Ah Reindeer. My onc suggested art therapy for me to help with the depression but I haven't followed ip up. I will check with cancer council next week to see if they run any mear me. Alwyas been a frustrated artist. Thanks for prompting me. I hope it is at a venue and time which is viable for me. S ... View more

My computer has been out and I have just jumped in on this. Trust Harker to produce a litany of sea shanties no less from a "throw away" comment! Oh girls, the personal downsizing that is needed after last weekend is momumental! I don't have a shed but my husband has a garage for which one virtually needs a passport to enter.There`are scary things in there but never any singing. Instead my 16 year old has a drum kit in the study so peace and quiet is often shattered. The rule for downsizing (prior to the nursing home) if you haven't worn it for 2 years it goes unless it has sentimental value! Regarding cancer recovery, maybe it applies to the old "out with the old and in with the new" adage. thanks for the laugh guys. S ... View more

HI Valerne, I was daignosed with stage 2-3 bowel cancer in august 2007. the surgery was a no brainer for me as my bowel had completely closed in on itself as a result of the tumour and would have perforated had I not had emergency surgery. After that, i made a decision after a lengthy and informtive discussion with my oncologist that I would go ahead with the 6 months of chemo. My husband and i discussed it and I talked with friends and read all of the literature that my doctor gave me.It wasn't an easy one but I decided that if it meant that there was a greater chance of it not returning than I, personally, needed to do it. Radiation wasn't an option for me and never discussed. It is not an easy decision to make as the diagnosis and treatment have been incredibly life changing and I have had to make many adjustments. I am now coming to terms with many of those adjustments and coming to realise that sometimes life just hands these things to you and you have to do what has to be done. I feel for you and your partner as it is not an easy road. to be honest, the surgery was the easy part and I struggled considerably with the chemo. But I have been back at work for 2 years and so far so good! Good luck with your decisions. As a support person, just be there (even when your partner is being irrational!) samex ... View more

Hi all, The returning to work was regaining a sense of normalcy in a way but I found that my response to others and the way they went about their lives changed. I was no longer concerned with the trivialiites. (I have written about this before.) I made promises to myself not to work as hard and make more time for me but I really think that I have slipped into my old patterns - in fact going in to work tomorrow (in my hols) to work with yr 12 kids. Perhaps, however, this is what gives some meaning? Harker I still don't know what you were thinking, though!I hope it is going well. S ... View more

Thanks for the support Jo. Been a long time since anyone said they were proud of me! Wow! Actually feeling a little less nauseous tonight but still fuzzy and tired. It is early days and I'm glad I'm on holidays or I think the kids at school would be running rampant! How are holiday plans coming along? S ... View more

Hi guys, Just an update. I started on a low dose of meds on Wednesday. Very low for 4 days and then gradually increase. My GP warned me that I may experience some "fuzziness" to start with and I think he is either right or I am just dead tired from the end of term. We started the anti-depressants over the school hols on purpose. Did any of you find that the start was a bit ordinary? Also, some "web reading" that I have done, indicated that weight gain could be a side effect. I REALLY don't need that as well. Did anyone experience this? I am hoping that with better sleep patterns and more energy, that I will start to have weight loss! Again, thanks for all of your previous advice. Much appreciated. S ... View more

Hi Linda, I really hope it is good news. Take care. Samex ... View more

I couldn't agree more with Sharon and Sailor. I left it far too long to seek help and while I am now finding that help, I feel that the psychological road to recovery may be longer than it may have been. I thought that I cild "tough it out" qand didn't recognisde the signs until too late. I was also never made aware of the services that are available, despite my helath care being wonderful in all other respects. Perhaps I also put on too good a show. When I consulted my GP he didn't hesitate to put through a Mental Health Plan and he is very conservative. Good luck and don't be afraid to ask for help. Samex ... View more

Hi Katie, I had a friend who was diagnosed with brain tumours and after the third bout of surgery and not being able to have anymore radiation or chemo, he got back on the smokes and bourbon. It upset his wife and his friends but they came to the resolution that it really wasn't going to make any differnece now and that it helped him through some of the awful stages. I don't know if this helps but it may help explain the unusual behaviour. I really hope that things settle down for you all. The dieseas is hard enough let alone the collateral damage that we have discussed before. Take care of yourself and your parents and remember to offlaod when ever the need arises. Samex ... View more

Hi Amie, This is the place to vent. No questions and no judgements here. I agree with Katie, contact the Cancer Council Helpline for some one on one assistance. There are no easy answers. I wish there were. Take lots of care of you and your family. Samex ... View more