Hi Sherrell, I'm sorry to hear you're not feeling great. I can sympathise with feeling worse emotionally and physically after treatment. I went through a year of chemo and radiation about 5 years ago and I actually found after was somewhat more difficult then during treatment, especially regarding my anxieties and depression. Someone above also mentioned, but I went and got free sessions through the cancer council. It was great, as the sessions are specialised to cancer as I found seeing other counsellors not really understanding my situation as I was relatively young, 20 when diagnosed. Also, there are many support groups out there you could look at, but here is a great start :) There is always the expectation that once you've finished you're treatment everything will go back to how it was before, including how you feel. Sometimes that is the case for some people, often for others, it's not. Dealing with having cancer is a major thing and it takes it's toll on your body and your mind. I wasn't the same as I was before, but, looking back, I now feel I am better. Feel free to email me, I found just having someone to talk to who had an understanding in what I was going through made such a difference :) Chelsea ... View more

Hey Joanna, I do hope your feeling better, there's nothing worse than the constant nausea and sickness that goes with chemo, as if it's not crappy enough being pumped full of junk for so many hours...! But I'm with everyone else, have you asked about anti-nausea drugs? I myself had a terrible time frist chemo, I last about 4 hours after the first one, before being rushed back to hospital, because my vomiting was constant. Even the maxolon needles didn't help. So my doc put me on these brilliant anti-nausea drugs, and hey presto! Still felt terrible, but no vomiting, so therefore no long stays in hospital after chemo! As to the chemo brain, it's funny isn't it? I've been told it's like that when your pregnant also!! I used to get really bad straight after chemo and stutter, it's so frustrating!? Although if I forgot to do things I didn't want to do, I had a brilliant excuse... Chemo brain! 😉 Use it to your advantage... I really hope everything is going well for you.... Take it easy.. Chels ... View more

Hey Emily, I can COMPLETELY relate to what your saying, as most people on here can. I was 20 when I was diagnosed, and right off the bar people where dropping off the radar like flies. It's really hard I know, I'm still struggling with it at times, but I just think, it's a good lesson to learn who your true friends are. A hard lesson indeed, but times of crisis really tests a friendship or relationship. And everyone else on here is right too, this website is an opportunity to new friendships, and with us all experiencing similar things, it's very helpful :) I'm glad to hear you've finished chemo, and hope everythings going well for you.... Chels ... View more

Hey Samex, You've just hit the nail on the head with me, and after reading the responses, with others too! I just returned home from 5 days of xmas celebrations with my family, and as most of them hadn't seen me since I was sick, thought that because I looked better, I was back to the same old me. It's frustrating, and I cant seem to explain it to them without most (thankfully not all) of them thinking I'm being dramatic and, in the eyes of my little, non-understanding second cousins, boring and 'un-fun'. I just arrived home upset and annoyed at myself for not being as social, energetic etc etc.... and your post has made me feel so much better. Our bodies were battered, that needs time to heal, but so does our emotions :) Fantastic work, thanks so much! ... View more

That's true Kym, kindness and friendship can come from the most unexpected of places! When I was diagnosed last year in August, it was not only hard on me, but my family as well (of course!). My sister was at work, and rather upset, and a customer picked up on it and asked her what was wrong. My sister told him, and it turned out he is a cancer survivor. He has proceeded since then to send me cards, choccies and little gifts to 'keep my spirits up'. And I have never met this man in my life! It's truely touching and amazing how one small gesture (his first card to me), made me feel. And how he seemed to know when I was in one of my down moods, a gift or card would arrive from him via my sister. So the little acts of a stranger helped me and my sister a lot through this, and when I get back on track, I will definately be doing the same! Merry Christmas everyone.... ... View more

What a great time to be back home during the holidays.... Glad to hear treatment went well for you and your going good... :) Chels ... View more

Hey thats great! I myself am doing the same thing next year, March 2010. I was suppost to take my Europe backpacking adventure this year in March, but my being diagnosed with cancer postponed that. Isn't it great to have something to look forward to and work towards? I know for me it's sometimes the only thing that keeps me uplifted and motivated.... Trecking around with your Mum will be great, I bet you cant wait!!! How exciting! Chels 🙂 ... View more

Hey All, I had a HUGE shock with how I was treated after i was diagnosed. I thought having to deal with being told I had cancer just after my 20th birthday was enough! I thought I had a large and close group of friends, but as soon as they found out I was sick, WHAM, most dissapeared. I completely understand that for anyone involved with the cancer process, it's a hard and unfamiliar situation to be in. But everyone thought that it would be better for me if they left me alone as to not 'upset' me because they didn't know what to say. A lot of times I'm more forgiving than others, depends on what mood I'm in :P I used to (and still do unfortunately) get annoyed at that. I can put myself in their shoes and understand how they felt, I dont know why no one tried it with me. I needed a sence of normality, every aspect of my life changed in a instant, and I needed something, or someones to remind me of how things used to be, just to make it a little easier. It was hard at first, but I am getting better dealing with it now. I understand what most of you say though, I have realised who my real friends are, and I'm happy to have learnt that quite early in life. I wont be dissapointed again thats for sure! Hope everyone is going well in their different stanges of recovery...:)xoxox ... View more

Hey Graham, I had a port when I was going through chemo, and am hopefully getting it taken out soon! It makes the whole chemo process so much easier. I dont know about you, but even before my diagnosis my veins were temperamental and had the tendancy to dissapear. So after my first chemo (in which they spent about half an hour just trying to find a suitable vein), they decided on a port. You can buy numbing patches from the chemist, put one on about half an hour before you start chemo, and your set. No pain, and a guarantee of getting your vein first time. I also found with my first chemo when I didnt have my port, one of the chemo drugs actually really hurt my arm when it went in, causing cramps and quite a bit of pain. With the port no pain or discomfort at all. Hope all's well! ... View more

What a fantastic positive energy and great outlook you have. Hope everything is well for you and Rob... :) Chels ... View more