Support resources for families dealing with cancer and other serious illnesses

Linda Cox69 said:Nancy Hernandez43, Melissa Parker37, mellowbison13, and the rest of the ladies...😘

A little something for everyone... How is everyone holding up today?

So, she survived her second round of chemo... Mom finally made it home yesterday. Everything seems fine for the moment; there aren't any side effects yet, which is a relief, but I know how this goes. Just like last time, the pain tends to kick in after a few days, so I’m mentally bracing myself for tomorrow... Even though I’m desperately hoping she stays comfortable, I have to prepare for the inevitable. Last time, we were left guessing whether she could even take over-the-counter painkillers, but this time Mom actually checked with the doctors. They told her she can take Voltaren if she needs to, so she’ll just go ahead and use that rather than suffering through it unnecessarily...

Well, here is some actual good news for once... I feel compelled to share this, if only to prevent myself from droning on about nothingness...😁My mother just got back from her follow-up appointment, and the doctor mentioned that the lump on her neck has already shrunk significantly after just the first round of chemo... he actually admitted he didn't dare hope for such a positive reaction so early on. That news provided an immediate boost for Mom and all of us... I’m just hoping she absolutely crushes this thing, quite literally...👍

Mom is supposed to be resting today, though "rest" seems to be a foreign concept to her... she’s spent the entire day fussing over things around the house, moving one thing here and another there. To top it all off, some blue-collar worker caught up with her just before evening, but I really think she needs some actual downtime and a bit of breathing room to clear her head... our little hero...😍She hasn't lost all of her hair just yet... she still has quite a bit left, though you can clearly see it starting to thin out. She used to have such thick, high-quality hair, so I suspect that might actually be playing a role in how fast it's falling out...

The washing machine is all set, and since you’ve already had a look at those various packs of wipes, we might as well go ahead and pick those up too...👍

I wish you all, my dear Milena, a pleasant evening and a wonderful weekend ahead... may you find some time to rest before we tackle our next victories...

Sending my love to you all...😍

I am truly delighted to hear that things unfolded in such a manner...

Regarding the pain management, if it becomes absolutely necessary, we will resort to Voltaren. They provided us with some other painkillers—not Voltaren, mind you—and instructed us to wait until her pain scale hits somewhere between a 6 and a 10 before administering anything. Up until this point, she has simply endured everything... Today, however, I was hit with sinus pressure, stomach pains, and a general sense of exhaustion so intense that I couldn't tell if I was about to collapse or lose my lunch. I called my sweetheart to ask how she manages when the nausea and the pain become this overwhelming, only to receive a response along the lines of, "What’s the big deal? I just rest and it passes." The point of all this is that for us caregivers, there are moments where it feels even more difficult than it is for the patients themselves, because they have already grown accustomed to much more intense suffering and tend to complain far less... 👍

The hats are actually quite stylish, offering a decent variety of options... A good wig should do the trick, and honestly, no one will even realize that nothing about her appearance has changed besides a fresh new hairstyle...👍

It is quite a curious phenomenon, really... when you shed all that hair, there is this fleeting moment of emptiness, but once the process is complete, you will inevitably find that it regrows within that same timeframe—only to emerge thicker, stronger, and far more voluminous than what was lost. We discovered this firsthand when we realized my mother didn't actually have that straight, brownish hair everyone assumed... it turns out it was actually thick, curly black... 😍

I sincerely hope that everyone else’s experience proves to be just as smooth as mine, ideally with as little discomfort as possible... Hang in there.

Nancy Hernandez43 said:You know what... I just hope everything turns out okay! I truly mean it. Please let me know how it goes!!!!

There are a few discrepancies in the results.
Monocytes at 14 (normal range is 2-12)
Platelets at 137 (standard is 158 - 424)
MPV 10.9 (6.8 - 10.4)
Everything else falls within the expected limits.
I'm still dealing with this congestion, though it seems to be starting to clear up.
I am genuinely anxious to find out whether they’ll move forward with the chemotherapy or not. 🤷

Linda Cox69,

It is honestly such a pleasure to read your post—it really carries such a positive vibe. I say, just keep pressing forward with that same courage!! 😉

Yes, we dealt with our fair share of intense pain too—sometimes there wasn't even a need for medication, but other times we had to rely on Voltaren. I am so glad to hear the therapy is working; hopefully, it just keeps going that way 👍

Actually, I was just writing about hair loss on the community forum. I truly believe everything will settle into place eventually—new hair will grow back, and it’ll be better, thicker, and stronger... 🙂 I trust you'll get things sorted out with the little guy 👍
Sometimes my mom used to just drift off into her own thoughts, and then suddenly she'd burst into this whirlwind of activity around the house—doing this, doing that. It was just an incredible surge of energy and strength.

The whole point of what I'm saying is that for us caregivers, things can sometimes feel even harder than they do for the patients themselves—mostly because the patients have already adapted to everything, becoming much more resilient and tougher, so they don't complain as much.

That is a huge truth.
And the same goes for the new hairstyle. My mom chose a length similar to what she had before, but decided to switch up the color a bit. Even then, she looked absolutely irresistible 😍 We tried to expmetirati with scarves, and we actually found a few really lovely ones. We both used to go out for walks wearing them over our heads. 😁

Just stay brave and keep moving forward!!! 👍

p.s. I was wondering if anyone here might have some personal experience (or maybe through a family member) with the medication Concor? If so, could you please send me a private message? Thanks so much in advance!

feralridge3 said:there are some deviations...
monocytes 14 (normal range 2-12)
platelets 137 (158 - 424)
MPV 10.9 (6.8 - 10.4)
everything else is within limits...
I'm still sniffling, though it seems to be easing up...
I am quite curious to see if they will actually proceed with my chemotherapy or not... 🤷

Unfortunately, I am hardly an expert on these matters... I suspect the elevated monocytes might just be a lingering effect of this cold. It would likely be ideal if they were to draw more blood before starting the chemo treatment. It is difficult to say for certain under these circumstances... but I certainly hope you are able to move forward with it...

Hey there, ladies!😍

Just wanted to drop in quickly to say hello and send some wonderful, positive vibes your way~~~~~~~~~

Nancy Hernandez43, mistyridge5🙂

I really agree with everything being said here, and I truly appreciate all the kind words of support you've shared...

Nancy Hernandez43, what happened? Was it something like the flu or one of those nasty viruses? Yeah, usually just getting some rest is the best way to handle it, so hopefully you can just recharge your batteries...

Mom is doing okay for now. Her pain is sitting at about a 3 or 4 on the scale, which is definitely manageable and nowhere near as intense as it was during her last round of chemo...🙏

I hope you all have a lovely evening, and I'll catch up with you all again tomorrow😍

Linda Cox69 said:Dearest ladies😍

Just a quick note to say hello and send some positive vibes your way~~~~~~~~~

Nancy Hernandez43, mistyridge5🙂

I find myself in complete agreement with everything said here, and I truly appreciate the kind words of support...

Nancy Hernandez43, what happened? Was it something akin to the flu or one of those seasonal viruses? Yes, typically rest is the most effective remedy. One simply must recharge the batteries...

Mom is doing reasonably well at the moment. Her pain levels are sitting at a 3 or 4 on the scale—manageable, and certainly nothing like what she endured during her last round of chemo...🙏

I wish you all a pleasant evening, and we shall touch base again tomorrow😍

It is a relief to hear the pain isn't as severe as before, which is an inherently good sign... May this trend of improvement continue...👍 Stay positive and keep the faith!

My mother calls me a sensitive soul, and my sinuses have been acting up for quite some time now; it isn't anything catastrophic, I just tend to complain a bit (pointlessly, really, though I suppose I've grown accustomed to it)😍, I guess
.
Things are a bit more cheerful at our house now that the weather has turned so lovely. Mom is spending more time outdoors, which seems to lift her spirits. In any case, I will be able to give her a hug in three days, and we are both looking forward to it. I trust things are feeling a bit brighter where you all are as well? With the warmer days approaching, I imagine the seasonal bugs will finally subside...

Hang in there! Kisses

I am so glad to hear you aren't in much pain 👍 Let's hope it stays that way!!

Nancy Hernandez43, don't be so pessimistic! 😉 I know how it goes—my sinuses act up from time to time too... 🙄
I'm not quite sure if you deal with migraines right away like I do, but if you do, I found that using some massage oil from Rituals—or a similar brand—really helped. It seemed to give my sinuses some immediate relief. 🙏

Sending hugs, stay safe and take care 😍

Olivia Miller said:mellowbison13,
I used to drink aloe vera (homemade, not store-bought), then switched to tahéebo tea followed by green honey. That was about 10 years ago and I didn't experience any side effects at all.

Thanks, Olivia Miller. We might give that a shot. It could help my mom regain some strength since she's feeling so drained. I suspect it's just that spring fatigue, because I've been feeling a bit sluggish myself.

Melissa Parker37, how is your dad doing? I really hope he’s still keeping his spirits up.

I think it works both ways. Just as we try our best to stay positive and support our loved ones through this, they try to lift themselves up—and us, too—so we don't get swallowed by the gloom. Parents often understand their kids much better than we realize. Sometimes I'm surprised by how much my own mom "gets" me; even when I think I'm hiding everything, she just picks up on the vibes. At the end of the day, parents are there from the start; they know us better than we know ourselves sometimes. They want to breathe some positivity into us to protect us. We have to look out for one another and listen to what's needed. Sometimes you need to show them how much you're standing by them, but other times, you just have to forget the illness exists for a while. You can't dwell on it constantly; it's just too heavy. Everyone needs to "clear their head" occasionally—both the patient and the family—to recharge before the next round.

gentletiger46 said:Nancy Hernandez43 and Balbazorko — thanks for the support. It helps, even if just a little. I’ve got a consultation with my doctor tomorrow; if things don't look up, I'm taking my Rebro ribs straight to Mercury—hoping their care is actually better.

Melissa Parker37 — you've already received plenty of solid advice here, so I won't bore you by repeating it. All I'll say is: put yourself first. If I were in your shoes, I'd want to be home too.

mellowbison13 — I’ve never been one for cheesy sentiments—my people know that—and they've shown their support without all the fluff. Just small gestures... making my favorite cookies, being a bit more affectionate than usual. That’s enough for me.

I really should recommend Dr. Ajduković over at General Hospital. A close friend of mine was under her care for Hodgkin's, and he couldn't have been more satisfied. Hang in there—stay strong, boost your immune system, and watch your diet LIKE HELL. Everything is going to be fine.👍

mellowbison13 said:Thanks, Olivia Miller, we'll give that a shot. It might help get my mom's energy levels back up; she mentioned feeling completely drained. I suspect it’s just that seasonal spring slump—I've been feeling a bit sluggish myself lately.

You might also want to look into IP6 with inositol. It's a solid supplement and works wonders as an immune booster...

feralridge3 said:The numbers are a little wonky.
Monocytes at 14 (normal range is 2-12)
Platelets at 137 (should be 158 - 424)
MPV is 10.9 (range is 6.8 - 10.4)
Everything else looks fine.
Still got the sniffles, but I'm starting to turn a corner.
I'm dying to know if they're actually gonna pull the trigger on this chemo or not. 🤷

My spouse went through something almost identical right before a round of chemo, and they still went ahead with it. Your numbers aren't even that far off. Honestly, I bet they’ll give you the green light for treatment.

Hey everyone, just wanted to drop in, say hi, and wish you all some serious strength for whatever fights you're still fighting out there... I'm actually digging this sunshine for once because it brings a decent amount of good vibes, even to my old man, who’s finally looking a little more alive and keeping our spirits up with his attitude lately... I'm really hoping he makes it home in time for Easter, because honestly, we all know how much that would mean to him.
Keep being brave for me.🙂

mellowbison13 said:Thanks, Osman. We'll give that a shot. It might help my mom get her strength back; she says she’s feeling completely drained. I'm thinking it's just that seasonal spring slump, since I've been feeling pretty sluggish myself.

If you want my advice, try some primordial soup. It works wonders!

Joseph Nguyen2 said:If you want my two cents, just try some primordial soup. Seriously, it’s a game changer!

So, where am I even supposed to find primordial soup? We've never messed with it before, but I've heard it's actually pretty good for you.

Lisa White54 said:Where can I pick up some royal jelly? We’ve never used it before, but I’ve heard it’s actually really good for you.

You can find it at pretty much any local beekeeper's.

Hey there, my dear friends😍

I just wanted to pop in and say a quick hello to everyone...
How is everybody doing today?

Nancy Hernandez43, how have you been feeling lately? Are you finally back on your feet? And how are all the other ladies holding up?

Yesterday was actually a pretty big milestone for us regarding Mom’s hair. I ended up cutting it all off for her, almost down to the scalp... I honestly don't think anything has felt more emotional or difficult than that moment, but we are both doing okay now, truly...

We made sure to snap some photos together before I did the big chop, and today she’s slowly getting used to wearing her wig. We’re keeping things lighthearted and staying positive, finding reasons to laugh through it all...

She is being so incredibly brave🙏 and so am I right alongside her.

Tomorrow, we’re planning to head over to the salon to get our nails done with a nice French manicure😍

~~~~~~~~~~Sending nothing but positive vibes to everyone out there.

I’ve updated my profile with a new spring avatar, which I'm using to send you all some springtime kisses and a little extra boost of seasonal energy to help with the fight...

Let's not forget that even when things feel their absolute heaviest, life is still beautiful😍

Kisses

Melissa Parker37 said:My dear friends, I simply wanted to reach out, offer my greetings, and wish you all immense strength as you navigate your ongoing battles. I find myself quite enjoying this sunshine; it brings such a surge of positive energy, even to my father... He has livened up quite a bit lately, and his renewed optimism has been a comfort to us all. I am truly hoping he will be able to make it back for Easter at home, as I know just how much that would mean to him.
Please continue to remain brave.🙂

Undoubtedly—the sun provides the most wonderful impetus for more optimistic thoughts. I sincerely hope your father will indeed be able to manage being there for Easter at home so that your entire family can be reunited...

Sending many positive thoughts your way. Hang in there.

Linda Cox69 said:my dear ladies😍

just a brief note to say hello...
how is everyone doing?

Nancy Hernandez43, how are you feeling? Have you recovered? And how are all the other girls faring?...

Yesterday was the big day regarding the hair situation here in our house. I ended up shaving my mother’s head almost completely down to the scalp. I honestly don't think anything could have been more difficult than that moment, but we are both doing alright now... both her and myself...

We took some photos before I cut it all off, and today she is slowly adjusting to wearing a wig. We are all staying positive and even making jokes about the whole thing...

She is incredibly brave...🙏 and so am I right alongside her...

Tomorrow we are heading out to the salon to get our nails done...😍

~~~~~~~~~~sending positive vibes to everyone...

Here is my new spring avatar, which I'm sharing along with a little spring kiss and some seasonal energy to help us through the fight...

Let us not forget that even when things are at their absolute worst, life remains beautiful...😍

kisses...

As Dorothy wrote... sunshine brings positivity, so I am doing wonderful, and I promise not to complain any further... 😍

I can certainly imagine the discomfort and the emotional weight of the hair situation. The first time my mother faced this, my father had to step in because she couldn't find the courage herself. But now? You just grab the Machine and get it over with... or rather, it is such an agonizing moment to push through... Believe me, she will adapt to the wig before you know it...

And yes... you were quite right to end on that note—because even when life is most difficult, it is still life, and life is beautiful, and one simply must view everything that happens to us through that lens...

Sending many kisses, and enjoy yourselves at the salon tomorrow... 😍 stay lovely and stay brave!

Hi there. My dad is battling lung cancer, and it’s already spread to his bones. It's... it's hard to watch. Every single day, I'm just witnessing this slow, agonizing decline. He’s actually handling the chemo relatively well, physically speaking, but the disease itself? It’s stripped him of everything. He’s completely withdrawn—won't talk to us, won't leave his room, won't engage with the world. Honestly, watching him shut down like this is just as soul-crushing for the rest of us as the illness is for him. It’s mentally exhausting for the whole family.😳