Hi Guys, Cats I was only able to make mt appointment for wednesday as my GP only works 3 days a week and is hard to get into after work. The shoulder pain is still there and has now turned into a migraine which probably reinforces the muscle pain/tension theory. ANyway, Cats I'll make you a deal - you see your doctor about your niggles and I'll check on mine. We can be hypocohdriacs together!! Report back later. Thanks for the sanity Zen-Moment. Samex ... View more

Thanks Jill. Hope you guys are travelling Ok. Your situation makes my "niggly pains" pretty unimportant. S ... View more

hi Teach, I keep coming back to your post. It is great that you are able to relate such positive outcomes for such an awful time. I guess it took me a while to collect my thoughts as while my family were great when I was sick, it is not something that my husband and eldest son see as having ongoing effects. (The consequent depression and anxiety in particular). Perhaps it comes as a result of a number of factors - me being very stoic (mistake!!) and my husband being a turtle and preferring to hide in hhis shell. My eldest son just refuses to deal with unpleasantness.I fortunately have my youngest son, who is amazingly empathetic and sensitive (he was 13 when I was diagnosed, my eldest 18. I cannot agree more,however, as to how this disease has changed my perspective on what is important. The simple time is now so much more critical than big events. While I still want to have continuing adeventures with my husband as we head to our retirement, just a walk at the beach and a coffee will be fine. And just having my sons tell me about there day will more than enough to keep me going. Mind you, the bucket list still has a number of items that will need ticks next to them! Thanks for sharing your story. As with so many other aspects of your life that you have presented to us, it is food for thought and inspiration to keep going. S ... View more

Hi Chris, My situation was that my bowel had completely shut down and they couldn't find out why through x-ray which was why my surgeon ordered the CT and then the emergency surgery. It is all a bit foggy as I was so ill for those 2 days but the actual word "cancer" was only confirmed after the surgery. The tumour had caused my bowel to telescope in on itself and that's what had caused it to shut down. I wish I could give you something more definite and possibly positive to go on with over the weekend but soemtimes it is all so vague. Again, lots of thoughts to you and cyber hugs. Samex ... View more

Hi Chris, This must be terrifying for you. Are you able to ask your doctor straight out the questions that are worrying you? I'm sorry I can't be more help as my cancer was detected with a CT as my bowel had completely shut down and was in danger of perforating. Therefore I had to have emergency surgery. While we can't help medically, feel free to express your fears here when ever you wish. Big breaths and lots of hugs, S ... View more

Hi Mopity, If your oncologist is so negative, are you in a position to speak to someone else and/or change doctors? I am lucky that all of my doctors are open and will always answer questions as asked. Have you a GP that you can talk to and ask questions? Good luck with it all, Samex ... View more

Hi Jules, As Sailor says, I am managing better. It certainly begs the question, however, of how many of us need some form of medication to come out of this? S ... View more

Vinouche that was lovely to read! I think my happy pills are working too. No tears in over three weeks. Almost had a melt down this morning when I thought I had lost my wallet but I found it and it was all good.There was a surge of panic ,however. I plan on being around to see my boys graduate from uni and hopefully some grandkids at some point but I'm not holding my breath on that one. There are also a lot of places on the bucket list that haven't been ticked off yet. Onward and upward my friends! S ... View more

Hawaii sounds awesome! My eldest is nearly 21 and I still have trouble leaving him .Maybe I am more worried about what wil become of the house! Stay strong Alana and what a wondeful gift hindsight is. It would be great if we could all practise what we preach about starting each new day afresh and forgetting the past. HAng in there and stay well, S ... View more