Having a support network is vital. A problem shared is a problem halved. Need to get something off my chest.2015 has been horrible. Don't want to go into details. Was diagnosed with the dreaded 'C' disease. Went through it on my own. Really struggled through the cycles. On top of that, had a divorce to contend with.Anyway, back to my 'jokes'. Apparently, bad things happen in threes. Looking forward to the 3rd item.

That's a huge amount to contend with Camster. If you can get through this you can get through anything. I really do feel for you.You know where we are - if you want to let off some steam.

As Mars says... things are only going to get better now. Was it Margaret Thatcher that once said something like, "When some people get knocked down into the gutter, they stay there looking down the drain... others look up to the stars"

No, that was it: "we are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars"...

It was Oscar Wilde you Thatcherite!

Lady windermere if Im not mistaken.

...I was never a fan

All the time I think these things happen as a continuation of choosing a wrong way or accidentally? I have a similar situation and for the second year. Let's look up to the stars and let`s choose new ways!

Wow... I am so sorry - also had, and continuing to deal with, health issues and having sleepless nights over the odds of a C diagnosis. It does put things in perspective. Just make sure you don't waste too much time and effort reacting to these things and carve out some quality time to let things settle in your mind. Remember every crisis comes to an end and so will yours!

Thanks Powernap. +1. Good advice there. Wish I had it sooner.I ended going private with Royal Marsden. Rate them very highly.Am sure you are getting a few opinions. If you are looking for another, do try them.

Wow sorry to hear about this Camster and explains a Daily Mail Women's section article I read recently - alerted to by BEP. Apparently women in Swindon and Rio have been showing signs of depression and the lack of a good service model has been sighted as possible causes.2015 is nearly over hope your back on your feet again but hey maybe Swindon is where to be/aim for now !Seriously last year for me was a bit of a mare but this year things have turned and I didn't recognise it happening at first - so who knows given you are out of worst by the sounds of it and talking about it - what stage is acceptance ? then only good can happen from here on in.pecker up as they say mateDC

Received the 'all clear'.Onwards and upwards!

Awesome news! I had a scare earlier this year, it's not pleasant - as you say onwards and upwards!Frio

I found I had piles this week - sore as hell and sitting is not comfortable. Feels like a bunch of grapes up my @ss. Not something you can really talk about at work - and the wife is too embarrassed to go get me cream...

[quote]Received the 'all clear'.Onwards and upwards![/quote]Awesome news :)

With Camster in the clear, I am going to hijack this thread slightly, to remain on the theme of cant wait for 2015 to be over.Mars is a twin. For those who arent, its something like being a parent - constant worry about the other, always seeming to know how they are, and feeling a little isolated when apart from them for long periods of time. We fought as children, as we all did of course, and argued. He married, had children. i married and divorced. We ended up on very different paths, but nonetheless everytime we saw each other it was those two mischevious kids all over again, talking in blackadder quotes and all that.In september he took his own life and i dont know why. I cant ask him. I worry about him even now. But now im worried that, wherever he is now, he is warm, safe, not hungry. Because i cant reach him now. Im still working, trying to deal with this on a day by day (and night by night basis). Sometimes I miss him so much I cannot and have to excuse myself from a meeting.Just wanted to share that with someone.Thanks - as you were.

Thanks Mars !I mentioned in my earlier post I had a mare last year but to be honest loose ends still exist this year. Without details split from wife, not told family and not addressing issues. Xmas on near horizon and you and Camster with much bigger issues has given me the kick up the a**e to realise - just get it sorted - done it tonight - it was easy compared to what you guys are going through. I can't even begin to imagine how you feel except that you said you are twins but different paths. Don't cut yourself up on something you couldn't control.As for Camster if I was a father in Swindon my daughter would grounded for now until he returns to Singapore or PeruAs for 2016 I'm off to Dubai in January leisure and tips on how to chat up a middle aged minted Italian from CamsterDC

Mars,My deepest condolences.This post helped me in some aspects. I hope it can be of help to you.https://www.facebook.com/sheryl/posts/10155617891025177:0

DC,Talk about things that are pertinent to Italy. Berlusconi is a good topic, never fails to elicit comments. Sabrina Ferilli. Maybe Monica Belucci. Talk about Italian music. Classical music as well as Italian pop by the likes of Laura Pausini and Eros Ramazzotti. There is a north/south divide as well in Italy. Ask questions. Let her speak. Look into her eyes and act interested in what she says. Don't try to 'impress' them. But at the same time, subtly show that you know Italy and have a yearning for all things Italian.

Mars,Sometimes, usually when I'm sitting having a quiet sandwich in the sun in the middle of the city (there is only one), my eye is caught by a face in the crowd. I find myself staring more and more intently at that face as they wander by. I think to myself "who are they? What is their life like?" The narcissist in me is intrigued by the idea that another person can exist and yet have absolutely no connection to my life. They walk by and out of my life forever. I will never see them again and they will continue to live their fulfilling life. Bit weird eh?The point is that no matter how intently you stare into the face of another human being; your wife, husband, lover, brother, you can only ever be inside the head of one person. Your love and your closeness may take you to a point where you feel like you are soooo tantalisingly close; but it can't be done.That's why it is so damned impossible to work out why someone does what they do. I know - I've been close to someone suicidal too. They've failed a couple of times - I think they've stopped trying, but the truth is I just don't know.Love the memory of your twin and the joy he brought you. There is no hidden answer if only you could open the box. There isn't even a box...