Hi Lyn32, I think that many people who have cancer don't want to impose themselves on others lives. So he might not want to ask. Instead, let him know that you actually would really like to see him. Express to your brother that you would really like to see him and spend some time with him. Tell him you can stay for a short or a long while, and that it is up to him. Regardless of his answer, I'm sure that knowing that you care and are thinking of him will make a difference.   -s         ... View more

Congratulations Lisa. So you are doing 6 rounds? Which other drugs are you taking? How are you going with side effects? ... View more

Hi @Jon , I'm sorry to hear about your wife's illness. Being terrified in these situations is perfectly normal. Everybody is.   You said "from what I understand, this is a fatal disease over a long enough time frame". Just to start the obvious, but everything is fatal over a long enough time frame.  Try not to assume the worst case if you don't have the facts. Is this what the doctors/surgeons. have told you?  If not, ask them directly. I'm not trying to suggest you wife isn't ill, but it can all be over whelming, and sometimes we can just forget to ask the right questions of the doctors/surgeons.   How old is your son?  When I was diagnosed with cancer we had a relatively direct conversation with my primary school aged children.   thanks, s   ... View more

Certainly this is not an uncommon complaint. You are not alone. How are you things going now? Have they improved?   -s ... View more

Hi, I'm sorry to hear about your Dad. It must be difficult to lose your Dad so quickly. In between all the medical tests, appointments and surgeries, maybe it felt like you didn't have a chance to properly say good bye. It was all so sudden. It sounds like you all did everything that you could. I'm sure that he knew that and appreciated it. While he is no longer with us, I know that he will always live on in your memories. Thinking of you.   -s   ... View more

Hi, I'm sorry to hear that you've been unwell. If your doctor is not listening to you, it's time to get a 2nd opinion. Nobody gets it right all the time, especially if you feel that you are not being listened to. Talk to another GP and see what they think and if they can refer you to someone who can investigate and verify if everything is OK.   I'm not familiar with you the procedure that you've had, but we only get one body. I've said this to another of people now. Keep pushing for investigation until you are satisfied with the answer that you get. Sorry that I can't be of more help.   -s ... View more

I hope the walking is going well and you're well and truly back on your feet. By now your results should be back so I hope they were all ok. What are the next steps? More scans, or the dreaded "wait and see"? Any longer term side effects from the surgery? I hope everything is OK mate.   -s ... View more

Hi Selma, I had a port-a-cath (often referred to as a port) installed for my chemo, which i had every 2 weeks for 6 months. It was hassle free for me. I'm not too sure why a doctor or nurse would choose a PICC line over a port-a-cath. Maybe it's worth asking the question? -s ... View more

Hi JD,   It seems to be an ongoing pattern I see around here. The people who have come closest to dying feel grief not for themselves, but sorrow for those less fortunate. CaptainAustrali 's "What survivorship looks like for me".  He has mentioned that what he found hardest was the children who were impacted by cancer, and has now committed himself to walking from Brisbane to Melbourne at the end of this year,  to raise money for Kids Cancer project.   Don't be sorry about my accident. It was a long time ago, but as I'm sure you know, nothing was the same afterwards. It was a lot worse for me than my cancer. The cognitive and emotional scars that it left were a lot deeper than the physical scars,  but thank you for your concern. What it did teach me though was rehabilitation, which meant that I knew what I needed to do to help myself recovery.   Make sure you keep on posting up so we can join you on this journey.   -s ... View more

@JohnDenning59,     And perfecting a foreign language is no mean feat. Some people have a natural talent for it. I, most certainly, do not.   > Hope does matter. I haven't given up yet, and the strange thing is that I survived a near death experience once in my younger days. It was a serious car accident, and no one, including the police and ambulance officers, could understand how I'd escaped it alive.    Likewise. I had an auto-vehicle accidental in my younger, higher risk taking days. Have a read through https://onlinecommunity.cancercouncil.com.au/t5/Facing-end-of-life/We-all-have-to-face-the-end-What-do-you-think-happens/td-p/30327. I've found it quite thought provoking. Maybe you could add to this subject.   -s ... View more