Hi everyone I have a friend who is suffering from pancreatic cancer and she has just started on abraxane in the hope that it will halt or reduce her tumour. She isnt part of a clinical trial for this one, just doing it alone. Initially she was going to have to pay for her treatment, however, they have now given it to her for nothing on compassionate grounds. Julie ... View more

Ohhhhhh, go the Eagles!!! lol Sounds like you had a busy w/e ... nowhere near as busy over here in the west 🙂 I felt tired when i was first diagnosed and i think a lot of people can look back and say they were more lethargic and didnt realise it. You can research the side effects of the particular chemo you are going to have and that will give you an idea. Of course everyone reacts differently, so its only ever a guide. I do barrack for the dockers if they arent playing the eagles. haha Julie ... View more

The first time i was diagnosed with cancer i decided i was going "to stay positive". It was a complete burden and totally unrealistic in my opinion. Although i do believe we need to be healthy in our outlooks and that includes not focussing on the bad too much, but i prefer to use the term "visiting" those feelings. Visit but dont stay there and as vinouche has said, it is natural and normal to feel sad when you have something to feel sad about. These days i also just try really hard to just focus on today and cross bridges when i need to. Not always easy but it is doable. So in answer to one of your questions, yes it is ok and it is something i do when things get on top of me as they do. Julie ... View more

Hiya i_t You are a couple of years older than my son. 🙂 It sounds like it has been a tough road for you and your mum! It is hard for us to face something that we dont want to happen. It is natural to cry and as a surgeon once said to me "you have a right to cry and you have something to cry about". I think i would worry more about someone that was going on the cancer trip that didn't cry. The cc has a help line if you ever feel like you want to talk to someone anonymously, sometimes that helps because we dont like to worry those closest to us. We all do understand here so vent and rant away. Sharing is good for us all, we all get something from it - it makes us feel normal in a not so normal situation! Julie ... View more

Hey Pauline Good to see you here. I went and saw my pancreatic friend yesterday and was thinking of you and wondering how you are going. 🙂 My friend has just started on the abraxane treatment that they are doing a clinical trial with. She is not actually involved in a trial and was willing to pay for her treatment but has since been granted it free on compassionate grounds. (just for anyone's info that is reading - there are ways and means sometimes) Ok, i better off and get some more housework done ... somehow i manage to avoid doing this bit. lol Julie ... View more

Hi i_t When i was diagnosed this time with cancer it has been particularly hard on my mother. We have talked about it and she said that she felt helpless because she couldnt do anything to help me. Now i am 51, but to her i am her daughter and i guess you never give up on being a parent. It was different again for my son and i think he buried his head a bit and still does. My brother is another story ... he is burying his head big time and doesnt cope. As vinouche has said, we all cope in different ways and there are things in place if you felt you wanted to go outside the family circle to have someone to talk to. This site for one is great for people to unload and you can meet some fantastic people here. Julie ... View more

Hi Samex With my first cancer i had a u beaut gp who also laughed with me and would tell me to go home when i visited him with a completely unfounded fear. He was great and instilled a lot of confidence in me. The process we all go through just sucks at times! Julie ... View more

Hey seashell I am sorry to read of your father's diagnosis, pancreatic cancer is a difficult one. Like you i was a daddy's girl and i still miss my dad today even though he passed away 9 years ago. I do feel for you having to go through what you are going through. I am sure your dad really appreciates all that you do for him. Julie ... View more

Hey Mazza It overwhelming at times and this site is great for a lot of people to unload their joys and fears. I am sure you will get a lot of support from people here. The cancer council is great also as they have a lot of resources to help people out. You might find your cancer coordinator invaluable or your social worker at the hospital you are having treatment at. We all know what its like to be diagnosed and the initial feelings you go through, hang in and access any help you need. Thinking of you. Julie ... View more

IT certainly is cats and a load of crock also .... ... View more