pjw Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 hiya, perhaps you coud google brisbane hospitals, a lot of people on the gold coast have to go to brisbane for cancer care. you should be able to get a list of specailists telephone numbers. here, you choose who you want to see. i have found that the longer the waiting time to see someone, is because they are the most popular. you can phone the specialists receptionist and ask about waiting times, prices of consultation, and what do they specifically specialize in. as soon as you get here register with medicare, you just find the nearest office take you're passport and visa and it's easy. ask about the safety net system, again google medicare and have a look at what it says. anything else i can help with? xx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickywes Posted February 14, 2008 Author Share Posted February 14, 2008 Hi pjw Saw Paul's oncologist on Monday and he said the lymphoma world was a small one and he will give us the names of specialists in the Queensland area (mind you he thought Brisbane was in Perth)!! He will also write a letter to take with us, along with his records, so we should be able to set up pretty quickly once there. Just need to sell our damn house now. Oh also Paul's hair is growing now just as I was getting to quite like a baldy!!! Nicky xxx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest michelledenham Posted February 15, 2008 Share Posted February 15, 2008 Hi all Don't know where we stand now, we had our visa granted in June this year and were planning to move early next year. In July my OH found a lump in his leg which after surgery turned out to be lymphoma. Having had more and more tests they then found another tumor in his chest which after more surgery turns out to be more lymphoma of the, wait for it, nodular lymphocite predominant hodgkins kind. Not good news as it is now apparently 3rd stage. He had a massive operation through his back, collapsing his lungs to get to this tumor and remove it. Although it has been removed he now has 6-8 months of really intense combination chemotherapy and had his first one last week. It has hit him really hard and has been not able to function normally at all. The outlook for him is supposedly pretty good and because he is only 41 he is strong and should cope pretty well. In the next few months he will have treatment twice a month and will lose his hair and all the other nice things that go with it. We will get through it the best we can. Anyway, my dilemma is what happens with our visa. We did validate in June before all this came to light and having looked at our letter it states that all changes in circumstances up to validation should be notified, which looks like they can't take it away from us but not sure quite what the situation would be if and when we eventually get there. Our plans are for him to finish treatment between February and April 2008 and then have maybe a couple of his 3 monthly checks, then move and hopefully continue with check ups in Oz (I imagine we would pay for these). Any help please. Thanks Nicky:sad: Hi Nikki, I work in a chemo unit in essex so if i can be of any use. Alot of the lymhpoma's respond well to treatment, although the treatment can be alittle harsh. I am a senior nurse with 10yrs experience in the cancer field. If you need advice on anything please let me know, I normally check my e-mails daily. As a family, we are hoping to move to perth within the next 1-2yrs. Still in the early stages. Where are you planning to move to? What treatment is your husband having? R-CHOP? Chin up! & 'go for it' Michelle x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pjw Posted February 15, 2008 Share Posted February 15, 2008 hi nicky, we have had some good news about cancer care here on the gold coast, they have just appointed 2 oncologists ( as reported in the gold coast bulletin), so i don't think cancer patients have to travel to brisbane, which is brill news. i can't see you having any problems with the care here. when do you think you will get out here? i have everything crossed for you both, anything i can do? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pjw Posted February 15, 2008 Share Posted February 15, 2008 hiya nicky, this is the second time i'v tried to send this!!have a look at this site, it might be helpful, The Cancer Council Queensland :: Contact us diagnosed. hope you get it this time!! OOxx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickywes Posted February 15, 2008 Author Share Posted February 15, 2008 Hi Michelle - Paul has been having ABVD for 6 months at 2 weekly intervals and then 6 lots of Rituximab (very expensive so we are told), 1 more of them to go in March. It made him so sick just looking at the drip machine. I think what you nurses do in those wards is amazing. We have had some amazing people treat Paul and all of them kind and caring. How do you do it? Wish I had known of you in the first few months because there were so many concerns that came up and didn't understand the severity of chemotherapy. Things are definitely improving now though. What is R-CHOP? We want to go East side to Queensland, not sure where yet. We have been both sides and found that Queensland would suit us better, especially with older children (more options for them). Just need to sell the house now which is proving harder than I thought. I hate keeping it clean and tidy most of the time. Why are you waiting 1-2 years? Thanks for your offer of help if needed, will definitely remember that as am sure it is not all over yet. Hi pjw Have had a look at the site you sent over and will look in more detail when I have time (have added it to favourites). I am very confused by the medicare system, what is and isn't included and also what other private health we could or would need to cover us. Another thing to research!!! Thanks all Nicky xxx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickywes Posted February 15, 2008 Author Share Posted February 15, 2008 Sorry pjw - forgot to answer part of your question. We initially were lookin to move March/April this year before all this happened but now Paul will have his first 3 month check up and scan in June (I think) and then hopefully we will look to be going August/September but will depend on sale of house. One of my daughters is going in April, they got their visa last week, they are going to Thailand for a month then on to Singapore and then to Oz to travel all round. All they have to do is resign and pack a bag though, how nice. Take care Nicky xx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest michelledenham Posted February 15, 2008 Share Posted February 15, 2008 Hi nikky, R-chop is Rituximab, Doxorubicin and Vincristine, and Prednisolone (steriods). ABVD is a good regime of chemo to have, but 'yes' it is very very harsh. We can't move for at least 1-2yrs as we are tied to our mortgage. Hope your husband feels better soon. Any problems I can help with, just let me know. Michelle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickywes Posted February 15, 2008 Author Share Posted February 15, 2008 Thanks Michelle. He also had steroids and put on 2 1/2 stone which didn't please him much. I am just so glad the worst part is over now and I hope it never comes back. Nicky xx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest karen111 Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 hi, am new to this site and have just read yr post, i really hope it all works out for you and your family. at least you dont have to worry about yr visa from what i,ve read. hopefully when you feel ready you will be able to start yr new life. certainly puts things into prospective, was here feeling peed off as still no news about visa. i really hope your and yr hubbie get the life you deserve all the best karen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickywes Posted February 19, 2008 Author Share Posted February 19, 2008 Thanks Karen. One day we will all be over there enjoying the sun!!! Don't worry about the visa, it will come just very slow at the moment. I can remember waiting and waiting and that was only January 07 till we got it in June 07, now the waiting is excrutiating. Selling the house is worse now. There is always something that you are waiting for. Good luck Nicky xx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Andrea Bridge Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 So sorry to hear your sad news, but really pleased that you are keeping the belief that you will end up in Oz. It certainly sounds, though I am no expert, that you have passed the Visa assessment, got the Visa, so can now use it. Had you already been there, and this had happened, then surely it would have been dealt with there. I am keeping everything crossed for all of you, that the treatment goes really well, and that you all end up Down Under and having the time of your lives.... no more than you all deserve! Loads of Love, Luck & Happiness for your future. Andrea x x x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest diesellisle Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 Nicky, I am totally rubbish on the visa advice front as we are just at the beginning of this journey, but I just wanted to wish you and your oh all the best. Hope you will be living the dream in Oz very soon Lisa X Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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