@Dan_M Just catching up about your impending surgeries. I really wish you well and I suspect you should do quite well. You are strong and have a great love of life. As a gp I have some patients who have had lung lobe or liver lobe resections for mets who are thriving years later. Heck, I look after a 73 year old lady with metastatic breast cancer in her spine for several years who still does open water swimming and tennis (not at the same time)! You have the right attitude. So take one thing at a time, marshal your energy, enjoy your music and know you are loved. All the best.
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Dan, I echo all that others have said. Continue to enjoy your music and stay positive. We are all rooting for you!
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@Dan_M - I hope my comment on the previous surgery didn’t sound flippant - I’m sure it was tough for you as it would be for anyone but you’ve recovered extremely well and stayed positive during the chemo despite some ups and downs physically related to it.
Further surgery is undoubtedly a scary prospect for anyone but if it remains feasible nearer the time it will be carefully pre-planned and quite focussed. Don’t be afraid to ask them questions if you are uncertain about anything or need some clarification/reassurance.
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I have been through a lot. I had an op to drain down a large cyst the size of a grapefruit. Then chemoradiotherapy. Then more chemotherapy and next step two major ops.
It leaves me feeling constantly scared and worried on dark days. But, somehow I manage to find the strength to continue my work as a self employed builder and get on with things.
Sometimes I feel so low. Othertimes I am okay! Sometimes I feel great. This is a massive mental battle.
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Hi Dan, thank you for keeping us in the loop. I can’t begin to imagine what or how you are feeling. I do know we are all here for you. The beauty of the reach of this forum is that people around the world are literally here 24 hours a day! So vent, discuss and reach out to us.
Your PMA is to me one of your many strengths and I am in awe of you. I so wish the world had a mere spoonful of your strength and depth, then the world would be in such good shape!
Play that music loud my friend, allow it to take you to another place. Music as we know is good for us, the emotional connection with a Naim system is almost like a drug….if that be the case then we’re all addicted!
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Eloquently written Dusty 
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It’s completely natural too.
You probably don’t realise how much your physical/mental strength and positivity comes across to the rest of us who can only attempt to imagine what you’re going through, as well as posts from others who have shared with us their own cancer related issues.
It’s fantastic that people feel they can open up to others online they don’t know personally, and equally fantastic on a forum like this that there’s so much support.
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The support on the forum is immense. For me it is easier in someways to talk to you guys than family and friends.
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Keep talking Dan, we are all here………been doing the hifi walk……but not your other walk. Keep strong❤️
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Sorry to hear that you are experiencing periods of low mood. The cancer journey is like a rollercoaster in the dark, where emotions fluctuate wildly and you often don’t really know what is coming next until it is happening. It can be scary at times, well it was for me. I think all you can do at times like this, is work out what helps and keep doing it. From what you have said you use a set of coping strategies that seem to work for you, if it works do more of it, if it doesn’t do something else that does help you stay connected with your positive side.
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I remember that feeling and the need I had talking with others than family since I didn’t want to make them more afraid than they already were. Talking to a psychiatrists specialised in this area and doing it often very much helped me letting emotions out and not having to think about how they felt about it since it’s their profession. Everyone should visit a psychiatrists now and then when life is a struggle. It’s great.
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I had 10 sessions with psychologist following being diagnosed with cancer. And I had 20 sessions with MacMillan counsellor. I don’t know that I need more.
Nothing changes the reality that I have potentially two ops coming up. More scans and uncertainty. It is what it is.
Just got to keep going. Thanks for listening and your advice and support. It means alot to me.
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You’ve got the heart of a lion Dan.
Wishing you the very best.
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Dan I’m feeling your pain and totally understand what you’re going through. Keep talking and we’ll keep listening we’re on your side. Take care.
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Same for you Pete❤️
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Thanks again everyone. I will be brave. I will be bold. I will keep going thanks to all your support. You are all helping me with this mental battle!
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With all that has occurred it would be amazing if you did not have significant swings in outlook.
Stay snug
Best wishes
Ian
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To Dan and anyone struggling with cancer, I wish you all the very best. As someone on the outside watching my 30 year old daughter go through chemo and taking her yesterday for the first of 19 Radiotherapy sessions I can see that having a positive attitude does help. Sure there are dark moments but staying positive does help, and Dan you have positivity in spades. Best wishes to everyone and good health to you all.
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And I hope everything goes well for you and your daughter. Take care.
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And best wishes to your daughter and for your family during this tough time
Ian
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