Hi Sonya, I think I start this coming Monday or Tuesday and should find out soon what the weekly cycles are. I can't believe I'm saying this but am actually hoping and praying I get the rash so I know it's working and blasting those damn liver spots left into oblivion. We do have a history of bowel cancer in our family unfortunately my uncle got it in his early 40's but was cured as it was in his bowel only and hadn't spread anywhere else. I will make sure I keep you posted on my progress as I get the chemo. Am looking forward to my second liver operation to get this crap out of me once and for all. A ... View more

Hello to all that responded to my message - and thank you :-) Reading that I am not alone and that others have felt this way makes me feel a whole lot better. I have since spoken to my breast care nurse and she has given me some great advice and some information that has helped. Great DVD from Peter McCallum called -Just take it day to day. I have sat down and spoken with my husband and told him how i am feeling too. Although he is caring and reasurring , im not sure he fully understands. I am taking it day to day and at the moment Im feeling okay.I think coming to terms with the new you and the new life will take some getting used to. Just nice to know you can voice your concerns here and so many understand and just get it - thank you xx I have just had mum diagnosed with breast cancer too at 73 !! Damn that bastard of a disease. She is lucky and has had the lump removed, no nodes involved and will have radiation only. Shes a strong one and doing well. Bring on 2014 I say !! ... View more

Hi Jean, I know the way Samex felt towards the end of chemo ,but when it comes to cancer you do what you have to. I had 48 weekly sessions of 5Fu enhanced every second week with 9 tablets of levamisole ,three a day for three days after chemo. It was a dreadful drug ,it made those who took it feel like death warmed up. It was actually banned for human use two years after I had it because of fatal side effects. At the end of forty weeks my onc gave me the option of not doing any more chemo. He thought that I had enough both physically and mentally. I admit I was stuggling as I had worked thru chemo and I was doing it tough. I thought about it and I felt that If I quit and it came back I would never forgive myself...so I had the forty eight weeks. Did it make any difference? I don't know but I have no regrets.I did what I had too. At the time I had been dxed with a very aggressive stage 3 tumour into six lymph nodes. My surgeon gave me three years at the most based on the aggression and speed it was spreading. I have now been ca free for over fifteen years. That dreadful drug has caused me a lot of long term problem with side effects but I am still alive and still at work at 63. Good luck with your treatment and happy Easter ...Ron. ... View more

Thank you very much for your wise words (and the birthday hug). I will certainly use that quote if you don't mind. I actually found myself having a breakdown at work today. I think I cried for a solid 6 hours. When I started having thoughts of why didn't the doctors just let me die, I knew it was time to seek help. I phoned Cancer Council and had a long conversation with a very nice nurse. She is going to put me in touch with a counsellor. I have never experienced anything like this before and it was quite scary. Sorry you have neuropathy. That is not a nice thing to have - my dad has it. I do hope that it doesn't progress any worse for you. I think you have been through enough. I think I may take some medication and have an early night. Hopefully my happy face will be back on tomorrow. Got to get ready to face Thursday, my 3 month check up. Take care Tash ... View more

Interesting what crops up from time to time. Am I right in recalling a conversation about these metaphors earlier? i too, also hope that when my time comes (as it inevitably will)it will be while I still hvae some control over what is happening to me. Yes, Sailor, we won't hvae succombed to losing the battle, just to the inevitable perhaps. S ... View more

Artist ... I am sorry you are going through this again. I prefer Artistinrecovery again! Julie ... View more

My then 18 year old never came to the hospital and has only recenetly discussed any of my treatment and ongoing checkups etc. (diagnosed in August 20007)because his girlfriend asked about it. I was very angry at him for a long time but I have come to realise that it was his way of managing. I know that he will be no different if it ever comes back. My younger son was, and still is, very different - loving and thoughtful and needing to discuss what had happened to me. What cancer teaches us is that everyone responds differently to the diagnosis and treatment, both patients and those around us. I think it has taught me to be more tolerant and accepting in many ways. ... View more

Sorry for posting twice computer dodo kj ... View more

Hi Meagan, I hope that you are progressing well with your treatment. I think an important thing is to work with it and see the chemo as a good thing fighting the tumours and shrinking them. When my wife was diagnosed with the same some 2 years ago, she went on to folfox and with understanding the potential side affects such as fatigue, then plan some quiet days after the chemo, the neuropathy then keep away from the fridge / freezer. car a/c at all times, in cold weather have gloves always handy, with dry skin apply a moisturiser gently to dry areas, make sure your toothbrush is the soft type, try to minimise the effects of the chemo and you will feel better and be stronger.My wife had 48 cycles without a break of various types of folfox, folfiri, avastin, 5fu with very little in the way of side effects. Hang in there ... View more

Saw doc today and plan is more sunlight in mornings and slightly later bedtime each day until Monday. If no improvement then some short term sleeping tablets. Thanks for your help. ... View more