Dear OCF Friends

You have been such a strong support to me during the year that I couldn't let 2004 begin without introducing myself and thanking you all.

A 55-yr old woman living in a rural area near Sydney, Australia, I was diagnosed just before Christmas last year with Stage IV SCC. I had my treatments in Sydney and returned home in May 03 to recuperate. I smoked when I was younger, gave up 20 yrs ago. My primary cancer was on a tonsil remnant, left after I had my tonsils removed 50 years ago.

I choose to focus on the gifts which my journey with cancer has brought to me - love and help from family, friends and neighbours as well as the professional skills shared by my doctors. I have been fortunate and have recovered well although, like other survivors, have residual difficulties with eating and swallowing. I tire easily and sometimes become edgy if my throat is sore.

During the year Mark has given me hope, Minniea's posts have been uplifting, I have sent love to Daniel during his treatment and cried for Heather and others. I guess one of the major lessons I have learned is acceptance of what is. The only way then is forward.

I wish you a healthy new year and send love and thanks from sunny Australia (it is mid-summer down here!). Helen

Wow Helen, I'm so honored that I helped you in any way. And I'm thrilled that your recovery has gone well. Like you, I came across this board when I desperatly needed someone that lived in my "new" world, someone who understood how I was feeling. Mark, Brian, Gary, Joanne, and many others would answer my questions within hours, giving me relief from some unneccesary stress.
Today I lived like it was my last day, but not in a morbid, sad way, rather in a way I wish I had lived my entire life! I laughed loud and alot with my children, didn't worry that the house was an absolute WRECK, nor did I let one chance go by to tell someone in my house how much I loved them. I also acted silly and crazy with my nine year old (she got a karaoke machine!) resulting in her telling me what a "cool" mom I am. Reading your post was the perfect ending to a near perfect day.........here's to many, many more perfect days for all of us!

As I reflect on the past year I am humbled by the connections we have. Here I am in my house in the north of midwest USA, and another person, about as far away as you can get from here (even farther than you Bob and Karen), has recieved some benefit from my fumble fingers on the keyboard. All the while I have been blessed with the experiences, comments and friendships that have developed by way of a dreaded and sometimes fatal disease. Pretty Cool!

In the Holiday spirit of giving and receiving gifts, I have gotten some great ones here.

To all of you: Thank You!

I'm with Mark on this one, what a cool feeling to know that your words and feelings helped someone so far away.
Question Mark.........I have always been fascinated with the Laura Ingalls Wilder books, the "Little House on the Prarie" series. Started reading them when I was very young and have a set of the books that I gave to my oldest when she was eight years old. Are you anywhere near where she grew up? I have always wanted to visit there. Yeah, I know, strange wish but I just LOVED reading about Laura and them growing up, lol.
I hope that we spend year after year after year posting Holiday wishes to each other on this board.

Thanks for your welcome folks. I have found the internet fantastic during my cancer. I have read the big US and UK cancer sites from top to bottom and looked up all the unfamiliar terms in doctor/ pathologist reports etc. Finding this forum was a bonus. It's helpful to know that I'm not alone in dealing with the emotional aspects of being a survivor. Long live the internet. Helen

Hi Minnie,

I am about 250 miles from Walnut Grove. I have not been there but they do have a pretty good web site www.walnutgrove.org

the southwestern portion of Minnesota is more flat farmland and is similar to the plains states (Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota). Duluth is in an area of more hilly and forested and right on Lake Superior. Hardwoods south and Boreal forest north. From what I hear, very similar to the woods of Maine.

Here is a web cam at the harbor entrance in Duluth.
Duluth Harbor Cam

Because it is on 24/7 you might see nothing but the lights on the breakwall. But they have a time lapse version you can click on. If you check it often you might catch a frieghter inbound or outbound (hopefully not at the same time) In the summer you might catch a glimpse of us on our sailboat!

And finally (for now) here are some photos around town: Duluth Photos

Mark,
Thank you so much for the links, I never thought to look up the Wilder family online! Now I just want to jump in the car and visit, lol. I have always been fascinated with the 1800's, seems like life was so simple and family oriented in that time era.
You're right when you say that Duluth is alot like Maine. I've been a "transplant" in Va. Beach for almost 15 years now but still feel the urge to go "home" when I'm upset or sad. I didn't leave Maine until I was 28 and still wonder why in the heck I did, life is just so much simpler and safer there!
Again, thank you for the information, I had fun with it.
Minnie