samex the young men should be congratulated on there efforts sometimes I am disappointed with the youth of today but an effort like that restores my confidence in them.well done fellows kj ... View more

i just came across this post. It's funny how we need, at times, to give ourselves labels to try to make sense of our lives. BC, I predominantly classified myself as a teacher and wife and mother. Now I also see myself in terms of a survivor but ironically I haven't been able to do the survivor's lap at Relay for Life, despite having a number of friends who are involved in the event. I have only 1 more year to go to the magic 5 years and then I wonder if I really will think of myself as true survivor. Another observation- I am no longer definite about how I will feel in a year's time. 4 year's ago I would have been more definite about my opinions and views. i guess now nothing surprises me. One thing is certain - the survivor badge is one we certainly all earn. ... View more

If you google it there may be information about it in your area but of course it will now be for next year.At our event we had lunch,raffles ,speeches and free lawn bowls. We could wander around and mingle. The speeches were from an oncology nurse,a radiologist/oncologist,a research doctor ,a patient and head of fund raising,if I remember correctly.I actually became impatient when the patient was talking so I went for a little walk over to some stalls selling things. He was an old man whose story was so long because he kept embellishing every part of it with too many asides.The other speeches were interesting and informative. Never having played bowls before I was not very good but enjoyed it immensely. I think there will be more events in Australia as time goes on. It has been going in the USA for many years and it is celebrated in other countries too. ... 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 Vicki, I love your comment 'finger farting' - is that my problem? All this time I have been thinking it is 'chemo brain' not telling my fingers what to do!!! Hope you dont mind, but I am going to 'steal' your saying - I like that better!!! haha These forums/topics are great for 'people like us' - our little sisterhood/brotherhood 'thing' we have going, in so much that we can say exactly how we feel! If we say 'gee, I'm exhausted today', or 'I feel like shit' or ........whatever, we know the response will be from someone WHO IS FEELING EXACTLY THE SAME WAY! My partner STILL doesnt get the fatigue/tiredness side of things. After 2 years, all he says is 'you need to go to bed earlier!!!' I just cant get it through to him that I/we have an exhaustion that cant be cured by sleep,especially when undergoing chemo. Vicki, the family support is necessary, and I do have that, but they 'just dont get it!. Hope everyone is feeling Ok! Di 🙂 ... View more

Hi Jan, I had chemo and radiotherapy for rectal cancer in 2000. Due to mine being a very aggressive genetic form of cancer, I have had numerous operations as well, starting with a total colectomy and removal of half my rectum in my mid 20's. I know all the fun of a "sore" bum, but hopefully you will have a fully functioning system post GETTING RID OF THIS CANCER treatment. Thank goodness that it has been found early. The chemo and radiotherapy that I did have worked - YEAH!!!! as mine was outside the bowel at the time. I have got a lot of scarring, but then I do have an ileostomy and that combined with the rest of the treatments have left an "impression". I also see a gynaecologist who has helped a lot post "all this". Bum jokes!!! I have lived with bum jokes most of my life, as our family diagnosis came out with my mother who finished up with only 3 inches of rectum and a lot of rushing to the toilet. There used to be a statement of "anyone need to go, go NOW!!" as she would sometimes be there for an hour or more, especially the first 12 months. My grandfather sometimes got upset at the "stirring" and jokes that were made of it, but that's what got her through. Let us know how you go, and if you need any assistance or humour, just get in touch. I am not sure how hard it will be for you to go through the combined treatments, as my bowel was already shortened and the effects would be different to yours. Good luck and keep in touch, hope this has been some help craftyone ... View more

Hi Reindeer - if I can do it anyone can! Save a picture onto your computer and then go into your profile and you follow the steps. Samex ... View more

Hi Judith, I am going through Chemo at the moment, and have leg problems, got about 5 weeks to go now,(which will make 5 months) and am having the same problems. hope yours gets better as well. Thanks Samex and Zen for the comments, Its good to hear from others that it does get better. Samex, I am trying the feet elevated bit too. Have to do this lying in bed as I would never get off the floor otherwise. LOL. and trying not to cross legs, which is a really bad habit of mine. I figure nothing is too small to try. Cheers Vicki Anne ... View more

G'day Flight There is an enormous range of options here: Cancer Council - all of the Cancer Councils have a huge range of volunteer possibilities. There is the sort of work that Craftyone, others and myself have done through Cancer Connections, that is , peer group support, talking about your experience to people who have been newly diagnosed and want some help. there are support groups, then there are all those other things that Cancer Councils do, like Biggest Morning Tea, Relay for Life, Daffodil Day. Just ring 13 11 20 and tell the helpline that you are interested in volunteering. Cancer Voices - advocacy work on behalf of others affected by cancer. There are Cancer Voices group in each state and they all run on volunteers. Specific Cancer Groups - there are groups specific to your type of cancer and again they are crying out for volunteers. Age Specific Cancer groups - Red Kite, Camp Quality, Canteen, Warwick Foundation, etc all run on volunteers. Huge opportunity, so when you feel up to it, go for it. Sailor But, blind or lame or sick or sound We follow that which flies before: We know the merry world is round, And we may sail for evermore. Tennyson, The Voyage Specific Cancer Groups ... View more