Thanks so much for your response. It always helps to hear about what other people are experiencing with the hormone therapy. I will buy my husband one of those pocket fans too, that's a good idea because as you know the hot flushes have a habit of popping up when you least expect them and they can be quite distressing. My husband also likes to write everything down in a notebook as he is becoming very forgetful. It's good that you have learnt to manage the side effects rather than let them manage you. I think my husband is trying to do that too, but it takes time and he just becomes so frustrated with the tiredness he experiences. Thanks again Cheers Anere ... View more

Thanks for your message Rodney it sounds like you also have been through an incredibly tough time over the past year or so. The neck operation would have been a major op and then the radiotherapy following that is pretty tough to say the least also but it's good to hear that you are back at work and getting on with things. My husband's chemo is not going to well but at least we were warned about all the side effects. About 10 days after his first dose he got fever and couldn't eat because mouth was swollen and too sore and now he's back in hospital. Hopefully he will be out soon but then he has to have his next dose of chemo next Tuesday so we will be on the same rollercoaster again. You are right that talking about your feelings is important and especially with people who are in similar situations so that is a great help. I hope work is going well and that you are feeling good. Take care and thanks again Anere ... View more

Thanks Purpleangels for the two messages and for the great suggestion of those two books. I will try and get hold of some copies of them. My 15 year old daughter got a copy of a booklet at the Peter MacCallum Hospital called Now What? Dealing with your parent's cancer, I think there is a website also www.nowwhat.org.au and that was a very helpful and informative book and it helped her cope a bit better with it all. My 11 year old son has his ups and downs and someimes he seems to be coping fine, and then other times I can see he gets very emotional and angry. Going out for family outings and taking photos sounds like a really good idea and as you said it's good for kids etc. I am still learning day to day how to deal and cope with everything but getting messages for all you lovely people who are going through the same sort of tough time helps you manage better. Books do help and I have been reading several on how to cope with anxiety, meditation etc but I also read fictional novels just to get me away from it all for a while, and take me to another place so that I can try to relax. You are so right that our moods affect our kids moods and it's like a visious cirle, they can pick up your vibes and then the situation becomes worse and worse, so it's best for us to take a few good deep breaths and stay calm so that they do not get upset and we don't fall to pieces. I wish you and your family all the best through this tough time. Keep in touch. Best wishes and hugs Anere ... View more

Thanks Jules I will and I will do everything I can to help others in the future who are going through similar situations. It is such a tough experience and I strongly believe that if it wasn't for the support you get from friends, sites like this, and hospital and healthcare workers it would be impossible. I stll sometimes say to myself is this really happening? Could this just be a bad dream? But then I realise it's not and you just have to be strong and positive and move forward. I hope you are keeping well. Take care Anere ... View more

Hi Silly Thank you for your advice and suggestion about asking friends and family to take the children out for outings and visits at times so that they can get away from the sadness at home for a while. I have been lucky that this has been the case and during the summer holidays my children went out a few times with friends on day trips etc which was wonderful, as my husband was having radiotherapy to head and neck and shoulder for 6 weeks at that time. I hope that you are keeping well. I am very new to this site so I am still finding my way around and trying to learn how it all works 🙂 take care from Anere ... View more

Thank you Wombat4 for your kind message and wishes. It is very comforting to look at this site and get advice and encouragement from other people who have been through similar experiences. Yesterday my husband started his first session of chemo (one every 3 weeks for 4 sessions) and it went quite smoothly. Today he is feeling very tired and has absolutely no appetite but that is not surprising. Very best wishes to you and thanks again Anere ... View more

Thanks for your message Leesa. You have been through so much with two major operations and now waiting for radiotherapy treatment. I wish you all the very best in your recovery and during radiotherapy treatment. We found the staff at hospital (Peter Mac) to be brilliant and so helpful and supportive throughout the five weeks of treatment. He always took along his ipod and played some of his favourite tunes during the treatment every day. He put it on very loud and all the staff thought it was great. You are right that this site is very helpful and invaluable for cancer patients and their loved ones and carers. I have told my husband that even though he is the patient we are all suffering with him the whole time. We might not feel the pain he is going through, but we feel so sorry and helpless at times and the best we can do is help him in any way we can, and be there for him. He is very brave and just like you mention he is fed up with not being able to eat properly and put on weight, his taste has changed and he just finds eating extremely tiring. Thanks again for your reply and advice and keep in touch. Take care Anere ... View more