Hi Beck,   It is so hard to make a decision about having treatment or not.  I am the type of person that says I would go through hell just to live another day - to spend that time with my family.  But having said that, the side effects of  my chemo treatment are miniscule compared to what others go through.    I am terminal and on an oral chemo in the form of a tablet I take every day.   I might be singing a different tune if my side effects were horrible.  I do think quality of life is very important - after all, what is the point of being alive if you're not "living". All I can suggest is that you all sit down together and have some honest discussions about it. Whatever is decided, I wish you all a peaceful journey.   Budgie   ... View more

Hi Colin, Glad to hear the surgery went well & that you’re in such good spirits.   Let’s hope it’s the last one of those you have to go through.    Bring on the treatment now, hey.   All the best.    Budgie   ... View more

Hi tisme,   Try not to worry so much.  I know that’s an easy thing to say, but it won’t help you at all.   You’ve done a good thing by reaching out to this site for help as there are people here who can offer valuable advice.  What stage is your cancer at?  I don’t know much about breast cancer, but I do know, if it’s in the early stages then there’s a very high survival rate.     I’m not sure if there’s any financial assistance available for you as I haven’t looked into it at all, but maybe that’s something you can ask your GP about?   Best of luck with everything.    Budgie           ... View more

Hi Jamiet,   Just because you had polyps removed doesn’t necessarily mean anything bad.   Usually, while a colonoscopy is happening any polyps they come across will be removed in the normal course of events.  I’m not sure if they then get sent away for testing or not, I assume they do.  Then the results would be sent to your GP.  That’s the reason they would have told you to make an appointment with your GP for 2 weeks time.  Hopefully you will have nothing to worry about.   Take care.    Budgie ... View more

  I'm glad things are happening in a timely fashion for you Colin, & I love your attitude.  Best of luck with the surgery.   Budgie   ... View more

Hi JerryB,   Get to your GP right away & ask for an urgent referral to a neurologist.  It sounds to me like your spinal cord is being impinged somehow.   Very serious if the pain/tingling is progressing that rapidly.  Please don't delay.   Budgie   ... View more

Hi Soonerick,   I also have terminal cancer & look better than most people think I should look.  I always get comments on how good my skin is looking, etc. Live each day for yourself.   Life is short - even shorter when you are dying from a terminal illness.  Live it to the fullest without trying to please others or wanting acknowledgement from them.  People are fickle creatures.   However, they also may be to afraid to say anything incase they upset you.   I have given up telling my siblings how I am going because they usually don't respond to me at all.  I think this is because it is hard for them to hear how I'm deteriorating, & they don't know what to say, so they say nothing.     We who use this site know exactly how much effort it takes for you to look your best each day, so whenever you feel the need to download & get something off your chest, this is a very good place to do it.   I hope you keep up your attitude & show the people in your world just how good you are! All the best.   Budgie ... View more

Hi Megan,   I've had a couple of masks made for radiation to my neck & head.  It's not that bad, as the masks are made of a mesh.  They dip it in hot water so that it can be shaped to suit your head.  So it is quite warm when they put it on you.  They have to work quickly so they can mold it while it's still warm.   You have to lie still for about 15-20 minutes while the mask hardens.  They do make it tight, but it has to be tight so you can't move during the radiation.  Having said that, it's not so tight that it's terribly restricting.  There is usually a little bit of wriggle room.  Try to keep as still as you can, but most importantly, RELAX!     Good luck with everything.   Budgie ... View more

Hi Clairw99,   It's a horrible time for your father and your whole family.       Regarding the nerve medication, there are different types so if he were to try another one, it might make a huge difference to the pain level for him.     Regarding the scar tissue - it needs to be massaged every day - and by massage, I mean it has to be rubbed & manipulated as much as possible to break it down.  If he were to do this it would help greatly.  I had surgery on my neck similar to your father's where they cut from above my ear right down to the middle of my neck.  The surgeon gave me some Chlorsig to massage into it when the stitches came out.  It worked wonders, even though it is an eye ointment.  Otherwise, I suggest using vitamin E oil.  It is supposed to reduce scaring very well, but you have to use it every day.   If your Dad is having diffiiculty with eating, he can be referred to a dietitian through Community Health, who can organise supplements for him, or give him advice for options that will get his vitamin intake up to a good level.  Soups are really good because they're easy to eat and can be packed full of veggies.   If he doesn't like how his doctors are taking his complaints, he should make it known to them that he isn't happy with just being brushed off, or he should look around for another doctor.   Unfortunately, there are those in the medical profession that think their time is more precious than ours, or,  they don't know what else to do so they simply brush off our concerns.     Anyway, I hope things improve for your father.  Take care Budgie     ... View more

Hi Tegan,   Your Mum's doctor (either oncologist or GP) should be able to give her a referral to a dietitian at the Community Health Centre & they can give you lots of advice.  There are drink supplements which can take the place of meals that are easy to have & keep down, that you can get for her through the dietitian.   Budgie  ... View more