That is so awesome - I love it - being a celebrant will be great.  How cool ! ... View more

Hi Ashes    are you still there?  ... View more

Hey Hey   In my opinion, this is one for the scientists, and whoever offers a point of view on it does not definitively KNOW.   Immunology is a major research area in cancer treatment, and is providing improved (and less damaging) treatment options for some types of cancer.  Great.   But that doesn't necessarily translate to immunity/metabolism preventing you from getting cancer in the first place.   From what I read, there's some kind of programmed death gene in all of us, some kind of marker that tells the body to start shutting down.  It's like that old saw about every cell in our body replacing itself over a 7 year period .. we're designed to rebuild and heal, but also eventually shut down.   Cancer is a mutation of healthy cells, that (just from a bit of reading) apparently is triggered by this programmed death process - and a lot of the immunology drugs geared toward treating cancer are designed toward over-riding this process (so that your healthy immune system can identify and fight the cancer).   Look, this is all just me as a layman interpreting science that is over my head .... BUT ....   That leads to the logical extrapolation that a healthy immune system doesn't necessarily specifically fight cancer.  The immunology meds are about MAKING THE CANCER VISIBLE to your immune system (and yeah I think also super charging the immune system).   So basically, this programmed death process, this mutation into cancer cells, is triggered (in my case apparently by HPV+), and it's a signal from the head honcho that it's time to pull the switches and go on vacation.   In my thinking, it leads that an otherwise healthy person with a supercharged immune system is just at risk of cancer as someone not (an oncologist said this to me, actually, when I was diagnosed).   BUT - eating all that healthy stuff and being healthy still FEELS great.   I just think anybody who asserts that they KNOW it will help you prevent cancer should be looked at suspiciously - likewise if they even assert it will help you FIGHT cancer (beyond how being and feeling healthier will help you).   I think it's all about that programmed death process, that trigger point where a cell starts thinking "ohh right, Im not meant to be here any more".  They kill those cells with radiation and hopefully they stay away.  But will immuno- medicine, hawaiian seaweed and all that stuff help ?   I guess the answer is probably a very definite maybe.   Our medical establishment isn't great in terms of being a source of knowledge - I've met with scientists to discuss things like autism, and for extremely intelligent people with a very rigorous protocol, they're like everyone else - flawed humans who don't like hearing that they don't know everything, or hearing viewpoints alternative to the narrative they've invested so much into.   So yeah - on the flipside, if the secret to preventing cancer is in some kind of SUPERIMMUNO stuff, the orthodox medical establishment probably will poo-poo it for as long as possible, until the evidence is just plain undeniable.   I reckon gene therapy is probably what we'll see in 25 years - where at risk persons are identified at birth and given a preventative innoculation of sorts.  As long as the zombie apocalypse doesn't happen in the interim. ... View more

Hi Caryn, my partner (41) has been battling multiple myeloma since 2013. He went into remission for a couple of months but the last 2 years has been a constant battle to get a chemo treatment that will keep it at bay. He is about to start on the last chemo treatment they have available at the moment having exhausted the other options for now.   We've experienced all the ups and downs of the various treatments. Like you say some days you wouldn't know he was sick and other days he's barely out of bed. You never know which person you'll have with you on that day. As the person caring it is tough not being able to make any firm plans based on the day. If a treatment is working and having effect though this does improve so these are the times to make the most of if possible.   I'm also in Adelaide so if you ever need to or want to talk please let me know. ... View more

Hey there, Ashes How have 1600+ people looked at this post, but nobody responded. It lends substance to your concern that a lot of people just don't seem to care (or find it too hard). Having been around the mulberry bush a few times, I do know that people with true heart .. the real stayers, the ones who are there for you thick and thin, are extremely rare. People pretend it, all the time. The make the sounds of love & fidelity. But yes, it's no surprise that people can fall by the wayside when you're hit by hard times. In many cases, it's not even a mean-ness of spirit .. it's more of an awkwardness. (Or at least that's a nicer excuse), "Oh, she's suffering so much, I don't know what to *DO* or to *SAY*" (When in reality, all that you really need to do is BE there. Being there matters) Me, I'm lucky, no abandonment - in fact, the opposite .. but I'm the kind of person that doesn't nourish acquaintances, I only put time and energy into full-blown friendships, and I've made good or lucky choices. What I'd suggest is - you need someone in your life. (Hell, even if it's just a cat, that might help). You sound in dire need of emotional support and nourishment. You could look at professional help for depression & isolation, but personally what I'd do is choose a place you like and spend a lot of time there (example, local library). Read, if reading gives you pleasure. And if you make eye contact with someone, start to chat .. take it back to the natural basics. And if a connection forms, let them know about your cancer, your loneliness, but don't be .. well, you know .. overly clingy. A friendship that forms in a dark time is so much better & more inspiring and nourishing than a false friendship that abandons you on a dark day. Anyway, there are decent and kind people out there, I suggest you find one or two and form a circle of friends. Sure, there are cancer support groups and stuff you could connect with .... ... but .. that doesn't quite sound to me like what you need. You just need a friend. Anyway, like any success in life, it's trial and error, right ? Sounds like you have skills and instincts, revive them. When you meet people, just look in the eyes, you'll be able to tell if they're a goodun or not. If I were sitting on a park bench watching my kids play and a stranger came and sat next to me and said "Hi, I'm sorry to bother you .. I just .. I'm lonely and I really need a friend" .. I like to think that after sizing them up a bit, I'd invite them home to dinner. There's good people out there. Don't give up, you can make new connections and find the nourishment you need. Where there's life, there's hope. ... View more

Hi, I am 20 years old, I live on the central coast so about an hour an a bit North of Sydney. Over the last 18 months have had brain serjury, a solid hit of chemo as well as radiation therapy. My memory is quite average but slowly improving. Would love to have a chat ... View more

Hi Harker Thanks so much for your reply. The info was very helpful and it relieved a bit of stress for me. I was lucky to have minimal side effects from the Thalidomide so fingers crossed the Velcade will be kind to me as well. As long as I stay clear of the Dex as much as possible it should be fine as I react very badly to the Dex. Dangerous reactions. It's a nasty drug that should be prohibited. Good luck with your new treatment. I hope you get positive results from it. Thanks again Ash ... View more

Hi Ash, thank you and I really feel for you. Up until now i have had no idea how painful and destructive cancer is. Maybe brave isn't the right word but I think you are brave and courageous everyday trying to beat this and it shows how much we take for granted every day. I don't have the words any more because its such a personal battle and I don't want to offend anyone. I do ask my dad what he wants as he is still mobile but weak and his mind is still here. He just does not want to be in pain and says he will go anywhere to stop the pain. Without the pain he would be at home with his family but I think he has started to feel like a burden to us which is very painful to me. You are right that the drugs destroy your brain because he feels like he is going crazy but then the alternative is unbearable pain. I cannot believe that this is the only option for pain. He has agreed to go to pall care and we hope that he will be home shortly. He had radiation last week and it seems to just now be starting to ease the pain and he is now on liquid morphine which seems to be working. They are thinking he is making the pain worse psychologically as he becomes very distressed at the onset of any further pain ..... And that's another reason the drs want him in pall care so he doesn't become distressed at home. I wish you all that you need and thank you for helping me 🙂 ... View more

My husband suffered terribly from mouth ulcers one time so bad that he could hardly eat. We tried lots of things but nilstat drops worked almost immediately. I got the drops over the counter at the chemist. Take care Gail. ... View more

My hips and ribs keep breaking when I fall or even getting in and out of a car. Ladders are no good. Fell off one the other day. Drew aloy of blood but didnt break any bones. Lucky I guess. ... View more