Carpe Diem?

Wow, you've certainly embraced things too. My friend suggested a sky dive and I was like " hey yeah let's do it", the thing is I can't even go up in a plane with out grabbing the seat and having white knuckles , or climb a high ladder without my legs going wobbly. My mentality was, hey, I've had cancer...now I can do anything, easy to say when on the ground looking at the sky! Perhaps I'll stick to the painting....good for you though and bet it felt amazing! Good to do such amazing things, but like you I just want to help others during those every day tough moments and just listen where I can...you guys are all amazing. Love and hugs xxx

HI Dungarees girl & Jools63. It's strange isn't it - we've all got cancer and have been on our journey for a while and the things it's taught us are:

* Life is an amazing thing and is so precious

* We can do things we never thought we could do.

* We all want to put back in the help we have received during our personal journey.

* You turn round - look at your whole life and re-assess your priorities.

I spend much of my time helping people newly diagnosed with Prostate Cancer. As one consultant said a few weeks ago "If you are going to get cancer - get Prostate Cancer - it's got a 98% survival rate". We are "lucky" on our forum compared to what others suffer.

You two take care.

Best wishes

Brian.

You are so right Brian, mind you it sounds like you've been through lots! I feel I've had it really easy and reading what others have been through such as yourselves, it warms my heart to see how strong, courageous and kind people are. It really can feel a lonely and scary place, with a whole mix of emotions, but by supporting each other we can make a difference...love and hugs x

Thanks for your lovely comment Brian. Isn’t it funny how we feel lucky to have the type of cancers we have? All along I was told that bowel cancer is notoriously slow growing and largely curable. I’m pleased to say that for most people this is true. I’m hopeful that if mine is, as suspected, incurable, I can get a couple of years with a decent quality of life. Who knows what breakthroughs are around the corner? 
Wishing everyone well.

Hi Jools63, I am so sorry to hear this but I just hope that your cancer will be curable. It has to be!!! Take care️

Hi Jools63, Wow you have been through the mill!!  I am in agreement with ziela861

"let's hope the cancer is curable"

You are very brave and I am sure you will enjoy lots of decent quality of life - as you rightly say new treatments are popping up all the time.

Have you looked at if there are any clinical trials for your condition?

You take care and you know were we are if you want a chat!!

Best wishes

Brian.

Hi Ziela861,

My cancer is at the very mild end of the PC spectrum but very likely to need treatment somewhen. What got to me initially was the waiting, but diffferent waiting from Brian. Everything happened really quickly as I was in a DNA study and not a patient, but the way my brain reacted was as if the universe was holding a huge question mark over me, saying "I'll decide when..." so I didn't even really know what I was waiting for, I was just waiting. My glass had changed from half full to half empty - and I seemed not to enjoy activities involving looking ahead (gardening, cooking) or back (family tree work, digitising my dad's photos) anymore.

It took me a while to get over that, but now I'm back to glass half full. Knowing that (unless I stop a bus or similar) I will almost certainly need treatment at some point has given me an incentive to maximise my options by staying healthy - lose a few kgs, keep an eye on my bp, that sort of thing; I already eat a "good" diet and exercise regularly, so next steps in that direction aren't obvious. I've bought a decent bp monitor (and I use it) and I've enrolled on the Zoe program (day 2 today) to see if that helps me take control a little more.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to get back to that family tree.

Hi Sean, I have just read your story, and again you have been so open and expressed your emotions, thought and feelings...these insights and openness help all of us. It really is so hard at the beginning and as you've found it changes you and your life. Until you are faced with these challenges you really have no idea how you will deal with them, and not knowing is one of the toughest things. I think it is amazing that you have faced this and are finding your glass half full side again... amazing! Take one day at a time, you are fab and like so many an inspiration...thank you for sharing x

Thanks once again Brian. I’ve been meaning to ask my oncologist about clinical trials, but my last two appointments I’ve received news that has left me unable to take anything in. I had a scan yesterday and don’t have a follow up appointment until 5th September. I have managed to get the oncologist to agree that, once my results are reported, my specialist nurse can ring me with the results. I’ve spoken to cancer research today about what I can do once I’m gone. It may sound a bit morbid, but I thought if I can help, maybe it’ll help me nearer to “my time”. I don’t plan on going anywhere anytime soon though if I can help it! I hope you’re keeping well?

Wow. It’s a strange old world isn’t it. Just sometimes you need to be thinking of the future, other times it’s just live for the day. 

You are a very brave and special person and have the right attitude when it come to reality. I do hope the news you have received isn’t what I think it may be and as I suggested there are clinical trials and new treatments coming online all the time.

I wish you all the best with your future treatment and on here there’s always someone for you if you want an outlet or just a chat.

At the end of the day - life is great  -  I know you are doing some amazing things - set yourself some targets and see what else you can conquer.

My sincerest best wishes

Brian.