G'day Deb's, that was a double wammie to have your mother die, I can understand how you must be feeling. 6 months ago my father was diagnosed with terminal cancer as well, sue he's still alive but with it being terminal, he's all but dead, but the sad thing is I am watching him go through what I have been through, and to see the father I use to know disappear is dreadful, it is like the father I knew is dead already. My poor mother is beside herself, watching us both must be dreadful for her. Dad was always this larger then life character, always greeted everyone with a big smile, a loud, and firm G'day and if the asked how are you, he would always answer with a "any better and it would take two to hold me down' or some thing similar. How is your treatment going ? I am not having anymore as the last round didn't do anything but make me sick like yourself, and my father is doing the same. He see's no point and would rather spend what time he has left being as well as possible, and not sick from treatment. My own condition is deteriorating much quicker now, with tumor excreting fluid from my ear, which Dr's weren't expecting. It seems the tumor has not only taken away my hearing on that side but also consumed the ear canal as well as well as affecting my cognitive thinking, with verbal replies making no sense to the conversation at times, which is really hard to come to terms with and quite embarrassing, because post verbalization I know what I have said but don't understand why I have said it. And that's a conversation killer. So between that and pain levels going through the roof for the past fortnight I know its starting to cause major damage internally, other symptoms include minor body tremors' / fits while falling asleep (twilight zone). Anyway, that's all that's going on here, hope this finds you well. Hugs Stu ... View more

Hi Debbie, Firstly welcome to our little group, sad to see you here but glad to meet you. We are all going through exactly the same issues as yourself, fortunately or unfortunately some longer then others. My name is Stuart, I'm 48 and live in country NSW (Upper Hunter) and I have Pharanasal cancer, which is cancer of the sinisus and have a terminal prognosis, and yes that scares the shit out of me too. I don't think that it matter what type of cancer you have, its the fact that you have cancer, that's the first stumbling block that we have to come to terms with, then its all another step to take from there, and we are here to come to terms with that I think and talking to others who are taking those steps always helps I think. I don't think that until you actually have cancer can you really appreciate what it is like and what it takes to try to accept where life is going to take you, or not knowing where, what and when it is going to take you. I don't have a great understanding of the stages as they don't talk about stages with my cancer, its more a case of if you have it, "your fucked" type of scenario excuse the French. I was originally given a 9 month window for living, that was 3 1/2 years ago, and I am still going but well and truly suffering from the affects that it is having on my body. I have been through the mill of chemo and radio therapy and I would imagine you are contemplating which or both of those at the moment. All I can tell you is that both of them have an up and down side, with some affects lasting the rest of your life. But anyway we must look for the brighter side of life at the moment and I hope that I can bring some laughter, hope, love and information as you also walk the path we are all walking. Hugs and cuddles, Stu ... View more

Hey Juno, Thank you for your message. Where in WA do you live ? I lived in Perth so 20 odd years ago, and still have friends there. I was a rep on the road, covering a large area of WA, up past Geraldton, Meekatharra, Wiluna, Goolie (Kal. I was an engineer so obviously covered the mines. How old are your children ? I have a 22 yo daughter (Emily) she now lives in Sydney, and my son Jack, he lives with his mother still in a place called Bomballa, down past Canberra about 6 hours from Syd. I live about 4-5 hours north of Syd, so it's a good trip to see Jack (16yo), but he gets the train up her and drop's in to see his sister on the way. This was my second marriage that just went balls up. Tell me what are you battling, what treatment have you had, did it go well for you, it must be an enormous worry being a single mum. Stress !!! Now let's not even talk about that. I have palliative care dropping in shortly, best get ready for them. Lovely to hear from you, hope this finds you well, enthusiasm well I will try. Regards Stu ... View more