Hi I was diagnosed with breast cancer a week ago.  I know exactly how you feel - I feel "everything will be fine" one minute and now I'm worried because my head and neck hurt and I'm immediately thinking, has this thing metastasised?  I too feel like I'm having an out of body experience and this isn't quite real  It's really scary - I try to down play how I feel with family and friends as I don't want them to get upset    I just heard Princess Catherine talk about her diagnosis and my heart aches for her too.   It isn't easy for any of us -  I can only wish you all the very very best with your treatment.  Please take care of yourself, surround yourself with those you love.  Virtual big hug from me X ... View more

Hi Mandabum, I'm really sorry you're going through this but I know you are in the hands of experts and you just have to trust that everything will go well.   A few years ago I was being taken to ICU following surgery and a lovely nurse pressed a tube of paw paw cream into my hand and told me to use it often throughout the day as I'd had mouth surgery, had a tracheostomy in, as well as a feeding tube.   My lips during the recovery stayed pristine even though  they became dry, I had no breakages or cracking of the skin there and it was really soothing.  I thought to myself I would always keep a new tube of the paw paw cream and give it to anyone I met along this treacherous path.   Only have nighties with short sleeves as they will need your arm veins for various IVs.  Bring your own tissues - I like Kleenex large and thick as softest and you will probably cry on some days.  Rest and sleep as much as you can.  If you can't sleep as hospitals are very noisy places - ask for something to help you sleep.  Best healing takes place when we sleep deeply and long enough each night.     Wish you every success in getting through this.     ... View more

So very true, how do we cope with our cancer diagnosis, it is hard and twelve months on emotionally I am a wreck, I am well , have gone through all my treatments and six overnight hospital  procedures with only needing Panadol for pain relief  No matter how you feel that cancer word  is always running wild in your head, it haunts us non stop and like you jigsaw puzzles are a great distraction and I would say my best distraction  ... View more

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

Thanks for sharing your story. I hope you find loads of support here. Your feels are so familiar. I feel an uneasy mix of fear and optimism. ... View more