h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I think that's good news I'm looking forward to reading it, but take your time of course.

and sympathy

If only was the 'cure', that the Brits often tend to make out it is Well, hopefully now the round of treatments finished for now, you should at least be able to know that you'l only feel better over the period between treatments, good luck

I keep forgetting, in fact, and then reminding myself that it is the treatment that is making you feel crap, not the cancer. And that when you feel fatigued, it is because the therapies are hard at work killing cancer cells.

Just wanted to send you another Bels, and wish you well with your treatment. Am thinking about you a lot and sending positive wishes you way.

kisses,
az

Guber, that is one of the nasty things about cancer: it often doesn't give you any symptoms and you feel fine until it's really deeply embedded and has you in its grip.

I think that we particularly in the West concentrate very much on how you feel as an indication of how you are; and cancer, at least in the earlier stages and sometimes even in advanced stages, is an example of how misleading that can be.

My father died riddled with cancer and never even knew that he had cancer. People (doctors etc) said at the time that he was lucky. There's a debating point for you.

Thanks for all the positive thoughts everyone.

I'm starting the cure now, so you can expect results any day.

hi again Bels,

At the risk of totally annoying you (and this is *not* my intention) did you ever check out Caisse's Formula - Essaic? A herbal remedy that apparently does help build up one's immune system, it was especially developed for cancer patients back in the 30's.

My father also died 'riddled with cancer' a few years ago - seven different cancers, in fact. He didn't even know he was seriously ill. But after he finally went into hospital for tests, well, he was dead within two weeks. The doctors also said he was lucky, as he didn't suffer long. As you say, a moot point.

What exactly is the cure? I've looked back on the postings but didn't see any reference to it - no doubt missed it.

Anyhow, hope I am not being intrusive or annoying. But I do care and so am posting stuff here for you from time to time.

much love,
az

Hey Bels
I hope the ill effects of your treatments wear off soon so you can enjoy the break more before the next round begins. How is your family?
Thinking of you.

Here's to the restorative powers of

Big hugs, Bels

Anna

Vote Anna for DG of the BBC. (As soon as Greg goes.)

Big hugs to you too Anna.

Bels

I've just figured out where Anna's going when she leaves h2g2...
The 'Big Hugs' is a dead giveaway...



She's going to be a teletubby!



Oh, and now that I've finally unlurked publically in this thread... I really should offer you my sympathy for one point in your incredible writing Bels...

"spirits are not recommended. Pity about that - I have some excellent single malts at home."

Yikes... talk about suffering !

I keep popping in to see how you are doing my father has had cancer three times in his life...he is now 80 and still going strong though still taking the tablets(prostrate cancer this time)I'm sure it's his positive frame of mind that keeps him going.
Alternative therapies are quite good to help relieve the rotten feeling the treatments give you...he recommends aromatherapy ,indian head massage and says reiki has a good reputation.You may be able to get it free.
I just feel your writing is so good and sensible about this, you should have it published as a help to others ...it does sometimes help when you are going through something similar.
Thinking about you

Hi Whisky!

Thanks for dropping in. At last - someone who really, really understands what I have been going through, how much I suffer They talk about the unendurable pain of being blind in Granada (don't they, azahar?) but I tell you that is as nothing compared with not being able to savour my fine 12-year-old Glenlivet or even older Glenmorangie.

You're making me very sad, Bels. I don't drink much but if I'm ever offered Glenlivet or Glenmorangie I jump at the offer and thank them very much for spoiling me rotten.
It must be so hard having it there and not being allowed to drink it. My Dad's radiation affected his sense of taste and he couldn't enjoy his red wine for about a year after the treatment. Life is just so unfair.

Big hugs for you and yours,
thinking of you,
Ythika

Hi Bels, just popped by to say hello.

I can't say I'm into whisky myself, I prefer a nice cognac, but I do sympathise at such a cruel twist.

Ythika - did your dad still drink his red wine, even though he couldn't enjoy it? "This is horrible ... but I'll persevere anyway"

It's amazing how much your writing has made me think about my own health. Hands up who else [well almost] keeps a diary in the loo?

Keep well Bels, to you and your family.

F

Yes, I can also appreciate a fine cognac or armagnac. Or could. But apart from anything else, spirits make me nauseous right now.

What happens is that you develop a permanent sour metallic taste in the mouth, which you can really do nothing about. It affects everything. Everything you eat or drink tastes just awful. Even plain water tastes awful - sometimes I have to ask someone if the water's all right, it tastes so 'off' to me.

The only way I can deal with it is to keep to the simplest, blandest of food and drink. Occasionally I might fancy something highly flavoured, such as a curry, but it's pointless because I know I wouldn't be able to eat it if it appeared in front of me.

I read somewhere that this particular taste effect is one of the longest to stick around, and I do hope it's not going to be a year, but I guess it's quite possible. Still, there's nothing I can do about it now.

Actually I believe there are one or two mouthwash preparations that can sometimes help, but frankly I'm just too tired to bother about that right now, and wouldn't have much faith in them anyhow.

hope it doesn't last too long. stock up on something nice for when you feel you can cope with it.I would miss somethings dreadfully like and . I just keep thinking I hope you are soon through this and can start to enjoy life again.

To answer Fathom's question, my Dad didn't bother with the wine but he still got out his good bottles for us when we visited but he did drink beer instead.
Last week he travelled for 3 hours to Sydney (it usually takes 4 but they got a driver who knows some shortcuts) for a consultation that lasted 7 minutes! But I think at this stage a short consultation is a good one and they got to take the scenic route home again.
Thinking of you Bels and hopefully your sense of taste will recover more quickly than Dad's. After all they are treating you a lot further away from your tastebuds and everyone is different.

Hi Bels!
I've been thinking of you lately, I hope you're feeling well today!

I can't say I keep a diary in the loo, Fathom, but I have been more conscious of how I feel and my general health since meeting Bels here. I've decided there's a very fine line between keeping mental note of how I feel and becoming a hypochondriac I've changed the way I think about my health and I've lost that 'I'm to young for it to be anything serious' mentality when I'm not feeling up to snuff.

Thank you, Bels