Husband recently diagnosed with bowel cancer/liver secondaries.

i`m so sorry to hear about your husband.It is terrible news to anyone but i totally understand your anxieties.Take it each day at a time and I think it will be those wonderful triplets that will keep you positive and give you strength through this.Please let us know how things are going.

Thank you Lesley for your reply. Harry rec`d a call today from the oncology nurse to say they had the results from the surgery and what "the team" had decided. I found this odd that they should want to discuss this over the phone, esp as Harry has an appt with the consultant/surgeon on Mon! Basically there were no big surprises, except to learn that they also removed 19 lymph nodes and found 5 had cancer cells in them. So the original treatment plan still stands, removal of the primary in the bowel(done), three months chemo, scanning, liver surgery in London, three further months chemo.............then ?
Life has been such a roller coaster for us, and just as we were thinking it was going to be a little easier this happened. We had our trio after losing our then only child Matthew in 1994. He was almost 15, he collapsed and died instantly in our garden, to this day we have no medical explanation. Life has been very hard.

I just can't understand why life is so hard for some people. I know it's the children's playground cry, "It's not fair!" but it ISN'T! How sad that you lost Matthew to SDS, and now this. I'm so sorry. I want to wish you both the very best of luck with all this treatment. At least your husband is being referred, by the sound of it, to some of the best teams, and they are going to look after him. Yes, I am surprised at giving news over phone, but I've come to conclusion that each hospital does things in completely different ways. I suppose the good side is that you can have a good cry in private, rather than sitting there feeling a prune in the waiting room. Downside is that you don't have time to prepare any questions. Please keep us posted as to further developments. How are you managing with the children? xxxx Penny

Hi Penny,
Thank you for your post, just read your profile, don`t know what to say, its all so horrible. Forgive my ignorance, Harry was told yesterday that 5 out of 19 lymph nodes they removed contained cancer cells, does that mean he has cancer of the lymph nodes as well as the bowel and liver? Or does that mean thats shows the way it has spread? He is being amazingly positive, looks well, hope it stays that way. I have had a migraine and earache for 24 hours, have tinnitus also, so feeling pretty grotty today. The children have all re-acted differently, they know their Dad has cancer, as it is a long treatment plan we felt we couldn`t live as we have the last few months. Rebecca who is a real dads girl broke her heart and writes him endless notes, Thomas says everything is going to be ok, he just wants the medical facts, and James bottles it all up, all so very different. Life certinly has been a rollercoaster, this is the year I was dreading anyway, as Matthew will have been gone for 14 years, the same length of time he was here, breaks my heart.

hello triplets.I know the the rollercoaster ride you talk about and i guess most of us do on this site.You feel like you`re balancing on the top for so long then whoosh you`re at the bottom only to find you have to do it all again.Life has been hard for you all .Keep talking , it helps to talk things through openly .Do you have a friend who will lend you an ear? the children are at a funny age and as you say are all different so knowing how much to tell them will be difficult. My daughter(also Rebecca) was 11 when i was diagnosed and i have been quite open about treatment etc but not my personal worries so she doesnt have that burden.Keeping life for her as normal as possible was important for us both. When i was diagnosed as terminal 15months ago i didnt tell her that but played it by ear as to how i was feeling.I responded well to chemo and am doing well.Rebecca does now know of diagnosis, it got spoken about naturally through other conversations and she deals with it fantastically.im sure when their dad is going through chemo etc they will be very supportive in their own individual ways. hope everything goes well. xx

Glad Lesley can sort you out with the children question! ... Yes, don't worry about the lymph nodes, mine different, and DOESN'T mean same for your husband. Lots of different cancers, so lots of different chemos. They didn't explain things at all well to me, with them having made a mistake, but I looked it up myself, and cervical cancer can spread up via the para-aortic to the supra-clavicular fossa. In USA they do "sample" the para-aortic, and who knows what would have happened if I'd been in America and able to pay. I think the lymph nodes act as traps for rogue cells. Anyway, don't worry about your husband in that respect: they seem to have treatment mapped out fully right from the start. xxx Penny

Hi Peny and Lesley,
Just wated to say thank you to you both for mailing me. Feeling pretty low today as Harry has had another quiet day, two days running, last wek he was in his allotment! He is off his food also, I so hate to see him looking an invalid, just 5 weeks ago he looked so well, pre surgery. We see the consultant on Mon and today have an appt to see the oncologist re the chemo regime, next Thurs, so a BIG week. Kids seem ok, though I see Rebecca watching him like a hawk, its so very tough isn`t it? I feel scared, feel scared that our life with the children is going to change, scared he may die, that my life with him will be over, feel too young at heart to accept this situation, even though I am 56 and he is 67!! My lovely Matthew would be 29 this year, its all so awful, yet I can`t cry. Sorry for posting like this, it just seems lonely here tonight.

You have problems every way you turn. I'm so sorry that everything is getting on top of you, and that you have all the responsibility suddnly dumped on your shoulders. Yes, I should imagine the children are thinking about what is going on, but each in their own characters reacting slightly differently. Is Rebecca his favourite? I think at this stage you must try not to think about Worst Case Scenarios. I know it's really hard for the mind to wander off - especially in the dark long hours of night when you can't sleep, but we all really hope that the treatment will start working soon. The chemo will seem hard, as it really can make you feel sick. I do hope he can eat a bit before that kicks in. Does he tend to lose his appetite when he's stressed? (I do that). Yes, you are not just young at heart but young all over, and this is a very hard thing to happen. Well, let's keep our fingers crossed for the moment. You are not alone now, and we are listening, so I hope it helps. xxx Penny

Just to say thank you, must go to bed or else I will be fit for nothing tomorrwo, at least they have no homework this w/end...........phew!

Hi,
An update on Harry. he had a very poor week last week, watched him, deteriorate, listless, wouldn`t eat, felt dizzy etc, he had to see the consultant on Mon to discuss the op, how it went etc, he saw he was pale, took some blood. 5 hours later we got a cal, he was readmitted on Mon night and given a transfusion, he blood count was 5, then went to 3! He is still in as today depsite the transfusion ,his count is still only 7.2. They have done an endoscopy, no sign of a bleed from the stomach. We also had our first meeting today with the oncologist re the chemo, it will be 3 months, a pic line, fornightly, 5 FU and something Oxo....? But that can`t start until his blood count is up! He is very fed up, and I am worried!

Please try not to worry, Triplets: on my first day at chemo, there were several people who had to go home again and come back the following week, because their blood count was too low, or one poor lady had been to the loo 37 times the previous day! Disappointing to put it all off for a week, but all the levels in our blood have to be high enough to do battle with the illness and the chemo, so it's at least good that they have recognised the anaemia problem at the start and will monitor him even more closely. I hope everything kicks off soon. Hugs xxxx Penny

Finally he came home today, Sun, had 6 units of blood this week, level now is 9.7, and he has to have another blood test on Tues. Penny what level is acceptable for chemo?

I will try to have a search round, but best to ask the Phlebotomist to explain it to him when he next gives blood sample. xxx Penny

PLEASE KEEP POSITIVE, I WAS DIAGNOSED AUGUST 2006. INOPERABLE BOWEL, AND SECONDARY LIVER CANCER. I HAD 6 MONTHS OF CHEMOTHERAPHY. I AM STILL DOING WELL, IN FACT I AM HAVING CT SCAN TOMORROW. I AM 58YRS OLD, AND TOO MUCH TO LIVE FOR. BEST WISHES

Disie,
Thank you for taking time to post me. My husband will start the chemo in two weeks or less. Can I ask which chemo you were on? I have all fingers, toes and everything else crossed for you today, hope the scan was positive,
Anne xx

HI ANNE, THE CHEMO I HAD WAS OXALIPLATIN AND CAPECITABIN.HAD MY SCAN. GET MY RESULTS ON THURS 5TH. WILL KEEP YOU UPDATED. BEST WISHES TO YOUR HUSBAND. DISIE

so hoping Thurs brings you good news, my Dh is having 5fu and oxaliplatin, should start in just under two weeks.

Thinking of you yesterday, so hope you have some positive news Disie. We went for our intro talk and to see the unit yesterday at Canterbury. I was horrified, I don`t know what I expected but it all looked so run down, lines of people all sat there, it was a shock to see so many poorly looking people. Is that the norm, everyone in chairs in one large room? H starts his chemo on the 17th, 5flu and oxalliplatin, using a pump for 46 hours? I feel terrified of the whole thing. Do any of you flush your own picc lines through?

Some look really up-to-date and shiny (like Martin's photo posted on his blog yesterday), and, yes, I'm afraid some of them do look rather depressing. It may be that your hospital is like ours: the core of it was the old workhouse, and it still has a tinge of that grinmess about it! Yes, chemo is usually a comunal effort, and I found the thought of that very alarming. In fact when I went on the day, I found that people smiled, and chatted during the process, and there is actually a sort of cameraderie that helps to make it a less unpleasant experience.

I was lucky for my first four weeks. The suite they used for Day Patients was quite sunny, and faced some trees and what I thought was an historic lace factory up on the skyline. My partner corrected my happy presumption: in fact it is the local prison! However, after four weeks, we were all shifted to a bigger ward. This was very run down, with a loo that was quite difficult to squeeze into when trailing a chemo stand. It also had a less attractive view - but some accountant somewhere had deemed that the nurses weren't working at full capacity, and in a bigger ward one nurse could look after far more patients. This was a right load of twaddle, and the poor nurse scurried around with everyone's machine bleeping at once (they bleep when coming to the end of the bag of chemo, and also if there is a blockage in the tube feed so you will get used to the sound of that!).

I didn't have a picc line, and had some difficulty most occasions whilst the nurses took turns stabbing me trying to find a vein. Sure someone with knowledge of them will pop along soon.

I would suggest that you take something cheerful to occupy yourselves, as it can be very boring just staring at daytime tv. One chap with me brought in his laptop and watched films. Someone else came with their dad and played card games. I wrote a lecture on Costume History (those of you knowing me on Facebook won't be surprised to learn that one).

What I'm saying Triplets is not to be alarmed by the surface veneer. You and your husband will be amazed at how quickly you adapt, and by the second time will feel like an oldtimer, and be reassuring and welcoming the newcomers. The very best of luck, and please keep us posted. xxx Penny

how awful life can feel at times xxxx hope Harry is feeling better todayxx and i hope that you are keeping well also, we are all here for you, and thinking about you both, lots of love
Alisonxxxxxx

hello triplets. I did have a picc line with my 2nd lot of chemo as the side effect of the drug i was having was that it caused skin problems if too near the surface .I watched as they put it in , i could see it go through my veins, up my arm and stop in my chest hilst watching an xray type machine. was fascinating.I did not have to flush it myself, that was done by the nurses on each chemo visit.I had no problems with the line itself until before the 6th chemo when i felt a fluttering near my heart. the line had moved so I had it taken out . because they wanted to do more chemo they put another in my other arm.Dont worry about that though as i dont think it happens often.At least it will save on injections.xx

Thank you all for your supportive replies, I have to keep reminding myself that it is Harry going thru this, not me! He doesn`t seem to mind, he just gets on with it. We are off this morning to have the line put in, need to ask them about flushing it thru as we are really hoping to get away for a few days betwen chemos if we can.

Hi Anne, I am so pleased to tell you I am still doing well. My Consultant cant believe it. He said he is sure my positive attitude must be helping. It did show that I have two large ovarian cysts, but they are not causing any trouble at the moment. We are lucky here we have a fantastic chemo unit, only opened just after I was diagnosed. I didnt have a picc line, had my chemo over 7 hours, then took chemo tablets for 2 weeks. It must be a worry for you, how are your children coping. If there is any thing you want to ask me please dont hesitate to ask. take care. Disie xx

That is wonderful Disie, so what happens now? Did you have any side effects from the oxalliplatin? H had the picc line put in today, I am finding it hard to cope with, needels and arms have always been a phobia of mine. Can`t bear the thought of all this throughout this summer. The kids seem fine, they didn`t even ask why he had a bandage on his arm! I think I still cannot believe this is all happening to us. Just feels as though my head is going round in circles, Matthews death, now cancer.

However the picc line is an excellent method of ensuring that doses can be given easily every time, and you can therefore feel relieved that your poor husband will not have to go through being used as a dartboard every time whilst they try to get the cannula into a vein. (Although even word cannula sounds much nicer than the n-word!). Yes, you have had far more than your fair share, and naturally you will always think of poor Matthew. At least the triplets are fine - think children do adapt very quickly, and are natural optimists! All the very best wishes and my love xxxx Penny

Thank you Penny for always replying to my posts. Well the line is in, makes me feel squeamish but it doesn`t seem to be bothering Harry, the "bag" is atm, dragging and making him feel sore. First chemo next Tues, a pump for 46 hours, so Thurs when its finished. I know its impossible to answer this but how can I expect him to feel after the first dose, do symtems/side effects if they happen, kick in quickly? We are so hoping to get away the following Mon for a couple of nights whilst our trio are away, we need a break, just don`t want to get my hopes up too much! Thank you. xx

I felt fine after 6 hours on chemo, went off with my partner to the supermarket on public transport, walked home, fell asleep - and woke feeling sick. However each person and every drug is different and I know people who continued to work the whole time. Good luck with the chemo. Glad Harry is coping with the line. Ask at hospital about the dragging as I bet they can suggest something. xxx Penny

Hi Triplets,
I'm new here too. I'm a 30 yr old mum of 3 boys aged 1, 4 & 6 yrs. I was diagnosed with stage IV bowel cancer last sept (5 days before my 30th b'day). The primary obviously being bowel....just a 2.5cm tumor and 3 2cm tumors in the left lung. 16 lymph nodes were removed during the bowel surg and 9 were diseased. I had bowel surgery the day after my son's 4th b'day and spent the next 8 days in hosi. 8 days after that I was rushed to Melbourne (Iam in country Vic, Aust) with a collapsed lung in a critical condition. It was here they told me the lung was inoperable and I should be grateful for anything more than six months to live. I then had 10 days of radiation and 5 months of the 5FU/Oxaliplatin chemo. On Monday - 9 months post diagnosis, I am in for a very small (keyhole surg) lung resection to remove the last active tumor! YAY!!! So on Monday I will be NED :o). It feels so wonderful to be able to say that.
In regard to chemo, the side affects were diff every treatment. Sometimes I had no side affects (in the beginning) and by the last one I slept for 3 days and nights straight. The worst side affect was constipation. So being the wonderful wife you are, feed your DH a nice high fibre diet. And keep ontop of the bowels. Also nausea can be pretty yuk, there are some great anti- nausea drugs out there but they too can constipate, its always a fine balancing act.
Lots of love to you, your DH and wonderful children, I wish you all the best.....your prob sick of hearing that! Keep the positive attitude up, as I believe that the power of positive thinking has played a HUGE role in getting me to where I am today.
Hope cycle 1 goes well on Tues.
Love Michele

Prune juice excellent and natural if constipation becomes prob as result of side-effect of the anti-sickness drugs (eg if Ondansetron used).

Michelle - your news is a miracle cure! How fantastic to have such an excellent health system in Australia - after the initial gloomy doctor, then moving on to a specialist oncologist and surgeon, you must feel so elated. Congratulations - and enjoy the rest of your very long life! Can we just ask whether the services and medicines you were given had to be paid for by you, or whether it came from taxed paid, or from private health insurance: we are rather interested in the different oncology situations from country to country. Thank you. xxxx Penny

This is fantastic news, so very encouraging, but so happy for you. What a shock it must have been, so unfair again, so young with such lovely children. Excuse my ignorance but what does NED mean? Sounds good! I hope the surgery goes well, keep us all posted won`t you? Thank you too Penny for yet again your good advice, how are you doing? Wish I could wave a magic wand over all of you, you so deserve it! Lots of love xx

We'll indent for one immediately! I suppose it would be a bit like the Facebook Fairy and could only be used once a day though. Maybe we have one already, and the cumulative good wishes and prayers from everyone here come wafting down the wires - well, that's how everyone here makes me feel, anyway!

With lots of love, xxxx Penny

Hi Penny,
Most of my treatment was government funded. Some specialists and scans prior to diagnosis I had to pay for. I didn't pay anything for radiotherapy. I was then accepted onto a trial which was the 5FU/Oxaliplatin with Avastin / or AZD2172. Avastin is widely used in the US as standard treatment for bowel cancer as I understand. The AZD is a tablet form and works as a receptor inhibitor (sp?) so it stops the production of Veg F, the hormone/chemical released to create receptor cells which then create a cancer cells own blood supply. So because this is inhibited the cell therefore has no blood supply/ hence no nutrients or oxygen.......does that all make sense???
I have had to pay about $160- out of pocket for each CT scan. Nothing for PET scans, but have then had to pay for all anti nausea drugs, steroids, pain meds, constipation meds etc. I do not have private health ins but the public system here has been wonderful and I have had the best of care from all the top docs here as I am the yougest patient any of them have had so far with stage 4 bowel cancer. So I have the docs and surgeons that most private health patients pay for. When I have had surgery and procedures or hospital admissions they have always given me a private room, I know I have been spoiled.
Thank you for your reply. I hope I am cancer free for a long time but as we know with stage 4 it can return any time. There are miracle cases though and I do pry I will be one of them, if not for me but for the sake of my beautiful baby boys.
Nice to chat to you.
Cheers,
Michele xx

Hi Triplets,
NED over here in oz stands for No Evidence of Disease. So thats what all us cancer patients aim for with our treatment/journey :o)
Surgery is scheduled for Monday and as it is keyhole I should only be in 2 nights max....I've asked for 3 or 4 so I can have a but of a holiday!!! Not very often do I get child free time from my little men :o) I am told it is a simple procedure....who ever though chopping out part of the lung was simple!
Will be thinking of you guys on Tues with starting chemo, it is the beginning of a new journey and one you should embrace as it can do wonderful things, Stay well
Cheers
Michele xx

As Harry has a bag, I expect they have a way of working around that!

I'm afraid my terrible sense-of-humour kicked in there and my first mental image was a sink plunger! Sorry, I know it is very much no laughing matter for you and your husband, and I don't know what they will suggest. I know when I had constipation via the old-fashioned channel, I drank prune juice. Has his diet changed due to nausea and going off foods, or is this the side-effect of the medicines? Good luck and hope that this is dealt with speedily as I suspect it is very uncomfortable. Love to you both xxx Penny

Hi,

I have an ileostomy bag following removal of the colon for bowel cancer. I think that the risk of constipation applies more to those who still have a colon, which takes water out of the stool. So long as Harry's fluid intake is kept up and he follows the usual precautions, ie chewing food well, avoiding peanuts and fruit with skins etc, I don't think he will have a problem. If the stools get very watery, then cheese and crackers usually works wonders. I was given some loperamide in my little bag of goodies I left chemo with, but am not sure if they are standard issue... The nurse seemed surprised when I mentioned I had a bag, so I do wonder how much of my notes were read.

Hope things turn out OK.

Kevin

Hi,
Thank you for posting, interested in your diagnosis as my younger brother has had ulcerative colitis for 16 years, he was told he would need a colostomy 2 years ago, but turned it down, he is now on some wonder drug that for now seems to be working.Its all a scary business isn`t it? Glad you don`t have secondaries, this has been such a shock to us, esp with three 10 yr olds! Chemo starts on Tues, think I am dreading it more than Harry. Good luck and I wish you a full and speedy recovery Kevin, x

I think I am dreading it more than Harry! He seems quite calm and resigned. Any tips on living with the pump for 48 hours? I don`t know what to expect, imagining all sorts of side effects happening immediatley, our triplets are going away with the school on Mon for 5 days, we were hoping to get away ourselves as we really need a break and a break without the kids would be wonderful, do you think we might be able to go somewhere for a couple of days, not too far of course. Thanks.

I'm glad he is stoic and calm, but can understand that you are feeling very fraught. I'm sorry that I can't advise you on the pump question, but I just wanted to wish you good luck, and to say that that hol for you both seems wonderful thing to have to look forward to. xxx Penny

Fingers x`d he`s up to getting away, it will be such a treat!

Hi,
So the end of day one, Harry seems ok, was quite calm about it all, broke my heart seeing him sat there and all the bits etc! Not sure how he is going to sleep tonight, anyone have any tips on sleeping with a pump, its on for 46 hours! We had abit of luck, the unit told us they are starting a weekly chemo clinic in Deal where we live, brilliant! So the next one in two weks time will be done locally, and his blood test, saves a round trip of 34 miles once a week! See, something positive! They have sent him home with 2 lots of anti sickness pills, he`s not sure if he has to take both, one is to be taken 3 times a day, they said that some patients feel worse taking them at night, so she said take the three in the morning, he will have to ring the unit tomorrow.So 1 down 5 to go!

That is really good news about a new Day Clinic close to your home - perfect timing! I also had two lots of anti-sickness pills given to me each time I attended - Dexamethasone (a steroid) which I only took for the first few days after each chemo, and Metoclopramide (anti-emetic) which I took for the whole intervening time. They did say that the steroid one was optional as I didn't like the sound of taking steroids, but I found that I felt so sick that I did take them, although only in morning and afternoon as they warned that they can adversely affect sleeping. I think part of their aim is to boost the patient's appetite. If they are different pills, it is probable that they both should be taken. However, I would definitely ring the until tomorrow for clarification.

Hope everything continues tp run smoothly now you are in the groove. Lots of love - and keep us posted! xxxx Penny

Hi Triplets,

I would have posted sooner but have been in hosi having a lung resection to remove my last active bowel secondary...
How did Harry go sleeping with his new pal? I usually put it under my pillow or just down beside me.
Did you get away on that little trip? Hope so.
How did the kids go on their school trip?
How did the rest of the fortnight go and was cycle 2 yesterday? How did that go? I found that in the first few cycles I was pretty good after about 3 days. Eventually it got to 1 week sickly and 1 week great. I felt most of the time like there was nothing wrong. Hope Harry finds it the same. I aslo found the side affects were diff each cycle, nothing was predictable....except the constipation, that was the only consistant side affect!

I used dexamethasone and Navoban for anti nausea drugs. By round 8 I was having to take them for 5 days, but for the 1st 6 cycles it was only 3 days. Once the pump was off it makes you feel more human too. Its a bit annoying having to carry it around, but for what its worth I never complained, cos the treatment works. Glad Harry only has to have 6 treatments.
Anyway, let us know how you are all getting on.
Love Michele

Hi Mihalo,
Thank you for posting. How are you feeling now, hope it all went well. Harry coped well with his first round of chemo, didn`t sleep too badly, he put it in a t shirt pocket! Its his second one this Thurs. He had a couple of small side effects, a tingling sensation in his mouth when he ate his first mouthful of food, second he was fine! Then once he put his hands into cold water and shot them out!The kids had a fantastic week, didn`t seem to miss us at all, they are still talking about it now! We did go to Cornwall, long drive but worth it, it was just a treat to be able to go to a pub at lunch time and have a crab sandwich and a beer! Harry is having 6 treaments now, then liver resection prob in Sept, then 6 more treatments, then he has the ileostomy reversed, then I guesss its fingers x`d! Hard to imagine that this time last year everything was normal, in fact we were so excited as we flew to California and spent 4 weeks touring with the kids, it was fantastic, our goal is to do it again! I must go to bed, promised myself an earlier night and its past 11pm! Keep well and spirits up!! Love,
Anne xx

Dearest Triplets

Came across your entry and I am similar to you - well - have two young boys 9 and 6 -and my husband 4 weeks ago was diagnosed with cancerous growths on liver and cancer in bowel - they also told us not curable but worth a go with the treatment - so he starts chemo tomorrow - a 5 hour stint in the hospital which I will be with him for as I worry about him driving and it is half an hour drive away - and then he brings treatment home for four days and then repeat process for 5 weeks - I am soooo scared - about everything - today especially - worried about how it will affect him - worried about losing him - the children etc - it is school holidays here in Sydney for the next two weeks and it is hard for us as we have no direct family here except his sister and brother - none of my family and it is times like this you really need help.

They cannot operate on his liver because the cancer is too widespread - not really sure why they are not operating on the bowel - will have to ask tomorrow -

Have you told your children - we have just said to ours that Daddy is sick but haven't used the Cancer word yet as my 9 year old would worry -
Have you guys started chemo yet?

Would love to keep in touch with you because you are in a similar position to us - we are in Sydney Australia - where are you in the UK?

Am typing this at work so cannot chat properly- but please stay in touch and maybe we can support eachother -

Thoughts with you and Harry and the children -

Big hugs

Tania (ex-Cheltenham)

Hi Triplets

Duuurrrhhh - just realised you had further entries! Sorry - but lets keep in touch - will have you as my leader

Taniaxx

Hi Tania,
Welcome to the board. Everyone here is just wonderful, I am very new here too but just wanted to say "G'Day" to you as I am an Aussie as well. I have bowel cancer which has spread to the lungs. I have 3 small children aged 6.5, 4.5 and 18mths. I was diagnosed last sept, and yes non-curable as well. I totally understand that your first thoughts are about your children as mine were too. Actually they are all I think of and are my absolute inspiration to be here a long time yet.
Best of luck to your hubby starting his chemo. I am in Bendigo, Vic. I was lucky enough to have my mum move to be there to help us. She was actually overseas when I was diagnosed. It is a very difficult time on everyone for many diff reasons. As all women are, I know you will be brilliant, brave and strong on this journey. Look forward to chatting more and being here as a support if I can.
Love Michele

Hi Michele

Thanks so much for your email - was so good to hear from you - and sorry to hear about your "lot" but good to hear you are progressing in the right direction -

Can I ask whether you had your bowel cancer operated on? I am still not clear as to why they are not wanting to operate on my husbands bowel cancer -

How are you feeling? I bet it is so hard with having such little children as they don't understand at that age how bad you are feeling and just want you to keep on going...

It is amazing how quickly your life can change from one minute to another - Paul was out mowing the lawns the day he found out - he stopped halfway through to go get his CT scan done and then got the phone call to go straight to his GP and BINGO! One minute all is good the next the good is taken away and BANG - he wasnt feeling good for a while and I think deep down he knew something was very wrong - but the actual words "cancer" were the worst - as you would have gone through too...

You are very lucky having your mum live with you - god love our mums!! My parents are in the UK and Pauls have passed away - he has a step mother who he is not all that close to in Tweed Heads - he has a sister and brother in Sydney and we have the best friends we could have ever wished for - so we are blessed that way - it is hard as the chemo started yesterday and school hols - and I work 3 days per week which I am trying to maintain as his sick leave runs out very shortly - so trying to keep our heads above water that way.

Michele keep well and strong - and please keep in touch - big bug to your children and also to your mum for looking after youxxx