Support resources for families dealing with cancer and other serious illnesses

Quick question here—hopefully someone knows more about this than I do. My dad can't handle Ensure; he says they just don't sit right with him. Are there any other good options out there, or can I give him something else instead?

Hey, I’m so sorry things have taken a turn for the worse, but I’m really hoping this is just a temporary setback. Reading through everything you've dealt with, I honestly just admire how much grit you have. Hang in there and don't let them get to you. Miracles happen, so why not you? I live with Crohn's, and at the start, I almost died from internal bleeding. I actually survived that twice in one night—my doctors told me most people wouldn't even make it through once. I guess it just wasn't my time. We have to stay hopeful; that’s what keeps me going for myself and my dad. Sending love to all the fighters and their families! Sometimes it feels like we're carrying an even heavier load than they are.

Can you call Dr. Miller's office and see if you can order a consultation over the phone? I need to know if they charge just for an opinion on the test results. Let me know how it goes. My dad is in a really bad spot too—he’s practically bedridden. If he doesn't manage to sit up by July 15th, we're in trouble because his radiation appointment at Mayo Clinic is scheduled for the 16th. The doctor told us that if he hasn't recovered enough by then, they won't even perform the therapy, and we'll just be stuck waiting for the end at home. It's absolutely insane that everything collapses in a single month and someone just tells you "that's it." He just turned 56, and I refuse to accept that. I'm going to do everything in my power to help him squeeze out a few more years, and I'm really hoping your advice helps us out too.

Susan Fowler35, my dad went through the exact same thing just last month. I honestly can't just sit here and accept that nothing can be done—I have to at least try. You book an appointment with the specialist over the phone; you can find all his info online. Your sister will give you the full scoop. It’s definitely not cheap, but people told me it's worth every penny. I don't know what else to tell you, but I really need to get his take on this too.

Hey everyone, and huge congrats to unknown on the new baby!!!

So, Dad’s dealing with some heavy stuff—lung and bronchial issues, plus metastases in his brain, spine, and kidney. He got the official diagnosis about three months ago. Back on June 17th, he went in for Gamma Knife surgery, and we have follow-ups coming up fast. He just finished his first round of chemo following the unknown protocol (honestly, I don't fully grasp the specifics of that one). The side effects have been brutal—constant vomiting, and we’ve already had to hit the ER twice. Last night at the hospital, they were basically stumped, asking me, "Well, what are we even supposed to give him?" Tylenol and unknown tablets haven't done squat. They ended up giving him an injection of unknown at the ER last night. Now I'm stuck wondering what to pick up for him, but since it's Sunday, I'm limited, and he's already on day three of chemo since Friday. He can't keep any food down, and even sipping water is a struggle... 😢
If anyone has any suggestions!!??

I heard Zofran works wonders for nausea.

unknown, sending you so much love and my warmest congratulations as you continue this wonderful journey of raising your little one...

Linda Patel21 said:I heard Zofran is actually pretty good for dealing with nausea.

The thing is, there’s a whole laundry list of side effects, especially for older folks who are already dealing with heart issues.

Susan Fowler35 said:Can you try calling Dr. Miller to see if you can order a consultation over the phone? And let me know if he charges just for his opinion on the test results—keep me posted on how it goes. My dad is in a similarly terrible spot where we can't get him anywhere. If he doesn't recover enough to sit up by July 15th, we're in trouble because he has his radiation appointment at the clinic on the 16th. The doctor told us that if he hasn't improved by then, they won't be able to proceed with the therapy and we'll just be stuck waiting for the end at home. It’s honestly mind-blowing to me that all this happens in just one month—someone tells you "that's it" and suddenly everything is over. But he just turned 56, so I'm going to do everything in my power to help him make it through a few more years, and I'm really hoping your advice helps too.

We went through the exact same thing with my dad. Just a month ago, he was out mushroom hunting—spent the whole week hiking through the woods—and then he ended up in the hospital because his ulcers ruptured. They wouldn't even give him a transfusion; it was like they expected him to just bounce back on his own. During those first few days in the hospital, they wouldn't even let him get out of bed, and the longer he stayed laid up, the weaker he got. It's been a little over a month now and he's still mostly bedridden. His back hurts, but his legs have just completely given out from being immobile for so long.
Today, he actually told us to help him up, even if it hurts—he said he'd just endure the pain if it meant he could finally stand on his own two feet again. 🙂
He had a massive breakdown today; he was crying to my mom this morning, worrying about what’s going to happen to us. It hits him hardest when he thinks about my younger brother (he's only 17, the baby of the family)—those two are incredibly close. After that outburst, though, he told us he has to get out of that bed, no matter how much it sucks.
My dad is a fighter.

swiftpanther102 said:There are plenty of side effects, especially for older folks dealing with heart issues.

That is flat-out wrong! If anything, using unknown is riskier because of the potential for developing unknown.
Ondansetron is a potent, reliable, and highly selective antiemetic—specifically a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist.
Chemotherapy can trigger a release of serotonin (5-HT) in the small intestine, which then kicks off the vomiting reflex by hitting those 5-HT3 receptors via the vagus nerve afferent fibers. Ondansetron steps in right there to block that reflex from ever starting. Furthermore, activating those vagal afferent fibers can also lead to serotonin release in the area postrema, located at the base of the fourth ventricle, which triggers the vomiting reflex through a central mechanism. So, when you look at how ondansetron manages nausea and vomiting, it all comes down to its antagonism of 5-HT3 receptors on both peripheral and CNS neurons.

Angela Wright said:My body just couldn't hold out any longer, so I ended up in the ER this afternoon. Everything turned out fine, though—the little one was about 5 lbs and didn't need any extra help since she was fully developed. I'm still in the ICU while they work on getting my blood pressure back to normal, but I'll probably be moved to a regular room tonight. Honestly, thank God this part of the journey went okay. Thanks to everyone for all the love and support.

Huge congrats! 🙂

Wishing you the best.

I'm currently reaching out to every neurosurgeon I can find. One actually got back to me right away to give his take on my dad's scans, and he even asked for the MRI images. Fingers crossed we get some good news here.

Angela Wright, huge congrats! 🙂

Angela Wright said:wiredotter75, thanks.

Really sorry things are taking a turn for the worse. I get it, though—after fighting this thing forever, you just hit a wall. But don't throw in the towel yet. Dig through the research, send in the paperwork... everything I’ve learned is that there’s always *something* else to try. Even if it isn't a cure, maybe it's just palliative care to make things easier. Hang in there.

Angela, don't get mad at me
but palliative care? Yeah, no thanks. I'm not having it. If it comes down to that, I'll just put a bullet in my head. I promise you, cancer isn't gonna be what kills me, and I sure as hell won't die lying in some bed on palliative meds... no way, no how. I'll just head out to the mountains, crack open my favorite drink, and handle it myself. I am NOT dying from cancer. No way..

wiredotter75 said:Congrats, Angela Wright. Wishing you nothing but luck and health...
Unfortunately, things aren't looking great on my end. My markers have spiked again—went from 6.8 to 9.3. I get my CT scan results this Monday. Deep down, I’m expecting the cancer to have progressed based on these numbers. I dropped 6 pounds in just 3 days... finished my 57th chemo session. If they pull the FOLFOX option, I'm in trouble. Might even just call it quits and stop treatment altogether. I'll check back Monday after the scan...

Don't do that. Keep digging and fight as long as you can. Sending good vibes your way.

Angela Wright said:My body simply reached its limit, and by Thursday, I found myself in the emergency room. Fortunately, everything turned out well—the little one weighed in at 5 pounds, 1 ounce and is perfectly healthy and mature enough that she doesn't require any special assistance. I am still in the ICU while they work on stabilizing my blood pressure, though I expect to be moved back to a regular hospital room sometime this evening. Honestly, thank God this chapter ended on such a positive note; I am truly grateful to everyone for the support and encouragement.

My most sincere, heartfelt congratulations. 🙂

Lisa White54 said:Angela Wright, my sincere congratulations! 🙂

Lisa White54, you’ve been quiet lately—it’s been quite some time since we last heard from you.

wiredotter75 said:Angela Wright... I refuse to believe I’m going to die from cancer. No way.

I’ve been following your story over on the other forum... and I am certain—absolutely certain—that cancer won't take you. Beyond that, I truly believe you aren't going to lose your battle with anything else in the future, either. You really are a miracle. It is you who provides the strength we all need to keep going.😘

wiredotter75 said:Angela Wright, don't get worked up here
but I am absolutely not buying this whole "palliative care" thing. If it comes down to that, I’d rather just pull the trigger myself. I promise you right now, cancer isn't going to be what takes me out—certainly not while I'm stuck in some palliative bed. No way, no how. I'll find a quiet spot out in the hills, pour myself a glass of my favorite bourbon, and take care of business myself. I won't let cancer win... no way.

Look, there's no need to get angry, but your understanding of palliative care is incredibly narrow and frankly, completely wrong. You're looking at it through this limited lens of "end-of-life" stuff, like it's just about Hospices. That is only one tiny, extreme sliver of what this field actually covers. In places where the medical system is actually functioning correctly, people live for years with metastatic disease because they have access to palliative support that keeps their quality of life high. The primary goal is to extend the period of time someone spends living well. It is actually the exact opposite of what you described—it's not about heading home to wait for the end once curative options run dry.

Angela Wright said:Look, no hard feelings, but I think you’re totally missing the mark on what palliative care actually is. You're looking at it like it's just some "end-of-life" thing centered around Hospices, which is way too narrow. That’s just one tiny slice of a massive medical field. In places where the healthcare system is actually dialed in, people live with metastatic diseases for years—living well, staying active—all thanks to palliative support. The whole point is extending quality of life, not just waiting for the end because curative treatments ran out.

Okay, I get it better now... I guess I’ve got my own biases and fears, but it's not like all options are gone, there's still stuff out there,,,,,,,,, I feel fine right now, things might get rough later but for now I feel great and I'm moving forward.......who knows,, maybe something crazy happens.. anyway, stay safe and take care..

My brother-in-law’s facing his second round of radiation and first chemo session tomorrow for throat cancer...
I’m really hoping he can hang in there through it all...
He’s already started on some kind of vitamin shake
For those of you who’ve been through the chemo ringer, what’s the deal with food and drinks? What should he be eating, and what kind of side effects am I looking at?

wiredotter75, I'm glad to see you're back on the positive side of things. Honestly, catching your vibe makes me feel like there’s still some hope for my dad too. It ain't over until it's over! Sending nothing but the best vibes to you and everyone else here.