Maddie I am so terribly sorry to hear of your loss. You have been such a tower of strength to you husband over the time and I am sure he appreciated more than words could possibly say. Sending you love and hugs Julie ... View more

Mr Frost has got it in one, hasn't he? ... View more

I have read a few of Bryce Coutenay's book and thoroughly enjoyed them. ALthough enjoyment isn't probably the correct word for one of the books. Harker, I think people are simply at a loss when it comes to cancer. They can't bear to think of how it might be for those that are diagnosed so they glorify it with terminology such as "battle". Cancer is not the only thing that this happens to. For instance in the past there were massacres that occurred between australian indigenous people and they glorified that with exactly the same terminology "battle of blah blah". Julie ... View more

Rubes Congrats on your marriage and the NED. Cheers to you and your new hubby.\ Julie ... View more

Rubes To me its about how I take the journey. Don't let cancer define who you are more than necessary. Of course there are changes to our lives etc... but as per a discussion in another group I belong to, don't let it rule your life. hugsss Julie ... View more

Maddie Dont feel guilty, it is just natural to have those thoughts. It is a bit like a judgement, we all have them and it only becomes judgemental when we act on it. Same with your thoughts, that is all they are and I am sure you are as supportive as you can be to your fiance. Hugsss Julie ... View more

Hi Sonya Canteen may also provide some sort of assistace seeing as your nephew is quite young. It must be hard for someone so young to have to go through a diagnosis and subsequent treatment. Perhaps even directing him here to these boards might be of use to him. He can see that there are others who go through the fear and trauma and then treatment afterwards. As a country patient myself I can relate to it being difficult to have to travel for treatment and to be away from family and friends. His life would have changed so dramatically and in such a short space of time. THoughts are with you all. Julie ... View more

Hi Patience I would just like to echo Geoff's sentiments. I think one thing we can learn from cancer is that there are no regrets. We do what we do at the time to be best of our ability. You sound like you were a wonderful support to your husband. hugsss Julie ... View more

Hi Caroline GLad to hear you are feeling a little better about your surgery. It is always good I think to be able to share with others that are going through, or have gone through simliar experiences. Your dog sounds delightful and I am sure he and Sid would race to the ball quick smart. Sid's ball is not quite dog sized to grab but he might have fun trying to get it anyway. That might be a good thing that your son is somewhat distracted and hopefully a bit supported aswell. Good that you have sorted something out just in case things go skewiff a tad. Had a goodish day yesterday and today has been ok aswell. Think we might get some rain tomorrow so we are getting a lot of midgies at the mo. Julie ... View more

Thanks Silly!! Everyone handles it slightly differently. 🙂 least that is the conclusion that I have come to. I am handling it differently this time around as opposed to my first one. My first one I just about marched around with a placard saying "I WILL BE POSITIVE". 2nd time I reckon that is a load of crock to try and be like that ALL the time. Much too much of a burden. So now I visit the dark places and get back up to positivity. Works for me this time. ... View more