Hi there, My name is Vanessa Katz. I have bowel cancer stage 4. I now have extra sensitive skin since cancer. Usually after chemo or even walking around in the sun I apply sudocrean (zinc) on my face at the end of the day, then after I wipe it off, then I use a standard moisturiser. I usually leave the sudocream on for ten minutes. You can find it in the baby isle of the supermarket. It helps me alot, so I thought I would let you know if you want to give it a go. All the best. Take care, Vanessa Katz. ... View more

Hi @Jess24  I’m still not feeling well after my first chemo as it made me very tired and don’t seem to have much energy.  Will see the oncologist on the 21 oct  i think the chemo took it out of me , I hope this won’t last to long all I want to do is sleep anyway I will keep you updated on how I’m going .  Tks Jess for your message it’s good to know I can talk to people in this community. ... View more

Yes, it is advisable to consult a professional insurance consultant who specializes in travel insurance. They can provide you with information on travel insurance companies that offer coverage for individuals with pre-existing medical conditions such as secondary cancer. They will be able to guide you in finding the right insurance company that meets your specific needs.   ... View more

Hi Salival i just sent you a message but being new to this site I didn’t check the date of yours and realise it was a while ago and you have come out the other end 👍 I have read what you have been through and your strength and determination is admirable.  I do hope however that I don’t get to go through a lot of what you said, but it is good to get a heads up, and if I have to, I WILL and look at better health 🙏down the track. All the very best health to u. And enjoy every minute with your dear family and friends. ... View more

I have found that it's so important to be very proactive with your care.  I too have lung cancer and was stage 4 when diagnosed and told that I had only 6 months to live if we did nothing.  I was not really given any other options other than Chemo.  But I had a very bad reaction (allergic) to the chemo they gave me.  I decided not to continue with that treatment and if there was no other option I would start palliative care.  But then the oncologist suggested Immunotherapy and that has been working so well for me.  We are now 14 months down the road and tumors have shrunk, cancer has not spread and I feel well.  I have had little to no side effects with the immunotherapy.  I was not ill when I found out I had cancer and I refused to be sick or live a life with no quality.  Of course this is different for everyone but I wanted to have a happy fulfilling remainder of my life not be bed ridden 2 weeks out of every 3.  I did change oncologists just due to travel -  I wanted to be closer to home.  That was a seamless transition.  But I also have an amazing GP.  I pretty much talk to her about anything that is not directly related to the lung cancer, but she is interested in that and is taking a proactive approach too.  Good luck with everything. ... View more

A very late update, September 2022.   Hi everyone!  This is a very late update but hopefully also a final one on this journey.  After months of chemo, extensive surgery that went very well, my mom had radiation therapy as last part of the treatment. And the good news is- it worked!  My mom is officially cancer-free since last May. She has also returned to work from this autumn. Of course she will have check-ups every six months for quite some time, but that is understandable.  She has some problems with fluid collecting in her legs (due to surgery) that make them occasionally swollen but she is also seeing doctor for that. We had our celebration and reflected with her how much of a close call it really was. We went through her initial diagnosis documents and the fact that her first treatment plan was described as palliative care was pretty shocking.  I am very thankful for her doctor and surgeon who were so supportive and detail-oriented. They did everything possible to defeat the cancer and used new treatment methods not used in Estonia before, so it was a big step for better treatment plans for everyone.   Thank you for the support!   ... View more

Hi Sam,   Good to hear from you! You really do not need to be sorry about your late reply as I totally understand the turmoil you are going through! The beginning of everything is hard, it is especially true for this journey which is so much rougher than the other ones.    I think comparing myself to other people helped, people who have lost their lives to accidents, fire, flood etc. . I think about my classmates who were the same age as me but sadly have passed away many years ago. I am lucky to be still alive comparing to them. If you focus on what you have and focus on making every moment beautiful, you will feel the peace. On the contrary, if you focus on the negatives such as side effect of the surgery, it will make you scared.   My husband asked me if I was scared before my surgery. I said not really. I said it is like people going to bungee jumping, they might be a little bit scared inside, but when it is the time to jump they just jump. Only with that jump, you achieve what you could not have imagined.    You will feel relieved after the surgery, at least that is how I felt. Cancer is taken away, and you are given a new chance to start all over again. Isn't that great?! Yes, of course we have to live with some pain for some time, but the good news is that is only temporary! Soon after your recovery, you will be walking, driving, running as you used to. You will be there when your children celebrate their birthdays or graduate for the years to come... It will happen, just keep the faith!   I am lucky enough that surgery was the only thing that I had to go through. I think the diagnosis is a wake-up call. It calls to change the ways I was living and change my diet and exercise more. Things will only get better from here.    I am rediscovering the things that made me relax and happy, especially after your surgery, you will have a lot of time to do that. Pamper yourself, you deserve a break!   Sending you positive vibes,   Do not be afraid                 ... View more

On my god I’m so on the same page !! I am a researcher by trade so I know how to find information . And same as you have learnt you have to keep informed and constantly advocate for what you need . I have insisted on an ENT consult and they have finally organised that .   ... View more

Hi, My mum passed away 2 weeks today and i feel nearly exactly like you do. She had a long battle with cancer until 5 weeks ago when were told that there was no more treatment and just make here "comfortable". My mum was my person, my best friend, my anchor. People keep checking on me and asking if i'm ok and i mostly am, it feels weird to not be balled up in the corner sobbing for such a loss, but i have 2 kids and run a business and you kind of just have to keep going. I agree that your brain sort of blocks it away for you somehow, until you're ready or something. I have had a few sad moments here and there, but I feel like I'm still in shock - or like I can just drop into her house tomorrow and she'll be there... Death is such a strange thing to process. Just take your time and be gentle with yourself. one day at a time. one moment at a time. I have been writing letters to my mum when i want to tell her something and putting them in a box - i may burn these all at a later date but maybe that's something you could do that might help get some feelings out? best of luck moving forward X ... View more

I am so sorry to hear about your husband.  my husband had chemo for few months which didn't work for him and he eventually decided to cease having chemo.  from my perspective it is a very personal choice whether to decide to have treatment or not.  I said similar to my husband and reassured him that I would fully support him with what ever decision he made.     with my husband deciding to ceasing having chemo we were not given any other treatment options.  the oncologist advised he would happily see my husband for regular appointments to check results of blood tests and organise for day stay in oncology ward for top of anything etc potassium.  it also meant for my husband that he got to spend more time at home that he had been.  few days after each chemo treatment he was having to be admitted back into hospital for approx 1 week due fluid retention or infection/s.   my workplace offers a counselling service that is accessible by staff and their family members.  may be check if your counselling service through your work is able to assist your daughter.  another possible option is seeking assistance through social worker at your local hospital.     thinking of you and sending you lots of hugs ... View more