Support resources for families dealing with cancer and other serious illnesses

@amberskipper13/">@@amberskipper13,
I can see that you're open to hearing different perspectives, which is a wonderful quality to have. I took a little look back through some of your previous posts, and it’s truly clear that you’ve been carrying an incredibly heavy burden lately while navigating all these challenges.
Regarding your mother-in-law and the difficult situation she's facing, it is painfully obvious how much suffering she is enduring, and by extension, how much everyone in your family is hurting right alongside her.
If you can try to look at the reality of the situation with a bit more objectivity, you might see that what lies ahead—as agonizing as it may feel right now—could ultimately bring her nothing but relief from her pain. Your husband will find the strength he needs to get through this, too. In the end, time is the only thing that truly offers solace; no matter how steep the climb feels today, time has a way of smoothing out the sharpest edges. If you hold a faith, perhaps you can find comfort in the belief that death isn't a finality, but rather a transition that awaits us all eventually.
Searching for solace in your spiritual life might provide the inner peace you need to weather this storm. Father Zvjezdan Linić in our local suburban area is a truly compassionate priest, and you might find it helpful to sit down for a conversation with him. It doesn't even matter if you're Catholic; he's a soul who opens his heart to everyone and provides immense support to those in need. Please don't take my suggestion the wrong way; my only intention is to wish you nothing but the very best as you navigate these difficult days. Warm regards,

Angela Wright said:Terry Rogers, I am so incredibly sorry... 😢
Stay brave... stay strong...

Hello, I’m new here, and I’m really hoping that some of you might be able to offer some guidance or insight... My father was diagnosed with colon cancer—specifically Dukes-B—about a year ago. Thank God, he has recovered quite well; he went through chemotherapy and everything seems to be heading in a positive direction. However, about a month ago, he started experiencing pain in his hip and lower back. During his latest check-up, the doctors mentioned he has osteopathy involving both the spinal and pelvic bones. His markers have also risen to 7.2. I'm wondering if this could be related to the cancer, and if anyone knows more about what this specific condition actually entails... Thanks in advance for any help.

bluewalker13 said:Hi there, I’m new here and I’m really hoping you all might be able to help me out. About a year ago, my father was diagnosed with Dukes-B colorectal cancer. Thankfully, he’s recovering well after finishing his chemotherapy and everything seems to be heading in a positive direction. However, about a month ago, he started feeling pain in his hip and lower back. During a checkup, the doctors told him he has enthesopathy affecting both his pelvic and intestinal bones. His markers have gone up to 7.2. I’m wondering if this could be related to the cancer, and honestly, what kind of condition is enthesopathy exactly? Thanks so much in advance for any insight.

I actually misspelled ENTEZOPATIJA

bluewalker13 said:I clearly misread and wrote ENTEZOPATIJA

So, what kind of follow-up screenings or checkups have you all actually gone through?

I don't know personally, but I found online that this condition involves the ligaments and attachment points, caused by degenerative changes and calcium buildup in those areas. So, it likely has nothing to do with cancer.

Brenda Harris81 said:Personally, I'm not an expert, but from what I've gathered online, this is a condition involving the ligaments and the heel, caused by degenerative changes and calcium deposits in those areas. So, it likely has nothing to do with cancer.

Of course, a medical issue doesn't necessarily have to be linked to cancer, but we can't ignore the fact that the individual dealt with colon cancer just a year ago. Because of that history, one really ought to be cautious and run all the necessary tests. The real question here is: which specific screenings were performed? It’s simply a matter of ruling out cancer entirely.

My angel is gone😢🙂 😢🙂🙂🙂🙂
The pain and the grief... they're just too much. I'm completely shattered.

He was strong and totally present until the very last second. The nurses called me from the hospital because he was calling out for me. I ran like a maniac. Even through all the agony and the struggle, he was just looking at me, trying to figure out how to make things easier for me—he didn't give a damn about himself. He managed to say everything he needed to say. And then, right at the end, he told me he wasn't in pain. My hero.
That night absolutely destroyed me.

I keep hoping that, eventually, finding comfort in words and thoughts will help.
But right now? None of that matters.

I am just beyond heartbroken.😢🙂

casualrider21 said:My angel is gone😢🙂 😢🙂🙂🙂🙂
The pain and the grief are just too heavy. They’ve completely broken me.

He was strong and so conscious right until the very last second. The nurses called me from the hospital because he was calling out my name. I ran like a madwoman. Even through all that agony and suffering, he was looking for ways to make things easier for me—he didn't give a single thought to himself. He managed to say everything he needed to say. And then, he told me he wasn't in pain. My hero.
That night killed me.

I hope that in time, finding comfort in words and memories might help.
But right now, none of that matters.

I am beyond heartbroken.😢🙂

Oh, dear casualrider21, I am so incredibly sorry.😢
You had the chance to say goodbye... let that be some small comfort to you, because so many people would give anything they have just to have had that one final moment.
May he rest in peace, and I wish you peace in your heart.

casualrider21 said:My angel is gone😢🙂 😢🙂🙂🙂🙂
The pain and the grief... they are simply too much. They have completely broken me.

He was strong, and he remained conscious until the very last second. The nurses called me from the hospital because he was calling out for me. I ran like a madwoman. Even through all that agony and suffering, his only thought was how to make things easier for me, never once considering himself. He managed to say exactly what he needed to say. And then, right at the end, he told me he wasn't in pain. My hero.
That night destroyed me.

I hope that, in time, the comfort of kind words and gentle thoughts might offer some relief.
But right now, none of it seems to matter.

I am profoundly, immeasurably sad.😢🙂

Regrettably, that moment has arrived, and my heart truly aches for you. Please accept my condolences, and try to find the strength for whatever comes next... because I know that is exactly what He would want for you.

Just remember how hard he tried to show you he was okay, even when things weren't looking promising... he did it so that you might find peace, and so you wouldn't forget the smile and the warmth he left behind for you.🙂

casualrider21 said:My angel is gone😢🙂 😢🙂🙂🙂🙂
The pain and the grief are just overwhelming. They’ve completely broken me.

He was strong and lucid until the very last second. The nurses called me from the hospital because he was calling out my name. I ran there like a madwoman. Even through all that physical agony and struggle, his only thought was how to make things easier for me; he didn't give himself a second thought. He managed to say everything he needed to say. And then, right at the end, he told me he wasn't in pain anymore. My hero.
That night destroyed me.

I used to hope that, in time, the comfort of kind words and thoughts would help.
Now, none of it seems to matter.

I am profoundly heartbroken.😢🙂

Please accept my deepest, most sincere condolences.
Your angel has gained their wings; they aren't suffering or in pain anymore.

casualrider21 said:My angel is gone😢🙂 😢🙂🙂🙂🙂
The pain and the grief... they're just too much. They've completely broken me.

He was strong and so incredibly lucid until the very last second. The nurses called me from the hospital because he was calling out for me. I ran there like a madwoman. Even through all the physical agony and the struggle, his only thought was how to make things easier for me—he didn't give a second thought to himself. He managed to say everything he needed to say. And then, right at the end, he told me he wasn't in pain. My hero.
That night destroyed me.

I used to hope that, in time, finding comfort in words and memories would help.
But right now, none of that matters.

I am profoundly, deeply sad.😢🙂

Casualrider21, I am truly, deeply sorry for your loss.
Hang in there.

casualrider21 said:My angel is gone😢🙂 😢🙂🙂🙂🙂
The pain and the grief... they're just too heavy. They've completely broken me.

He was strong and lucid until the very last second. The nurses called me from the hospital because he was calling out for me. I ran like a madwoman. Even through all that agony and struggle, his only thought was how to make things easier for me; he didn't give a single thought to himself. He managed to say exactly what he needed to say. And then, right at the end, he told me he wasn't in pain. My hero.
That night destroyed me.

I used to hope that, in time, the comfort of kind words and shared thoughts would help.
Now, none of it seems to matter.

I am profoundly, deeply sad.😢🙂

My deepest condolences... our angels will be waiting for us and watching over us.

casualrider21, please accept my sincerest condolences.

casualrider21—my heart really goes out to you...
just try to take comfort in knowing he isn't in any pain now—he’s in a much better place...

casualrider21 said:My angel is gone😢🙂and the anger and sadness are just too much. They have completely broken me.

He was strong and conscious until the very last second. The nurses called me from the hospital because he was calling out for me. I ran there like a madwoman. Even through all the pain and agony, he was looking for ways to make things easier for me—he didn't give a single thought to himself. He managed to say everything he needed to say. And then, he told me he wasn't in pain. My hero.
That night destroyed me.

I hope that, in time, the comfort of words and thoughts will help.
Right now, none of it matters.

I am beyond heartbroken.😢🙂

My heart goes out to you,😢
Sending you every ounce of strength to overcome this grief.🙂

casualrider21 said:My angel is gone😢🙂 😢🙂🙂
The pain and the grief... they are just too heavy. They have completely broken me.

He was strong and lucid until the very last second. The nurses called me from the hospital because he was calling out for me. I ran there like a madwoman. Even through all that agony and struggle, his only thought was how to make things easier for me; he didn't think of himself for a single moment. He managed to say everything he needed to say. And then, right at the end, he told me he wasn't in pain. My hero.
That night destroyed me.

I used to hope that, in time, the comfort of kind words and thoughtful reflections would help.
But now, none of it seems to matter.

I am immeasurably heartbroken.😢🙂

😢

I offer you my word as a small comfort. In time, just as you said, it will reach you—I am certain of it. Please, stay strong. 🙂

casualrider21, please accept my deepest condolences. I know there aren't any words out there that can actually make this better. Just stay strong—your angel was lucky to have you by their side.

casualrider21 my sincere condolences. I'm truly sorry... 🙂 Thinking of you, hang in there...

To everyone who lost someone precious and deeply loved, my sincere condolences to you and your families...

casualrider21 said:My angel is gone😢🙂 😢🙂🙂🙂🙂
The pain and the grief... they're just too much. They've completely broken me.

He was strong and alert until the very last second. The nurses called me from the hospital because he was calling out for me. I ran like a maniac. Even through all that agony and suffering, he was just looking for ways to make things easier for me, never even thinking about himself. He managed to say what he needed to say. And then, he told me he wasn't in pain anymore. My hero.
That night killed me.

I used to hope that, with time, kind words and thoughts would help.
Now, none of it matters.

I am beyond heartbroken.😢🙂

casualrider21, I'm so sorry.