cancer

Ethel - if they're still offering treatment that's a completely positive sign. Keep strong. Glad you are feeling well in yourself.

Hello ethelbags, while a cure isn't on the books, in a previous thread you said that the tumour itself was shrinking, so has that changed too?
Have you had enough information to make a decision about surgery or different chemotherapy?
I'm sure the Bowel Cancer charity would be able to help you too.
Very much keeping everything crossed for you, and ((hugs)) x

Music comforts me in the night ,Ethel. It's not hard to imagine being where you are ,Ethel. You are going to be in many hearts and minds - and also prayers. You are not alone and some of us are across the Atlantic and are on Gn while UK is mostly asleep.

Also, the specific cancer charities run help lines and provide excellent information - csn you get in touch with one of them? They really are amazing and I'm sure would give you real support and guidance of a very high quality

Ethel I hope you can feel that your oncologist is giving enough time to you to discuss your options. Do you have a dedicated nurse who can help you to ask the right questions?

How upsetting for you ethel.

It is good that you do not feel ill and have some fight in you.

I have a friend who has had cancer for about 7 years now and it is kept at bay by repeated bouts of chemo. They have said that it will never go away, but that the chemo should keep it at arm's length. She has an excellent quality of life I am glad to say.

I send you lots of strength during this decision-making time.

As to the wee small hours - I have an iPod Nano which is basically a very tiny iPOd and I bought two CDs that I have loaded on to it - one is of birdsong and the other of beach sounds. I do find them both very comforting at night if things are not going well.

Your fighting spirit is to be commended etheltbags. Obviously I have no medical knowledge but your oncologist will I hope give you the best advice. Main thing is you are not going to roll over and let this b*st*rd illness win without a fight. Give it all you have got, even if a complete cure is out of the question, more time and quality of life is worth fighting for. Good luck and if the wee small hours are a lonely time, I am sure there will be Gransnetters ready to share those wakeful hours with you.

I can either have an op or just further chemo with a different drug. neither will give me a cure.

(as for the small hours... Have you been prescribed any sleeping pills/sedatives?)

I'm so sorry the treatment you've had so far hasn't been totally successful, ethel. What does your oncologist recommend as further treatment?