Hi Anthony, Your post caught my attention because the same day that you posted this up, was the same day that I got back from an over night stay at Chris O'Brien from surgery and my annual colonoscopy. I had some surgery and treatment there a year or so ago now. A lovely well equiped hospital with, more importantly, very lovely nurses, doctors and surgeons.   Yes, I agree with you about the people that you meet and leave behind. This can often be what haunts me the most. Like yourself, I also still have peripheral neuropathy in my hands and feet, but not as bad as you. Mine is mainly just a lack of feeling in my hands and feet, not pins and needles. For me, the pins and needs resolved in the weeks following chemo finishing.  Personally, I don't think this will ever resolve. As you say, it doesn't seem like such a bad trade off. I'm happy with that. Life goes on.   Again, thanks for your post. I'm sure that many people will find inspiration from this.   -s ... View more

Hi Anthony, Great story and a great result. I've talked to a few people now have discovered they had early stage bowel cancer through using the government funded bowel cancer packs. Thanks for sharing your story.   How are you feeling now?   -s ... View more

Good luck with your results! ... View more

Hi Tisme, Any luck with your ultrasound? How did it go? Best of luck!!   -s ... View more

Hi tisme, Well, you're in good company here, because we know how you are feeling. Look, in case you are not aware, many people with cancer have the same issue. Just read a few threads. So many friends and family just vanish at the mention of the "c" word. I suspect that it's because they don't know how to react. Have you tried directly asking them for support or assistance?? Perhaps also try calling some charities or a GP and seeing what sort of support can be arranged for you and your daughter, to assist you.  Best of luck -s     ... View more

Hi Jubbly, How are you going now? Is it getting better now? Sounds like it was a bit rough before. Hope it's improved a bit for you. Let us know.   -s ... View more

Cheers kj. Appreciate the thoughts. I'm under no illusions that it's anywhere near as hard as anyone with or under the threat of cancer,  just frustrating and a lot of balls to juggle.   -s ... View more

Hi Kate,   Thanks for checking. She's feeling better, but still in quarantine. 6 weeks and counting. NSW health look like they're also moving my children in to social isolation too, as close contacts. Wife still sick and in quarantine, kids in social isolation, I'm sole carer, full time job + study and I have surgery scheduled in 3 weeks time. I'll get there.   -s ... View more

Hi, Feeling up and down is a pretty normal response at this stage I think. Everyone experiences similar feelings. No-one is every 100% certain about what is going to happen. After a while, I found that the hospital visits became a bit mundane. Yep, hook up that cannula, you don't even think twice about it after a while.   I like your attitude that no feeling is final. And I think you're right. Terrible things can happen sometimes, but hopefully we'll feel better after a while or learn to deal with and accept that which isn't. It can feel awful when this happens to you when you're young. I know that I can't go back to being the way I was before my illness. That's a fact. But I've learnt to live with what has happened and what has changed as a result of surgery. I've adapted to it. This is life. It rarely goes the way we planned. I like to think that the experience of the cancer has helped turn me into a better person. If I'm not, oh well, let me live with my illusions 😉   I have a question for you actually. Do you have to stay in hospital while the immunetherapy is administered? Sorry, I know nothing about immuentherapy. How long does it take?   -s ... View more

Hi Angel1, I'm sorry that your husband (or friend) is needing to go through this. It's tough on the people who surround them that love them too. If you don't mind my asking, what was Stephen's diagnosis? He should be able to bring some information home that you can read through. The cancer council will also have lots of great information available.   Here are some options I think that would be worth considering; 1) Ask Stephen and the doctor, if they could record the conversation on his phone. 2) Ask if they could have his mobile phone on speaker while they have the appointment. That way, if you have questions during the appointment, you could ask on the spot. 3) If neither of those are possible, ask for Stephen or your doctor to provide notes from the meeting and then you could ask questions of the doctor in a follow up phone call.   In my experience, the doctors/surgeons are generally quite help people, and would quite understanding of your request.   Best of luck. -s ... View more