Support resources for families dealing with cancer and other serious illnesses

Lily, I am so incredibly sorry for what you're going through.
Just wanted to give a quick update on my end. My dad had his first radiation session today out of the thirty they have planned. I guess we'll just have to see how much he can handle.

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Lily, I am so incredibly sorry. I know you’re going through it right now, but we just have to hold onto hope and believe our loved ones are in a better place now.

Nancy Lee said:My dear dad passed away today to a better place. I just hope there’s no sickness there and that he finally finds some peace and quiet.
Dad, I love you!

I am so sorry, honey. Hang in there. Your dad is definitely in a much better place now, completely free from all the heavy burdens and aches of this life. Honor his passing by finding peace and eventually moving forward.

Dear Lily... I honestly don't even know what to say—there aren't enough words in the world to make this better when you lose someone close to you. You’ve gotta be in total shock right now, it's just so incredibly heavy and heartbreaking. I am so, so sorry! This whole week over here has just been one depressing day after another... Sending my deepest, most sincere condolences.

Lily, please accept my deepest condolences. I am so incredibly sorry... 😢

Lily, I am so incredibly sorry for your loss...

I just got back from the Mayo Clinic. I've been spending every waking moment by my dad's side. This morning, he actually said goodbye when I had to head home. A few hours later? Total silence. No greeting, nothing. 😢
Desi has his eyes closed, but there is absolutely no connection left with us. 😢Is this really how he says goodbye? My heart and soul are shattering into a million pieces.
I honestly can't believe I'm losing my best friend. 😢

Lily, your dad is at peace now. I'm so sorry for what you're going through—just take your time with the service, and then try to focus on all those beautiful memories you shared together

Greetings to everyone on the forum.

I haven't posted in over three months, though I have been a regular reader of your updates. I am checking in simply to express my gratitude once again to Angela Wright, Vince, and the others who provided encouragement and shared their expertise regarding the "combat tactics" required when dealing with oncology.

Exactly one year ago, I was first informed that I had adenocarcinoma, diagnosed solely based on a metastasis in my left groin. Of course. Why me? I still have far too many unfinished business items on my list. As if anyone actually asked. Then came the first surgery (those lymph nodes), followed by an endless battery of tests in Boston and a PET CT in Washington, D.C. They found metastases in the iliac region—somewhere deep within the abdomen. Another surgery followed, and once again, the pathology report confirmed adenocarcinoma. Naturally, chemotherapy was the next step. I managed to endure ONLY three rounds. My body simply gave out—blood counts, heart, nerves, the works. Since the primary tumor still hadn't surfaced, I requested that my doctor remove my gallbladder, which was riddled with stones. Third surgery: the gallbladder (plus a "free" appendectomy), just so I could finally step away from the chemo. During the procedure, they performed a visual inspection of everything; they checked an organ in the abdomen, but found absolutely nothing. A month and a half later, a follow-up CT showed it was still nowhere to be found. What is one supposed to do? That was back in September.

After consulting with my oncologist, we have suspended all treatment. I am scheduled for a repeat CT in early February. We will wait until the primary site reveals itself. Given that I am not exactly built like an athlete, I couldn't push any further. Cisplatin and irinotecan effectively cut me in half. We shall see what happens next; for now, I am in WAITING MODE.

Therefore, I offer my respect to the GIANTS like Vince and those similar to him, who endure 60, 70, or even more rounds of chemotherapy.

Greetings from Boston!👋

This morning, my dear, sweet father closed his eyes and drifted into his eternal sleep. I can't see a way out of this grief. I feel like a lost child. 😢

silvercanyon7
I am so incredibly sorry about your dad. I hope you can hold onto those beautiful memories of him... he sounds like such a wonderful man. For me, this past Monday, November 11th, marked exactly one month since my mom passed away so suddenly. Honestly, there isn't a single five-minute stretch where she doesn't cross my mind. I was actually just sitting here wondering what I would even do if she were still here right now. It's heavy.

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Lily and silvercanyon7—I am so incredibly sorry for the loss of your loved ones. My heart goes out to you both! Let's just trust in God that they’re in a better place now, far away from all this earthly suffering.

Hey silvercanyon7, I am so incredibly sorry. These moments suck so much—losing people we love is just brutal, but that love stays with you forever.

silvercanyon7 said:This morning, my dear, wonderful dad closed his eyes for the last time and fell into his eternal sleep. I can't see a way out of this darkness; I feel like a lost little kid again. 😢

Please accept my deepest, most sincere condolences.
Exactly six years ago today, on this very morning, my mother closed her eyes for the final time as well.

I just wanted to say my heart truly goes out to everyone here who’s dealing with the loss of someone they love...

Back again... Like I mentioned before, my mom has leiomyosarcoma. They removed the primary site (uterus and ovaries), but there are spots on her lungs and they suspect the liver might be involved too. We know the prognosis isn't great, but you don't give up hope easily. Her doctors in Miami are suggesting chemo, though from everything I’ve read online, it doesn't seem all that effective. A family friend who's a doctor in Washington, D.C. suggested we talk to Dr. Vardoljak in Miami instead. Has anyone here dealt with him? I also found an email for a specialist at a sarcoma center in Germany, and I'm considering sending the records over there. My main question is: should we agree to the chemo, or push for a second opinion? There's no point in the struggle if it won't actually work. Also, I'm thinking about getting her some aronia or graviola—does that actually help boost the immune system, and can I just pick it up at any local pharmacy? Thanks.

Honestly, I think you should just go ahead and ask that doctor your friend recommended for advice. You really don't have anything to lose here, and maybe it could actually help your mom. I remember seeing him on TV once; I think they mentioned he's basically the top oncology specialist in Miami. How old is your mom now?

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I’m going to switch gears here, because this conversation has drifted far away from the brain tumor topic.
I mentioned a long time ago that something else would likely get the better of me before a brain tumor ever could. 😍

It is incredibly difficult to fully shake off fear; sometimes it just clings to you, as persistent as a mosquito. 😁
I try my hardest to keep it at bay, along with any negative thoughts, though I admit I don't always succeed.
It is a good thing I am seeing a private psychiatrist. ☕ It really helps.

The issue weighing on me right now isn't the upcoming eardrum surgery, but rather tomorrow's gastroscopy. I've been having some issues in that area, and my paternal grandmother passed away from colon cancer when she was only in her early thirties.
I didn't sleep well last night. I spent the hours wrestling with these dark, negative thoughts that constantly spiral toward the idea of falling ill. I try to push them away, but they just keep circling back. 😢

On top of everything else, this gastroscopy is really weighing on my mind. I suppose I'll get through it. 🙄

My deepest, most sincere condolences to everyone who’s lost someone they love lately...

C 71 Honestly, don't stress about the gastroscopy—it’s really not that big of a deal. Is it "pleasant"? Hell no. During the procedure, you’re definitely going to feel like you need to gag, so the trick is just to relax as fast as possible—the more chill you are, the easier it goes! It doesn't hurt at all, either; my husband and I both went through it, and he actually handled it better than me. Once you're out, you'll forget the whole thing even happened. The main thing is just getting it done since you've been having issues. Just get it over with so you can have some peace of mind and make sure everything is okay! If they don't find anything, the exam takes maybe 2 minutes, though it might run a bit longer if they spot something. So seriously, stop worrying and just be brave! Everything is going to be fine!