I've heard a bit about this submission of artwork recently. I write a lot of poetry in my idle hours and would love to tender a few poems. Can someone tell me how and where I go about this please? Pete (keepontruckin) ... View more

Just a quick cheerio to all out there as we begin another day of life battling the dreaded "C" I suppose it's all too easy to become a little selfish and self-centered as we go through our highs and lows. I'd just like to extend my best wishes to everyone as we all struggle on. There are so many on this site who are most unwell physically and emotionally.....believe me I know all too well how this feels. So chins up people.....look at the awful 'bug' inside us with that steely determined eye and say "one day I am going to kick your arse you son of a bitch". All my love and best wishes to all involved in the battle....I am in your corner! Pete.S ... View more

THOUGHT OF THE DAY (Sent by Rachel Raucci 1/2/2010) “The experienced mountain climber is not intimidated by a mountain.....he is inspired by it. The persistent winner is not discouraged by a problem.....he is challenged by it. Mountains are created to be conquered; adversities are designed to be defeated; problems are sent to be solved. It is better to master one mountain than a thousand foothills.” ************************************* ... View more

THE STATE OF MIND. It’s a curious transformation when serious illness occurs, In my case the thought processes have markedly changed. What was once important...has now become quite irrelevant, My thought processes radically rearranged. I now find myself clinging to each hopeful thought, As a drowning man will cling to a straw. I peer and search for the tiniest beams of light, From every tightly closed door. There are highs and lows and the moods swing about, As I grapple with illness and my state of mind. Like a moth to a flame...I am so drawn, To any good news I can find. It all seems so dark...in a cavern I dwell, Trying desperately to find my way. Trying to find comfort in all of this madness, So expensive this price I pay. I want to live I scream from my soul, Sorry....I am just not prepared to die. I hear your words...I am very ill, But the prognosis I will stand and bravely defy. The body suffers...but my mind is strong, I just have to learn to focus on its awesome power. The body may be ravaged...but there are few that know, I grow stronger each and every hour. Life is simply not all about the physical, Every day new strengths I seem to find. It is now to my heart and soul I cling, And importantly.... to a positive and determined state of mind. I have been struggling emotionally....I find writing helps....I hope this poem will bring a little comfort and encouragement to others out there? Pete. S. ... View more

Hi again everyone. This is my second post......I hope I am doing it right? As I said in my first post I find the emotional aspects of battling cancer very difficult. I do appreciate the answers and replies I have received so far.....thank you. I'd like to know of those dreaded side-effects of chemo? I am on a regime of 48 hours on (Bottle in a bum-bag) and then two weeks off. I find the four days after the unhook very difficult. Extreme fatigue, numbness of the lips, extremely sensitive finger tips and toes, a fowl taste in my mouth and disorientation and I get the shakes several times a day. I have no nausea thank God. I am alone in Melbourne and find the isolation very difficult. I was actually on holidays at Cann River in Victoria when I fell ill (real bummer)I was having my first holiday in two years. I was a B-Double truck driver doing the Adelaide/Brisbane run carrying grain (hence the username of 'keepontruckin). I have been largely on my own since early last November as all of my family are either in Sydney or Adelaide. I find this site a huge inspiration as I can communicate with people who are on the same wretched journey as me. I think it is only those going through cancer who really know of just how difficult this nightmare can be. Family and friends try to comfort and sympathize and support.....but they just can't understand how bloody awful this battle really is! ... View more

Hi everyone......I'm new to this site (Just signed up). As I began my cancer treatment early last November, I experienced all of the physical discomforts we are all very familiar with. Biopsies,blood tests, scans, pokes and prods and all of the wonderful side affects of chemotherapy. I am from SA and a long way from home as I continue treatment here in Melbourne. I am in temporary accomodation and often feel very alone and isolated. I have always been a very strong person on the emotional level, but now find that keeping a strong and determined state of mind is becoming increasingly difficult. I am just curious if anyone out there is prepared to share and discuss how they have dealt with the emotional aspects of fighting cancer? Look forward to hearing from you............ Peter. ... View more