Hi Sammy77, Thank you for joining the online community and for reaching out for information and support. I am so sorry to hear that both your parents are fighting stage 4 cancer. I guess there are no words that can describe what you are going through, but I am sure you need all the help and support you can get. Please call 131120 and talk to one of our oncologist nurses that can provide relevant information about some of our services that include counselling, and telephone group support for carers. I would like to share some information I found on the internet about cancer floating in your mum's system.   "Normal cells secrete substances that make them stick together in a group. Cancer cells fail to make these substances, and can “float away” to locations nearby, or through the bloodstream or system of lymph channels to distant regions in the body."      Source (https://www.verywellhealth.com/cancer-cells-vs-normal-cells-2248794#:~:text=Normal%20cells%20secrete%20substances%20that,distant%20regions%20in%20the%20body.)   Warm regards, and stay strong Susana Cancer Council Online Community   ... View more

Hi Mandabum, Good to see you are very organised person 🙂 I think you have covered everything, but I would like to suggest perhaps some little snacks 🙂 sometimes we may feel like eating a chockie or something yummy, also a little desinfectant spray for the toilet? Hopefully other members would like to suggest something else.  Personally my phone and my online games are a must 🙂   Warm regards and best wishes  Susana  Cancer Council Online Community ... View more

Hi Barry, Unfortunately Radiation therapy is very strong and it can cause collateral damage 😞 I would like to share with you some information on how Radiation Therapy works, I hope you can find it useful.  Sending you a big hug and best wishes.   https://www.cancercouncil.com.au/cancer-information/cancer-treatment/radiation-therapy/   https://www.cancercouncil.com.au/cancer-information/cancer-treatment/radiation-therapy/side-effects/   https://www.cancercouncil.com.au/cancer-information/cancer-treatment/radiation-therapy/side-effects/how-long-side-effects-may-last/     Susana Cancer Council  Online Community ... View more

Hi ChrisG23, I am very sorry to know about your diagnosis, it must be so hard to stay positive most of the time, it is emotionally draining to deal with all of that. Just wondering if you have seeked professional support to find strategies to cope with those days when you feel in a dark place? if you need to talk to someone for support please call 131120 to find out how can we help you.   Warm regards and best wishes Susana Cancer Council Online Community     ... View more

Hi Reece87, Before anything, I would like to send you a big virtual hug, thank you very much for reaching out. During such painful and difficult times, it is so hard to find the right words to say to make you perhaps feel a bit better.  Do not understimate the power of being  present, to just be there for your sister, even if is just via video call. As previously mentioned thank you for joining this community and for sharing how you are feeling right now, in a way letting others know what you are going through allows you to process your emotions and fears, while receiving some words of encouragement and support from other members. I would like to suggest in case you have not done it yet, to call our information and support line on 131120, to check if any of our services are suitable for you (counselling, telephone group support). Warm regards Susana Cancer Council Online Community   ... View more

Hi lozz247 and battler45, Thanks for sharing your experience with us, it is just heartbreaking to see how cance affects everyone not just those diagnosed with it. It takes a lot of courage to accept it, and then be able to share it with others.  We hope the online community gives you an opportunity to connect with others, learn about their own struggles and personal experiences, and hopefully feel that you are not alone on this. If you live in Australia, please call our information and support line 131120 if needing some guidance or just someone to talk to.   Kind regards Susana Cancer Council  Online Community   ... View more

Hello Shells, I am glad that you decided to join this online community, thank you for sharing your story with us. For sure life is a rollercoster, and can give us ups and downs and also so shake us to the core.  Reading your post, I can see how brave you are, doing all the right things to stay or trying to stay positive and calmed, under the circumstances, hoping for the best and preparing for the unexpected.  Feeling scared is your natural response to all the uncertainty and everything else that you are going through at the moment, I am pretty sure you know that 😊 Good to know you have the love and support of  family and friends, I am sure it provides much needed comfort. I hope other members of the community would like to share their experience with you, or just wish you all the best with your upcoming surgery. 🤞   Warm regards and best wishes Susana  Cancer Council Online Community Moderator       ... View more

Hi Barrie, Thank you very much for reaching out and for sharing your experience with the online community. I am so sorry to hear that you have been battling this for so long, with things not going as expected. I really hope there is someone  in this community that has gone through a similar experience and would like to share it with you.  I  really hope you get some answers and clairtity on what to expect, once you have your consultation with the radiologists in January. Best wishes Susana Cancer Council Online Community Moderator ... View more

Hi RobynMay, I am very sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis, I can really understand that you are in shock and very scare.  Perhaps this post will reach after you had your consultation with your doctor (I hope it went well) but it could give you some ideas of what to ask him if you see him again.   If you need to talk to someone please call 131120 to check if any of our services is suitable for you. This line it is open during holiday period Monday to Friday, from 9 to 5pm except on public holidays.   https://www.cancercouncil.com.au/cancer-information/when-you-are-first-diagnosed/questions-to-ask-your-doctor/   Warm regards Susana Cancer Council Online Community Moderator ... View more

Hi Nicola, I am glad to know i was able to help you with some ideas. Just remember we are here for you if you need additional support.   Warm regards Susana   ... View more