Hi Stella I’m sorry to hear of your shock diagnosis.  It sounds a little like mine (totally out of the blue). 😔 The hardest thing I find is not knowing what the future holds, but I try to remain positive and draw comfort from my amazing family and friends, and try to find pleasure in small things every day. I feel OK in the second week between treatments, so I get out in nature as much as I can then. It’s good for the soul.  As a quiet place to reflect, or a isolated place to cry and scream.  I wish you all the best with your journey, and am happy to chat more if you would like to.  Feebs  ... View more

Hi Stella.   I did see a counsellor much sooner who was arranged through Cancer Council. Cancer Council was great, they put me in touch with a service and I had an appointment the next day.  I have finished an initial 6 rounds of chemo, and I am now awaiting the results of a PET scan and to speak with my Oncologist about how things look. I am trying to make the most of every day, and not stress too much, but it’s not always easy.  Today is a new day, and I am going to enjoy it with friends in the great outdoors.  (Rain or shine). Feebs 😊 ... View more

Oh Richard 💔 We all need to be able to vent now and again.  Just don’t let the anger be all that we have. 🙏 Not knowing what the future holds or how much time remains is one of the hardest things to deal with, so all I can do is embrace each day as best I can.   I’m heading out to watch the sun come up now and look for little things to brighten my day. Hope you can find some too. xx ... View more

I hear you Steve  While I understand the importance of having a positive outlook, try as I might, my practicality doesn’t allow me to blindly keep it up all of the time. Sometimes I need to address the what if’s.  This ride is both a tightrope and a roller coaster.  ... View more

Hi again Cass I have also been known to rip out a scream (the longer and more forceful the better) in the car on a quiet, deserted road.  So as to not freak out innocent bystanders.   What ever gets us through I say. ❤️ ... View more

Hi Steve61 Sounds like I find myself in a similar situation.  I was fit, active and symptom free (or so I thought) when I noticed a lump in my abdomen in Jan 2025, which turned out to be stage 4 bowel cancer, with ovarian and lymph node involvement.  I had surgery in Feb, and have just had my 4th round of Folfox chemo on Tuesday.  I have all the same feelings and emotions which I am struggling to deal with without an actual prognosis.  I am booked for a PET scan after my 6th round of chemo, and will meet with my Oncologist in early June to find out how things look then.  I won’t lie, I am terrified, and it’s going to be a long 6 weeks that I don’t want to waste when I feel like my remaining time is limited.  I just TRY to enjoy the good days between treatments and be kind to myself on the other days.  Get out and about in nature when you can. It’s good for the soul.  Cancer Council was able to help me arrange to speak to a counsellor within days of reaching out, which was much quicker than through my oncology team.  I had a session yesterday, and although they didn’t necessarily have the answers I seek,  it was good to let it out to someone other than family and friends, who I do try to put on s brave face for (because it makes it less awkward and painful for them).   Happy to chat more if you would like. Feebs74  ... View more

Hi Cass080 I am new here too, and my heart goes out to you. ❤️ I also had a radical hysterectomy as part of my cancer treatment back in Feb 2025. (I have stage 4 bowel cancer, which had spread to my ovaries). So I too am experiencing instant menopause on top of the cancer stuff, and my emotions are definitely all over the place. I am able to get around better now that I have recovered from a couple of major surgeries, and have been able to reintroduce exercise into my care regimen.  I really am looking forward to the cooler weather so I can get out into the bush/forest which I find really good for the soul. I also don’t mind letting out a big old scream of frustration occasionally.  (Hopefully not scaring the hell out of fellow hikers or critters too much). 😂 I’m sorry I don’t have any specific advice to help you right now,  but I am in a similar situation trying to navigate it as best I can and would be happy to chat more if you would like. Feebs 😊🤞   ... View more

Hi Richard Thanks for reaching out.  It certainly is a roller coaster and I don’t deal that well with chaos.  But I am learning that “it is what it is” and I try to make the most of every day, trying to find pleasure in the small things.  Some days are just harder than others.   I don’t sleep much, so I’m up before dawn and walk my dog to a nearby lookout for sunrise.  Hopefully I’ll be around to see as few  more. 🤞     ... View more

Thanks Felicity  I was able to speak with a counsellor arranged by Cancer Council yesterday, which was great. Many thanks for the quick response and service.  ... View more