Well said and more......Jules ... View more

Hi Silly, I'm in awe of you going to Fiji between surgery and radiation....I have only great thoughts that you enjoyed yourself as much as you could during that time.......Did you do any sightseeing on top of "getting away and relaxing".....? We went to Melbourne for 3 days, 6 weeks after surgery. My girlfriend from high school and I had made contact after 26yrs apart through Facebook..... and planned this holiday in January 2011.......Trish was then diagnosed with melanoma in February and then I with kidney cancer in March......I was sooooo great to catch up, but we were both very exhausted from travel and excitement.......and talking tooo much. It's interesting when faced with cancer or life threatening situation how we react........For me, it's been a gift 75% of the time though....I was trying to make everything "perfect" in my life, from body to house this is "BC" before cancer....then cancer came and I was still trying to make everything perfect....then it clicked, why am I doing this? So looked within and started counseling. I have come a long way since March and further more to go... I have always chased the dream of marriage/children and pay out a mortgage since early 20's, like my mum and dad and always thought that I had my retirement to travel.....I have found a beautiful marriage, however after 2 miscarriages in my 20's, my babies were not meant to be....So now that I'm working through my child/adulthood, multiple surgeries and hysterectomy/endometriosis and now kidney cancer......I'm able to release and realise that NOW is the time for expanding my horizons......before dialysis. We are going to USA and Abu Dhabi as stopovers and london/france. We are self driving Chateaus,Chocolate, Champangne and Battlefields Tour. We will be away for around 3 weeks I think....I'm very excited. We hope to have the trip paid for before we go, so when we come home, I can start planning the next Tour, Canada I believe......We also want to do the Ghan and Indian, I have always wanted to go to Broome.......but keeping these for when I'm older as don't need travel insurance within Austrlaia..... Well I have chatted on haven't I........Oh forgot to say that I'm planning a trip to Bathurst next year for 50yr anniversay....I reckon Brock will be there.....my hubby not into V8's but he said he is happy to go.....I'll have to make it a camping experience for him so it's a win/win for both of us.... Take care Silly Jules ... View more

Im thinking of you Allicat and sending love, this is all i can do. Jules ... View more

Hi Silly, My Sister is very weak with emotions and puts a hard shell around her....she was diagnosed with systematic lupus when she was 30yrs, she is now 40. She had to sell her home and live with mum as she cannot work anymore.....she is in a lot of pain physical and emotionally.....and has become very bitter. She is now a carer for mum as well. However, I do not feel sorry for her...I help where I can, but get on with life. Mum doesn't want to go anywhere for drives or m/tea's, lunches.....I cant help her, only mum can help mum, same with my sister.....I invite her to the movies or lunch but she never accepts, it get lonely some times not have a sister but I substitute with friends. Susan's exact words about herself were....I wanted to travel more, meet a man and have children but I got sick instead......I missed the boat.....that's life. Susan did say, that she didn't want to be a downer on my travels but thought she should let me know the downside......She also said, "you'll never work full time again" so "you should be paying off your mortgage as fast as you can".......I was going to answer with "I might not be around when I'm 60 due to my kidney failing, so I'm going to enjoy life now, not wait until the mortgage is paid off....." but it would have fell on deaf ears...... It's more about her.....than me traveling Silly........I try very hard not to take it on board......Also Mum told me that I had to be "mature" about my decision to travel overseas and that I should use my imagination and visit the world by "google earth"....if I couldn't get insurance. They are consumed by FEAR for me I believe... My Sister and Mum have always reflected THEIR concerns negatively with anything that I DO........ They didn't even look at the travel book with me and see what tour we were doing in france? Where is the happiness for me and "good on you Jules" enjoy it, it will be the trip of a lifetime".....It's because of THEIR FEARS.....not mine. Anyway, I always say to myself, when you are transitioning from life to death......it is the memories you take with you.....not money, I know money makes life easier however it's not the be all and end all and my hubby and I are very adaptable......I believe all us cancer patients are all adaptable. Jules ... View more

Hi Caring Partner, Yes I did notice they had clauses for cancer. I do fit the cover for cancer as my kidney cancer was contained, I don't know how, it was 10cmx8cm. I believe I am lucky and blessed. Also chemo and radiation do not work on kidney cancer so no complimentary therapy after surgery. How was your holiday to America......exciting and were you able to push cancer to back of your minds and have some fun and make memories? That is important for my husband and I to make memories.. We are planning a stopover at USA....probably "LA".....I can't wait but first I need insurance. As I lost my right kidney to cancer and my left kidney is functioning at between 35-33% or creatnine is 158. Any serve reaction, food poisoning will knock me around, so I need the insurance mostly for kidney dis-ease. My doctor told me to travel now while still healthy and not on dialysis. So we are making it happen.....hubby working as much overtime as possible.... Jules ... View more

Hi BBobs, My Dad reacted similar. Dennis passed from Leukaemia and was a builder by trade and the eldest child of his family. He was a strong capable man and never asked for help it wasn't his character. He didn't cope well with people seeing him weak and sick. The last xmas he ever experienced I was to fly home and he told me "what would make my xmas is for you to live and enjoy life" go camping and fishing at Eden. So I honoured he wish and did that. Later that year in July when his kidneys failed.....I was fussing over him and rubbing his back and he whispered, PISS OFF.......I cried and cried and can't tell you how much therapy I have had to get past that comment, but he was sick and dying......and I didn't listen to him all the days before, that is when I backed off. I would still go to the hospital but sat all day in the lounge. If Dad or Mum needed anything I was there, but didn't let onto Dad I was there all day......acted as if I just got to the hospital if caught out by nurses talking. Dennis, My dad was Catholic and alter boy. He turned away from the church most of his life, but the only people apart from my Mum daily who were allowed in his room were the Nuns.......he prayed and took communion and prayed more........this gave Dennis comfort. Also feeling hopeless is part of our journey as family looking in.....its part of the journey for the passenger. Everything that your Dad is doing is natural and universal of all sick men. I do hope my story of my Dad, Dennis has helped you. Take Care Jules ... View more

Hi Silly and Monty, Could you see those comments, after I wrote it and posted, I edited to "wish you well" comment, as I realised it might be a little too strong for Monty. Jules ... View more

Hi Monty, I wish you all the best. Jules ... View more

Hi Annie, Love the website. We live in QLD, Brisbane. However I left my heart in Vic many years ago. How far is the farm from Melbourne? Jules ... View more