubling me. Is there any way that your kids can be minded for an overnight stay or even a day and ask your husband what he would like to do that would be really special. In this atmosphere you may be able to talk with him.My kids were older but it wasn't any easier as no-one sat them down and talked to themabout what was happening. As a survivor, I guess we do become immersed/obsessed with what is happening to us and often very resentful. I used to find great solace when I was taken for an "airing" by my husband or friends and they would take me to look at the ocean or have morning tea. If you can find a friend who has been through this experience in some way (sufferer or carer) they would be the one who would listen. Cancer is often a very good way of working out who your true friends are as well. Try a few of them out over a cuppa. Maybe also try the cancer help line. I didn't find it until later but wish I found it earlier. With cancer you can't always be positive, hanging in there during this time is as good as it gets. I know we aren't face to face chats, but there is always someone to listen to you here, as Nikki and Ruby said. Take it easy,one day at time, Samex ... View more

Hi Sailor, My Dad had had radiation treatment for prostate as well and he feels the cold very badly. He is forever rugged up and doesn't venture out if there is a lot of wind. One of my oncology nurses likened chemo brain to baby brain. I was hopeless when on treatment but seem to be ok with decision making now but cannot remember names at all. I have been wondering about the depression Harker, as I fall apart with stress and when I feel that I can't control things as well as I would like to, especially at work. Don't kow if any of that helps Reindeer. Samex ... View more

Harker you have hit the nail on the head as usual. What I have found unbelievably daunting in the past few weeks of term has been that I have been constantly drawn in a multitude of directions with no time for me. I am so exhausted each day that I have rarely even had time for my walk. It is the emotional exhaustion that only other teachers understand that takes it out of you. We were only discussing it today and even those who have no other issues to contend with have had it, let alone dealing with upcoming colonoscopies and blood tests! While I am constantly , as you put it, meeting the demands of others, i sometimes become resentful that there is no time for me. Something that I have to work out I guess. S ... View more