Hi @David_M  Thank you for your positive energy I really appreciated  I will be seeing the oncologist on Monday I will let you know what happens.    Hope things are ok with you  ... View more

Wow Yeah I feel ya. I was diagnosed with Squamous cell supra glottis carcinoma bout 6 weeks ago and start Chemotherapy with radiation therapy next week for 7 weeks! From everything I've heard and read, not looking forward but we'll see. But, yes, I've been in charge of my ship my entire life until now! We'll see I guess ... View more

Hi "Sunshine" - how fortunate are your parents to have you as their support carer, housekeeper, chef, chauffeur, counsellor! And  even though this must be very hard at times, you are right in thinking that you are in a position to be able to create new memories that will be wonderful for you to reflect on when your mum has gone and your dad has perhaps slipped further into dementia. I was privileged to spend time with my mother before she died and felt truly blessed that even though we both knew she was dying, we were able to share our deepest feelings with each other. But please, do make sure you too have some support as without that, you run the risk of burn-out and then you won't be able to help your parents. Give me a call if you'd like to find out about the Life Force Carers & Bereavement support group or contact Carers Australia to see if there are any support groups near  you.  ... View more

Although you wont feel like it you must try and exercise even if it is for a short time and try to built it up each day it will help you with the fatigue aspect.  I have done this myself and it was recommended to me by a cancer nurse.  Do you have friends you can ring up and talk to them maybe you could go and meet them and ask them about their lives and get yourself out this will be a thing to get you out of bed.  If you stay in bed you will lose strength in your legs which could make you feel worse.  Please dont be negative about your life it wont help you.   ... View more

Another Survivor Shout-Out (from Oklahoma, USA)   The disase really stinks. But I am now 19 years and 3 months cancer free. I was stage 2+ tonsil cancer.  I won't lie. It hasn't been easy. But I'm still going strong, feeling good, just dealing with long-term effects of the radiation.  I just retired at age 64 and I'm enjoying my life with my best friend of 43 years, our 3 kids and 9 grandkids and still doing ministry (I was a pastor for 34 years). If I can help encourage anyone, don't hesitate to reach out. Blessings friends!  ... View more

Lampwork54 You are so right in saying we can’t change what has happened,I find I no longer take things for granted,I enjoy life and all it’s uncertainty ,I like seeing my family take on new challenges and their growth along the way.Its great you are going back to Tai Chi and other outings you have to participate in life.Best wishes with your Radiation treatment. ... View more

Hi Bel91 - I don't think there is anything that upset me more than people telling me, "don't worry, you'll be right".  I wanted to scream at them and ask how they could possibly know that!  I realise that they thought they were being supportive but the most  useful thing anyone ever said to me when I talked about how anxious I felt in the lead up to check-up times, "Given what you've been through, I can quite understand how frightening this feels for you.  I'm so sorry you have to go through this."  I strongly recommend that you  look for a support group for cancer survivors in your area if that's possible, because it is in being able to share your fears and worries with others who have been or are still in the same boat as you, that will definitely help you to get through those challenging times.  Where do you live?   ... View more

Thank you for your replies. Yes I think an water aroebics class would be good for me as I get exhausted still from walking short distances.    Last week, I returned to work against my doctors advice, and unfortunately towards the end of my shift I became so lightheaded, that I collapsed to one knee, and broke out in a clammy sweat with blurred vision. I was then called a lift and sent home.    Its really hard to accept at 24 years old that I'm this weak and at times helpless.    Im grateful to still be here though and I won't let these lasting affects beat me mentally.    Thanks again for the responses and god bless ... View more

I have just joined Cancer Connect and as a survivor of breast cancer for 20 years, with a second scary experience (different type of cancer) about 18 months ago that required radiotherapy, I can really relate to the emotional roller-coaster that anyone who is diagnosed with cancer is forced onto. I had a complete breakdown after my treatment for breast cancer ended and despite a good prognosis from my oncologist I was absolutely convinced I was going to die very soon. I was depressed and suffered severe anxiety and had panic attacks. It took me a full year to recover enough confidence to work again and that was only with the help of a fabulous support group. I truly credit them with saving my life otherwise I think I would have 'pointed the bone' at myself. I believe the reason I broke down was because I put on a brave face while undergoing treatment because nobody every asked me how I was really doing. Things are much better these days, but 20 years ago there was no recognition of the emotional trauma I was going through. Although the oncologist, registrars and chemo nurses were very concerned about my physical health they never evinced any interest in what my support network was. I was in fact a sole parent with a disabled teenager whose father was far more interested in his new wife and her children from a previous relationship than he was in taking on some of the responsibility of caring for our child. I urge anyone who is feeling overwhelmed to get help, whether it's from a psychologist, a counsellor, a minister/priest or a cancer support group. I highly recommend support groups because everyone else there 'gets' it! Most cancer patients don't want to upset their families and make them even more frightened than they already are (then you have to deal with their fear as well as your own), but it is absolutely vital to be able to be real and hear that other people have been through or are going through a very similar experience. Sherrell, I hope that things have improved for you now that you are a bit farther away from your diagnosis and treatment. ... View more