Why is it necessary to write something like this? How do you think writing that makes any recent survivors feel?    We are worried enough about recurrence without negativity being posted on a forum that is meant to be a safe space for us.    And for the record I am a stage IV cancer survivor.... 3 years since my recovery and not a sign of cancer in my body.    Kindly Fuck off with your utter lack of tact and empathy ... View more

Hi peter,  Thanks for your reply it helped me a lot. I was initially diagnosed as terminal in the public system so i guess that initial diagnosis weighs on me. I beat it and went into remission in 8 weeks which was nothing short of a miracle. I guess my age helped with that and my body had a really good response to immunotherapy.    My onco saw me on wednesday and said to stop taking my chemo pills as they were causing some side effects which weren't great. He also said next appointment I have to have my 6 month check up PET which triggered me a little bit. My tumour markers have remained low (like 3 and 10 when a normal persons is 38-40) so I have no reason to be anxious logically. I guess scanxiety is still a thing no matter how logical and well the first round of treatment went....   I think looking at your post once i pass the year mark (ironically past my prognosis date) still C free then I will start to relax.    Your post has kept me grounded and I am going to see my gp to get on a mental health plan on Monday. I have been seeing as psychologist once a fortnight which now I think may not be enough leading up to my scan.    Thanks again for your post Peter. Being stage IV doesn't mean you can't live a long life xx ... View more

Hey, I'm doing alright. It's up and down at the moment. I only finished chemo at the start of March. I know I'm being hard on myself , plus all that's going on with corona is only adding to the anxiety.    I had just moved out and started applying for jobs when all this happened.    I wanted remission and I got it and quickly. I went into it within 10 weeks from a stage iv, nothing short of a miracle. I guess it was that fast that it feels like it was almost too easy, that the other shoe will drop, despite going through 12 rounds, losing my hair and still having neuropathy.    I know the first year will be the hardest, I still am on tablets and immunetherapy which means hospital visits every 3 weeks.    I really appreciate you taking the rime to write to me and I'm eased somewhat by the shared trauma and triumph people discuss on here. There's nothing better then hearing about someone beating it years ago and being absolutely fine.    no feeling is final.   did you have any luck finding a psychologist? I was recommended mine by the cancer council but I had a bad experience with my first one so I switched.    Thanks and speak soon      ... View more

Thanks for your message . I live with my friend and my parents are very supportive as well. It's still up and down each day. I guess the first year is always the hardest and in times like this it's even more difficult.    I can't run or exercise as normal at the moment as my side effects are making me short of breath so that not helping.    Even 10 minutes of cardio is overwhelming at the moment.    I guess I have to hope the tablets will sort themselves out soon.    Thanks  ... View more