People who haven't been through cancer cannot comprehend the fear. They say things to try to get you to be positive and it's not realistic sometimes. I rarely use the word but I did say to my oncologist that beibg positive is "bull....".That was really out of character for me but I was depressed at the time.The fear drove me to say things or think things that were not really me. I thought at times I was becoming a selfish person. You sound like you are doing well considering what you are going through. I wish for the best outcome for you. ... View more

I have a friend who was always there to chat before and after treatment. Since then I hardly see or hear from her .She has a new man in her life and I feel I'm intruding if I ring her.I'm happy for her and I like to share her good news.I am wondering if I'm being pushed away now as the void in her life has been filled.Perhaps she is enbarrassed by my looks or the new man is. Maybe it is just lack of time which is ok by me but maybe it is me not someone she wants to be as close to as before. ... View more

I had wondered when one becomes a survivor. I received an invite from the hospital where I had my 6 weeks of radiation last June and July to their National Cancer Survivors Day event. It was then I realised I am a survivor.I used to think it meant that you had to be cured but now I think it also means living, despite it still lurking there , waiting to raise its ugly head sometime in the future . The "living" is very different because I am different. Despite what I just said I do feel like a victim too as I look different and have side effects of surgery and radiation .These have to be faced on a daily basis. I suspect there are many who feel similarly . I read all the profiles of the Head and Neck group and see that many are worse off than I. ... View more

Sorry you have been sick. I'm glad you accepted my friend request. I think I have read about one or 2 people having their jaw reconstructed on another site. I suggest you ask in a blog here if anyone has had this. I realise it is a big thing. Meanwhile I'll look on my other sites and let you know if I find any information. The doctors probably know what's best and should give you lots of info but it is better to find out more so you can weigh it up .I do hope you make the right decision for you. It's your body and your life and you will have to live with whatever you choose.Are you talking to family or close friends about it ? They would know less than you but you need someone to talk to about it,I'll bet. Stay in touch and say whatever you feel . I was supposed to get the boipsy result today but it didn't arrive at my gp today so probably tomorrow. ... View more

Sorry you have been sick. I'm glad you accepted my friend request. I think I have read about one or 2 people having their jaw reconstructed on another site. I suggest you ask in a blog here if anyone has had this. I realise it is a big thing. Meanwhile I'll look on my other sites and let you know if I find any information. The doctors probably know what's best and should give you lots of info but it is better to find out more so you can weigh it up .I do hope you make the right decision for you. It's your body and your life and you will have to live with whatever you choose.Are you talking to family or close friends about it ? They would know less than you but you need someone to talk to about it,I'll bet. Stay in touch and say whatever you feel . ... View more

If you google it there may be information about it in your area but of course it will now be for next year.At our event we had lunch,raffles ,speeches and free lawn bowls. We could wander around and mingle. The speeches were from an oncology nurse,a radiologist/oncologist,a research doctor ,a patient and head of fund raising,if I remember correctly.I actually became impatient when the patient was talking so I went for a little walk over to some stalls selling things. He was an old man whose story was so long because he kept embellishing every part of it with too many asides.The other speeches were interesting and informative. Never having played bowls before I was not very good but enjoyed it immensely. I think there will be more events in Australia as time goes on. It has been going in the USA for many years and it is celebrated in other countries too. ... View more

What a sad story!However your dad is alive ,although suffering from cancer again,at 94 after so much cancer. I was diagnosed early last year with a rare cancer called adenoid cystic carcinoma and one of my sisters was so shocked she said ,"but we don't have cancer in my family".The truth is we have many relatives on both sides of our family and in-laws who have had it,some who died from it and others who survived . I have 9 sisters and 2 brothers and I am the only one who has had cancer . My dad was killed by a hit-run drunk driver at age 48 and my mum is still alive. Yes it touches every family and we all have friends in the same situation. I hope they look after your dad well and with you there I'm sure they will. ... View more

Thank you.Dave. ... View more