As always, you have the right words to say. And even though you are across country you feel as though you are down the street or next door ........heeellloooooo from the next hole. (hehehehehehe) Glad to see you are feeling a litte sunshine, Cyberhugs Nicole xoxoxo ... View more

You have described cancer and all its ups and downs - scars physical and emotional so well. The metaphor of a volcano is so accurate encompassing and describes the journey we all travel so well. Thinking of you, Cyber Hugs, Nicole xoxoxo ... View more

Hi Harker, I know how you feel! I hope your employer lets you be flexible, and that if YOU feel you have taken on too much in a week or two you can go back to your previous arrangement! I think we have all been there! Hope you have a relaxing - and lots of sleep over the weekend, Nicole ... View more

Hi DizzyDee, I think medicine, like so many other things in life is not an exact science. Many of us struggled with symptoms for a while, before being diagnosed. Anger is a natural response to a cancer diagnosis - as is denial, then grief then acceptance of the diagnosis. I think the best thing to do right now is gather as much information about treatment options, prognosis, pain management, financial assistance - all the nitty gritty so to speak as best to help your dad and yourself - and just be there for him - this is a great place to start. A great place to voice your emotions, to vent, to ask for help or just discuss things in general. Cancer is a huge rollercoaster ride that is completely different for everyone that goes on it. So best to get as much information as you can from the cancer council and your dad's doctors from the get go! Just letting you know that I am thinking of you, Nicole ... View more

Hi there Chris Martin, I think most people on this site can relate to late at night, early in the morning being the worst time of day - for me its 2am. If you read a lot of peoples blogs or replies are often posted around then - we are here for you. I think you are not distracted by the everyday goingson at this time, so your mind can wander to the places where you don't want it to go. It is only natural at this time that you would be scared for your dad and yourself. This is a really tough journey - and a scary one. You don't have to do it alone. My best advice - and I think everyone on this site would agree is to contact the Cancer Council. You can get some one on one counselling - either on the phone or face to face to talk these things through (it is amazing how much it helps!) and once you get it off your chest how much easier it is to sleep! or a social worker at your dad's hospital may be able to help. Otherwise keep blogging and talking - everyone here knows exactly what you are going through - whether we are patients, carers or have lost someone that we love. The worst thing is to go it alone. It is amazing, but until my life was turned upside down, I never noticed how many songs sing about 2am ...........once you start to listen to some lyrics, there are a lot of them out there - just one thing that I have found helpful. The Cancer Council or your GP can help you with relaxation techniques etc or something a little bit stronger for sleep - if you are getting to the point where you havent slept for days - you want be able to help your dad if you get too strung out - we have all been there. Take care, Nicole I know that whenever I have been on morphine, I also get nausea, so the tablets are for sideffects - if that helps. ... View more

Thinking of you all. It is difficult to to have the right words. I think it is better left to the realm of sailor et al (If I attempted something poetic or thoughtful it would sound like a brokendown 2 bit country and western song :)- I am a fan of country if any one reading is getting upset :):)) We are all here for you. You are truly an inspiration to many on this site - take care of you, Greg and the boys. Most importantly you right now. You truly do think of others before yourself, I know in the last week, you have helped me come a little bit out of a massive hole - thankyou Jill. I wish I could do somewhat of the same. I know our situations are completely different - I wish I could fly over, show up at your doorstep and give you a hug, just for a minute. So for now. Cyber hugs, Nicole xoxox Gee after reading that back I should stick to private messaging with no jokes! - Hope I didnt make you feel worse! ... View more

Hi Nicole, It seems you have already had some awesome advice from samex and Jules. Definately ask for help. Vent your emotions (this site is great for that). And take one day at a time. Sending you cyber hugs, Nicole xoxoxo ... View more

Sorry, Didnt mean to imply that cost would be the only deciding factor (sorry ;)) - but it was one of the things my 'face' guy brings up, when he forgets that I already have the MRI's every three months for the brain tumour - although once you reach the maximum medicare level thing it is cheaper of course (onlytwo to three MRI's each year and you are there)- unless you only have to pay for them in QLD?? I know unless you are hospitalised at the time you have to pay for an MRI, but CT's are bulkbilled. I think this is an excellent topic - it has been in the news this week. A lot of people at work etc, talk back radio etc have been saying that's it, I am never having a CT scan ever - I don't know about you guys - I was initially not diagnosed when I first started showing symptoms for both of my tumours (they didnt use contrast) with CT, but then was diagnosed three months later by CT scan (using contrast) - so very, very valuable tool (the media can really beat things up -I think we really need to trust in our doctors judgement) - and one tumour requires monitoring with CT better and the other tumour MRI is better - so have had many of both in the last 18 months. Hopefully your doctors do explain to your satisfaction why they feel one test is better than the other for your particular tumour, Nicole ... View more

Bugger does sum it up Sailor!!! Wonderful work with pain summit! I cant believe that it isnt already in the year 2010 set in stone within the medical fraternity!! Beautiful words Teach, Nicole ... View more

Hi MeAgain, This is something I am pondering, (I am also 34 this year), I have a brain tumour which requires MRI's every 3 months, but also a facial tumour (which is benign), but for that the surgeon orders CT scans every 3-6months (sometimes more often) if I get additonal vertigo or more pain etc from that particular tumour as apparently it obtains a better picture of that particular tumour with better bone definition with a CT - however, my argument to him is that this may not necessarily be very good for my 'more malignant' brain tumour and may infact bring this tumour out of remission, and could he take that into consideration and just use the MRI scans already taken by the neuro guys. I did curtail the CT last visit - but I have the same discussion every revisit. I think the best thing would be just to ask your doctors advice, and why they believe one test is better than the other - also the cost factor may be their only concern - tell them you are willing to pay the difference (on average $500 out of pocket expense for MRI) if you so wish. Best of luck with your journey - I know how these little things can play on your mind, Nicole ... View more