Hi Claire,   So sorry for my late reply.  I've just had an absolutely mad weekend with a full house.  One of my daughters & her family, plus one of my sons came to visit.  My  daughter has 4 children, so it was a very loud, hectic house - absolutely fabulous!     How have  you been lately?  Healing up nicely, I hope.   I am trying to make a wedding gift for my other son & his wife out of the quilling, but it's taking so much longer than I had hoped.  I'm a bit of a perfectionist, so if I'm not happy with something I have to do it again, but this is taking so long to get right.  Anyway, I'll get there, eventually.  My attempts at flower making so far I was in awe of my mother when she would knit.  It was amazing to watch her reading a book or watch TV  while she knitted a jumper or something.  Fabulous.   Cheers Budgie   ... View more

Hi trish57,   Don't be sad.  It doesn't help anything being sad.  Your family may not know what to say to you without upsetting you.   I used to update my siblings with progress reports every now & then, but I stopped doing it because I was getting no response from them.  It's not because they don't care - I know they care.  They just don't want to think about me dying.  They don't know how to talk about it.   It's a good thing that you met with a counsellor, & certainly nothing to be ashamed of.  Everyone needs someone to talk to.   I don't know anything about Non Hodgkins Lymphoma.  Would you mind telling me what it is?   Budgie     ... View more

Hi JR,  It sounds like your husband is feeling very sorry for himself & taking it out on you.   Or, he might think he'll be protecting you from the hurt if he pushes you away.   Then again, from what I've read from other caregivers, it could be a side effect of the chemo he is on.  If that's the case, he may not realise just how badly he is treating you.  Whatever the reason for his behaviour, it should be stopped.   Maybe he will need a threat of  you leaving him to jolt him out of his abusive ways.  Would he be open to counseling?   I'm sorry I can't help you JR.  It's a horrible situation to be in.   Budgie        ... View more

Good morning Claire,   The drug I'm on now is the only one left for me to try as I've been thru all the others for kidney cancer.    So when this one stops working things will just progress naturally.   I'm fine with that,  I've had a happy life, with a wonderful family I'm very proud of.   I'm happy talking about it.   Death is a part of the whole cycle of things.   We move around alot as my hubby is in the defence force, so I have quite a few acquaintances, but I too, like being alone.  My day entails doing what house chores I can, then im either doing puzzles or cross stitch.  Lately,  I've been trying my hand at paper quilling, with rather limited success.   Practice makes perfect though, right?  And while I've still got time, I'll keep trying.  Have a good day.  Budgie      ... View more

Hi Claire, Not rude at all 😊.   I know how small comments can get lost in a thread very easily.    My nickname isn't very exciting, just a play on my maiden name, which I'd rather not say 😉. I was diagnosed with stage 4 kidney cancer back in Aug 2012, on oral chemo (6 different drugs so far - the current one being the last available treatment for me) ever since.  Just plodding along, taking each day as it comes.   I hope you are feeling well after your surgery.   Budgie  @Lehiatus wrote: Hi Budgie, I realised I haven’t reached out and said hi! How rude! The banter here is a great surprise to me too, I wasn’t sure what I’d find when I signed up but it’s been endless relief to find people battling similar issues and just knowing I’m not going mad. Tell me a bit about yourself-  where did your nickname come from?  Cheers  Claire    ... View more

Hi trish57,   Welcome aboard.  Do you mind if I ask what you've been diagnosed with?  Cancer is an awful illness, & would be absolutely horrible to go thru it alone.  I am very sorry you have no one physically with you to share this burden,  but you will have plenty of people on this site who can offer advice & a cheery word.  😊   Budgie          ... View more

I'm already nuts, & it's driving me insane!  It's called chemo brain.   I tell you, it's so frustrating when you're trying to think of the word you want to say & it just won't come.   Or the words just come out completely the wrong way around.   Mind you, what eventually comes out can be quite funny . ... View more

Hi Claire,   I am sorry for hijacking your thread 😉.   I must say that I have been thoroughly enjoying the banter between you all.  Keep it up.    I hope you are recovering well.  All the best.   Budgie ... View more

What a cutie! ... View more

Hi Phil,   Here is a couple of shots of Jasper.   He was actually our son's dog, but we were looking after Jasper while our son was going through a rough spot with his wife (now ex wife).  Anyway, our son was overseas alot, so Jasper just became ours.  A very intelligent dog, always had to have the last word.   A lovely friend.   Budgie   Giving a bit of back chat   ... View more