AFF Cancer Survivors Thread

[Buzzard]

Can anyone suggest a travel insurance company that isn't too fazed when the applicant mentions they have a recurrence of a cancer, but is not currently being treated.
We are going to Thailand transiting HKG and SIN.

For me, 1Cover with an exclusion clause.

 

[tgh]

not covering a contingent condition has to be a sensible option

 

[LinaLee]

Sharing my story as Today I finally finished 6 months of chemo for 2nd stage breast cancer diagnosed last Aug. It had its ups and downs during the last 6 months from managing the after effects of chemo. You live for the days when you’re almost free of the effects just before the next dose . I went out and lived or tried to live a normal life. Looking back, I barely remember the worst bits deliberately so I’m not too traumatised by the process. Diagnosis was not a surprise as I thought something was going in my left breast for just over two months, just chose to pretend and hope it’s the monthly period for the lump that occasionally hurt. Obviously had to stop one day and bite the bullet to confront it . Fortunately it had not spread elsewhere. Surgery removed all the visible cancer. To be sure, next is radiation in two weeks time for three weeks followed by endocrine therapy which hopefully will do the trick to staying cancer free.

This thread is truly inspirational reading your stories as well which I stumbled on a few days ago coincidentally just as I’m through with the worst bits of the treatment.

Still a bit more of the journey to go before I can continue my travels again . Had to give up the Japan trip in late March, booked months ago with the Coronavirus now spreading there. There’s lots more living left to do yet to take the risk now.

 

[love_the_life]

Sharing my story as Today I finally finished 6 months of chemo for 2nd stage breast cancer diagnosed last Aug. It had its ups and downs during the last 6 months from managing the after effects of chemo. You live for the days when you’re almost free of the effects just before the next dose . I went out and lived or tried to live a normal life. Looking back, I barely remember the worst bits deliberately so I’m not too traumatised by the process. Diagnosis was not a surprise as I thought something was going in my left breast for just over two months, just chose to pretend and hope it’s the monthly period for the lump that occasionally hurt. Obviously had to stop one day and bite the bullet to confront it . Fortunately it had not spread elsewhere. Surgery removed all the visible cancer. To be sure, next is radiation in two weeks time for three weeks followed by endocrine therapy which hopefully will do the trick to staying cancer free.

This thread is truly inspirational reading your stories as well which I stumbled on a few days ago coincidentally just as I’m through with the worst bits of the treatment.

Still a bit more of the journey to go before I can continue my travels again . Had to give up the Japan trip in late March, booked months ago with the Coronavirus now spreading there. There’s lots more living left to do yet to take the risk now.

Take heart LinaLee. I had similar in 1990 (so 30 years ago!) and I'm still here! Mine had gone to lymph but 6 months of chemo and 12 weeks of radiotherapy and 5 years of Tamoxofen seemed to have done the trick. Radiotherapy was a breeze compared with the chemo . The only disappointing thing was they said they would supply oil to help the reddening. I assumed almond oil or similar....silly me. I got a bottle of extra virgin olive oil to rub into the cough.
Glad to hear the chemo is over though - it's not pleasant I know and I've also sat with friends through it as well.
Onward for you!

 

[QF WP]

Hi @LinaLee, lovely to hear your story and it seems ages since we had dinner in Melbourne. @Hvr caught me up with your situation a couple of weeks ago, so it is lovely to hear how well you've responded to treatment. Hope you get to take the trip to Japan sometime in th future when both the cancer and coronavirus are at bay.

 

[LinaLee]

Take heart LinaLee. I had similar in 1990 (so 30 years ago!) and I'm still here! Mine had gone to lymph but 6 months of chemo and 12 weeks of radiotherapy and 5 years of Tamoxofen seemed to have done the trick. Radiotherapy was a breeze compared with the chemo . The only disappointing thing was they said they would supply oil to help the reddening. I assumed almond oil or similar....silly me. I got a bottle of extra virgin olive oil to rub into the cough.
Glad to hear the chemo is over though - it's not pleasant I know and I've also sat with friends through it as well.
Onward for you!

Thanks @love_the_life for the encouragement. It’s a good club we’re in . Is it really olive oil? Seriously? My planning session is in two weeks for RT. It will be interesting .

 

[LinaLee]

Hi @LinaLee, lovely to hear your story and it seems ages since we had dinner in Melbourne. @Hvr caught me up with your situation a couple of weeks ago, so it is lovely to hear how well you've responded to treatment. Hope you get to take the trip to Japan sometime in th future when both the cancer and coronavirus are at bay.

Hi, @QF WP, Yes, dinner definitely felt ages ago, I’m glad I dragged myself to that as it’s been too long since we caught up. I was struggling to find the energy but I’m glad I did . It was close. I really wanted to be in Brisbane too but good that @Hvr very kindly kept me updated with proceedings.

I’m definitely looking forward to making trips in the later part of the year when things settle down, I confess to living to eat, drink and travel and hopefully none of us or our loved ones are impacted by this virus thing

 

[LinaLee]

Thanks all fellow AFF friends for your support and thoughts, sending out the same back

 

[love_the_life]

Thanks @love_the_life for the encouragement. It’s a good club we’re in . Is it really olive oil? Seriously? My planning session is in two weeks for RT. It will be interesting .

Olive oil? It was back in 1990. Hopefully something nicer for you now.

 

[drross]

We

Olive oil? It was back in 1990. Hopefully something nicer for you now.

still recommend a zinc and castor oil mix for some

 

[love_the_life]

We


still recommend a zinc and castor oil mix for some

I have very fair skin but never burned through radio - just went a little pink. Maybe I was lucky.

 

[LinaLee]

We


still recommend a zinc and castor oil mix for some

Did you have to mix it yourself?

Post automatically merged: Mar 7, 2020

Olive oil? It was back in 1990. Hopefully something nicer for you now.

I’m hoping so, not sure how to prevent Olive oil from clothes . Hopefully I don’t burn too

 

[drross]

No it comes premixed - abit oily in hot weather

 

[straitman]

A sad day for us today.

Ten years ago, at this time there was a group of (I think) seven of us undergoing radiation treatment at Latrobe Regional Hospital at Traralgon/Morwell. Our little group became very close as we were all staying together at Rotary Centenary House behind the hospital. One of the guys was a plumber who loved cooking so most nights we would get together with partners and John would cook and everyone would pitch in and generally we had a great time of what was essentially a painful time.

We all completed our treatment and went back to our lives but never lost touch and had at least one group gathering per year and those who are left remain good friends.

Sadly, the fourth of the seven died today. A really great unassuming guy. A sheep farmer who, with his wife Judith were awarded an OAM in 2015 for providing a respite retreat for children with life-threatening illness and their families. The current situation makes the funeral a challenge and if it’s held this week we cannot go as we are in self isolation until Saturday night next week.

We went to Peter and Judith's 60th Wedding Anniversary party four weeks ago today.

RIP Peter Robbins.



Judith and Peter Robbins, from Lindenow, have been awarded Order of Australia Medals for their work at Annie’s Cottage a respite retreat for children with life-threatening illness and their families.

 

[rainbowgirl]

Sharing my story as Today I finally finished 6 months of chemo for 2nd stage breast cancer diagnosed last Aug. It had its ups and downs during the last 6 months from managing the after effects of chemo. You live for the days when you’re almost free of the effects just before the next dose . I went out and lived or tried to live a normal life. Looking back, I barely remember the worst bits deliberately so I’m not too traumatised by the process. Diagnosis was not a surprise as I thought something was going in my left breast for just over two months, just chose to pretend and hope it’s the monthly period for the lump that occasionally hurt. Obviously had to stop one day and bite the bullet to confront it . Fortunately it had not spread elsewhere. Surgery removed all the visible cancer. To be sure, next is radiation in two weeks time for three weeks followed by endocrine therapy which hopefully will do the trick to staying cancer free.

This thread is truly inspirational reading your stories as well which I stumbled on a few days ago coincidentally just as I’m through with the worst bits of the treatment.

Still a bit more of the journey to go before I can continue my travels again . Had to give up the Japan trip in late March, booked months ago with the Coronavirus now spreading there. There’s lots more living left to do yet to take the risk now.

Thank you for sharing your story. I'm sorry it's taken me so long to respond. I thought I had the early stages of breast cancer but my scans came back clear. It was wonderful to meet you in Melbourne at QF WP's dinner. Stay safe during this difficult time. I hope you have support and people to gather food and supplies for you. Take care.

 

[LinaLee]

Thank you for sharing your story. I'm sorry it's taken me so long to respond. I thought I had the early stages of breast cancer but my scans came back clear. It was wonderful to meet you in Melbourne at QF WP's dinner. Stay safe during this difficult time. I hope you have support and people to gather food and supplies for you. Take care.

Having had to deal with a cancer diagnosis, I can relate how stressful it would have been for your until your scans came back clear. I had 1% hope mine would be but deep down I knew it was not. "cough Happens"

It was good we had an opportunity to meet up, sometimes my work consumes my life and I don't often get to partake of the gatherings with my AFF friends,

It is scary for me at the moment being immunocompromised and having elderly parents also staying with me. We have been doing our own social distancing and isolation since The Australian Open when I saw the number of foreign visitors in town and news of the virus coming out from China. Having lived through the SARs virus in Asia at the time, I always knew things were being kept hidden by China and no good would come of it. History speaks for itself or repeats itself.

Luckily, am managing to still make quick dashes to the supermarket to stock up at times when not crowded but looks like now things are starting to get serious, I'm stopping that. Fortunately Woolies has reinstated delivery for vulnerable people just in time so I should be ok. You take care too

 

[LinaLee]

No it comes premixed - abit oily in hot weather

I was expressly told by a very serious and strict nurse no Zinc !
I quickly nodded my head in agreement and thought better of responding during the catch-up with nurse session before radiation starts

 

[LinaLee]

Olive oil? It was back in 1990. Hopefully something nicer for you now.

No olive oil , only MooGoo or Cetaphil or QV lotions or something very hi-tech called StrataXRT that is like a gel layer that covers your skin. So far after 4 days, skin is ok but I guess it is early days. Another 11 sessions to go

 

[drross]

I wonder why she said that..maybe a personal opinion rather than a medical view

I was expressly told by a very serious and strict nurse no Zinc !
I quickly nodded my head in agreement and thought better of responding during the catch-up with nurse session before radiation starts

 

[LinaLee]

I wonder why she said that..maybe a personal opinion rather than a medical view

If I get a less stern nurse I’ll ask