I have IBC

Hello to you all,  I am slack so slack that I have been so busy getting ready for my next adventure over the last 4 months that I had forgotten what a computer is. 

I bought a toyota coaster and will be heading off around Australia once this weird weather has cleared up.  I am slowly going through my bucket list as I know one day my time will be up according to my last Oncologist who can not understand why I am still alive and breathing.  His words was to stay on those pills whatever you are taking as that is what is keeping me here considering I had around 12 months to live after mastectomies in Jan 2007.  I have made 5 years in January since hearing those words.

To those who think I am an amazing person.  I am just like you all.  NOT ready to Die.  So, I decided to LIVE and not even consider the words Stage 4, Palliative Care, No Cure.  I have a letter from my oncologist dated April 2011.  I have just hit another milestone on Friday 23 March.  My Birthday.... Yeah.  Yippeee.... I now work on Christmas 2012. 

So, I am almost ready to hit the road Solo.  Me and my dog.  I am going to write a book to help partners, family, friends and anyone who has anything to do with someone with cancer to understand that we have cancer but we are Alive.  Don't take away our thoughts, our dreams and treat us like we are fragile.  WE are people who need to feel we have a place on this planet.  Especially some issues I have had with my oncology team.  I researched and made choices, not just took what the doctor ordered.  If I had just listened to those I went to before my diagnosis and not listened to my body. I would not be here now.  I am sure this goes the same for all you warriors.  Life is short but don't shorten it faster than we are prepared to lose that control and give up on the battle.  Have dreams and do it.  Don't put things off.  Take the opportunity and don't think you are not capable of doing it.  Because you are....... Don't listen to people telling you that you can't do it, because you can and lastly when you have done it, BRAG about it as those that thought you would fall will see the strength you have within.

So, tonight I say farewell as I will be on the road in the next week or two, living the dream.  Doing those crazy things I have been planning.  My Oncologist will see me for the last time tomorrow 26th March (at least 6 months), my husband who can't believe I am leaving him to go walkabout, my GP who made me have a flu vac as he did not want me contracting the flu in my journey and is the best GP a cancer girl could have as he see's this determined fighter within and believes in me. 

My journey starts from Townsville, heading up to Mareeba where I will see my fossicking friends for up to a week, then move on slowly around the top end , back towards Broome, Kalgoorlie, Adelaide, Melbourne then over to Tasmania for a few weeks before coming back to Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and spending some time Central Queensland before heading back slowly up the coast to Townsville.  If you see my bus around, the windscreen stickers have the pink ribbon either side of the words NOT DONE YET, come over and say g'day. 

Then it will be another batch of scans.  Not sure if I want these anymore as since my last post the tumor in my ilium has stabilised (thanks to blue green algae).

Pet scan picked up a spot in my right lung and left shoulder blade but my oncologist was not concerned about them at all. They are only spots and I'll just keep on taking the algae and have not thought about them as, I do not have any other symptoms at this time.

I believe its our stress levels and our thoughts that contribute to the rate of growth of our tumors.  Also stress, trauma in our everyday life that feeds the cancers.  So, from me to you, stop thinking and start living.  God Bless to you all, Live in the moment. Will post on my return once I have settled in and sitting in front of the box..

Sue