Our community

I am 66 years of age - married to Max for 49 years, and looking forward to our 50th next year. We have four lovely children and our 8th grandchild is expected in February.

I help facilitate the Internet Support Groups on Cancer Connections

I'm 49 years old, have two beautiful teenaged children and work full time, partly from home now. After experiencing increasing difficulty swallowing, a CT scan in late January 2013 showed I had a tumour on my oesophagus and several liver lesions. This was confirmed by liver biopsy to be primary cancer of oesophagus, spread to liver. First appointment with oncologist 13 Feb 2013, chemo started 18 Feb 2013.

I am 48 years old. First diagnosed with tongue cancer in 2006, neck cancer in 2007. Remission since then.

My husband was diagnosed with stage 4 follicular lymphoma in April last year. He went into remission on 29th July last year (coming up for 12 months!) He's been going really well so far.

my husband first had surgery for a leiomyoma/sarcoma in 2005 ... then in 2011 was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer with 3 gist tumours in his liver.. after treatment with glivec for 14 months a pet/ct scan showed progression he was then put on sutent 50mg after 2cycles of sutent he had another petscan this also showed further disease progression he is now about to start on regorafenib we have been told this drug is his last hope. would love too hear from anyone else with gist tumours as it is so rare in australia ..with thanks jill and mark

I am a 28 yr old social worker who is currently off work as I am fighting lung cancer. I have a wonderful husband Dan who is right by my side fighting this cancer battle with me ----fingers crossed WE WIN

I was diagnosed with Cancer of the Oesophagus in August 2011. The tests and treatment all passed me by very quickly and currently undergoing chemo to shrink the tumour before and operation just before Christmas

I am a 31 year old daughter, who's father has just been diagnosed with a non curable brain cancer which is very agressive.

Stage 4 NSCLC Diagnosed February 2009

43 years old and diagnosed with bowel cancer

I am interested in finding ways for this site to support personal writing by people living with cancer and their carers. Information sharing is good, too, and I like being able to do that. But my main interest here is in uncovering myself via writing. I want this blog space to enable me and others to do that.

Update: If there are people who start to share something as writers, rather than as information seekers or people with a specific communication need, then I think this site will add something to the process of recovery and living with cancer. Well, actually, I know that is the case already. The evidence is there. I'm getting a lot out of this.

I have thyroid cancer and had surgery to remove the thyroid and neck dissection followed by the treatment radiation iodine 131, i am now taking thyroxin tablets but so far i am still feeling tyred and cold.
Is there anyone who had the same cancer? i would like to hear from them.

We live in Brisbane.
I am a Sewing Machinist & Casual teacher at TAFE.
We have one son - at Uni now.

I have had my appendex removed in Sept 2009.
Found cancer 5ml spot.
Right Hemicolectomy in Nov 2009. Followed by 6 mths of chemo.

Now about to have a Peritonectomy operation.
Eeek a biggie.
This is a 10 hour operation with a 3 week stay in hospital.
So I am not looking forward to it.
Apparently this hits one in a million people - I would rather be the one in a million for the lotto ticket - not win this draw.
Such is life.

My husband died of a GBM 19/03/2013

47 male
wife has had bladder cancer for 12 years

I was diagnosed with neuroendocrine cancer of the ovaries and cervix in Oct 2012 along with 2 other types of cells being endometrial and serous. I had a pap smear on 10 May 2012 and was sent a notice in the mail saying it was ok but at end of July my doctor received a letter to say they had made a mistake. We were away in Queensland at the time so when we came back at end of August I had several tests done and then on Oct 31 2012 had radical hyserectomy. After pathology cancer was found in my ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix and the only lymph node they could remove as there were too many blood vessels in the area. I started chemotherapy on 13 Dec and after 4 treatments they are going to do another PET scan. Then they are talking radiation after that but will wait and see what the PET scan shows. I had a PET scan at end of November 2012 and they thought something was showing on my left adrenal gland but after a CT scan the following week it showed all clear so that was good news. My hubby had bowel cancer 3 years ago so we have been through it all before. His cancer had spread into his bladder and 6 lymph nodes but so far he is going ok thank goodness.

I'm 29 and the mother of amazing 5month old twin boys. My main role is to take care of them, my 8year old stepdaughter and to support and take care of my beautiful husband Pete who is battling brain cancer.

I'm 35 mum of 2 girls 4 and 1.5. I have had a left mastectomy and are going through chemo now.

I am a 46 year old male from the Mid North Coast of NSW and I am married with children. I was diagnosied a month ago with Neuroendocrine (Carcinoid) Tumours (NETs) to the small intestine. I am still in the process of undergoing tests to find out how far this has spread and I am about to attend Westmead hospital for a PET Scan to help answer that question.

My dad died from heart failure, after extensive chemo for lung cancer in 1992. My ex partner/very best friend died a little over 7 months ago, he had beaten bowel cancer, then aorta, sadly went to his lungs and on second dose of chemo, died suddenly from massive stroke!

65 had whipple surgery 6 months ago

Hi I am a 39year old person that has had four goes at cancer and won so far but I have recently lost my best friend to cancer and now not doing so well and just want someone to talk to. I have three children and a disable husband to whom I look after...

My father is 79 with t2 bladder cancer.

I am a 57 year old female diagnosed with breast cancer November 2012, right aide mastectomy undergoing chemotherapy 2 sessions to go, my hardest hurdle so far has been extreme anxiety and depression

I was dignozed with bowel and liver cancer in October 2010,with the primary very hard to find.This information was very upsetting and depressing, with the help of family and the support of Peter Mac staff I managed to pull myself together and start to think more positive,Thanks to Dr.Micheal Micheal and his team they discovered it as Carcinoid Cancer, Dr. Micheal and surgeon Dr Ben Thompson and their great team operated in February 2011.At this point in time I am only on a monthly injection which appears to have stopped any further tumors and we are hoping it will start reducing the existing tumors in the liver.

42 years young, mum of 10,14 & 16 year olds with the best husband, we have alot of fun as a family. Have had two myxodfibrosarcomas (high grade) removed from arm by resection with free flap from groin. Path. showed that it is now in muscle so will have muscles removed the end of the month. New lump now in wrist so more tests. Have four nodules in lungs to be checked 3 monthly by CT. Radiotherapy to start after next surgery. The hardest thing has been finding medical advice and direction for this type of cancer as it is not common. Always trying to keep mentally on top of things. I have a great supportive family. If I start feeling down, it's because of how this affects them and makes family and friends feel sad.

Self employed, Married to Monica we have 2 babies 1 Year old and the other due in 2 weeks. Mortgage with a family to support. Stage 3 Colon cancer.

I'm 57 years young married with 2 adult daughters. I was diagnosed in Aug 2008 with granulosa cell tumour of the left ovary - classed as malignant. Had surgery to remove my ovaries and after months of hell due to menopause I was diagnosed with a recurrence in Feb 2011 - classed as ovarian cancer but labelled retroperititoneal tumour. Had further surgery in March and due to my illness am now retired on a disability pension

I am a Sales manager in the building industry. I have 24 year old son. I was born in 1967. I fell in love in 1989 and finally married that man in Jan this year. He has GBM and is in his 4th year of survival. I am looking for a support group, people who are dealing with the effects of cancer and treatment.

Whilst my husbands medical team are doing a great job at keeping him alive they forget sometimes to tell us about the impact of new treatment and we find overselves alone and confused.

Hi. I am 47 years old and was diagnosed with Stage 3 ovarian cancer in August this year. No one in my family has ever had cancer so it was a shock to find out that I have the disease. Since then I have had one operation, 3 rounds of chemo and I am due to have another large operation in 2 weeks time. We (my hubby & 17 year old son) came to Australia 4 years ago so all of my family are still in the UK.I miss them a lot but have good support from colleagues and friends here. I don't know anyone who has
cancer and would love to just chat with others in the same position.

Hi , I'm 45 year old female. On 18/02/2011 I've got diagnosed with an endometrial carcinoma stage 2 and on 04/03/11 I already had a total hysterectomy where also 20 lymph nodes were taken out and one of them was infected which puts me one more stage further, I think. Last week my doctor informed me about surgeon and oncologist decision that is a radiotherapy recommended. At the moment I'm still recovering from the operation, waiting for my radiotherapy and hoping for the best.

In 2006, I was diagnosed with a tumour in the left Parotid Salivary Gland. The cell type was Adenocarcinoma.

Surgery involved removal of the tumour, the Parotid Salivary Gland and the sacrificing of the left Facial Nerve. The infiltrated lymph nodes in my neck on the left side were removed. Radiotherapy of the Parotid Salivary Gland area and neck followed on the left side.

In 2012, I developed Radiation Induced Fibrosis (RIF) or Radiation Fibrosis Syndrome (RFS), more specifically sudden Late Onset Radiation Induced Fibrosis; Velopharyngeal Incompetence & Severe Dysphagia (fibrosis from the Soft Palate down to the Upper Esophageal Sphincter (UES), inclusive).

My Current Treatment: Speech Pathology exercises, "Smooth Pureed" diet plus Resource Plus medical drinks and Pentoxifylline & Tocopherol (Vitamin E) antioxidant therapy.

My Current Operations: Rod Dilation by ENT Surgeon of the UES - day procedure, Balloon Dilation by ENT Surgeon of the UES - day procedure (soon) and Cricopharyngeal Myotomy (later).

I was diagnosed with adenoid cystic carcinoma in February,2010. I had surgery 2 months later and 6 weeks of IMRT.Since then there has been no sign of cancer on any MRIs.

5 week post op following T2 SCC tumour resection and radical neck dissection. No radiation or chemo required and I ahve just started solid food.

I have had cancer since 1998, three lots of radiotherapy and now regular drug therapy. It slowly advances! I was an academic but have now retired but remain active as a volunteer in a number of areas.

I am a single mum of 2, one of which has a Mild Intellectual
Disability. I have put my studies of Community Services/Disabilty Services Cert.3 on hold until I recover. I have a wonderful extended family support system but am finding that I want support from those of us that are suffering from Cancer. Thats all at present.

Hi all just joined as I received my results from my Bowel Cancer test it came back positive for blood so worried what is the next step. Just about had enough in 2010 was DX with prostate cancer underwent 6.5 hour surgery to remove prostate have been so worried about this now I have this to worry about.Sometimes I feel it is to much to cope with my question is what is my next step regarding the positive test.Any advice would be most grateful very confused as what to do and expect.

Diagnosed with Stage 2 bowel cancer June 2008 after being misdiagnosed for more than a year. Local recurrence and 5 positive lymph nodes removed Feb 2011. Metatisis to right ovary removed Dec 2012.

I am 48 yrs old my brother 50yrs old has just had a malignant grade four

Hi, I am 67 was diagnosed with DCIS in November 2011 this resulted in a mastectomy of the left breast. Had hoped to have implant as expander was inserted at time of mastectomy, unfortunately lot of infection three ops in seven/eight weeks so not inclined to have reconstruction. Am now in a very good place.