Cancer

[nightstalker]

What a truely difficult disease to come to grips with .

My uncle has fought it now for 25 years in all its forms
(approaching 80 years ) and is still going strong .

A friend I've known 40 years in the space of a couple of weeks has the fight for his life in front of him and the most well resourced and commited profesionals in the field can't find where the very aggressive primary originates from. :(

[Octane]

Graham,

Cancer is a scourge.

I wish your friend all the very best.

I had surgery four years ago for the removal of a malignant tumour. I have blood tests every six months to make sure everything is OK. It's constantly on the back of my mind. Life is precious.

H

[Lismore Bloke]

There wouldn't be a family in the country that hasn't been touched by that rotten disease in some way, mine included. Life is precious indeed.

[Suzy]

I echo the words Paul said so well.
I do hope your friend comes through this and I shake my head at the thought of the journey he has to face. I lost my father to this disease, and at the moment my cat is in her first stages of it.

[jjjnettie]

One's world goes pear shaped pretty damn quick once a diagnoses is made.
I wish for your friend the strength to face this challenge. It's an ordeal that no-one should have to go through.

Yep, I hear you H.
On the 4th of July I celebrated 3yrs clear. :)
Waiting on test results does my head in.
Life is indeed precious and not to be wasted.

[Pinwheel]

My Father died of bowl, brain & lung cancer in one hit. He died 90 days from diagnoses. I am now tested every year in case it is inherited. My last test found a benign polyp in the colon & was removed instantly. Still I wonder if like Dad I'll not see my 58th birthday ( i'm 53):(

[jjjnettie]

Just keep going for those check ups Doug.
Bowel cancer, caught early, is the most curable type.
It's not easy living in the shadow though, I know.

[jjjnettie]

I thought I'd share this link with you all.
This organisation provides support for those touched with cancer whether you are a current survivor, carer, friend or family member.
It's a refuge where you can talk frankly and openly about your treatment, your fears and your emotions with others who understand completely.
It's one of the best resources I've found.

The Cancer Survivors Network.
http://csn.cancer.org/csnhome

[Octane]

Thanks, Jeanette. : )

H

[nightstalker]

great link.. I must ring him tonight

[cookie8]

Since someone has started this topic I might as well share my experience. Had bowel cancer resected 6 years ago when I was only 42.
I was told all clear early last year but shockingly the cancer recurred in Sept which gave me a swollen leg(deep vein thrombosis). I am devastated and extremely disappointed. Went through radiation therapy;chemo and now targeted therapy.You name it. This is such a uphill struggle and now all the side-effects are catching up on me. I haven't got the energy or motivation to do astronomy during all these time.:(

[Octane]

Vincent,

I'm so sorry to hear about that, mate. Hang in there, please.

Wishing you all the very best.

H

[erick]

That is not good news, Vincent. But, keep fightin' and keep in touch here.

Eric

[TrevorW]

Insidious disease that has affected nearly all of us in some way whether self, family or friend. WHO has stated that deaths from one form of cancer or another worldwide amount to nearly 12 million.

[sejanus]

horrible bloody thing, we have lost family members and just 2 months ago one of the most gentle dogs we have ever known that never harmed a fly lost her life at less than half the age her parents lived to.

[norm]

Its a horrid, insepid disease and unfortunately very few people will not come across it sometime in their life, directly or otherwise. Just had my 4th cystocopy checkup after the removal of some tumours in my bladder. Hopefully my Urologist will give me the OK for yearly checkups.

My advise to any blokes reading this. If you EVER see a tinge of blood, a speck, anything in your urine, DO NOT dismiss it as NOTHING. I'm pretty sure had I not done nothing things would have been a lot worse.

Having said that anyone now in the mid 40's should start thinking about prostate checkups as well.

Vincent - I hope everything works out for ya and you have the support you need from family, friends and the Dr's. Best of luck mate.

Norm

[nightstalker]

RIP dear friend (Terry) :(

I'm happy in a way all the pain he was in is gone now, but so sad he can't tell us that.

[Carlz]

Im so sorry for your loss nightstalker :'( condolences to all that knew him

I lost my grandmother to pancreatic cancer 60 days after diagnosis...Very quick :( Now i have a close friend of mine's brother who has been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer that cannot be treated with chemo, so we are all trying to raise $100,000 for a treatment that will work to keep him with us longer. Unfortunately this treatment is not government subsidised hence the expense :(
Cancer can get the best of us

[marki]

Cancer is a barstard of a disease. My grandfather and uncle both died of it, my little sister survived blood cancer and my mother had breast cancer and within 2 years of having her breast removed the cancer has spread to just about every bone in her body and has also taken up residence in her lungs. Too many people are affected by cancer and we really need to get behind the researchers so they are able to find a cure.

Mark

[jjjnettie]

Graham, so sorry for your loss. But yes, your right. No more pain. :(