I like the title Harker. As you know I don't see any of us as partcularly brave - just dealing with what we are handed. Thanks. I will hunt it out. S ... View more

harker, I am actually brain dead from the process of marking 100 exam essays for yr 12. A mind numbingly boring task.35 down - ? to do - no good at Maths. I hope to have it done this week so that I can actually do some reading next week. Which one is at the top of your list? ... View more

harker, I am actually brain dead from the process of marking 100 exam essays for yr 12. A mind numbingly boring task.35 down - ? to do - no good at Maths. I hope to have it done this week so that I can actually do some reading next week. Which one is at the top of your list? ... View more

Thanks for the list Harker. I have been meaning to ask you for a list of the books that you often mention in passing and now you have provided them. One that struck a chord with me was: Two years to Normal, Karen Leibovitch. A bit of a girly take but interesting. S ... View more

Top left corner. I thought that it would just stretch out a bit but apparently they just join up the plumbing across the diagonal. Amazing. ... View more

Hi Deb, I didn't have a stoma but my poos were varied and unpredictable as the 6 months of chemo wore on. I agree with Ben - we have a definite right to discuss poo! I have been advocating brown ribbon day for some time in fact. S ... View more

I'm with Harker. As someone with an already shortened colon, poo is a very interesting and important subject for me. I discovered this week that with only 2/3 of bowel left, one can no longer devour the quantity of licorice bullets that one was previously able to. Consequently, I am very curious about 1-5! Samex ... View more

I agree with Harker that you are sounding more self- assured. Good on you! I think I must be feeling a lettle more confident as well as I spent half an hour this morning writing an e-mail to my Principal as I beleieved that an extra workload imposte that she has decreed to our faculty is unfair and inequitable. A while ago, I just would have cied and accepted it! It probably won't change anyhting but O had my say. i also agree that it isn't just cancer that can be so awful. This is what we know but for many others like your sister, other diseases can be equally as confronting. Our situation somtimes allows us to lose a little perspective. Take care, Samex ... View more

hi Jules, Sorry, but have just been jumping on and off here and aven't really been keeping up. My diagnosis was stage 3 bowel cancer in August 2007. I had an emergency hemi-colectomy as my bowel had completely shut down and then 6 months of chemo. I returned to work in April 2008. I have had a struggle with depression and anxiety but I am being weaned off the anti-d's at the moement and while I still struggle at times, things are looking much brighter. My long term prognosis is very good as I have made it to this point with no recurrence. I have 18 months to go before(bloods, scans etc) before I am given the all clear. In saying that, I'm sure that it will never go away completely - at least in my head. I have an amzing yoga teacher who helped me through the chemo and beyond. With my cazy job and looking after a family, it is the only me time that I get - twice a week. I love it. It's a pity that your GP isn't more helpful - mine has been fantastic and laughs with me when I come in about something minor that I would never have gone to him about before.He is very compassionate but constantly at me (in the nicest way) about exercising and weight.Ho Hum. I hope that you are feeling well and if you have Insurance, take all the time you need. One thing I learned is that no-one is indespensible and that we eed to learn to care for ourselves more. Samex. ... View more