Support resources for families dealing with cancer and other serious illnesses

She’s gone... thank you all for everything... she didn't put up a fight, she just gave in...

Sam Murphy33 said:She just left.... thanks everyone... she didn't fight it, she just gave up...

I am so incredibly sorry 😢
Stay strong and focus on taking care of yourself right now.

Sam Murphy33 said:She just left.... thanks everyone... she didn't fight it, she just gave up...

Look, please take my deepest condolences. Just try to stay strong. If it helps at all, just think about how she's in a much better place now, somewhere peaceful where there isn't any more suffering. All that pain and hurt? Gone. The only thing she actually took with her was all the love you gave her...

Lara,
I’m so sorry about your mom. You went totally silent on me, so I just assumed everything was fine.
Look, some things in life are just set in stone. They’re brutal to swallow, but there's nothing we can do about them... we're just stuck.
Stay strong. Go give your mom a huge hug for your little one.

Sam Murphy33 said:She just went... thank you all... she didn't fight it, she just let go...

Sam Murphy33,
please accept my condolences.
I know how much this hurts, and I know you did absolutely everything in your power to help her,
but sometimes people just feel like their time has come, and there isn't anything more anyone can do.
Hang in there and try to remember the good times; her love stays with you.

Sam Murphy33 said:She finally passed away ....thank you all so much...she didn't put up a fight, she just let go...

My heart truly goes out to you.😢

Sam Murphy33 said:She finally let go ....thank you all for being here...she didn't fight it anymore, she just surrendered...

She simply ran out of strength to battle the illness... please accept my deepest condolences and find comfort in knowing her departure wasn't as easy as it might seem...🙂

I am so incredibly sorry for your loss, Sam Murphy33!

My little slice of heaven.

Sam Murphy33 said:She's gone... thank you everyone... she didn't fight it, she just let go...

My deepest condolences... I am so sorry, Sam Murphy33.

Dear Lara, I am so incredibly sorry. Just please, stay brave...🙂

Sam Murphy33 said:She just let go....thank you all so much...she didn't fight it, she just surrendered...

I am so incredibly sorry, honey. When the time comes, we all have to let go, and everyone chooses their own moment... please don't let this weigh on you... what matters most is that you fought for her for as long as she wanted you to...

About ten days ago, I ended up back in the hospital for treatment. That day felt pretty much like any other during this whole health struggle. But then, out of nowhere, my ear started bleeding. And I mean, it was bleeding quite a bit. Emergency services were called. It took about 40 minutes for them to arrive, and in that time, the bleeding didn't stop. I wouldn't have been so terrified if I hadn't suddenly remembered what one professor told me during my very first check-up after the diagnosis—he mentioned that ear bleeding could be a possible complication. I just thought, really? Is this the time for things to get complicated when my paperwork is such a mess right now? Luckily, I caught a break. It wasn't an internal bleed, and after some therapy and having my ear treated, I was discharged. I called the Directorate immediately to let them know how I'm doing. My case is still being processed. It's vacation season, and they have so many cases on their plates right now, so I just have to be patient and believe I can pull through. I HAVE TO... AND I WILL...
Sending my best to all of you 🙂

Hello,

Since I'm new to this forum, I need a little time to get settled in. I find myself in a bit of a strange position—having both a lot of experience with cancer through my clinical internship in oncology and a great deal of personal experience as well. Right now, however, I am facing a difficult dilemma regarding my aunt. Her breast cancer has metastasized to the lumbar and thoracic spine, as well as her hips. She was prescribed Zaldiar to manage the pain, but it’s doing very little for her, especially since she's only on a low dose, and the pain is quite intense. I have an upcoming consultation with her oncologist, and I am trying to weigh my options beforehand. Would a combination of Sevredol and Durogesic be more effective, or would MST paired with Durogesic be better in terms of absorption and overall efficacy? Furthermore, is Tramal even worth considering alongside those? Honestly, I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed. If anyone could offer some insight, I would be incredibly grateful!

Nancy Gomez10 said:Hi everyone,

I’m new here, so I’m still just trying to find my footing. To be honest—for better or worse—I have quite a bit of experience dealing with cancer, both from my time interning in oncology and through my own personal life. Right now, though, I’m facing a massive dilemma regarding my aunt. Her breast cancer has metastasized to her lumbar and thoracic spine, as well as her hips. She was prescribed Zaldiar for the pain, but honestly, it’s doing next to nothing since she’s only on a low dose, and we are talking about excruciating levels of pain here. I’m heading into a consultation with her oncologist soon, and I'm spinning my wheels trying to figure out if Sevredol combined with Durogesic is a better route, or if an MST and Durogesic combo would work better in terms of absorption and efficacy. And should Tramadol even be on the table at all? I feel like I'm losing my mind over this... If anyone can shed some light, I would truly appreciate it!

In my opinion, you might actually get more practical help by talking to an anesthesiologist.
Also, starting Wednesday, August 26th, the Mayo Clinic is launching a new clinical study involving patients with HER 2-positive metastatic breast cancer who were receiving Herceptin as their first line of treatment. What makes this particularly significant is that they aren't testing a new drug against an old standard; instead, both drugs being studied (lapatinib and neratinib) are considered cutting-edge, innovative, next-generation treatments. Furthermore, patients with brain metastases can also qualify for the study, provided they remain asymptomatic. This study will also be conducted at Johns Hopkins Hospital and in Cleveland.
If you think you might be a candidate, or know someone who could be, please reach out!

Angela Wright said:I honestly think talking to your anesthesiologist might actually be more helpful in this situation...
Also, just so you know, starting Wednesday, August 26th, the Mayo Clinic is launching a new clinical study involving patients with HER 2-positive metastatic breast cancer who have already received Herceptin as their first line of treatment for metastatic disease. What makes this particularly interesting is that the study isn't testing a brand-new drug against an old standard; instead, both medications being used in the trial (lapatinib and neratinib) are considered highly advanced, innovative, next-generation therapies. And one more important detail: patients with brain metastases can also participate, provided they aren't experiencing any symptoms... This study will be conducted at Johns Hopkins Hospital as well as in Cleveland.
If you feel like you might be a candidate, or if you know someone who could be, please reach out!

Who should we contact? Is there a specific link available with more details?

Thanks🙂

Linda Cox69 said:Who should I reach out to? Is there a link with more details?

Thanks🙂

Log in to our forum and send a PM to Dr. Jason Radic. She's actually the one who broke the news to us. She works over at Mayo Clinic.

Our association is stepping up once again this year to participate in the Terry Fox Run 2009. We’re currently looking for some reliable volunteers to help our activists man the booth—handling everything from T-shirt sales to snacks, drinks, toys, and various other merchandise.

The Terry Fox Run 2009 is scheduled for September 20th, 2009, at Lake Havasu starting at 2:00 PM, with the actual race kicking off at 4:00 PM. If you want to get ahead of things, we'll be running a T-shirt sale on September 12th, 2009, at our booths in Times Square from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

The organizers behind this year's humanitarian run—MPG LLC, the Embassy of Canada, the American Cancer Society, the Holding Company, and The Esplanade Hotel—are teaming up with our own "For a New Day" American Cancer Society chapter, along with their families and friends. They are calling on both local businesses and everyday citizens to support the cause once more. You can contribute by running, walking, cycling, skating, making a donation before the event, or simply volunteering your time on the day of the action.

The core mission here is to raise funds for research into hereditary breast cancer in America. All donations from this year's efforts will be directed toward the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

If you're interested in volunteering, please reach out to Jane or myself:

jane@zanovidan.hr, cell: +1 555 231 9064
katarina@zanovidan.hr, cell: +1 555 231 9063

To leave you with a thought, here is a quote from Terry Fox himself: "We need your help. People in cancer clinics around the world need people who believe in miracles. I am not a dreamer, and I am not saying that my initiative alone will provide answers or find a cure for cancer. I simply believe in miracles. I have to."

The specific line that caught my eye was, "The procedure is simple, painless, and prevents tumor growth for the next ten years." Does anyone happen to have any insight or information regarding this?

Thanks, everyone 🙂 thank you all..
I went to see my mom... what I saw there—I don't think I'll ever be able to forget it. 😢
I said goodbye to my own mother back in March, and since then, between a high-risk pregnancy, the actual labor, a C-section, and the postpartum recovery—I just haven't been able to see her.
My mother was always such a powerhouse—full of energy, positive, hyperactive, constantly talking, just... wired.
Seeing her now? I was speechless. She can't move a single muscle, and since her motor center is gone, she can't even speak..
All she can do is move her eyes. She recognized me. I talked to her while holding her hand, wiping her down with a warm towel, putting cream on her face, and kissing her. 🙂

The thing that absolutely haunts me about this disease is the helplessness... she actually looks okay in the face; she’s even gained weight... about 22 pounds. It doesn't hurt her, but she's completely paralyzed.
I told her about her granddaughter, whom she hasn't even met yet. I told her about myself... I only said beautiful things. (I lied.) But honestly, I don't think someone that sick needs to hear the truth.
I told her how much I'm looking forward to her getting better and coming home, and how much I love her and that she's always on my mind.

She's aware of everything. She's lucid—you can tell by the way she reacts with her facial expressions..

It's a terrifying disease. On the bright side, the IV fluids, vitamins, and the meds they give her to reduce the brain edema make things somewhat bearable. She isn't in pain, and she doesn't complain about anything. As the doctor says... she's "lucky." Most people dying from cancer endure unimaginable agony where even the strongest painkillers don't touch it.