I found it both comforting nd frightening that so many of us have gone down this path. Again we come back to the collateral damage of cancer. Sailor, the days leading up to going back to school were atrocious but I think it was merely the anticipation of being overwhelmed by work rather than the execution. I have definitely hit the ground running but so far so good. (It is only week one!) Again, thnaks for everyone'e support. No tears for 3 weeks!! S ... View more

I posted this a while ago in the writer's group but thought that it may also be relevant to this discussion. Outside Looking In The new normal - What is it? How this concept has changed. There are times now when a barrier exists - Separating me from the rest. When the others continue with the trivial, the mundane, The whining and complaining, I often find that I watch, observe as from behind an invisible blur Wondering why it is so important to them? While I often partake in banter and conversation, I sometimes notice myself Looking on from another place, Still in the room but somewhere else. Is it that the perspective has altered? Or that the understanding is greater and no longer absorbed by the banal? Does the facing of our own mortality bring us a level of peace along with the fear – Thus excluding ourselves from the perceived triflings of others. Strangely, this isolation can also come with a sense of smugness- “I have been where I hope you never have to go- These insignificant details leave me unimpressed.” While participating in it, the conversation often leaves me unengaged. Ultimately it leaves me saddened and my mind wanders to what may come of my normality inside the bubble, Behind the barrier. Samex ... View more

There are much more knowledgeable people than me but my understanding is the lower the better. Mine weren't tested before surgery but after surgery and then chemo, mine are now 0.9 (I think). Check with your doctor next time you see him/her. S ... View more

Dracula won't work in our Staff room as it a set text for study for Seniors. ANy other suggestions? Petra King might be a little blunt perhaps? Interesting how we have all had such simiarexperiences. Samex ... View more

Hi. So far so good after three weeks. I felt a bit yucky for the first 3 days but have been pretty settled lately. The big test will be going back to school next week and dealing with the constant deadlines and stress of that as well as keeping the family afloat. We'll see. Again, thankyou all for your input and support. My depression is a bit of a "no-no" topic at home and I don't want to worry my elderly parents, so it helps to be able to discuss some of the difficulties here. Samex ... View more

Hi Willow, Good to hvae you back. Hope that things are travelling OK. Samex ... View more

How wonderful Reindeer!Also, as many of us have noted here about the friends who stick by us through this cancer experience. I think it is great that there are different muscle twinges. So much better than chemo or radiation twinges! So glad you had a great night. My 30th Anniversary is in a couple of weeks. I hope we have as much fun as you had. Congrats. Samex ... View more

Hi JIll, So sorry to hear that it has been so tough lately. the walls of those holes are bloody steep! Keep remebering that there is always someone at the top ready to lend a hand to pull you up and sometimes the hand can come from the least likely of places. Glad that the sun is more dominant now and I hope that you can breathe deeply and take some strength to keep moving along the path. Take lots of care, s ... View more

Hi Reena and Vinouche, I found that I had the same response - both because of my experiences and age. I am a teacher so I am able to lose myself in the job and just not worry about the "nonsense" anymore. I have been back at work for 2 years, and I only have 2 1/2 to go until I retire so I am rather fortunate. The way i dealt with it was to just sit back and observe and try to rationalise that what others are complaining about is their reality and that mine is different. I was lucky in having 2 very good friends, a good Principal and an understanding Head Teacher (all female) who were able to often see things from my perspective, particularly on days when I wsn't coping. Like all of this, it just takes time and constant readjustments. You see, it is the same all over - "they" haven't changed - we have. Good luck and take it slowly and gently. Samex ... View more

That's exactly how it will be Tsey and that is all fine with me! A walk at the beach and a good coffee will be great. S ... View more