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gemma.
gemmi_joo
07 November 2008 @ 10:59 am
NEVER ALONE.  


As some of you know my Father has been battling cancer for almost three years now. He was diagnosed midway through 2006, when I was in Year 11, with Prostate cancer. It soon spread to his stomach and urethra. After an unsuccessful operation which removed his prostate, half of his urethra and part of his stomach tract, he underwent about five months of radical radiation treatment. As of this moment he is not undergoing any treatment, rather recovering from the ordeal of the last two years (still) and having further tests every month or so. My family has never been the same since he was diagnosed, we are not as close because of our inability to address the situation, I went into depression because I felt I had no one to talk to (apart from a psychiatrist at school to whom I felt shy and uncomfortable with when talking about the subject) as well as dealing with my back and health issues and my Mum almost becoming anorexic from stress and looking after all of us.

Internationally, November is the month for raising awareness of Prostate cancer and many other forms of cancer, particularly in men's health. While just about everyone knows of cancer as an illness, not many people know the different types and how serious they can be, and how the illness not only affects the victim, but everyone who is involved in their lives.

This post is just a way for me to spread the word to as many people, as I believe it's important we know about an illness, in all its forms, that has with no justice taken so many lives and devastated others.

I’m not asking you to donate or fundraise for cancer research (though you are more than welcome to!), I just want to spread the word and make sure you if you know someone who is diagnosed with cancer, let them know that they are not alone.

And for the guys, why not grow a mo for Movember! You know you want to. :P

SITES: General Facts || Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia

That was hard. Thank you for reading. ♥
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Somewhere between completely imaginary and a truck: Butterfly[info]elyssa on November 7th, 2008 05:52 am (UTC)
I didn't know any of this about you. I am glad to have learned something, but saddened that it was not something happier. Thank you for the information; it's always good to know about things like this.
gemma.: Lily :: Lounge It[info]gemmi_joo on November 7th, 2008 02:02 pm (UTC)
Eh, I'm sorry you had to find out this way! I tend not to talk about it too much because I can get upset but it does help to let it out when the timing is right. Well, at least you know more about me now! :)
Ashley[info]youngthing on November 7th, 2008 06:34 am (UTC)
BB ILY and if you ever need anyone to talk to I will always be here (:
♥
gemma.: Stock :: Take My Photo[info]gemmi_joo on November 7th, 2008 02:02 pm (UTC)
Aw, thank you so much love! ILY too. ♥ :)
mitzi: gwen: looking down[info]i_said_boourns on November 7th, 2008 08:07 am (UTC)
*hugs*

I'm so sorry to learn about this and how hard it's been on you and your family. But thank you for sharing and spreading the word.

♥
gemma.: Sheba [NOAS] :: She Was Different[info]gemmi_joo on November 9th, 2008 05:09 am (UTC)
Thank you love. ♥ *hugs*
Cec: Cate Blanchett[info]cecism on November 7th, 2008 10:18 am (UTC)
I wish for the day where cancer is just gone from the world. It's such a cruel thing; and for the families too, like you said. ♥ This post was a lovely thing to do, Gem.

(Completely unrelated and I don't mean to trivialise your post in any shape or form, but no Dove anti-aging acne cream this week. WTF. It better be next week or I'll be pissed.)
gemma.: Cate :: No Less Than Extraordinary[info]gemmi_joo on November 9th, 2008 01:54 pm (UTC)
I dream of that day so often. It will be so surreal once it comes, I hope it's in our lifetime. Thanks Cec. ♥ :)

I know we've already talked about this, but yes, ah! It has to be soon. *crosses fingers*
Nel: {KATE BUSH} Chanteuse[info]peppermintxrose on November 7th, 2008 11:46 am (UTC)
Your poor family :( I'm sorry you're all suffering and good for you for making this post and spreading awareness. ♥
gemma.: Cate :: Black On White[info]gemmi_joo on November 9th, 2008 02:10 pm (UTC)
Thanks love. :) ♥
Fred[info]touch_my_skin on November 7th, 2008 01:53 pm (UTC)
*hugs*
gemma.: Cupcakes :: Kaleidoscope[info]gemmi_joo on November 9th, 2008 02:10 pm (UTC)
*hugs back* ♥
Mii[info]athena2483 on November 7th, 2008 02:04 pm (UTC)
I am so sorry that you and your family are going through this kind of pain and pray for your father's recovery. I am not going to say I understand, because without going through what you are there is no way I could, but my best friend's father passed away from cancer about a year ago (Dec. 3, 2007) after fighting it for several years so I feel terrible to hear about another family affected by this terrible disease. I actually just raised money for the American Cancer Society through my own version of Movember, Novemfur, because hey girls grow hair too... and it's for an excellent cause. Anyway, stay strong!
gemma.: Cate :: Out Of The Box[info]gemmi_joo on November 9th, 2008 02:15 pm (UTC)
Oh, I'm so sorry for your best friend. :( The fact that this disease could actually take someone I love away from me is too painful to think about, so I try not to worry because there is no point lamenting. :\

I had no idea you were doing that! I must have missed a post, I must go check. Wow, that's so wonderful of you, you've put a big smile on my face. :D

Thank you hun! ♥
Sara.: [SKINS] Chris&Jal; anyway the wind blows[info]mokillosa on November 7th, 2008 03:39 pm (UTC)
unfortunately, I know very well what you're talking about...
my dad was ill during 2 years and a half but he couldn't make it.
and all what you are saying about you, your family, your mum...all the same happened to me/us too.

I really wish you all the best and I hope your dad could overcome the cancer.
I know I can't do very much for you, but if you need to talk or ANYTHING, you know where to find me :)

*hugs*
gemma.: Chloe :: Hide Pussycat[info]gemmi_joo on November 9th, 2008 02:18 pm (UTC)
I do remember that, he died July of this year if I remember correctly. God rest his soul. It's comforting to know someone who has gone through the same ordeal, even if it's the worst ordeal imaginable. ♥

Thanks love, I really appreciate that. *hugs back*
under the blue sky.[info]gregorypeck on November 7th, 2008 08:05 pm (UTC)
<3timesamillion.
gemma.: Donna [DW] :: Running Out Of Time[info]gemmi_joo on November 9th, 2008 02:19 pm (UTC)
♥♥♥♥♥
then start your engines: [mov] esotsm - making a new memory[info]aetenae on November 7th, 2008 09:55 pm (UTC)
Oh honey, I had no idea. *hugs*
I really don't know what to say, exept that, if you want to unwind anything you're feeling, just talk. We're here for you, to be with you.
Thank you for sharing something so personal. Few people are capable of telling to strangers (because, really, we know very little of each other in this virtual place) things that are so personal.
And, of course: thank you for the info. I have a father a 2 brothers and I have to be aware of this type of cancer as I am aware of cervical and breast cancer.
gemma.: Cate :: No Less Than Extraordinary[info]gemmi_joo on November 9th, 2008 02:24 pm (UTC)
It's okay, I don't talk about it much. :)

It's good to get my feelings on the topic out, and of course spread the word. The most amazing thing (yet the most horrible thing) is that it can strike anyone, at anytime. So yeah, I agree, keeping an eye on loved ones becomes so important.

Thanks love, that means a lot. ♥
nerwende: TXF: b&w Scully[info]nerwende on November 7th, 2008 10:19 pm (UTC)
I just can't believe how much pain, both physical and emotional, is in your life. It's so unfair. And yet you seem to a really tireless, positive and creative person despite all of it. :)
gemma.: Daisy/Benjamin [TCCOBB] :: Goodnight[info]gemmi_joo on November 9th, 2008 02:31 pm (UTC)
I know there are people who have it a lot worse than me, but I do wonder why everything piles on me all at once. I get so desperate for an escape but most of the time I end up digging myself a deeper hole and my situation worsens. Just bad luck I guess.

Thank you. :) ♥
Excessive Kumquats: Summer Glau[info]acidpenguin46 on November 8th, 2008 04:02 am (UTC)
Oh hun, I had no idea! *hugs* I'm so sorry that you and your family have had to go through this much pain, and thank you so much for sharing.
gemma.: Catherine & David :: The Best Of[info]gemmi_joo on November 9th, 2008 02:32 pm (UTC)
It's okay, you weren't to know! I haven't posted about it in ages. :)

Thanks hun, *hugs back*. ♥
ANNZ: Marilyn Monroe[info]missgamble on November 8th, 2008 02:37 pm (UTC)
Massive amounts of love & strenght to you and your family. ♥
gemma.: Maggie/Brick :: Love Me[info]gemmi_joo on November 9th, 2008 02:33 pm (UTC)
Thank you. :) ♥
calypsoskeeper[info]calypsoskeeper on June 25th, 2009 09:41 am (UTC)
Hello there -I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your father. My dad was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in April of 2006 (my junior year in high school) and he passed away last July. Myself and my family went through all the same things yours did - I know I'm a complete stranger . . . but if you ever want to talk, I'm available.
gemma.: Stock :: Hotel Vacancy[info]gemmi_joo on July 15th, 2009 01:36 pm (UTC)
Hi. :) Thank you for your concern, but my father has not passed away, he is currently in remission. I'm so sorry for your loss, that is so terrible. And I, you. :)