Hi Brogsie, Hope you are doing o.k. and maybe have heard about the trial you want to participate.   I have never participated in a trial but here in the USA they are running advertisements about Nivolumab and Ipilimumab as a new dual therapy which surprises me in that my oncologist said she started giving it to her patients in 2014 so it has been around for a while put my doctor was always telling me "We don't know alot about the side effects".  I hope that if you qualify for the trial, the side effects are not too bad. Believe it or not, I have not had Chemo.  The SBRT radiation was really problem free but immunology was a different story but it prolonged my life.   I am noticing my doctors at cancer center are saying,  giving me more time, prolonging my life.  No more talk of cancer free which truthfully can depress me at time. I definitely would paint my toenails and nails black!  Here, the young girls call it "goth". Just no black lipstick. (ha!ha!).  Sometimes, I have my daughter paint my nails and toenails just to feel better.  Pale yellow is my favorite color. I am 69 and live in northern California about an hour away from our state  capitol, Sacramento where my hospital, cancer center, eye clinic and other clinics are all together. I do have been trying to get my ducks in a row too.  I get so overwhelmed at times with all that goes with cancer.  Just yesterday, we spend 2 hours traveling to hospital so I could get my Covid test as this is a requirement before surgery and apparently my treatment is considered surgery now.   I have it tomorrow and things have changed somewhat as now I am going to be put completly out and I might have to stay overnight in hospital.  This procedure is  something fairly new they are doing at my hospital now so I am slightly scared.  They didn't schedule me till afternoon and said plan to be there 8 hours!  My son is taking me and my husband, makes me happy husband won't be alone but because of Covid only 1 person can come in hospital with you.   I can see how happy your 2 little grandsons make you.   Sometimes it is hard for me with all the cancer details, etc. but I just have to try and really remember what is important. Thanks for listening and glad we are friends. Linda       ... View more

Thanks so much for the wise words, but I might disregard one small bit - I'm actually thinking of travelling in high summer.   For me, it's either a summer or winter thing - main logic being that autumn and spring are the worst times for snakes, but summer they're hiding from the sun & heat, and winter they're sleeping.   When I walked down as a kid, I slept under a bridge and woke up with a large carpet snake (at least I think it was, I got out of there quick-smart?!) lying right next to me.   This go-round, I'd still plan to sleep rough, but I'g do snake-smart, bug-smart and sun-smart.    My approach will look something like this:   - light pack, few clothes - good pair of shoes, replace on the road as needed - 2 days worth of food / 2 days worth of water - a light hammock, maybe even weather resistant if I can find one - a good book (thinking of taking the guitar, but I think it's too much of a hassle, maybe pick a lighter instrument like a flute or something to keep me chill and occupied while resting in the shade   I had less than that the first time I went down, from memory I think I had about $30 when I left Brisbane, and a budget of about a dollar a day for tinned homebrand baked beans (x3 - it was the 80s things were cheaper)   I'm going to resist the call and stage it though, I've decided to go the day after my 50th birthday (so December 2021), because my wife is studying nursing at the moment and won't finish until then, if I hit the road now it would be really selfish and cruel, she and the kids need my support.   I'm going to reach out to a kids cancer charity and see what I can do about using it as a fundraising vehicle as well, but regardless that, I want the freedom to just gather my kit, hug and kiss the people I love .. and then walk.   Blows my mind that I probably won't be able to get out of Brisbane on the first day, it'd probably be 2 days before I'm clear of the Gold Coast. ... View more

Everyone I meet has a cure. They mean well and want to help. My advice stick to one professional first and politely thank everyone else. When and if your chosen Dr’s method ceases to work then look elsewhere. I was given six months to live in 2017. The eagle feather with the crystal bound to it with leather thong is very nice but used more as a decoration than a cure.😂 ... View more