Resources and support for families dealing with cancer and serious illness

Way to go, Dean! Just keep pushing forward and don't look back! Sending you a huge kiss!👍

northernfox9 said:My dad passed away on November 8th at 8:30 in the morning. It feels like we've lost the fight, but I truly believe God always knows best and has a plan, so he's likely in a much more beautiful place now...

Ivankovic, please accept my deepest condolences.

I really want to thank everyone who has stood by us over these last ten months.

I am so sorry for your loss. I'm certain your dad is in a better place now and isn't suffering anymore.

Hang in there. 🙂

northernfox9 said:My father passed away on November 8th at 8:30 in the morning. The battle is lost, but I believe God always knows best and has a plan, and that he is in a much better place now...

Ivankovic, please accept my deepest condolences.

I want to thank everyone who has stood by us over these last 10 months.

I am so sorry... My heart goes out to you.

And yes, I'm certain he's in a better place now... sending you all my strength and thoughts to help you get through these days... 🙂

northernfox9 said:My dad passed away on November 8th at 8:30 AM. The battle is over, but I truly believe God knows best and has him in a much better place now...

I'm so sorry,northernfox9😢
It’s honestly brutal waking up to news like this on the forum—that's the second time this week already. Looking back at your recent posts, I know things have been incredibly rough for your family, so when things reach this point, it feels like the end of the struggle is the only way out. I just hope there wasn't too much pain involved. Hang in there, okay? 🙂

slyseal28,here’s an update on my end: my MRI is scheduled for January 17th, 2008. I was really hoping for an earlier date, but honestly, I'm just terrified of what those results might actually show...

It’s just like Vince said—these mornings are incredibly heavy when you wake up to news this heartbreaking. I am so deeply sorry about your father. But please, don't ever feel like the fight is over; you're carrying the torch for both of you now, and your life is a testament to his. There is still no giving up because you have so much joy ahead of you to find, and honestly, you owe it to yourself to seek that out—just as your father would have wanted for you.
Both Angela Wright and you are true heroes in my eyes, much like anyone else who loves without limits and gives themselves entirely to others. Even in these dark moments, you both serve as such an inspiration for how to live. :*

We aren't backing down my deepest sympathies😢

northernfox9 said:My dad passed away on November 8th at 8:30 AM. It feels like a losing battle, but I trust that God always knows best and has a plan, and that he’s somewhere much more peaceful now...

Angela Wright, please accept my deepest condolences.

I want to thank everyone who has stood by us over these last 10 months.

Never back down, I'm so sorry,😢 My heart goes out to you..
Your dad is definitely in a better place now. Sending you all the strength in the world to get through this and process everything. Stay strong. You're in my thoughts and prayers, along with everyone else struggling right now..

northernfox9 said:My dad passed away forever on November 8th at 8:30 AM. The battle is lost, but I believe God always knows best and has a plan, and that he’s in a much more beautiful place now...

Angela Wright, please accept my deepest condolences.

A huge thank you to everyone who has stood by us over these last 10 months.

Honey, I am so sorry. I hope you can find some comfort in knowing, just like I have, that we did everything humanly possible—we gave everything we had, even more than we ever thought we were capable of giving.😢

Yesterday, we said our final goodbyes to my mom at the crematorium. There was such an incredible turnout; people showed up whom I didn't even recognize, but that’s just how she was. Her gentle nature, her vibrant spirit, and her pure kindness left a mark on everyone she met.
These are the darkest days of my life. Her photos are sitting right there on the table. She’s looking back at me with that constant smile, and it hits me all over again—I can't believe I won't be able to touch her or hear that ringing laughter of hers, or the sound of her quick footsteps in the hallway. I won't be able to run my hands through those blue-streaked locks of hers or look into those warm, deep eyes. No more listening to her little catchphrases and jokes, no more eating her homemade cheese pies, or grabbing coffee with her on the Boardwalk... It’s like a montage of memories playing on loop in my head, and every single one screams "never again."
On Monday, we’re taking her ashes down to San Diego, and by Tuesday, she’ll finally be at rest alongside her mother, father, aunts, and grandmother. They loved her beyond measure.

"Farewell, my one and only,
Sleep peacefully by the beauty of Central Park.
Stay with me, goodbye, let the sun warm you,
And may the seagulls watch over you."

Angela Wright said:Honey, I am so sorry. If it helps you at all—and maybe it helps me too—just know that we gave everything we had. We poured ourselves out until there was nothing left, even more than we ever thought we were capable of giving.😢

Yesterday, we said our final goodbyes to my mother at the crematorium. There were so many people there; some I didn't even recognize, but she had this way about her—this gentle nature and a spirit so bright and kind—that she touched their lives, too.
These are easily the darkest days of my life. Her photos are sitting right there on the table. She’s looking back at me with that constant smile, and I just can't wrap my head around the fact that I won't be able to touch her again. I won't hear that ringing laughter, or the sound of her quick footsteps echoing down the hallway. I won't get to touch those blue-streaked locks of hers or look into those warm, deep eyes. No more hearing her little catchphrases and jokes, no more eating her homemade cheese pies, or just grabbing coffee with her down on the Boardwalk... It's all flashing before my eyes, a constant loop of memories, and every single one of them whispers "never again."
On Monday, we’re taking her ashes down to San Diego, and by Tuesday, she’ll finally be resting alongside her mother, father, aunts, and grandmother. They loved her beyond measure.

"Farewell to you, my only precious one,
Sleep peacefully by the shade of Central Park.
Stay with us, may the sun keep you warm,
And may the seagulls watch over you always."

I honestly don't know what words to offer you, other than telling you how indescribably sorry I am... I can almost feel the weight of your grief myself...

If I might try to lift your spirits just a tiny bit—there’s an article coming out in The Miami Herald this Sunday about www.carcinoms.com. I mentioned to them that the site was started by cancer survivors and their families and friends... it's a space meant for all of us...

Sending you a huge hug and all my support... we'll be waiting for you over at carcinoms.com 🙂

northernfox9 said:My father closed his eyes forever on November 8th at 8:30 AM. The battle is lost, but I believe God always knows best and acts with purpose, and that he is now in a much more beautiful place...

Angela Wright, please accept my sincerest condolences.

I want to thank everyone who has stood by our side over these past 10 months.

My deepest sympathies. I know how excruciatingly painful it is to lose a parent, but believe me, when one door slams shut, another inevitably swings open. You still possess your memories, your shared history, and a private legacy that remains yours forever....

In two weeks, it will be exactly three months since my mother left us forever. I can tell you all that it is only in these last few days have I truly begun to breathe again, to live, and to move forward. It has been profoundly difficult up until this point, but I am finally starting to feel a sense of lightness, as if life is becoming manageable again. The void is immense; for instance, on Sundays, when I cook a wonderful meal, there is no one left to call just to brag about the cooking or to share an honest, effortless conversation, the way I used to with her. But time is a teacher in all things. Do not fear the process.
Yesterday, I stumbled upon my mother’s old recipe cards and looked at her handwriting; I found myself tracing that aged, yellowed paper, feeling a sense of gratitude that so many of her belongings remain here in my home. And now... I am solely responsible for myself, for my family, and for every decision I make, because the weight of those choices rests entirely on my shoulders. I have always been independent, but this feels different—there is no safety net behind me anymore, neither Mom nor Dad. Yet, it is alright. I am proud. I learned so much from my parents, and there isn't a single day where I don't feel the profound happiness and joy rooted in the family and the home I came from. Sending my best to everyone. Angela Wright, stay strong. Never surrender, hang in there; God will provide...

Angela Wright said:My mom passed away peacefully this morning.
I just wanted to say thank you to everyone here for standing by me during this incredibly rough patch.
Love you all. May God bless you in your own struggles. Just keep pushing through.

Dear Angela Wright,
I am so deeply sorry for your loss. Please accept my condolences.
urbanjackal3

Linda Campbell said:...Don't be afraid of anything...

I wish it were that easy. Honestly, I’m struggling to find the right words to describe what I've been feeling lately. There is just so much sadness on these forums, and so much grief out there in the world. Angela Wright, Linda Campbell, and all of you dear people who have faced the deepest kind of pain yet you still show up here—you are my role models. I truly admire you.
My mom's condition is getting worse by the day. It feels like she's slowly, surely slipping away, and I feel completely helpless, unable to do anything for her or even for myself. I’ve fallen back into "that hole" again, that dark place I can't seem to climb out of. It feels suffocating, like a weight on my chest, but I know I have to push through...
Take care of yourselves!

northernfox9 said:My father passed away on November 8th at 8:30 in the morning. The battle has been lost, yet I truly believe that God always knows best and orchestrates everything perfectly, and that he is now resting in a much more beautiful place...

Angela Wright, please accept my deepest condolences.

I am grateful to everyone who has stood by our side over these past ten months.

While I cannot begin to fathom the loss of a father, it is profoundly difficult to hear you say the battle was lost. You believed then, and you still believe... just stay strong. He leaves behind all of you, ready to move forward while carrying his memory in your hearts. My sympathies go out to you.

Angela Wright said:Dearest, please allow yourself the small comfort of knowing that you did everything within your power—perhaps even more than you ever imagined possible—to honor her...😢

Yesterday, we said our final goodbyes at the crematorium. There was such an overwhelming turnout; people arrived whom I didn't even recognize, yet my mother’s gentle soul and vibrant spirit managed to leave an imprint on their lives as well...
These are arguably the darkest days of my existence. Her photographs sit upon the table, and her constant smile seems to watch over us, making it impossible to grasp the reality that I can no longer reach out to touch her, hear the melody of her laughter, or listen to the rhythmic sound of her footsteps in the hallway. I find myself longing to see those blue highlights in her hair, to look into her warm, deep eyes, to hear her endless jokes, to share her cheese pies, or simply enjoy a coffee with her while walking along the Boardwalk... the memories flash before me like ghosts, and every single one whispers "never again"...
On Monday, we will take her ashes down to San Diego, where on Tuesday she will finally rest among her mother, father, aunts, and grandmother. They loved her beyond measure...

"Farewell, my precious one,
sleep peacefully by the beauty of Central Park...
Stay with me, may the sun warm your path,
And may the seagulls watch over you from above..."

The sheer number of people honoring her life is a testament to the impact she made on everyone she met, leaving them all in disbelief at her passing. In the face of such loss, perhaps the only solace is the knowledge that you gave her everything, and that she leaves behind someone like you to carry on her legacy, her stories, and her essence...

I know the journey to San Diego feels long, just as these days feel interminable... but I urge you to hold onto that same strength you displayed so bravely while she was still with us...

Sending love, dear...

Linda Campbell said:My deepest condolences; I know how excruciatingly painful it is to lose a parent, but believe me when I say that when one door closes, another surely opens. You still possess your memories, your recollections, and your own little secrets forever....

In two weeks, it will be exactly three months since my mother left us forever, and I can tell you all that it is only in these last few days that I have finally begun to breathe, to live, and to move forward again. It has been profoundly difficult up until now, but currently, I feel as though things are becoming slightly easier, as if there is a way through... The void is immense; for instance, on Sundays, when I prepare a lovely dinner, there is no one left to call just to brag about how well everything turned out, or to engage in those honest, carefree conversations I used to share with my mom. But time teaches you everything. One should not fear anything.
Yesterday, for example, I came across my mother's recipes and looked at her handwriting; I found myself caressing that old, yellowed paper, feeling grateful that I still have so many of her belongings in my home. And... now, I am solely responsible for myself and my life, for my family, and for every decision, because I must make them entirely on my own. I have always been independent, but this feels different—there is truly no one standing behind me anymore, neither Dad nor Mom. Yet, it is fine; I am proud, having learned so much from my parents, and there isn't a single day where I don't feel the profound happiness and joy I carry from my family and my upbringing, specifically because of the home I came from. Sending kisses to everyone. Angela Wright, stay strong; slyseal28, do not give up, God will provide...

It is difficult to accept that someone so intimately close to us has departed. That sensation will continue to follow you, though the intensity will gradually fade... yet, it will never vanish completely. The most important thing is to embrace the strength of the happiness found in knowing they existed, and that you are here today as their descendant, upholding everything they taught you...

Strive to be even more independent and take pride in yourself! Kisses

northernfox9 said:My dad passed away on November 8th at 8:30 AM. The fight is over, but I trust that God always knows best and has a plan, and I truly believe he’s in a much better place now...

Angela Wright, please accept my deepest condolences.

Thanks to everyone who stood by us over these last 10 months.

Sending sympathy to you and your whole family. May your dad's soul rest in peace. My advice? Take this time to focus on yourself and find the light again. Leave all the bitterness and the heavy stuff behind you. Even if things get rough, I know you'll handle it—you've always been a fighter through and through.

Hannah Thomas28 said:Please help!
Does anyone have experience with pancreatic tumors?
My mom was diagnosed with cancer in the head of the pancreas a month ago. She was admitted to the hospital with "painless" jaundice—we honestly thought it was just gallstones. She’s had surgery, and they removed her lymph nodes just to be safe. No metastasis yet. Though, from what I’ve gathered, it doesn't even need to spread to be devastating; having it in the pancreas itself is bad enough.
The statistics are soul-crushing. They told us 2 to 6 months, even though she seems okay right now.
No chemo, no radiation...
They even told us to let her eat whatever she wants! And not to tell her! Of course we told her, but we didn't mention the timeline.
And I can't find a single person who actually recovered! Or at least survived much longer.
I'm hopeless... The Sickness is overwhelming.

Unfortunately, my dad passed away from this. It started exactly the same way—jaundice, followed by surgery, then palliative care. The prognosis was grim because he had metastasis in his liver, pelvis, and kidneys. He was discharged much like your mom; the doctors didn't even bother referring him to an oncologist. I had to take his records to a specialist myself just to get him started on treatment. Sadly, the jaundice wouldn't clear up enough, so he had to undergo radiation, which is absolutely brutal for the abdominal area. I truly believe if his liver enzymes had been better, he could have jumped straight into chemo, and maybe things would have turned out differently. For his chemo, they prescribed Gemzar, which is supposedly less punishing than other drugs.
Long story short, he endured 12 rounds of radiation—which he struggled through immensely—and died two months after the diagnosis.
I don't want to scare you—you've heard everything the doctors have to say, and this is a horrific diagnosis—but if I were in your shoes, I would fight. Go see an oncologist, look into alternative options, arm yourself with patience, and just move. Based on what you wrote, the fact that there's no metastasis is a slightly better sign, and it's worth getting a second opinion. Besides, there are different types of this nightmare; some grow rapidly while others are slower. Maybe your mom has the slower type—and to offer a shred of comfort, a friend's father lived for four years with this diagnosis without major issues.
Regarding diet, the best thing is to follow a liver-friendly regimen to get that jaundice cleared ASAP—meaning strictly white meat, no legumes, nothing cooked with onions, day-old white bread, cooked fruit, moderate salt, nothing fried, everything lean, and definitely some tea or supplements to detox the system. All dairy products must be low-fat.
You have to stay strong. Don't let your mom give up; that's the first requirement for fighting this. You simply have to maintain hope.

Angela Wright said:Honey, I am so sorry. If it helps you—and it helps me—just know that we gave everything we had. We truly did more than we ever thought possible.😢

We said our final goodbyes at the crematorium yesterday. There were so many people there—even folks I didn't recognize—but my mom had this way about her; her kindness and that bright spirit just touched everyone she met.
These are easily the darkest days of my life. Her photos are right there on the table. She’s always smiling back at me, and I still can't wrap my head around the fact that I won't ever feel her touch again—won't hear that ringing laugh, those quick footsteps down the hall, or see those warm, deep eyes. No more hearing her little jokes, eating her homemade cheese pies, or grabbing coffee with her on the Boardwalk... it all just flashes before my eyes, a constant loop of "never again."
On Monday, we’re taking her ashes to San Diego, and by Tuesday, she’ll finally be resting with her mother, father, aunts, and grandmother. They loved her beyond words.

"Farewell, my one and only,
Sleep peacefully by the beauty of Central Park.
Stay with me forever, may the sun keep you warm,
And may the seagulls watch over you."

I am so incredibly sorry it ended this way. I've been reading every single one of your posts in this thread since you started it—believe me, not a week has gone by where I haven't checked in to see how you and your mom were doing.
Your mother must have been an amazing woman to raise a daughter like you. Hang in there.

northernfox9 said:My dad passed away on November 8th at 8:30 AM. It feels like we lost the battle, but I truly believe God knows best—that He’s got a better plan—and that he's in a much more beautiful place now...

Angela Wright, I am so incredibly sorry for your loss.

Big thanks to everyone who's been there for us over these last 10 months.

Never give up. Sending my deepest condolences... hang in there...🙂

northernfox9 said:My father passed away forever on November 8th at 8:30 AM. The battle was lost, but I believe God always knows best and that he is in a much more beautiful place now...

It’s heartbreaking that he couldn't pull through despite fighting so hard. Some forces are simply greater than any one individual.
Please accept my deepest condolences.🙂