Hi Salival i just sent you a message but being new to this site I didn’t check the date of yours and realise it was a while ago and you have come out the other end 👍 I have read what you have been through and your strength and determination is admirable.  I do hope however that I don’t get to go through a lot of what you said, but it is good to get a heads up, and if I have to, I WILL and look at better health 🙏down the track. All the very best health to u. And enjoy every minute with your dear family and friends. ... View more

The Laparoscopy   My gastroenterologist, Dr O, took a short holiday and my second gastroscopy was delayed for a couple of weeks, beyond the four weeks originally envisaged. It’s a straightforward procedure and I was discharged later the same day.   Days later, Dr OE contacted me and said that the biopsy had detected cancerous cells and she arranged for me to see Dr LR, a gastro surgeon, who quickly arranged a laparoscopy, again at Gold Coast Private Hospital.   The results were quite devastating – extensive stomach cancer, with evidence that it had spread beyond the stomach into the peritoneum.   Dr LR explained that the usual treatment would be to remove the stomach – a risky operation for someone my age but do-able, given my general level of good health.  However, it wasn’t practical in my case because the cells had spread and would continue to grow outside the stomach.   Dr LR arranged for me to speak with Dr KH, an oncologist, who told me about options to consider.  Firstly, intravenous chemotherapy was not an option because it would be too debilitating. Chemotherapy by tablet form was really the only option and Dr KH advised that there was a 30% chance it might extend my life span by a few months – but with some risk of adverse side effects.  Left untreated, the prognosis was for 12 months.   My eldest son and my daughter both accompanied me to see the oncologist and my own personal GP, Dr o.   After speaking with Drs KH, LR and DO, I concluded that I would not embark on any treatment, encouraged by Dr Oo and without any contrary view from either of the other doctors. To be direct – there is no cure and any treatment might add some weeks or perhaps months, to a relatively short prognosis, with a significant possibility of adverse effects.  I chose quality of life over a possible brief extension to the prognosis.   ... View more

Hi @Sabi786 , I'm very sorry to hear about this. There are lots of different variables here that can contribute to that. What stage was your cancer and what have your doctors told you? -s ... View more

I have found that it's so important to be very proactive with your care.  I too have lung cancer and was stage 4 when diagnosed and told that I had only 6 months to live if we did nothing.  I was not really given any other options other than Chemo.  But I had a very bad reaction (allergic) to the chemo they gave me.  I decided not to continue with that treatment and if there was no other option I would start palliative care.  But then the oncologist suggested Immunotherapy and that has been working so well for me.  We are now 14 months down the road and tumors have shrunk, cancer has not spread and I feel well.  I have had little to no side effects with the immunotherapy.  I was not ill when I found out I had cancer and I refused to be sick or live a life with no quality.  Of course this is different for everyone but I wanted to have a happy fulfilling remainder of my life not be bed ridden 2 weeks out of every 3.  I did change oncologists just due to travel -  I wanted to be closer to home.  That was a seamless transition.  But I also have an amazing GP.  I pretty much talk to her about anything that is not directly related to the lung cancer, but she is interested in that and is taking a proactive approach too.  Good luck with everything. ... View more

Hey Sch, Thank you for asking. I am not able to have surgery at this time. This 1st treatment was not as bad as I thought. I have heard how bad it can be.  Although I am just starting chemo, I will take it as it comes. One day at a time.🙂 ... View more

Hi, If it's stage 1, then it unlikely that it has spread. Talk to your doctor about your concerns if you haven't already. How are you feeling now? -s ... View more

Hi @Anna01 , You know your body best. If there is anything that is not quite right, follow through with your GP or relevant specialist until you are happy with the answer. Whether that is your GP, a 2nd opinion from another GP is possible, dermatologist or maybe another health professional.  It's your body and your life.  How did you go with the ultrasound? ... View more

Wow Yeah I feel ya. I was diagnosed with Squamous cell supra glottis carcinoma bout 6 weeks ago and start Chemotherapy with radiation therapy next week for 7 weeks! From everything I've heard and read, not looking forward but we'll see. But, yes, I've been in charge of my ship my entire life until now! We'll see I guess ... View more

Hi @mark71  I had my treatment a number of years ago now, and I had a port-a-cath. I had treatments over 6 months. I think (from memory) the main reason I had mine was because some of chemotherapies were given to me over 2 days. Here is a website with some information, which also includes questions you might want to ask our doctor/treating team. https://www.cancer.net/navigating-cancer-care/how-cancer-treated/chemotherapy/catheters-and-ports-cancer-treatment   Good luck! -s ... View more

Hi @CRS77  Welcome to our community.  What stage is it and what treatment have you been receiving?   It's a very difficult time. I can only imagine how hard and isolating this must be for you. Where have you been receiving treatment? They should be able to assist with a social work who might be able to provide some guidance for you.   Also have you tried calling lifeline? If you feel that language might be a barrier they offer multiple languages support. https://www.lifeline.org.au/language-support/ or you could try a text option that they have available. https://www.lifeline.org.au/crisis-text/   -s   ... View more