Thank you Uneek, Geez that protein shake sounds delicious....unfortunately im the other end, having to curb my protein intake however thank you for replying and keep in touch and let me know how you are going from time to time. You keep beating that cancer too love. Jules ... View more

No, you will not get cover. ... View more

You're all so right! I read an article about Mindfullness today. It talked about accepting life as it is at that moment, and accepting your thoughts and recognising them but not getting caught up in the negative chain of thinking that is so easy to fall into. Thanks for the tip about ringing the cancer council, Pimbok. I thought about it but after reading all the posts here I found that my perspective has shifted. I went to the pool today and swam a few laps. It felt good. I used to swim a lot but since my neck dissection I have reduced ability to use my left arm and usually find it very dis-spiriting to be unable to do the things I used to. Today I focussed on what I could do. Silly's right. It's about enjoying the life you have. I just need reminding. I think that finding so many people who have similar thoughts and experiences has made me feel less isolated. Thanks. ... View more

Thanks for that. Don't you all just love daffodils? I have had a lot flower in various parts of our gardens this year. One corner garden that years ago I decided to dedicate to my dad, had over 20 flowers out. It looked great. Dad, I am sure that you would have loved them too. ... View more

Yes-truthful,closed,feels right. I saw a counsellor for a few sessions last year and she suggested I have a few "one-liners", as she called them,ready.I also was told to only share with others what I was comfortable with .I had not thought about these things for a while until your question came up. So glad I could help. ... View more

That is really important to do. Hard, but important. ... View more

What a beautiful tribute to have a special place in the garden Bev, I have a little plastic sunflower in my "dreams" pot. I grew up at the beach, Yeppoon and Dad's favourite flower was the sunflower. The sunflower follows the rays of the sun from dawn to sunset. He was 54 when he passed and this was the first anniversary since diagnosis and surgery in April 11. It hit me hard and I was blue and teary and mentioned to my hubby about how I'm at peace with it all. He hit the nail on the head by saying, you have survivor guilt because you survived your cancer but Dad didn't! Ahhh wisdom. It amazing how technology and science have come so far that they can detect heredity genes of cancer.......It is a gift to have such knowledge and powerful tool for life. jules ... View more

Hi Jan Firstly I am saddened to hear your husband has passed. I am also on the north side of Brisbane in Burpengary....my husband was diagnosed in August 2009. He had the kidney out and according to his urologist all was good....unfortunately that was not to be. They found it had metatisised to his left lung in July 2011 (he had his left upper lobe removed), once again in December 2012 they found nodules in his right lung and had a wedge section removed. At the end of February this year he went for a check up and they hit us with 'sorry it is no longer operable....multiple nodules in both lungs' at the moment other then knowing it is inside him growing his health is good, we have been told he will start on a drug called Votrient within the next two months. I have found a lot of information about it all (mostly american cancer sites)...but right now we are after a support group for the Brisbane North area....any suggestions would be so greatly appreciated....as you probably already know...it can be a lonely road. Family and friends have been great....but talking with other people who are also going through it would be a help. Looking forward to hearing from you Denise ... View more

i just came across this post. It's funny how we need, at times, to give ourselves labels to try to make sense of our lives. BC, I predominantly classified myself as a teacher and wife and mother. Now I also see myself in terms of a survivor but ironically I haven't been able to do the survivor's lap at Relay for Life, despite having a number of friends who are involved in the event. I have only 1 more year to go to the magic 5 years and then I wonder if I really will think of myself as true survivor. Another observation- I am no longer definite about how I will feel in a year's time. 4 year's ago I would have been more definite about my opinions and views. i guess now nothing surprises me. One thing is certain - the survivor badge is one we certainly all earn. ... View more

Ahh memories! Harker you remind me of my brother who at 5 years older than me was a ravenous teenager when I was but a little tyke. He would hover over the plate"Are you going to finish that?" To spite him I would eat everything but a very polite friend was so intimidated that she would pass her half eaten plate to him. 45 years later she still rememebrs the time and the trauma! Sailor I too rememeber the Sunday roast and leftovers and sandwiches. The legs must have been huge in those days. There is certainly not much left in my house these days! We also always had dessert but my Dad is 85 and my Mum 84 so we must have found the balance between the cream and the ice cream and the fruit! S ... View more