Hi Wegotthis, I think it's fair to say that everyone feels that their country is the best 🙂 There are a few Americans who are regulars on this forum. You are always welcome here. Just watch out for the dropbears ok? Best of luck with your treatment. -s   ... View more

John  I hope all is well with you and your family.  Just curious how things are going.  I'm waiting to find if I have cancer.  Reading your blog brings back memories of my father. I can't remember him ever telling me that he loved me.  My kids hear it from me and how proud I'm of them all the time.  I like to use the hard things in life to make my family stronger and better.  If I do have cancer my family is going to see me as a strong role model. Even if at times I have to fake a smile  ... View more

Hi Ashes    are you still there?  ... View more

Dearest Steve... I also had no support during chemo and after. I've lost nearly all my friends. Not one has asked how I am and how I'm doing. Not only did my friends desert me my parents also did. Kicked me out of the apartment they had for me while going through chemo...they said I complained to much and  shunned me even more for taking pain pills. I had become a junkie to them. Why can people not understand this horrible disease? I am 6 months out of chemo and still feel i haven't gotten a clear answer if is gone. every time i went to dr. It was everything looks great only to go into the hospital for SOB and be told there were three lymph nodes they were still looking at. My symptoms have started again. I feel abandoned from every corner. Dealing with cancer i thought would be the worst..no..now i have neuropathy and absolutley miserable. I'm scared and fed up that i may never get back to normal.  ... View more

deejjay I can understand having just gone thru cancer myself and talking to my doctor having this illness has really changed my life and he agreed that it does. I look at it are some so called friendship really worth it. You really need supportive people around although some people can start being supportive they change and I think that is the time we need to change as I have recently. See my comments above I seem to being going thru the same thing like you are. ... View more

I just finished reading this wonderful book. Two days it took - says it all. Thank you Harker for so eloquently telling the world how it was/is for you and while each of our experiences is different, the similarities are there for each of us. My experience has not been nearly as fraught as yours but for all of us the common threads are there. The line "I sensed for the first time that I am changed" resonated completely with me. For me it was the day I had my picc line put in and then asked directions to the oncology unit. I had no-one with me, and as I walked towards the sign I realised that I was no longer someone who had only had major surgery - I was now a cancer patient. Nothing is ever quite the same again, is it? Once again, thank you. ... View more

Thanks Harker ... View more

Interesting what crops up from time to time. Am I right in recalling a conversation about these metaphors earlier? i too, also hope that when my time comes (as it inevitably will)it will be while I still hvae some control over what is happening to me. Yes, Sailor, we won't hvae succombed to losing the battle, just to the inevitable perhaps. S ... View more

Artist ... I am sorry you are going through this again. I prefer Artistinrecovery again! Julie ... View more

My sister was diagnosed in March 2010 with Peritoneal Mesoth.. and sadly passed away on Friday. She fought a huge battle after having 2 lots of breast cancer then this. she was so strong and gave herself goals all the way. she spent some time in hospital and stayed at home for most of it. She tried chemo right up to the end. On Thursday night she had tickets to the Beach Boys and she went. It upset her she could not climb the steps and had to be carried but she got over that. Sadly she got blood clots in her leg and ended up in hospital on Monday. We got a call on Thursday to say she was not seeing visitors so we heading to Perth. I did not go straight to see her as it was very late, choosing to visit Friday morning. We received a call to say she had a turn for the worst at 7.10. We jumped in the car but sadly she passed away just before we got there. It was a huge shock as we did not expect it so soon. After the shock I went in to see her and I was able to smile and give her a hug as she had no more pain and she looked so peaceful. My sister should be an inspiration to all cancer patients. She had so much fight in her. After each chemo she would walk out and book a trip to Bali, her favourite place. She would come back ready for the next round. Her funeral is set for the 24th and this will be a big day but I can assure you she will be sent off with the strength and dignity she deserves. Linda ... View more