Awake and up all night

I echo Eddie and Gill's warm welcome. It is human nature to be concerned about scheduled tests and then the wait for results afterwards. Eddie is right though. The highly skilled specialists will buzz around you and make sure they detect anything that needs attention. Multidisciplinary teams will meet then put forward a plan of action specially tailored to your needs. I'm a stray from the bladder cancer forum, diagnosed in 2017, but I recall those earlier days. Now, I've almost learnt how to recognise when I feel good or even just less bad, and hold on to those moments for as long as possible. I wish you many of those moments and an encouraging way forward from your team of specialists.  Love, Ray xx  

Thank you so much for your loving and inspiring. Positive reply. My boys are 22,16 and 4. Our baby girl would be turning 6 in feb xxx

Hi Kim, and a warm welcome from me, I'm sorry for what you and your lovely family are going through, but how wonderful you have 4 lovely kids, as do I, but with 3 girls and my youngest a boy, though a little older than your gang, mine are aged 53 down to 36, and I  fully understand your decision to keep them out of it my friend, though never an option for me. Well Kim I can't promise there'll always be someone to talk to, but the forum never shuts, and we're here to talk about anything, from spotted dick to chemotherapy, so please ask away.

Eddie xx 

Thank you so much, can I just touch on when you say you feel good and then less so?? Is it like you know?? Because I’ve felt better than I’ve felt in years recently and then this. I ‘knew’ somethinwas wrong and my nurse even said they were all very surprised by my diagnosis as it didn’t look like you’re typical melanoma, but I knew  I won’t say anything to my boys unless it is absolutely necessary for them to know but fingers crossed and everything else, the prognosis is positive and won’t get that far. I’ve consented to the lymph node removal and skin graft so I’m hoping that I’m giving myself the best possible chances there and my surgeon agrees, it’s just taking it one step at a time at the moment xxx

Thank you so much for the warm welcome, this has just touched my heart so much you’re family sound amazing also. ️ God bless you all and thank you for responding so quickly. I wish there was a 24/7 phone line available through macmillan as I can’t speak during work hours unfortunately. Thank you so much for responding to me so quickly though xxx

I'm often a night owl. This forum is usually active through the night and day - until we talk ourselves to sleep or realise we should be doing something. Always worth tuning in to see what is going on. I fully understand your concerns. Please see my reply to Kim which was meant for you as well. Love Ray xx

Hi Kim, we all felt like that in the beginning sweetheart, it's perfectly normal, the not knowing is the worst feeling, but once all your results are in and they have a treatment plan up and running, it gets a little easier, I'm here if you want to chat about anything, as are all the lovely people on the forum.

love Eddie xx 

Oh sweetheart, if I read that correctly, I'm guessing your baby girl is no longer with you in person? I hope I'm wrong but if not, she'll be forever in your heart. When you do tell the boys, is there someone you all trust to help you do it? Another person can be a great source of strength and support to overcome difficulties. Children are a lot more resilient than we often give them credit for you know. The older boys might even guess their mum's got a lot on her mind too. Only you can guage the right time my lovely, but sending you extra strength for a tough decision xxx

It is so very very much appreciated, thank you from the bottom of my heart honestly  xxx

Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart xxx