Hi Heids, That sounds like a nice little place. Glad to hear that you escaped the fires. Nasty business that. I'm in Sydney, but I've lived in a number of places including various places throughout Victoria.   As far as coping with the change, it hasn't been so bad. I've had to adjust my diet a bit, as some foods just go straight through me. I had to try and workout what foods I could tolerate and which foods I couldn't. How long they were going to take to digest and of course, I need to go to the toilet more often. So now with different foods taking shorter lengths of time to travel through and needing to go to the toilet more often, if I'm going to be away from a toilet for an extended period of time, I need to plan accordingly. Sounds similar to what you are going through at the moment?   But generally, other than needing to go to the toilet more often, there hasn't been too much change, just being conscious of what I eat. I'm still getting tired a lot easier and I need more sleep. That's proving difficult, but otherwise, life goes on. And yes, very happy with the lowering in risk.   How is your family going?   -s ... View more

Hi Heids, It's great to hear that you've had good support from your family. That makes such a difference. Not everyone is so lucky, so it's great to hear that you have.   Yes, when you stay in hospital with critically ill people, you really learn just how luck you really are. I'm glad to hear that you've finished radiotherapy. I haven't had it before, but from all reports, it's not very nice. Are you from a rural area too? I hope your house is OK.   My story? I have genetic predisposition to bowel cancer (lynch syndrome) and in late 2017 I was diagnosed with bowel cancer. I had an operation for a total colectomy and 6 months of chemo (FOLFOX). Lots of monitoring to continue on, but so far cancer free! Good luck with the PET scan and biopsy!   Let me know if you have any questions.   -s ... View more

Hi Heids,   Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. How are you? How is your family coping? Do you have much treatment left or all complete?   -s ... View more

Hi Gloria,   I'm not too sure where you are up to now has it has been a few weeks.   https://www.cancercouncil.com.au/ovarian-cancer/questions-for-your-doctor/ https://ovariancancer.net.au/know-ovarian-cancer/newly-diagnosed/   Hopefully the two links above can help you prepare for questions to ask your doctor when you see them next. Any questions on here are on topic. There's no real right or wrong place.   How are you going now?   Best of luck. -s ... View more

The next meeting will be held Wednesday, 26th February 6 - 8 pm again! -s ... View more

Hi Agnes1,   Welcome. I'm sorry to hear about your breast cancer. I haven't had mestectomy (or breast cancer for that matter), but hopefully someone who has will be along soon. How are you going now after the mastectomy?   -s ... View more

Hi Jubbly, Yes, I think that, emotionally, these sort of traumatic events get harder to deal with over time. What has worked for me when dealing with trauma is to talk about it. Find a therapist or a reliable friend (husband?) and talk about what is happening. As the surgery time approaches you will get anxious. I think that everybody does this. But know that you are in good hands.   -sch ... View more

Hi Crisutza, Firstly, I'm sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I know that that 30 feels so young, but you're not alone.   Regarding the genetic testing, I'm assuming you are Australian and that you've had genetic counselling? In Australia genetic testing usually requires that you undertake genetic counselling and they will help help you understand what the risks are and how to interpret these results and risks   https://www.alrc.gov.au/publication/essentially-yours-the-protection-of-human-genetic-information-in-australia-alrc-report-96/10-genetic-testing/access-to-genetic-testing/   Regardless of what country you are in, I highly recommend that you contact a generic counsellor. They will help you understand what the risks are, what your treatment options are and what monitoring should be put in place for you. It's so worth while doing this. The future won't be ask dark when  you know all the facts and what your options are.   Let me know if you have further questions. Only too happy to help.   -sch   ... View more

Hi Jubbly, Sounds like anxiety to me. I think it's pretty normal. I was quite anxious one or two weeks out from surgery. I was questioning if having surgery was really that good an idea. Perhaps I should cancel it? There was no logic to my thoughts, but just anxiety around how huge this situation was. What helped was talking about it with my partner and medical professionals. Perhaps the cancer cancer helpline can help you with this. What surgery are you having if you don't mind me asking?   Oh, and good luck!!   -s ... View more