Oh, forgot to mention, maybe you can start a new trend and start wearing caftans to the office!! ... View more

Hi Kym, Just got back from our 'family' holiday and gee, do I have some thoughts on mood swings!! Will have to deal with that one later, or there might be another mood swing about to happen!! With respect to the 'go and do some jobs' bit, my experience is that it is 'all or nothing', hubby doesn't seem to have an "I'll ease into it and see how far I can get without totally wiping myself out" button. He either sleeps or runs himself into the ground. Frustrating all round!! Will get back to you on the mood swing stuff after giving it some thinking time!! ... View more

Hi Linda, Great news that you are home. I have a 'thing' for dates and 6th January is our eldest son's birthday, so now I will be thinking of you too and wishing you all the best for your check-up. Enjoy your family close to you again. Best wishes, Jill. ... View more

Thanks Wilmo34, My husband and I are attending it and I am looking forward to the opportunity to meet others in our situation and learn how we can 'cope' with things better together. Will let you know what I think! Best wishes, Mrs Elton ... View more

Hi Linda, So happy to hear you enjoyed the workshop. One more sleep and hubby arrives, maybe you can use some of your newly discovered tips and surprise him!! Best wishes, Jill. ... View more

Harker You are a very wise man and I appreciate the sharing of your wisdom and experience. Your wife sounds pretty wise too!! We both trust the oncologist, even though at times we find it highly frustrating that there are no 'conclusive' answers to our questions. The "let's wait and see what the next scan shows" is a line we hear too often!! Men and women definitely seem to process things differently, I guess men really are from Mars and women from Venus!! Mrs Elton ... View more

Hi Kym, Wow, six kids, you and your wife deserve a medal (or 6!!). I am glad to read that you are not in pain and 'generally' are doing well! I think we can both be of some help to each other, because it sure is helpful to me to hear the 'male' perspective. As far as ' melting down' is concerned, I find this site is very cathartic for me (hope that's spelt correctly!), I have used the blogs as my personal journal, dating from when we first discovered the tumour, to this last set of results. Admittedly, I didn't know about this site at the beginning of all this, I have only discovered it in the last few weeks, so have had to write a number of blogs to 'catch up' to real time. When I write these blogs, I am doing it to 'cleanse' myself of the fear,frustration,hurt,anxiety, guilt etc etc. If no-one else reads them or responds to them, I have already gained just by 'off-loading' the stuff. If someone reads it and responds, then that is a bonus. I don't feel that I am burdening anyone by doing it this way. I can be honest and know that people who may read it will have an understanding because even though the journey is different, the emotions needing to be dealt with are the same for all of us. Taking each stage as it comes seems to be the option I lean towards. Thinking too far ahead is frightening, but for me, I find I have to 'visit' it every now and again, for just a short while, and then I retreat to where I feel safe and supported. We seem to find the strength to cope with what is thrown at us, sometimes it is enough strength to throw it back where it came from and sometimes it is just enough to 'dodge' things for a while. I feel the more people on our side to help 'throw' the better, or maybe they can act as a shield. Not sure if this analogy is working for you or not but I hope you get my gist. We can't do it all on our own and we don't have to do it all on our own. If people are aware of the reality of the situation, they can make the decision to help or to back away. For those who offer to help, be it, emotional or practical support it is one more person on your team. Those who back away probably aren't worth thinking about. Accepting support from others is not a sign of weakness or that you are giving up, I see it as an opportunity to better 'equip' yourself and therefore make you stronger. For me, taking each stage as it comes seems to allow me to 'cope'. My mum and dad gave me a little plaque a number of years ago, it is hanging on the wall in my kitchen so I am reminded of it regularly!! It reads as follows:- (the bit in brackets I have added!) Time is eternity (specially when you are waiting on results!) Remember yesterday Dream of tomorrow But live today. Would be interested to hear yours and others thoughts. ... View more

Thanks harker, I've had three 'into bed after midnight' nights in a row, so forgive me if the brain isn't processing as effectively as it should! I don't follow what you mean by 'for both of you to get the information you need.' I wasn't looking for information from our friend. I was confused why Greg wouldn't mention it as part of the conversation, he is a very close friend to both of us. Like I said, I am very tired so I may be missing the mark by a long shot here, I'd appreciate your clarification. Anything to help me 'minimise the rankle' is appreciated!!! Will head off to bed now before I turn into a pumpkin! ... View more

Hi kymg, I'm 'a wife' and it sounds like I am very similar to your wife, so I am looking forward to how this thread develops. I might get some very useful tips! I too feel that my husband isn't always being honest with his/our 'situation'. On a physical note he looks, and is, remarkably well. I am more concerned about his emotional wellness. I know that he is not speaking to anyone about his feelings, he has told me that. He has only spoken to me a couple of times since the diagnosis about how he is feeling. When I 'set people straight' on the latest developments I am doing it in the hope that he will get support from others who now have a 'full picture' instead of the 'edited' version they get from him. Maybe I am wrong, I just want him to have an opportunity to open up to someone, even if it's not me, about how he is really feeling and coping. Just like you, he is not a 'woe is me' kinda person. It is useful to hear it from the 'male perspective'!! ... View more

Hi milaroo, Welcome, I hope you find this site very useful, I can't offer any info as I have no experience with thyroid cancer. My husband is the patient, he has oesophageal cancer. Just wanted to acknowledge your post, I know that it can be helpful just to have someone acknowledge things. I wish you well in your journey ahead, much to look forward to with a new grandchild on the way! I am sure there is someone out there that will be able to offer you more specific support. Take care, Mrs Elton ... View more