Hi Sarah I have very supportive family & friends and the most wonderful carer who can't do enough for me! I tend to smile a lot - partly because I am so blessed and happy in many ways - and partly because doing so keeps my mouth closed. When relaxed the corner is permanently open, which causes both dribbles and/or dry mouth. Prayers for needs fulfilled for all :) ... View more

Just trying to be helpful with colours, Sarah! Mine is Head & Neck - burgundy & white. My profile pic shows my left cheek near the corner of my mouth - taken full depth due to SCC - mouth ulcer. Graft & tendon from left arm to patch face; graft from thigh to patch arm; 30 rads; no chemo; 2 1/2 years clear, thank God! And 6 weeks ago I fell and badly smashed my left humerus which is very slow healing and extremely painful, so no craft work for me. 😞 ... View more

Hi Peach Here is a link to many cancer ribbon colours: http://www.choosehope.com/category/by-cancer-color-cancer-type Kind regards, Pamela ... View more

I am very glad your Mum got through surgery but so sorry about the complications and subsequent pain. I do hope she is given adequate pain meds and if not, do keep asking. I did have a lot for the first week while in hospital and was able to reduce them before leaving at 11 days. I used Xylocaine Viscous after radiotherapy to numb my mouth, not only to allow for relatively comfortable eating but also for general relief at any time. After swirling/holding in the mouth for a short while, it can then be safely swallowed, numbing the throat on the way down as well. Please ask her docs for any options. Unless you point out strongly the need for relief, it can be easily overlooked. Prayers for good blessings as needed, (((hugs))) to you and your Mum, Pamela. ... View more

I'm so sorry to hear your Mum has mouth cancer and pray for the best treatment and excellent results - with strength and heart-peace throughout for her and all her loved ones. I had a squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) - a non-healing ulcer inside my left cheek, just near the corner of my mouth. To ensure a safe margin, it was removed full-depth, along with the inner cheek sliced away to remove an area of pre-cancerous leukoplakia. A graft from my wrist and a tendon from my forearm repaired the area. A graft from my thigh repaired my wrist. I also had a left neck dissection to remove lymph nodes - cancer in the first node only. Then 30 sessions of radiotherapy as a precaution. I have been clear for the subsequent 2 1/2 years. I continue to have regular check-ups with my surgical team and radiotherapy team. Frightening and hard as it is, there is life after cancer, though we must get used to our 'new normal' because life is not the same as it was. Warm (((hugs))), Pamela ... View more

Smartyaligatorpants, you must be gentle with yourself. It is only 10 days since your first post - a negligible amount of time. You should not expect too much in days and weeks - the time it takes is so very individual. When my first husband died (from a heart attack at 49 in '93) I experienced shock - and grief for years. I acted out in robotic fashion with all the things that needed to be done. I had counselling which helped briefly but at 2 years I crashed and had more professional counselling. Even years later, certain things would have me in tears again. I feel the deeper you love, the more intense the sadness when your loved one is no more. Though you may well not be at acceptance level in the grief process, please try to accept yourself and your feelings as they are now. The sadness you feel is normal and natural and it is a testament to your relationship with your husband. Warm hugs of comfort, Pamela ... View more

Smartyaligatorpants, I do so feel for you with the agony you are going through. Please realise that it is a normal, though severe part of your grieving process. The strength that has served you so well in the past is not up to this just now, nor is it meant to be. You have suffered a cruel loss which has shaken you to your core. I do hope you can get some help from friends/family/counsellor just to let you talk, cry, hug, supply food and whatever else you desperately need just now. Prayers for your needs to be addressed and hugs of comfort, Pamela :( ... View more

Smartyaligatorpants, your duty to Craig's mother is over and now it is time to focus on yourself, your daughter and the grief you share. Life will be very difficult with emotional ups and downs for a long time. I understand that you feel so adrift when half of your oneness with Craig has been torn from you. You may need help with counselling - often available from your local hospital. Do be gentle with yourself, but also realise that you are much stronger than you realise at present. Prayers of strength and hugs of comfort to you both, Pamela :( ... View more

No-one is perfect and we all make mistakes in our lives. Lance Armstrong has done good and helped people - and has done some wrong as well. Does that really negate the good done? And is it his responsibility to carry others' expectations of him on his shoulders? So many other people in the public eye do wrong but don't seem to get the on-going attacks that he does now. He is now dealing with the after effects of his actions. Time to let him be, I think. Let him without sin cast the first stone. ... View more

Oh, smartyaligatorpants I am so terribly sorry for the agony you are going through. What an awful struggle for you. My heart aches for you. I can understand where your anger is coming from but please don't let it consume you. It does seem you have a job to do to organise your Craig's mother's funeral - is there anyone who can help you? You may just need to go on autopilot to get it done while holding your grief for Craig in your heart without allowing your anger to intrude into this special place. I can only offer prayers for strength and support and warmest hugs of comfort to you in this, the saddest of times for you. Kindest regards, Pamela :'( ... View more