I am so sick of this wet miserable weather its depressing and I can't even go for a walk as its slippery, dirty and foggy!  I stayed home all day yesterday but hubby went for a drink and came home full of news.  One of Fayes old school friends and whose mother I worked with has a twenty year old daughter whose having fits and can't be left alone.  I tried to be sympathetic but this young lady bullied my daughter so much that I have had little to do with her or her mother for years, it's hard to forget how. People treat your loved ones and her mother was pretty mean to me when we worked together. Those who know me. Will realise that I really don't have a mean streak and never understand those that do, it's so much nicer to be kind than vicious.  Anyway he then decided to order my Christmas present as I said I would like some earrings as I'd hoovered my everyday ones up and bent the shank!. I left him too it and when I went back into make a drink he was coughing badly, I hate hearing you cough so badly I said sympathetically, Well I've been on the phone for half an hour (he hadn't) I could not understand him as he was a southerner,, I have a dry throat after buying your present, I've got lung cancer and I think I'm doing pretty well and don't buy me anymore rump steak as it was tough!!  I'm going to stop him drinking Guinness!  I didn't say a word and when I said goodnight later he was all smiles and said goodnight darling, be careful how you go, as I was only climbing up the stairs I said I would.  Well Sarah is arriving soon, take care all of you.  Love Carol x 

Dear Carol, et al,

I have just spent the last three days reading your blog from day one and feel as if I know you and the other ladies -and Billy- personally. I am in awe of the way you have all faced the trials and tribulations of your different cancer journeys. 

I am a pretty upbeat, optimistic type myself, but I wonder if I would have the strength to fight the problems you have all faced without going insane.  In fact I have been struggling to make a decision to accept the treatment being recommended for me after my recent results since a mastectomy and lymph node clearance showed no cancer.  I am almost 73 and wonder if the side effects and after effects of treatment are worth going through just to prolong my already fulfilled life. I have two middle aged children who have been wonderful in helping me to get this far, no grandchildren and have never once felt fear or dread since my first diagnosis. Is prolonging life, when doing so can cause my loved ones to go through the journeys you wonderful people have been going through, the way to go?  My daughter has had a chronic illness for the last six years, and for the last few months has not only lost the practical and physical support I have been giving her for all that time ( she calls me her cleaning fairy and doggy daycare provider) but has had to make changes to her life to accommodate my illness. 

 I have agreed to meet the oncologist to get the facts and figures on the benefits of the various treatments versus what would happen without them. It's the question of quality versus longevity and I am not closing my mind to going ahead with further treatment, I just haven't made up my mind yet. 

Thank you to all of you, and my very best wishes to you all for the best read I've had in a while. It has been like reading a good book.

Christine xxx 

Hi Carol and all, and welcome Christine (sheltie lady) to the "stay strong "club, hopefully you will add some words of wisdom to the group, or you can just rabbit on like most people , we need people with a sence of humour, but you joined instead (oops). No seriously you have the right attitude to help others on the forum and you're doing a great job keep it up best wishes to you all... Love Billy xxx 

Dear Christine (sheltie lady) welcome to my blog and I can't believe you've read all the posts, but I'll take the compliment as it's been pointed out before that I should write a book, but I'm happy with my friends on here and the support we can give to each other.  So your main question is about treatment and what good news about the no cancer diagnosis.  My brother's partner was the same and she had no treatment just the mastectomy and she's now sixty and still going strong.  I think until you see what they are offering it's difficult to make a considered decision, my friend Maureen is on tamoxifen and is seven years clear but still worries the cancer will return.  If you've read all the way through you will see that really hubby has not been well most of the time but without chemotherapy and radiotherapy he would have died, so what choice can you make, give up or fight.  Daughters will want you to fight and I'm sorry about the problems one of them has, so hard for you as well.  We love up beat people joining us and we all have a sense of humour which sees us through the tough times.  At the beginning there was just little me and I had no idea if anyone was reading my words, but apparently they were!!  So stay in touch, keep us updated and chat when you want to.  Love to a new friend,  Carol x

Thank you Carol and Billy for replying to me.  I think you have already written a book, Carol, I couldn't put it down and at first I resented the other people interrupting your blog, but came to regard everyone as friends I haven't met, yet. ( I think there's a song there, are you listening Michael Buble)

My daughter and son are, like me, quite pragmatic and they both say that they will support my decision whatever it is, because they wouldn't let me dictate to them, but it has to be an informed decision. The problem is I am reading so many stories like yours, Billy and yours Carol, which are heart rending and I don't want to put my children through the agonies you endure watching your loved ones suffer.  

Actually I said to my daughter that if I were to go through another menopause because of the hormone therapy I wouldn't live to take the full five years of treatment because she would have killed me long before for being grumpy. Apparently I am the patient from hell when I feel ill, not that that happens very often, or because that doesn't happen very often. 

I shall continue to follow everyone's adventures, and will no doubt pop in for a chat now and then.

Billy, you are my hero!

Christine xx

Hi Carol and everyone and welcome Christine. Well I went to my granddaughters graduation in Liverpool. So pleased I did. Charlotte looked beautiful in her cap and gown. I know I’m bias but she is gorgeous. Very slim, blonde and huge blue eyes. It was held in the Cathedral there. We did photos after and then went to a wonderful Italian restaurant for lunch. After that we went to the Cavern. Never been before. Great Music and atmosphere . Had a wonderful time. Want to do it again. We ended up in our hotel for supper and more drinks. Came home next morning after having brunch together. You were right Carol really did me good. I’ve written my cards today so that’s another job done. Putting the tree up at the weekend. Hate these dark wet days. Depressing. Hope everyone is ok. Lots of love to all. Gloria xxx

Thank you for the welcome, Gloria.

Christinex

I've changed my avatar photo as you've never seen hubby, 25/10/69 ️

Hi Christine, at first when i was diagnosed i umed and ared wether to have treatment or not,. Then i remembered a promise i made to my  darling wife that I'd look after her when she got old,. I'm nearly 14 years younger. I'm sticking to it as long as i can hopefully a few years yet. Sorry I'm getting my ladies down i deeply apologise,. Hope everyone is well as can be... Love Billy xxx

P.s like the old picture tash and all, C.