Support resources for families dealing with cancer and other serious illnesses

Joshua Moore7 said:Dear friends, I stumbled upon this forum while searching online. I am trying my hardest to translate a medical report into plain English, but I just can't make sense of it. I would be incredibly grateful if you could help me out. Here is the report... The patient was admitted to the clinic for a status reevaluation following a low anterior resection of the rectum with mesorectectomy and coloanal anastomosis, due to rectal adenocarcinoma with liver metastases. Postoperatively, the patient received four cycles of chemotherapy (FOLFOX). A recent MSCT scan shows nodular changes in both lung fields up to 5mm in diameter, as well as target lesions consistent with secondary deposits in the liver. Upon admission, a full examination confirmed the aforementioned diagnoses. An MRI of the abdomen and pelvis revealed multiple focal lesions in the basal parts of both lungs, described as secondary deposits, measuring up to 26x17mm. Within the liver parenchyma, multiple focal lesions were identified as secondary lesions, the largest being 26x17mm in segment V. Additionally, peritoneal dissemination and abdominal lymphadenopathy were noted.

I don't quite follow—what part specifically is confusing to you?
Basically, the individual had surgery for rectal cancer and was admitted for follow-up after finishing chemo. The scans show that the metastases—meaning those secondary spots in the liver and lungs (they even listed the exact sizes and locations)—are still there and have been confirmed. It also shows peritoneal dissemination and abdominal lymphadenopathy, which, if I recall correctly, involves fluid buildup in the abdomen.
All things considered, the report isn't good news at all, especially since they went through chemo and the situation essentially remains unchanged. 😢

Chloe Gray5

I’m actually dealing with something very similar right now. My Mom had gangrene in her right foot, and earlier this year, she had to undergo a below-the-knee amputation on that leg. Honestly, you really worried me when you mentioned your dad is facing gangrene in his other leg. I guess... was there really no way to prevent that? Did he have diabetes? For my Mom, her toes on the other foot started turning blue, and she’s also dealing with a contracture in that knee. I’m just so terrified that she might end up with gangrene in the other leg too. Her blood sugar levels usually look fine on an empty stomach, but whenever she eats something, it spikes—sometimes hitting around 11. She takes Glurenorm for her sugar. She hardly smokes anymore, maybe just a couple of puffs a day, definitely less than one cigarette total. The worst part is when she gets the urge in the evening and just won't let it go until she has those few drags. On top of that, she has kidney issues; her creatinine is around 200. I really don't know what else I can do to keep that other leg from failing. I try to work the leg through its range of motion and give it a gentle massage several times a day. She also takes Martefarin every single day; she's on long-term therapy under a hematologist's care.

Sent from my iPhone 13 using Reddit

Nah, my dad had lung cancer—which made his prothrombin time a total nightmare to stabilize—and since we didn't jump on things fast enough, he ended up in really bad shape. We couldn't even touch the cancer itself, then PV eventually led to gangrene in his other leg and kidney failure.

My wife was diagnosed with uterine cancer a year ago. She underwent both external and internal radiation therapy at Petrov. Since then, she’s been following up regularly, and all her results have been normal—including her Pap smear seven months ago this year. Then, disaster struck. It started with back pain, swelling in her legs, and so on. After numerous exams, a CT scan revealed metastases in the liver and lymph nodes... Her condition deteriorated rapidly within a month and a half of her last routine checkup. She is currently hospitalized, and the prognosis isn't looking good... Does anyone have any information on what can be done next or how to proceed? Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.

CT Report
The lung parenchyma at the bases shows no visible focal lesions or signs of pleural effusion.
The liver is normally positioned and slightly enlarged, showing diffuse infiltration of numerous hypodense lesions ranging from 1 to 4.5 cm, which, based on radiomorphological characteristics, correspond to metastatic changes.
The gallbladder, bile ducts, pancreas, spleen, adrenal glands, and both kidneys show normal CT findings.
Conglomerates of enlarged lymph nodes are present in the retroperitoneum around the aorta and vena cava, extending from the renal hilum level to the aortic bifurcation, measuring up to 5.6x3.5 cm together with the blood vessels on certain transverse sections.
The uterus has sharply defined contours on transverse sections, measuring 3.60x5.40 cm. The cervix measures 4.90x2.30 cm, with obscured pericervical fatty tissue.
The intestinal loops show no dislocation or dilation.
The rectum shows eccentric thickening on the right side, accompanied by obscuration of the perirectal fatty tissue.
No visible lytic-destructive changes are noted in the lower lumbar spine bones, pelvis, or hips.

Conclusion

Liver metastases.
Retroperitoneal lymph node conglomerates from the renal hilum level to the aortic bifurcation.
Obscured pericervical and perirectal fatty tissue with asymmetric thickening of the rectal wall on the right side.

Hey everyone, I haven't been around this thread for a while because my dad passed away just a month and a half after his diagnosis. We laid him to rest yesterday.
I honestly don't know what to say, other than thank you to everyone here. I haven't encountered this much humanity and warmth in one place in a long time.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you to all of you who are so selfless in wanting to help strangers and provide comfort and hope when people need it most.
I'm going to miss him terribly. Everything happened way too fast, and I still haven't fully processed everything that's going on. I guess it was just meant to be this way.
I wish you all nothing but the best in life. Please, keep fighting. My father never gave up until his very last day—he was a true fighter. You always have to keep fighting and keep hoping.

Hey Alex Hayes2, I am so incredibly sorry. I totally get what you're going through because I lost my Dad recently too—just two months after he got his diagnosis. Like you, I’m still having a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that he's gone. I just really hope they're somewhere better now, and that we'll all see them again someday.

Dear Susan Carter4, I am truly sorry; this whole thing just got unnecessarily complicated. I honestly can’t wrap my head around what nonsensical reason they had for not removing her uterus. In my opinion, that’s likely the main reason she's facing metastases now. She’s looking at chemotherapy ahead, and the outcome is anyone's guess. Please, stay brave and fight for every single new day. No matter how grim things look, all is not lost. Hang in there, both of you.

Alex Hayes2 said:Hey everyone, I haven’t been active on this thread for a while because my father passed away just a month and a half after his diagnosis. We laid him to rest yesterday.
I honestly don't know what to say other than thank you to everyone here; I haven't encountered this much genuine humanity and warmth in one place in a very long time.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you to everyone who so selflessly tries to help strangers and offer comfort and hope when people need it most.
I'm going to miss this community terribly. Everything happened so fast that I still haven't fully processed everything that's gone down. I guess it was just meant to be this way.
I wish you all nothing but the best in life. Keep fighting. My dad never stopped fighting until his very last day—he was a true warrior. You always have to fight and hold onto hope.

I am so sorry, dear 😢
I lost my aunt about six months ago. She gave up, she just surrendered... it left me with such an indescribable sense of grief and heaviness. She could have had more time—quality time—but she just didn't want to keep going. Be proud of your dad. Honor him with a peaceful heart, because you did everything right.

Does anyone know where I can find a thread about how to handle the agonizing wait for test results? I’ve been searching everywhere but coming up empty... I'm currently sitting here waiting on my own results, and honestly, everything is still such a massive question mark. It’s driving me absolutely crazy...

Sarah Wells23 said:Look, I can't exactly write anything coherent when I don't have direct access to the medical records—all I've got to work with are bits and pieces passed to me over the phone. So, here’s the situation: the initial diagnosis that landed her in the hospital for two weeks was rheumatoid arthritis. She ended up there after falling out of bed, and once she hit the floor, she just couldn't get back up. The joint pain was absolutely excruciating, and her whole body was swollen shut.
After spending a week in the hospital—just a couple of days before they were actually planning to discharge her—everything just went south. She took a turn for the worse and spiked a fever. I don't have the blood work right in front of me, but I know they confirmed she's anemic. Her ESR (sedimentation rate) was up, and her white blood cell count was high, which were the biggest red flags. To make matters worse, her urine test showed bacteria, and it turns out her kidneys are starting to fail. On top of all that, she’s developed pneumonia. Then, because she started losing balance and couldn't speak, they rushed her over to neurology under suspicion of a stroke. It turns out it’s cerebral ischemia. Now, they've had to insert a catheter because of the kidney failure, and she’s started on antibiotics and a blood transfusion. It's just one thing after another.
According to the doctors, everything is a direct consequence of the RA. They’re telling us that they can't even begin to fix these issues with the kidneys, the lungs, or the general circulation because nothing works anymore—it's a vicious cycle where treating one inflammation just triggers another. They said things are critical right now. All we can do is sit here and wait to see if kidney function returns and what the situation with the circulation ends up being.

The patient has developed a hospital-acquired infection, and honestly, given all the other underlying health issues they're battling, the situation is looking pretty grim.
RA definitely plays a role in this—that much is certain—but he isn't the whole story.

Joshua Moore7 said:Hey friends, I stumbled upon this forum while searching online. I’ve been trying my absolute best to translate this medical report into plain English, but I am honestly hitting a brick wall here. If any of you could help me make sense of this, I would be incredibly grateful. Here is what the report says: The patient was admitted to the clinic for a reassessment following an anterior low rectal resection with mesorectal excision and coloanal anastomosis, due to rectal adenocarcinoma with liver metastases. Post-surgery, the patient completed four cycles of FOLFOX chemotherapy. A recent MSCT scan shows nodular changes in both lung fields, measuring up to 5mm, as well as target lesions in the liver consistent with secondary deposits. Following admission, a full evaluation was performed, confirming the aforementioned diagnoses. An MRI of the abdomen and pelvis revealed multiple focal lesions in the basal regions of both lungs, measuring up to 26x17mm, characterized as secondary deposits. Within the liver parenchyma, there are multiple focal lesions of the secondary type, the largest being located in segment V with dimensions of 26x17mm. Additionally, peritoneal dissemination and abdominal lymphadenopathy were noted.

It’s not even about whether surgery is an option anymore; the real question is whether chemo is still on the table. Personally? I don't think so.
The final stage.
Palliative care is absolutely necessary.

Susan Carter4 Asks:
CT scan results.
The lung parenchyma shown at the bases looks clear—no visible focal lesions or any signs of pleural effusion.
The liver is neatly positioned but shows some mild enlargement. It’s diffusely permeated by numerous hypodense lesions of varying sizes, ranging from 1 to 4.5 cm. Based on the radiomorphological characteristics, these findings are consistent with metastatic changes.
The CT scan came back, and honestly, I’m relieved. My gallbladder, bile ducts, pancreas, spleen, adrenal glands, and both kidneys all look perfectly normal. Everything is right where it should be.
Massive conglomerates of enlarged lymph nodes located retroperitoneally around the aorta and the vena cava—stretching from the level of the renal hilum down to the aortic bifurcation—measuring roughly 5.6 x 3.5 cm in width along with the blood vessels on certain transverse sections.
The uterus shows sharply defined contours on the transverse sections, measuring 3.60 x 5.40 cm. The cervix measures 4.90 x 2.30 cm, and there is some cloudiness noted in the pericervical fatty tissue.
The intestinal loops show no signs of dislocation or dilation.
The rectum shows eccentric thickening on the right side, accompanied by some cloudiness in the surrounding fatty tissue.
The imaging of the lumbar spine and the pelvic bones shows no visible signs of lytic destruction.
The bottom line.
Hepatitis.
The scan shows conglomerates of retroperitoneal lymph nodes, stretching all the way from the renal hilum down to the aortic bifurcation.
The imaging shows some cloudiness in the fat surrounding the cervix and rectum, along with an asymmetrical thickening of the rectal wall on the right side.

We need to get Calcium and Phosphorus levels checked because of potential bone disease. Also, I'll need coagulation tests done.
Is it DVT? Or maybe thrombophlebitis? They need to check the D-dimer, PT/INR, and aPTT, along with kidney function—specifically creatinine, urea, urate, CK, and LDH.
From a gastroenterology standpoint, they really ought to be performing at least a rectosigmoidoscopy, if not a full comprehensive colonoscopy. On top of that, you absolutely need to be checking those markers—CEA, CA 19-9, CA 125, and CA 15-3. It’s basic protocol.
She’s supposed to start systemic chemo soon.
The liver just isn't meant for surgery.

Donna Brooks18 said:I’ve been searching everywhere, but I just can't find it... Is there actually a thread anywhere about how to deal with this agonizing wait for test results? Right now, I'm stuck in limbo waiting on my own labs, and honestly? Everything is still a massive question mark. It's driving me absolutely insane.

I'm just responding to the thread regarding the lab results.

Donna Brooks18 said:Guys, I’m looking for answers but coming up empty... is there anywhere where people talk about how to actually deal with this waiting game for test results? I’m just sitting here waiting for my labs to come back... everything is still a giant question mark right now and honestly, it’s driving me a little crazy.

The best way to handle this is to operate under the assumption that you have absolutely nothing until they confirm otherwise. And if it turns out you *do* have something, then you deal with it once you know exactly what it is and tackle it the way it needs to be tackled.
Get a job or focus on the immediate tasks you've been putting off.
Waiting for results and dealing with illness are just parts of life—they happen to people just like they happen to anyone else, along with a million other daily struggles we all have to manage. You'll get through this, and things will eventually settle down.

I was in this exact same position fourteen years ago. Honestly? I was losing my mind—just spiraling. But then it finally clicked: those test results aren't some terrifying prophecy; they’re just a factual confirmation of what my body is already going through. If there’s something nasty inside me (and believe me, there was), it’s already there. A few lines of ink on a piece of paper isn't going to change the reality of my situation overnight. Once I accepted that, I just went back to my routine, doing the usual daily chores, just like Angela Wright mentioned. I fell into this sort of fatalistic headspace, I guess. I figured if I'm meant to pull through this, I will—it's out of my hands.

For me, this is the second time I’ve faced this exact situation in just three years... the first time, I simply did everything I physically could bear... and then I eventually sought out a psychiatrist... it turned out to be melanoma. Now, it's esophageal cancer. It feels like so much to carry in such a short span of time. But I refuse to give up... I am still trying... I am still fighting.

Donna Brooks18, I know waiting on those results is brutal, but try to stay positive. Find something to distract yourself—I know, easier said than done, but you don't have much of a choice right now. You even said yourself that you aren't backing down and that you're fighting; sometimes we all have a reservoir of strength we didn't know existed. Keeping my fingers crossed that everything turns out okay! Check back in!

Hi everyone
I've been following this thread for a while now, and I just want to say you all are incredibly brave. Keep going.
Like many of you, my family is dealing with a heavy situation.
Is there anyone here who has dealt with kidney cancer personally, or has a family member fighting it? I’d really appreciate being able to exchange thoughts if anyone is willing.
My dad had to have his kidney removed because they found a tumor measuring 20 cm.
The doctor says everything was taken out and that there was no sign of metastasis in the lymph nodes.
Before the surgery, he told us there were spots on the lungs, but after the pathology report came back, he said those would just clear up on their own.
Since I’m honestly at a loss for where to even begin, is there anyone else facing this exact same thing?
I would be very grateful for any insight.
Best to everyone, stay strong.

drago, I honestly have zero clue about this stuff. Just try checking out the website for the Jedro association.

My bad, I meant Edward Johnson96

Greetings, everyone.
Too many pages have passed since I last checked in or posted here for me to catch up on everything, so please don't take it personally if I skip over them.
Instead, I want to offer some encouragement to those battling glioblastoma: statistics aren't always the final word. There are always exceptions to the rules surrounding this diagnosis. My wife is one of those exceptions; she just entered her eighth year since being diagnosed a few weeks ago. The side effects from radiation and likely chemotherapy are more apparent now, so her short-term memory issues have become more pronounced, though her long-term memory remains perfectly intact. Her communication is slower than it was before the diagnosis, but I know plenty of healthy people who struggle more with communication than she does now. Due to a congenital hip dislocation and because the tumor was located in an area controlling movement, her walking is limited. However, it doesn't stop her from moving around the house or taking short walks on flat ground with either my help or the use of hiking sticks. As for hills or steep declines, she's out of luck—she needs significant support and stability there. You really have to be careful with the walking sticks. But despite all these hurdles and the need for assistance, she is independent. Also, incontinence issues aren't necessarily tied directly to the primary diagnosis.
For the most part, we lead a completely normal life. That said, I’ve had to take over many of the daily responsibilities she handled before she got sick. Balancing all of this with my other obligations isn't exactly easy, but we manage.
There is much more detail I could write, but what's the point? She is alive and doing well (no recurrence), and everything else is just the usual friction of life.
Best regards, following the motto I've held from the start: never surrender, just keep moving forward. At least, for as long as God allows us.
I wish all the patients and their caregivers nothing but the best.

casualpanther1 said:Hey everyone.
Too many pages have scrolled by since I last checked in here, so please don't take it personally if I skip over the backlog.
Instead, I just wanted to offer some encouragement to those dealing with glioblastoma: statistics aren't gospel. There are always outliers who defy the odds. My wife is one of them; she actually hit her eight-year mark following her diagnosis a few weeks ago. The side effects from radiation—and likely chemo—are pretty obvious now, so short-term memory lapses are more frequent, though her long-term memory remains perfectly intact. Her communication is a bit slower than it used to be, but then again, I know plenty of healthy people who struggle more with verbal processing than she does currently. Because of a congenital hip dislocation and the tumor's location affecting motor function, walking is a challenge, but she can still get around the house or manage a quick stroll on flat ground with either my help or some hiking sticks. Going uphill or downhill is a different story, though; she needs a lot of support there. You really have to be careful with the canes. But despite all those hurdles and the need for assistance, she’s still independent in her own way. And honestly, issues like incontinence don't necessarily have to be tied directly to the primary diagnosis.
For the most part, we lead a pretty normal life. That said, I’ve had to step up and handle most of the daily chores she used to manage before she got sick. Balancing that with everything else isn't exactly a walk in the park, but we make it work.
I could go into much more detail, but there's no point. She's alive and doing well (no recurrence), and the rest is just the usual friction of daily life.
Sending my best to everyone, keeping with the motto I've held since day one: never give up, just keep moving forward. At least, for as long as God allows us.
Wishing all the patients and their caregivers a lot of strength and luck.

HELLO🙂 My Mom has been living with a glioblastoma diagnosis for a year and six months now and she feels great. Her last CT scan showed no signs of recurrence, although after her surgery, there was one part left behind that wasn't operable, which they treated with radiation... I was wondering if your wife also had a residual part that couldn't be removed, or if the tumor was taken out entirely? 😍

Linda Patel21 said:Honestly, I don't know anything about that. You should try checking the website for the "New Day" association.

Hi there!

No worries, Linda Patel21, I'm sure someone will turn up who's dealing with the same thing.
I tried looking, but for some reason, I can't even get their forum to open.