no longer just a word

So sorry to hear about your Dad.

When I told my family I had breast cancer I was told that we do not have cancer in our family.

Well I am the first.

I don't think I will ever come to terms with it but I think it is sometimes easier to be the patient and not the carers

We have as patients somehow find the strenght to go for the treatments in the hope we can get better . I don't really know how to be honest.

I have met so many wonderful people since my diagnosis from the Consultants and nursing staff as well as the drivers who collect you to drive you to the hopspital for treatment if you unable to drive yourself  

Every paper and advert on the telly talk about cancer and it scares me sometime.

I keep on thinking one step at a time.

Hated any advert on telly for shampoo and hair removing cream. Am sure they are more frequent than before.

You will find the strength for your wee Dad because you love him.

Take Care

Love Sue

Hi sue,

Thanks for your comment, I can understand what you said about carers finding it more difficult, oddly enough!   You are so brave to have the courage to go through it, and yes, I know what you mean about adverts!   Like the one with the woman feeding a baby and she looks at the clock, and instead of seeing the numbers on the clock she sees letters spelling out the word 'cancer', strange that, but oh so true!

Just waiting on word from the hospital to see how his laparospocy ? went.   Will keep you all informed, stay strong and thanks for your kind words,

Netty xx

Sorry to hear about your Dad, its hard looking after someone you love through all this - so remember to take care of you as well.

Its strange isn't it how we cope and how some words or phases seem worse than others.  I didn't have a problem telling people I had breast cancer, but I did avoid the word with my sisters children - simply because "cancer" is this big scary disease.  I always say I had it not that I have it, it was  there and the surgeon removed it - my treatment is to stop those nasty mutant crappy little cells from returning.

But I was diagnosed during Breast Cancer week, so the TV, papers, magazines were flooded with adverts. I found it really irritating and at the time I didn't recognise those people on the Macmillan adverts - but you know now I do a bit.  There are days when I feel "god I've got cancer" - then I say no its gone and long may it stay away.  But there is always the little niggle in the back of your mind.

I liked your families response, my brother apparently when back to his daughters and said - "well thats it we'll all get it now" :o)) he was a bit down at the time.  Bless him

Take care

Carol xx

Hi Carol,

I'm so pleased you are winning the battle and I guess thats half the battle eh?!

Thanks for you encouragement and words of comfort, it has been a major relief to me reading and listening to everyone's stories, I promised I was going to stay away from the internet as my husband says it should come with a health warning!  I guess I know what he means, a little knowledge can be very dangerous, but being on this site and talking to people who have been there and survived it is great indeed.

On a more selfish note, I am stressed out because I am the only one of my sisters that drives, so the bulk of the running around is left to me, my husband and daughter drive and have been a tremendous help, but I think man this is only tests he's getting done, what will it be like when he has the op, 5 weeks of hospital visits twice a day, no harm, I would do anything for my dad and family but it all adds to the stress.   We live near Glasgow and the Royal is not that far, a nightmare in traffic, but if its clear then only 10 min drive, the big problem IS PARKING!   and even then you have a mile to walk to get to the building he is in, and its like a maze, my sister got lost three times last night and had to get a porter to help her out!  

But that makes me sound like a selfish c**!   I dont mean it like that, but it does add to the stress.   I guess as time goes on they will put ambulance pick ups in operation if need be, but it is so much easier for my mum if I do it.   Please dont think bad of me!

Thanks again,

Netty xx

Do not think you are being selfish at all. The parking around all our state of the art hospitals is dire. Am I right in thinking that parking in Scotland is free? if you can find a space that is.

Don't take all the strain yourself. If others want to help let them. I am sure you will be surprised with the offers from friends as well as family.

You need to take care of your own healh too at this difficult time.

Love Sue x x